The trip was very good. Southbound #768 was right on time into Fullerton. There were plenty of muffins and sweet rolls, apple juice boxes and coffee available as well as tea and hot water and instant decaf and copies of USA Today. The Business class car was about 60% full most of the trip from SBA/FUL.The northbound train, #775, was about 40 minutes late into FUL but that gave my sister and me time to have coffee at the cafe in the station and for me to watch trains including several freights and a Surfliner that was only going as far as LAUPT.
The Business Class car was about 95% full when I boarded. An attendant came through shortly after we left FUL with soft drinks and water and then again with red or white wine. He gave me two whites with a smile. I went back to the service center where he was making coffee and asked about the snack boxes. He said that he had passed them out before FUL but there were plenty in a box on the floor and to help myself.
The box is now a bag with Lavosh cracker bread, a small container of cheese spread, a small container of salsa, a small bag of chips, a small bag of shortbread cookies, a mint and something else that escapes me at the moment.
I noticed that there are now laminated information cards posted at each end of the car and on the lower level telling about the service and that if an attendant is not available to go to the cafe car.
The car started to empty out as we left the LA Basin and by the time we got to SBA (about one hour late) it was less than 50% full.
All in all, another great trip. Next time I'd take the later return trip since my sister and I had both forgotten about holiday traffic between FUL and Newport Beach where my aunt lives. Still, we had a good two hour lunch and visit.
I'm ready for another Amtrak Adventure. Thinking of flying to Chicago and then taking the City of New Orleans to NOL.
Frank in cold, rainy, windy SBA
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