posted
I made my first LD train trip on the CS #14(27). My husband and I had a roomette, #9 in 1432. We left LAX on time and arrived about 1 hour late in Seattle. Not bad for such a long trip. We had two delays, both involved waiting for the #11 to go by and both were explained by the conductor with an estimated time of delay which was accurate. Our sleeper car attendant was Richard and he was excellent. Friendly, always available, ready with the coffee, soft drinks, pastries, etc. He asked to do up the sleepers between 9:30 and 10:30 at our convenience. We had no Parlour Car but wine tasting was done in the dining room. The young lady handling it said she had never done it before and knew little about wine but she was pleasant and eager to please. Dinner reservations were handled efficiently by Jim and the cafe was handled by Tom who was very amusing with his announcements My opinions of the various adventures are as follows: Roomette - I took the top berth, I found it nearly impossible to sleep. Too hard, too narrow. Will probably try for two roomettes in the future, if I can afford it. No creaky noises in the roomette but, being at the end of the car, the noises from the connecting car area were pretty loud. Bathrooms - fine at first. In Oregon they ceased to function, Rich had to reset then each time they were used. He said it was the altitude and they would function again when we descended. This did indeed happen. Interesting? Meanwhile the corridors next to the bedrooms we passed each time we went to the dining car smelled of urine from the time we boarded and increased each day. Don't know what it smelled like in the rooms themselves. The food - OK to awful. Anything that did not have a sauce was a risky choice - baked chicken, salmon were all dried out as though they were repeatedly reheated. The burger was OK, not juicy but not too dried out. The french toast had the consistency of cardboard but didn't taste bad. I actually liked the "special" of chicken fried steak - the gravy helped a lot. Deserts were nice, the chocolate bundt cake and the cheesecake although they were served frozen at the last dinner. Sorry that I never had the pleasure of the glory days of dining. Those days are indeed past. Is there no way to add fresh food supplies as you go? We weren't out in the ocean! The staff - all were pleasant and helpful although the diner staff seemed to be a bit stressed at times. The cars - with no Parlour Car everyone was using the Lounge Car so it filled up quickly and then there were no seats. Having a roomette we enjoyed our seats but did only have a view out of one side of the train when in the room. The NPS came on board from 5-7 pm on day two. They were in the lounge car and it was full so no room for us. It also coincided with the dinner time and was not announced ahead of time at all so it was hard to take advantage of that treat. The wine tasting - it was nice, enjoyed it even though there was no real commentary or learning offered. The scenery - fabulous! The coast of course and then Shasta at dawn followed by the beautiful Cascades. The ride - we were amazed at how much the train lurched and the loud banging noises that sometimes came from the track area. At times it was nearly impossible to ambulate about and one elderly man hit the deck. We all ended up with bruised hips and arms. At other times the ride was smooth. I noted a particularly rough area was from Paso Robles north for several hours. I made a note of a lot of lurching in southern Washington too - we were told that it was better track, more speed allowed and to watch out for more movement. Conclusion - Overall we had a great time and will be looking forward to our Sunset Limited trip in January. It is indeed camping indoors as far as the sleeping.I was able to book an additional roomette for that upcoming westbound trip but the cost of the eastbound one has gone way up so we will do with one room. We plan a trip LAX to SAC in a few weeks, coach. Will bring our own lunch and have dinner in the cafe car. Would never pay $18 for those entrees in the diner. You all helped me so much in preparing for this trip that I felt very confident about it and being well prepared certainly enhanced my enjoyment. I will give you a brief report on the Talgo to Vancouver and the Whistler Mountaineer in a bit.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
May I ask an off-the-wall question (hard to believe, ain't it, considering the source)?
Did you and or your mate happen to notice any rashes or bug-bite-like splotches on your bod's after your trip?
You know, I did. After recent trips on the CS, CZ, SWC, EB and ABC, I had a few itchy, red "mosquito-bite-like" spots on my dermis. And then a few weeks ago I read an article about bed bug problems at even five star hotels (like maybe even where Mr. Toy hangs out).
Did you? Or your mate (checking can be fun)? And if so, and since you're a nurse, do you think Amtrak has bed bugs? And they're bite'n?
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Zephyr - there isn't enough of a mattress to harbor a bug! Seriously, no indication of bites, only the bruises as noted above. But I suppose it could be possible. The way they have the sheets and blankets folded up in the top berth, they could be there for days if the roomette isn't booked. And the bugs could be lurking. And multiplying. And waiting for a tender one like you. And where does Mr. Toy hang out? I presume it is at least a 3D type place. By the way, I am still mulling over the fact that the Zephyr has a wife.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
You may want to supplement your padding in the sleeping car next time. My preferance for extra padding is one of those thin corrugated foam pads that you can carry aboard rolled up and then insert under your ammattress at bed-time.
Other options would include a sleeping bag or a small inflatable mattress.......something along the lines of what you might see at the swimming pool!
And on going to Sacramento.....you might want to compare timetables and consider taking one of the Sacramento San Joaquin trains (with connecting bus between LAX and Bakersfield) one direction. I've found the food service on the California service trains to be a notch above that in the Amtrak cafe cars.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yes, the LA station to Bakersfield busses leave from right in front of and to the side at Union Station. It was relatively easy to find, despite the fact that we did it at 4:00 am just under 24 hours after arriving in LA on a cross Pacific 13 hour flight. We found on our return that we could take the same bus from Bakersfield all the way to Long Beach, so our son did not have to drive up to Union Station from LB. At Bakersfield the busses pull up right next to the platform. In going the other way, the bus destinations are well marked. Our driver also clearly stated our destinations and asked if anyone was not going to one of these places. The time allowed for the busses is sufficient that in both directions ours arrived slightly early.
