The Ex-Federal (and other such ramblings.)

For those who don't know, the Ex-Federal is not a warped spelling of FedEx, it's my name for Amtrak Northeast Regional trains 66 and 67, which formerly had sleepers and other LD amenities, and were therefore named. The service was once known as the Night Owl, and later as the high-quality and semi-luxurious Twilight Shoreliner. Eventually the train was changed to run only Washington to Boston and vice-versa, becoming The Federal. And then in 2004 or so problems with the Viewliner fleet, as well as other issues, caused the removal of the sleepers from the Federal, though it was thought to be temporary. Just as 'temporary' as the MBTA's infamous E Arborway line I suppose. The name stuck around for a bit, though the train returned to going to Virginia, and currently the only remnant of its former glory is a loooooong schedule and a baggage car. A pity that it's gone, it was a viable route, the sleeper and other cars often had/have passengers, and it was something of a night alternative to the Acela. Amtrak has never been much for utilizing the Viewliners well, especially not on a very viable route with a good potential market. But, this lousy situation could all be changed. Amtrak has just announced an order for Viewliner IIs, including diners, baggage cars, dorms, and most importantly 25 new sleepers. I would think that with a new chunk of cars, Amtrak could spare a couple of them for the Federal. Add back the sleepers, some of the other amenities like some food service (use a surplus diner-light car?), rework the schedule a bit, and the NRPC could have a viable, revenue-generating new iteration of the current cattle-car of the Corridor. We shall see if they decide to restore the sleepers and the status of the Federal, or if they think it is time for the return of the Twilight Shoreliner. It's time for something to change, and it's hard for it to get worse, so hopefully it'll get better.