Empire Commuter: Delays? You get to be pampered for that much longer!

This article from the SF Chronicle on a new "luxury" service is typical of the Amtrak philosophy:

Amtrak passengers this fall will be able to ride in high style aboard vintage Pullman cars, evoking the luxurious rail journeys of the past.

Under a new partnership with GrandLuxe Rail Journeys, formerly known as the American Orient Express, the lavishly equipped cars will be attached to the back of some regular Amtrak trains

Luxury sleeping compartments, a lounge with a live pianist and a dining car offering five-course meals are among the amenities.

During a test period from this October to January 2008, the Pullmans will be attached to the California Zephyr between San Francisco and Chicago; the Silver Meteor, which travels from Washington to Miami; and the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago

The luxury cars will be attached to the back of each Amtrak train, which will continue to make regular stops. While conductors will walk between the two segments of the train, passengers will not.

These Amtrak routes are notorious for long delays, but Christina Messa, vice president of marketing for GrandLuxe, said she is not worried about complaints. "If there's a delay, that just means you get to be pampered for that much longer."