We are travelling to the US later this week for two and a half weeks of vacation and will be travelling around mostly by train. We're taking the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle, the Cascades to/from Vancouver, the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Oakland and the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago.
I've done a lot of research but there are a few extra bits of information that I could do with some help with:
(1) How soon before departure should we arrive at stations?
(2) Now that Business Class has been discontinued on the Cascades, what kind of catering will be available (we're travelling out on the 510 and back on the 517)?
(3)We're catching the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Oakland (Jack London Square) rather than Emeryville as I'm a bit of a train enthusiast and want to see a bit more of Oakland. Is it easy to get a cab from Jack London Square into central San Francisco (we're picking up a rental car just off Union Square)?
(4) The California Zephyr (departing July 4th)has been re-timed but it looks as though we will avoid the detour via Wyoming? Do others share this view?
I'd be grateful for information on any of the above or indeed any other useful tips from the many experienced Amtrak-experts on this site.
Best regards and many thanks for your help in advance.
David
Posts: 2 | From: London, England | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
I wish I had more time to answer all of your questions, but I'm getting ready to head out the door for a Father's Day thing. I'm sure you will get LOTS of responses on this, since many of us seem to be familiar with the Oakland/Emeryville area as well as the Zephyr and Starlight.
Regarding catching a cab from Oakland, yes, it's very easy. The taxi's are almost always sitting at the depot because they know when the train is going to arrive. Just in case, you should keep the phone number handy of the cab company that is close by and knows the Amtrak depot very well: Veteran's Cab, and their local phone number is (510) 436-6464.
In order to get from Oakland/Jack London Square, you might want to consider taking a ferry boat over there. It sure beats a cab ride! For Jack London Square information as well as a link to ferry times, here is a website: www.jacklondonsquare.com. If you can work it out, I think you will really enjoy the ride across the bay. Once you arrive at the ferry terminal in San Francisco, you can very easily catch a cab to your rental car location.
Your Cascades train (which will be all Superliners) will have a few coaches (3 I think) and ONE sightseer-lounge car. You are correct, there is no business class for now (until the Talgo trainsets come back from service at the end of 2007). The food on the lower-level of the sightseer-lounge car is regular Amtrak lounge car food (hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, salads, candy, muffins, beer, cocktails, etc).
That's all I have time for right now. I'll pop back in here later and give a few more suggestions. I hope this information is helpful.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
1) When checking luggage, 30 minutes minimum and 45 minutes recommended. More is better at major stations (Chicago). When not checking luggage, simply make sure that you arrive before the scheduled departure of the train. You may obtain an estimate of the train's actual arrival time from "Julie" at Amtrak's 1-800-USA-RAIL telephone number or the Amtrak website. However, if "Julie" tells you that a train will be arriving two hours late, and based on that information you arrive 1:45 after the scheduled time, if the train actually makes up time and arrives only ninety minutes late it will not wait for you. It is best to err on the conservative side.
3) I would only recommend a taxicab from Oakland to San Francisco if you have more luggage than you can possibly hand carry. Traffic on the Bay Bridge was horrendous when I was there twenty-two years ago, and I rather suspect that it has not improved with age. Plus, there are the tolls to consider. If your load of luggage permits you to consider public transportation, I would recommend a cab or bus to the 12th Street/City Center BART station, from which it is a straightforward trip under the Bay tube into central San Francisco. If this is impractical and you still want to tour Oakland, consider changing your rental car pickup location to downtown Oakland.
[ETA] I just saw Smitty's post about taking the ferry, and I think that would probably be a better (if slower) option than BART. The Bay is very scenic.
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just took many of the same trains, except I took trains to get to and from Chicao and I took a Cascades from Seattle to Oregon and caught my Coast Starlite southbound from there the next day. I changed in Sacramento for the Zephyr, but it was not on this new schedule yet. (That part of my trip report still isn't up!)
(1) To be safe, I would check with Amtrak, not someone here, about when to arrive. I'd generally say an hour in advance, for all trains except the southbound Cascades, where they told us to be there by 4:30 for a 6PM departure. Check in at the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago if you have a sleeper on the Empire Builder. On the Cascades to and from Vancouver, you check in at a desk and the person doing it assigns seats (and checks passports), so when you do that, ask for the left side facing forward going N, the right side facing forward going S--presumably getting there early will help with this.
(2) The Cascades trains I recently took between Seattle and Vancouver had only 2 Superliner coaches. On the N bound, we had a typical 2-level Amtrak lounge/obs car with the lounge downstairs and the tables in 1/2, seats in half upstairs. Since the guy who assigned seats did NOT give us the left side facing forward as we asked, we stashed our smaller bags at the feet of our seats (having stashed our larger ones on the usual Superliner shelf downstairs on entering our car) and made for the observation car, grabbing nice seats on the left side facing forward there. One of us may have gone back to our regular seats when the conductor came through checking tickets again; I cannot remember.
