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(The following report by Rafi Guroian appeared on the Austin American Statesman website on April 13.)

AUSTIN, Texas — The times are a-changin’. Gone are the days of Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint stealing romantic glances on the 20th Century Limited in North by Northwest while ordering a multiple course, exquisite dinner on their way to Chicago. Today, trains still have the dining cars, but things have changed somewhat. In an effort to economize some operations and to try new ideas, Amtrak is currently testing a new kind of Food Service car on its Cardinal, which runs from New York to Chicago by way of Virginia and southern Ohio. The “Diner-Lounge,” which is a rebuilt, remodeled, single level car, is Amtrak’s response to customers who have been asking for better food service without the high prices of a full service dining car, while at the same time having a dining experience that is comfortable and attractive.

The new prototype, which Cox Newspapers was able to tour and photograph earlier today, has been completely remodeled with new booth seating, a steam table (used for preparing vegetables and mashed potatoes), and new lighting and accents. Amtrak stresses that the car design is very much a work in progress, and indeed, the car which we saw today is already out of date in some small details (more seating has been added, trash receptacles have been relocated, etc).

When Amtrak is finished tweaking the service, all 25 Amfleet II cafe/lounge cars on the Amtrak roster will be receiving the overhaul. Passengers will eventually be able to find the cars on single level long distance trains. Trains that currently run with a Dining Car, like the Crescent (which serves North Carolina and Atlanta) and the Silver Meteor and Silver Star (which serve North Carolina and Florida), will still retain that car, and the Diner-Lounge will be available as a lower-cost, more relaxed alternative. Trains like the Cardinal and Palmetto (which serves North Carolina and Savannah), which have few or no sleeper passengers, will have just the Diner-Lounge.

Perhaps what’s changed the most, however, is a new menu. While many of the same cafe foods are still available, the car boasts a wide selection of appetizers, desserts, and full meals now as well.

Amtrak hasn’t said when the new single level cars will become a permanent addition to its regular services, but if history is any indication, it’s only a matter of time. Late last year Amtrak tested a similar prototype car for its double-decker long distance trains. The company has since taken feedback from that test and is now completing modifications to the design in preparation for rollout in the near future.