Renting Private Varnish: How does one start?

Here are some sites that may give you some additional information.

http://www.aaprco.com/travel/cars-for-charter/

https://www.railserve.com/Private_Railcars/

 

Joe - hi, I hope things are well in your new home.

I have looked at those sites. I was looking for some insight from anyone that may have rented a private car. I have reached out to Luxury Charters out of Canada as well for a Canadian Rockies option (Banff, Spiral Tunnels, ...)  Thanks Joe

There's a guy on the TTML, I think his name is Frank Corely but don't quote me on that, who used to arrange private varnish trips/tours as his occupation.  I bet he might have insight.

If you need another passenger to help pay for this, let me know. My dream is traveling on a obs car with a open rear platform. Does not matter where. 

First thing you will need is money....

Part of the mass reform that Amtrak passed as part of their overhaul of PV rules a few years includes the ban of the use of the observation platform of the car while the train is in motion. The same goes with having open vestibule doors. So if the goal is to be able to feel the breeze as you go, you might have to settle for a tourist railroad for the time being. 

Absolutely correct.  No riding on open platforms behind Amtrak trains.  So you might consider a dome car, which gives good viewing without being outside.  Amtrak's restrictions have greatly reduced the number of private cars still operating.   For cost, remember the car will have to return to its originating city, so you will be paying for a round trip.   The western trains start in Chicago, so look for cars based there.  The owners will determine the cost of your charter.

A couple suggestions:

Northern Sky charters--operates out of Minneapolis, so good place to start Empire Builder trip.  Excellent first class dome car and full sleeper available if you have a larger group.

Cincinnati Rail--ex-B&O dome car, operates out of Chicago.  Also a first class operation and they have also a full sleeper.

I have had a private car, Cimarron River, for over 30 years, and have run it 600,000 miles.  It is an ex-Frisco full sleeping car, so probably not what you want.   This year is absolutely worst operating environment, between Amtrak's restrictions and price increases in the last 2 years and now the virus.

Good luck, 

Tony Marchiando

 

Amtrak's Private Car Policy 
Basic rate is $3.84 per mile, plus parking and other service charges.

Amtrak Charter Train Policy  - using Amtrak equipment

Cincinnati Railway Company

Private Rail Car Rental Company

American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners

Vacations By Rail

@Notch 6 posted:

Part of the mass reform that Amtrak passed as part of their overhaul of PV rules a few years includes the ban of the use of the observation platform of the car while the train is in motion. The same goes with having open vestibule doors. So if the goal is to be able to feel the breeze as you go, you might have to settle for a tourist railroad for the time being. 

(Sigh) . . . The thrill is gone.

@Number 90 posted:

(Sigh) . . . The thrill is gone.

Or freezing you caboose off because you got on the COAST STARLIGHT in LA in shorts, did not change, and the next morning you walked to the diner, and took a look from an open vestibule on a coach....

I guess I'd best really appreciate the trip from Sacramento to Dunsmuir in a private car sitting on the rear platform most of the trip. It was FAB!!

I'm taking a shot in the dark here, but perhaps one of the private car trips that can give the most bang for the buck is Los Angeles to Oakland.  Although it can't compete with the Rocky Mountains, the coast route has great scenery almost all the way and it's only around 400 miles, all during daylight.  And there are several private cars based in Los Angeles.  

Tioga Pass is a nice car, comfortable, well-maintained and well-staffed, owned by a former Santa Fe official, and displays genuine Adlake marker lights.

I am not sure what Amtrak has in the Bay Area, but they surely have a place to remove, service, and turn the private car.

Number90, are the cars at Los Angeles you're thinking of the Silver Solarium, Silver Lariat, Silver Rapids?  If so, they are no longer at Los Angeles but are owned by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in northern Ohio.

@VistaDomeScott posted:

Number90, are the cars at Los Angeles you're thinking of the Silver Solarium, Silver Lariat, Silver Rapids?  If so, they are no longer at Los Angeles but are owned by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in northern Ohio.

Don't think so, since he specifically stated "Tioga Pass".

@Number 90 posted:

(Sigh) . . . The thrill is gone.

I couldn't agree more.

It was Summer '63 and the train was the Royal Gorge. 13yr old gazer's favorite place to be was in a vestibule with the top half of the door open to the World:

        

 

Somewhere high up, probably on the East side of Tennessee Pass. IIRC those mountains are in the President Range. My Sis and BIL joined me:

        

Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end.

@Number 90 posted:

(Sigh) . . . The thrill is gone.

Bummer! Im glad that I got mine last century on the N.E. corridor with the "Blue Ridge" tacked on thr end of the "Pennsylvanian"!

90+ kissing the nose of an A.E.M7..in the rain!

We traveled from Oakland to Reno and back two days later on the Silver Solarium, Silver Lariat and Silver Rapids. Glad we could do it before they sold them. Coming back Amtrak was very late but we got to see the Sierra Mountains by moonlight. Don

I have ridden on the Colonial Crafts, a PRR sleeper lounge off the Spirit of St. Louis. The owner is a super guy and it is based out of Philly. They have a good website.

 

Sounds like you will need deep pockets, but it will be well worth it!