WASHINGTON, DC Amtrak is taking a page out of Charles Darwin. Instead of saying that they are doing away with the traditional dining car service, Amtrak says that they continue to "evolve the travel experience."

Beginning Oct. 1, diners on several overnight routes will no longer have the option of heading to the dining car, sit down in a boot and order a freshly made meal. No longer will that meal be placed in in front of you on pressed white tablecloths.

Passengers will instead choose from a menu of prepackaged meals.

The change goes into effect on the Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Silver Meteor.

Next year, the Silver Star will be added to the list.

"Traveling on one of our trains has never been just about the destination the journey is part of the adventure," Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson said in a release.

"We continue to evolve our onboard accommodations and dining experience to meet the needs of today's customers."

For breakfast diners will now be able to select from items including hard boiled eggs, a breakfast sandwich, yogurtm and a selection of muffins.

The lunch and dinner menu includes red wine braised beef, chicken fettuccini with broccoli, and an Asian noodle bowl. There's also pasta and meatballs for kids.

While Amtrak says that the move is a cost-cutting one, they put a positive spin on it, pointing out that no longer will there be a need for reservations and riders can have the food delivered to their rooms.

The change has already been made on the Capitol Limited and the Lake Shore Limited.

Amtrak says that, for now, the traditional dining car service remains on their seven other overnight routes: Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle.

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Amtrak Dining Car Service Disappearing, They Call It Evolution - Patch.com