If I were Filthy Rich
By itsarace1+34 Having your own private rail car
As a train lover this seems really cool.
Full article with pictures: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wealthy-train-buffs-are-traveling-cross-country-in-super-luxe-railcars-hitched-to-amtrak-trains-1521727200
There currently are about 150 private railcars (also called “varnish”) in good enough shape to be certified to run attached to Amtrak trains in the U.S., according to the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners. Cost of the cars ranges from $25,000 to more than $800,000, depending on the condition.
Renovating and restoring cars at the highest end can cost more than $1 million. To travel, owners pay Amtrak $2.90 per mile, plus additional fees for services. Add the expenses of crew and connection transportation, and a cross-country trip can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Storing the cars costs about $600 to $1,000 a month.
The restored private railcars that travel today tend to be luxuriously decorated mini-mansions, with multiple bedrooms, private chefs, domed glass ceilings and observation decks. Many are owned by ordinary train enthusiasts, who run charter trips to help defray costs.
The freedom to roam the rails is threatened. Some private railcar owners worry Amtrak will stop letting them hitch rides, deciding that the pressure on its on-time arrivals and the costs and hassles of keeping private owners in line isn’t worth the roughly $4 million it says it earns in annual revenue from the service.
In November, Amtrak’s office of inspector general initiated an audit of its private railcar services. Last month, Amtrak halted all private rail travel between Los Angeles and San Diego until the passenger service’s on-time performance improves, and is considering other changes to ensure these operations don’t interfere with its core business and service to its passengers.
Reports of bad behavior—loud parties and disorderly conduct—by some private railcar owners and their guests in Amtrak yards are exacerbating these fears.