Anyway, both trains just had lounge car food. But we stayed at the Best Western Pioneer Square, whose free Continental breakfast begins at 6AM, so we had time to grab some of that (and take a banana and yogurt from it along with us) before we headed over to King St Station. We walked and still got there before 7 for our Cascades.
Going S from Vancouver, I suggest you have a nice late lunch and then buy some stuff right in Vancouver for your snack on the train; if you want to buy it at Vancouver Station, there was a guy selling bagels, water, bananas, and stuff there, and another place selling sandwiches. But you can get something better in Vancouver proper, which is a real "foodie" town!
(3) Don't know
(4) Don't know. (Didn't know they were changing the schedule to earlier for Zephyr departures till you just mentioned it and I checked. I wonder what they are doing about southbound Cascades connections in Sacramento???)
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I tried to send this before and it wouldn't go through so if you get 2 you will understand. Amtrak says 30 minutes before departure for checking luggage but we always allow an hour because you never know how long it will take.Even without checked baggage we allow an hour. I would rather have waiting time than to rush , also if you have bags and they can;t be checked if there are red caps available use them. they will take your bags, show you where to sit and then come and get you before the crowds boards so if you are in coach you can choose your seat and in a sleeper you can get settled and watch the crowds rush up. Actually we get a red cap even if we have checked our bags because we always have carry ons and they take us out to the train in the electric cart ( the people mover). I have ridden both route on the cz and prefer the regular one rather than through Wyo. If you have never been in that part of Wyo it is interesing just not as spectular ar the route through the rockies. We almost missed the train coming from Denver because it was late and then made up some time. We got to the station with minutes to spare because "Julie ' didn't have the up dated info. So now we always get there an hour or more early and people watch or read. At least we know the train won't leave without us. Enjoy your vacation and be sure to post a report upon your return
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Looks like you got some really good adivce on your upcoming trip! A few things I'd like to add:
For your first question about what time to arrive at the train station, this depends on whether or not you will be checking any luggage. If you do need to check luggage, call Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) and ask them what the cutoff time is for each particular station. If you do NOT have any luggage to check, you can show up at the platform as little as one minute before departure time (although that's cutting it close, of course). For example, at Oakland or Emeryville, there is no check-in process. You don't do a single thing except show up, and walk onto the train when it gets there. If you arrive 30 minutes early, then you will be sitting around for 30 minutes with nothing to do. But as noted, always check on amtrak.com or call "Julie" to get the updated information. A word of caution: Amtrak does not always update their trains properly!!! In the past year, I have almost missed getting onto the Coast Starlight (#14) twice at Oakland because "Julie" said the train had not arrived San Jose yet. I learned through further checking that the train had already arrived and departed San Jose on time, so I rushed down to Oakland and barely made it. Unfortunately, Amtrak is not always reliable with their on-time status. I'm not talking about the freight delays and all of the other delays, I'm talking about their accuracy in their train status. Sometimes it's right on the money, sometimes it's light years off.
Regarding your transportation from Oakland to San Francisco to get your rental car, one thing that has not been mentioned yet is whether or not you checked with Amtrak about the direct connection that they offer to San Francisco. It is a dedicated "Amtrak Thruway" bus, and it meets the train every single day right next to the platform and takes you across the bay into San Francisco, stopping at most of the popular stops (Hyatt Regency, Ferry Terminal, etc). Amtrak issues the ticket for this bus, so if you only want to get over to SF from your train, by far the easiest thing to do is get on the Amtrak bus that will be waiting at the depot when you pull in. For the Coast Starlight running southbound, I can't remember if they have the bus servcie at Emeryville or Oakland, but I think it is Emeryville for the southbound train and Oakland for the northbound train. It may have changed, but it doesn't really matter---just ask Amtrak. This bus needs a reservation so you MUST have a ticket for this train before you arrive here in the Bay Area.
For your question about the Zephyr re-route through Wyoming, you didn't tell us the date that you will be on that train, so I am not able to answer that question. If you can provide the date, I will check and see if you are scheduled for a re-route or not.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for all the helpful tips - really useful.
As far the California Zephyr is concerned, we're departing on the 4th July. Any information on the possibility of a Wyoming detour would be gratefully received.
As my partner is not arriving until a couple of days after me in Chicago, I was considering a round trip to Pontiac or Detroit. My travel agent here in England tells me that Amtrak is no longer offering Business Class on these services. Is this true?
