Amtrak's only remaining dome car journeys into Upstate New York’s fall foliage for a final weekend, through Nov. 1. The six-week run began Sept. 29, and Amtrak reports ridership numbers have increased.
The only remaining dome car in Amtrak service, car no. 10031 is a Great Dome car previously used on the Chicago-Seattle Empire Builder when the train was operated by the Great Northern Railway and the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad (later the Burlington Northern Railroad).
It was built in 1955 by the Budd Company for the Great Northern and carried the name “Ocean View,” car number 1391. It was conveyed to Amtrak in 1971, with this car first being given the number 9361. It was renovated in 1985, renumbered 9300, and used in daily service on the Amtrak Auto Train to and from the Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Fla., areas through 1994.It was further refurbished in 1999, renumbered to 10031, and has been used in various Amtrak services including the Pacific Surfliners (formerly San Diegans) as well as charters and excursions.
The car features an upper level with windows on all sides to provide panoramic views of the changing colors of the trees, vistas of Lake Champlain and views of the Adirondack Mountains between Albany and Montreal.
The dome car operates northbound on the Adirondack (Train 69) from Albany to Montreal on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays and returns south on Train 68 Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays.
Amtrak reports that this fall foliage season, ridership is up 33% for these dome car weekends, vs. last year.