The valley trains are for the most part on BNSF track and are about as close to set-your-watch-by-them timliness as anything Amtrak does. Our return from Fresno was enjoyable to me just in watching a very busy railroad working efficiently.
George
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have looked at the bus/San Joaquin schedules and it looks great! The price is about 1/2 of the CS price too. But the connections are close -bus arrives Bakersfield at 1:05 pm., train leaves 1:20 pm. Train arrives Stockton 5:26 pm, bus leaves Stockton 5:30 pm. Is this really possible? The train that goes all the way to SAC requires a 4:10 am departure from LAC which does not appeal to me.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I actually do work in a five star hotel. But I have nothing to do with beds. I work in the conference facilities. So I'm afraid the humor escapes me.
As for Miss Vicki's adventures, a few comments....
Sleeping on a train is difficult the first time, what with all of the unfamiliar noises and movements. It gets easier the more you do it. My wife says that once she made a conscious effort to not fight the motion and just roll with it she slept better. Curiously, she actually prefers the upper bunk in a Roomette, even though I have offered to take it several times.
Be sure to give Amtrak your feedback on the food. They're trying to avoid a repeat of the 1980s TV dinner fiasco, and the more customer feedback they get the better off we'll all be at dinner time.
The toilet failures at high altitude issue comes and goes. I've only experienced it once in my last 10 trips over the Cascades. Curiously, on my trip and app\parently yours they seemed to work fine in the Mt. Shasta vicinity, which is almost 1,000 feet higher. Superliner rest rooms are the worst railcar rest rooms on the planet, in my opinion. Evidently the designers were only interested in saving space rather than making them useful for their intended purpose.
Yes, there is some pretty rough track between Paso Robles and San Jose. That segment passes through my home territory. Once while carrying some food from the cafe I got slammed into a wall at the end of the diner near Gilroy. If I'd been two steps farther ahead I would have fallen onto at table. Did you learn to walk with your feet spread slightly farther apart than usual? That helps a lot with balance. The track is pretty smooth in the Sacramento Valley, which has seen a lot of work done in recent years.
I am glad that, despite a few warts, you enjoyed the trip. I think they do a pretty good job considering they're constantly in the gunsights of bean counting politicians. They'd do a lot better if they had the full support of Congress and the White House.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
"I actually do work in a five star hotel. But I have nothing to do with beds. I work in the conference facilities. So I'm afraid the humor escapes me." huffs Mr. Toy.
Jeez, Mr. Toy, I hope I didn't offend. Didn't mean to imply you had anything to do with such menial things as beds or bed bugs at your five star. Just saying bugs seem to be checking in at places like yours as well as the hourly rate NoTell Motels.
I really did notice a few bite-like welts after my recent Amtrak journeys. Now, it certainly could have resulted from other activities I did during the trip. But I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced similar bite marks after a rail trip.
I'll be taking the CS, CZ, and ABC (I always throw that last one in to drive GBN crazy) next month. Vicki, you're a nurse, right? If I get those bite marks again, and post pictures of them, could you tell me if it's a bed bug-thing (or just caused by that personal hygiene problem people incessantly nag me about)?
Finally, my wife (yes, yes, why does that surprise you so much?) has a trick for sleeping on the train. She wears ear plugs and an eye mask. And, oh, yeh, tells me to go sleep in the lounge. (Come to think of it, she seems to wear those ear plugs any time I'm in the room). Any way, it seems to work for her (hmmm, and maybe sleeping on the lounge floor may explain those itchy little bug bites).
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by HopefulRailUser: I have looked at the bus/San Joaquin schedules and it looks great! The price is about 1/2 of the CS price too. But the connections are close -bus arrives Bakersfield at 1:05 pm., train leaves 1:20 pm. Train arrives Stockton 5:26 pm, bus leaves Stockton 5:30 pm. Is this really possible? The train that goes all the way to SAC requires a 4:10 am departure from LAC which does not appeal to me.
I don't blame you not wanting to do the 4:10am departure! The buses do depart from Union Station (from the the area to the left of the waiting room as you enter from the street). Because these are Thruway Buses I believe the connections are guaranteed......like the bus in Stockton will hold for the trains arrival. Same with the train departing Bakersfield.
My inclination would be to use the San Joaquin bus/train/bus to Sacramento and the Coast Starlight back......just to avoid having a midnight arrival in Sacramento.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
David, that is a good plan. And I forgot, on the fare I was just looking at the one way bus/train not the round trip. The price is really about the same. Zephyr - In reference to pictures of your "bite marks", the mind boggles at the thought. The existance of the wife becomes more improbable by the minute. By the way, what is the ABC or are you just trying to torture Mr. Norman? And make newbies like me confused? Mr. Toy - good comments as always. In reference to when the bathrooms failed, it may have been as early as Shasta. We were there in the early morning when I was still noting that sleep had not yet come so it was best to get up and look at the scenery. And the scenery was grand.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yes, the track on the Coast Line is awful. It's mostly all old SP track, with jointed rail still in place for the mainline.
On my trip to Emeryville, the track was especially rough around Guadalupe (it's between Santa Barbara and SLO-the Surfliners stop there) as well as around Paso Robles.
The toilet problem is inherent on the Superliner II cars. I was on a Superliner II both ways to and from Albuquerque, and both times the toilets stopped working while we were at high altitudes. The Superliner I cars didn't have a problem. Why Amtrak can't fix this problem is beyond me. If I paid thousands of dollars for a deluxe bedroom I'd sure want a working toilet!
It's too bad the food wasn't good.
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
