posted
As of a few moments ago the website shows a through #11 open foir business effective Sep 1.
There appears to be conjecture with regards to reports appearing at the other "major" Forums. Some, note that the report Tunnel 7 will be out of service until next spring may be overstated,
It would be nice if Amtrak would set up a "Deschutes Daylight" detour along the Oregon Trunk from Dalles to Kalamath Falls, but that will be a non-happen, as that line is BNSF's competitive route for North South traffic (BNSF has trackage rights over the Western Pacific/UP Bieber-Stockton).
At this time, and of particular importance to the several Members who have shared here they have upcoming Starlight trips, best advice is "stay tuned'.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Update on my Starlight trip on #14 on 08/26/04.
I spoke with an agent at 1-800-USA-RAIL this afternoon who told me that passengers were being bussed both ways Eugene/Oakland (!). I told here that wouldn't work for me so she said to either mail in my ticket or take it to the local station for a full refund.
When I got to SBA the agent said that that information was incorrect. Today"s #14 was going to Klamath Fall with bus from there to EUG and they expected that would be the pattern for the rest of the month. I decided to keep the ticket.
I got home and was concerned that the first agent might have cancelled the reservation when I said I was going to get the refund so I called 1-800-USA-RAIL again.
Agent #2 (or #3 if we count Ron in SBA) said that the reservation was still there and also mentioned that I was due a refund for the portion of the trip where I would not have the use of the Standard Bedroom (Klamath Falls/Eugene). She figured it out and said that I was due $249.00! (The accomodation fee SBA/EUG was $288.00.) She said I could get the refund at the station in SBA.
I drove back down to SBA and Ron and the Station Manager agreed that the amount was correct (something about pro-rating rooms so people won't book them for short distances) but that I would need to get the refund in Eugene after I completed the trip.
I had them print out the record with the notation about the refund and the amount. It seems high, but if I do indeed get it, I will only be paying $39.00 for the room from SBA to Klamath Falls.
As someone on here says, "It's always an adventure."
Frank in, finally, sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Saturday afternoon, after the events recorded above, I got a call from Amtrak confirming that there would be a Thruway bus from Klamath Falls to Eugene "at least through the end of the month". The agent, who was very pleasant and professional said that what I had been told in Santa Barbara was incorrect and that I should get the ticket rewritten before I started the trip.
So, this morning, I went to the station at SBA for a third time in three days and they did rewrite the ticket. I now have a ticket SBA/KFS, a Thruway Bus Ticket KFS/EUG and a receipt for a credit for $249.00! I still don't think the amount is correct but three agents have told me that is the correct amount.
Looking forward to the trip. I'll post a report when I get back to SBA next week.
Best,
Frank in SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Looks to me like they refunded the sleeper and rail fare from SBA to KFS segment. Geez.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
That's what I thought, too, Mr. Toy. I suggested that, but three agents all agreed that that was the correct amount. One said it had something to do with "the prorated value of the sleeper accomodation." I think the only reason the local agents went ahead with it was because an agent in the Res Center (Which I was told is in Riverside...True?) had entered the amount in the record and also entered that the refund should be made here and not in Eugene as they (SBA) had told me earlier.
Frank in SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I just priced a Standard Bedroom Klamath Falls/Eugene on 09/23 and came up with an accomodation fee of $249.00. That's where they got the refund amount. It must make sense to a "bean counter" somewhere. I'll happily accept the refund and enjoy my trip. Mr. Gunn, are you listening?
Frank in dark SBA.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Time for Frank to make another trip to the station, from the Amtrak website:
quote:FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Media Relations 510-238-4360 ATK-04-081 August 24, 2004
AMTRAK RESUMES NORMAL TRAIN SERVICE AFTER TUNNEL IN OREGON REOPENS Seattle-Los Angeles Coast Starlight trains return to normal operation
OAKLAND, Calif. — A Union Pacific Railroad tunnel near Eugene, Ore. previously closed due to fire has reopened and Amtrak’s Coast Starlight will resume normal train operations between Eugene and Klamath Falls, Ore.
Starting today, Monday August 23, 2004 Amtrak’s Coast Starlight northbound train # 14 will operate normally between Seattle and Los Angeles. Amtrak’s Coast Starlight southbound train 11 will begin operating normally tomorrow Tuesday, August 24, 2004 with alternative transportation being provided today between Eugene, Ore. and Klamath Falls, Ore. only.
posted
The interesting thing about this is that the agent I dealt with at the station yesterday told me that he had just read a "memo about the BRIDGE having been repaired". Yet they went ahead and did the refund. He also said that they were going to go ahead and tell people (on Monday) that the train would only go as far as Klamath Falls.
We'll see what happens when they come to pick up my ticket.
Frank in socked in SBA.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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