WIRELESS Amtrak

rush2ny Jan 25, 2002

  1. rush2ny

    rush2ny TrainBoard Member

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    Now you can browse Trainboard while on the train!!

    Passengers on three Amtrak routes will be able to surf the Internet on handheld computers for free as part of a deal being announced Wednesday with Yahoo! Inc. and Compaq Computer Corp.

    For the next six months, special rail cars on some trains will offer travelers five to 10 Web-connected Compaq handhelds, said Christopher Wu, who manages mobile systems for Yahoo. The goal is to demonstrate the ease and utility of wireless Internet links, he said.

    Amtrak will gauge passengers' reaction and could equip future trains with wireless Web devices, said spokeswoman Karina Van Veen.

    The routes include Amtrak's Acela between Boston and Washington, D.C., its service from Sacramento to San Jose and the line from Chicago to Milwaukee. The cost of the program, which was not disclosed, is being shared by Amtrak, Yahoo and Houston-based Compaq.

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    Russ
    Hoffman Valley RR
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  2. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Its a really cool thing to have on the train, and if all the cras get that ugly Yahoo decorating that you'll definatly know whether you can be on line in your car or not!

    Dane
     
  3. rush2ny

    rush2ny TrainBoard Member

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    I agree with that(LOL). Though I haven't seen an actual pic of the paint job, it is supposed to be the yellow and purple scheme of Yahoo! Anybody have a pic of this scheme yet?

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    Russ
    Hoffman Valley RR
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  4. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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  5. rush2ny

    rush2ny TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the link to the pic Fitz! Wow, all I can say is a repeat of BC Railking's statement - You certainly are going to know which cars are the computer equipped cars!

    Russ
     
  6. throttlejock

    throttlejock TrainBoard Member

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    We were talking about this my last trip at work and we had come to the conclusion that fisrt they probably won't last an hour before all being stolen. And the ones are not stolen will probably be used by the hard working conductors. And now the conductors will have to be like kindergarten teachers telling Johnny he has played long enough and to now let Jimmy try for a while.
     
  7. rush2ny

    rush2ny TrainBoard Member

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    That is a good point. I surmise that they may be like the free computers that we have in the airport being that they are timed and log off after 15 minutes or so - basically enough time to check your email. Personally I find myself more into either sleeping or gazing out the window but then again, different key"strokes" for different folks :D

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    Russ
    Hoffman Valley RR
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