Original e-mail (Fri, 7 Apr 2006 16:01:13 EDT) :

The April update of  www.railpac.org  is now posted. You will find new pictures, new commentaries, a Special Report on what Amtrak SHOULD BE DOING about its food and beverage service, and a San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee meeting report with a photo.    

Russ Jackson, RailPAC Secretary

Your characterization of revised LD food service on the home page is less than fair. First of all, Diner Lite is a loaded term that's been shamelessly co-opted to describe any reductions or changes in dining service. Diner Lite refers to the consolidated food service car concept that Amtrak may implement on some routes next year. And even then, there may still be two food service cars on routes where demand warrants. Please don't conflate Diner Lite with Simplified Dining Service, which is the actual name of the current regimen being implemented. Also, as Gene Poon has reported, fresh eggs are once again being made available in the morning.

The SDS menu concept is fluid and constantly evolving. Our vocal criticisms can help shape and improve future food service. But we better have our facts straight unless we want to be discredited. The caption to the photo of the diner on train 6 on our home page -- especially the use of the term "Diner Lite" -- puts us in that exact kind of danger.

Just my two cents,
Matt Melzer