I know that this is not Amtrak's most scenic route but I'm interested in US freight railroads and industrial history. It seemed liked a potentially interesting trip from that point of view. I'd welcome any obversations on this.
Thanks again for the help.
Posts: 2 | From: London, England | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
David, if you go to Amtrak .com and click on news and then news realeases you will see the CZ schedule just click on that. As of today the dates for detours are July 10-11;15-18;22-25;29-Aug1; and Aug5-8. The site will give you all the details.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for posting the Zephyr detour dates, train lady. I don't know whose info is more correct or current, the press release on Amtrak.com (dated June 8th) or my source. The only thing I would add is that the Zephyr will re-route through Wyoming on any train departing Chicago or Emeryville from June 30th to July 3rd, so DavidM would miss the detour by one day (if my info is correct). So unless something changes, DavidM, you should be running the regular route on your July 4th departure. It sounds like you'll have a great trip---I'm jealous. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Just another comment re some of the other comments: For the international crossing either way on the Cascades (or the Maple Leaf or Adirondack), I think you cannot show up just a minute before the train leaves, whether you are checking luggage or not. They check passports and whatnot. For the other trains, I suppose you can, but I would not--not for a long-distance train that runs once a day. It's too hectic and things can go wrong.
Note that I almost never check my luggage on Amtrak long distance; there is a shelf on the lower level of the Superliners where I put my main suitcase.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
We always check our big bags through and have never ever had a problem since Amtrak began. One year we checked a box with pamphlets, books and dirty clothes from Settle to DC. When we got there so did the box in perfect condition.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Like Mr. Rich, I have never NEVER checked a bag on Amtrak; pre-Amtrak, where checked baggage was far LESS reliable, once or twice, and wished I never did it.
Air travel; last time was during 1983 when all the assorted paraphernalia for a cruise with two formal nights (do they still do that? I must wonder when I see TV ads featuring rock music and rock climbing) had to be dragged along.
Best travel policy by any mode: "If you can't carry it, don't bring it".
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I agree, Mr. Norman, I usually never check a bag and most always carry all luggage aboard the train. I should say, however, whenever I travel with Amtrak it is usually a long-distance train (such as the Starlight) and I always get a sleeper. I have found it easier to put larger suitcases and luggage in the rack on the lower level when I board a sleeper car. I take a smaller suitcase or bag to the rooom..keeping personal or expensive items in the smaller bag. I have never had a problem with any manipulcation or theft of items in the suitcase I put in the lower luggage rack. I think this arrangement is good especially for the elderly or handicapped as it is very cumbersome to carry large baggage up the narrow staircase to your room.
The one exception is the Cascades. I usually check baggage and take only a backpack or small, carryone on board. Amtrak ususaly has baggage waiting promptly when you detrain. It is especially nice crossing the border into Vancouver. The have your large baggage beside the train, in front, and you're off to customs..works very efficiently.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
Yes, they certainly do still have formal nights on cruise ships. We had three on our transatlantic from Fort Lauderdal to Ireland, England and France in May. We rented the tuxes through Celebrity, though. Everything was waiting in the closet when we boarded. That way we got away with just one 22" rollaboard and a tote each.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I suppose I run against the crowd; I normally do check baggage. Yes, it has been lost, but only one time by Amtrak that I can remember.
On our trip to California last year, there were eleven travelers and NOBODY had ever learned to pack light. I remember my sister and her family bringing in their truckload of luggage, looking at it, and gulping hard at the realization that, on the other end, it had to fit into a minivan and a standard size rental car. There were at least two suitcases for everybody, plus two strollers, baby carrier, diaper bags, and assorted shoulder bags, tote bags, DVD players and laptop computers, and more. It literally formed a mountain on the floor of the station.
Yes, we did eventually get it all to fit on the other end--I was fortunate enough to get a Grand Caravan with those underfloor storage compartments for the "stow & go" seats. With those filled, and luggage stacked to the roof behind the last seat plus a stroller in the doorway aisle and the trunk in our full-size Buick stuffed to the gills, we just barely managed to load everything aboard.
There is indeed something to be said for "packing light". I sometimes think, though, that it is a virtue that nobody in our family will ever learn.
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
train lady wrote: "One year we checked a box with pamphlets, books and dirty clothes from Settle to DC. When we got there so did the box in perfect condition."
train lady, IO thought you were going to tell us that when you got there not only was the box in perfect condition but the dirty clothes were laundered and pressed!
-------------------- Ocala Mike Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
In my dreams. you know the one where the laundry gets out of the dryer, folds itself and puts itself away. It goes along with the one about a president who loves passenger travel
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
