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Last week I decided to take a 3 day trip to LA this week. I went down on the San Joaquin because the timing is better - you arrive at Union Station around 4pm, giving time to get to the hotel, shower, eat and get to a performance that night. The trip was on time and enjoyable. I took Bart to the Richmond station to try out the transfer there instead of picking up the train in Oakland. It went smoothly. I had not been through the Sacramento River delta area in daylight so I enjoyed that. The train was well patronized and about 100 school kids got on at Fresno and went one stop to Hanford. On Thursday 12/16 the NB Starlight left on time with 2 genesis locos, baggage, transition, 3 sleepers, Pacific Parlour, diner, lounge, 5 coaches. The coaches never seemed too crowded and there was a lot of offing and oning at all stops. I guess it's a major event when that train pulls in. We met #11 just north of San Luis which was running about an hour late and we were about half an hour late by then. We arrived at Oakland at 10:20, still under an hour late despite having been detoured through Niles. It was a lovely ride, gorgeous weather, dolphins breeching north of Santa Barbara - I even saw one leave the water completely - and an orange crescent moon low in the sky as we crept into Oakland. My dinner in the dining car was marred somewhat by tipsy table mates - slurred speech is not exactly scintallating conversation to a teetotaler. Plus my pasta was cold. Plus the steward did not present me with a bill but verbally requested an amount in excess of the menu price and then made change out of his pocket. I did not feel good about this AT ALL with thoughts of Amtrak employees pilfering sodas and TVs etc abusing my mind. The sum was so paltry I don't think Mr. Gunn will miss it but I had gone to dinner with the express intent of supporting our national railroad as well as meeting new and hopefully interesting people. Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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Sounds like #14 had a better time of it than it did the day before, when it was three hours late into Salinas.
If you were concerned about the dining car bill, you should have asked for a receipt. This cryptically worded note from the bottom of the menu indicates you should expect a receipt: If you paid by cash, credit card, or traveler’s check and did not receive a receipt, your meal is complimentary.
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