posted
Yesterday, Sunday 9 August 09, I traveled from SBA to LAUPT on Pacific Surfliner #774. When I saw the train approaching I knew this would be a "different" Surfliner experience. It was a low level train with the "Big Dome" mid-consist. I think I read that this is being used for the Del Mar racing trains.
Although there was a cafe/Business Class car we were directed to "turn right" into a regular coach. All of the seats (16?) in B/C were already occupied by passengers who had boarded earlier, most likely in SLO.
Before our on time departure an announcement was made that there would be no cafe service because "the person responsible isn't on board".
To their credit they did announce that complimentary tea, coffee, water and juice would be available to everyone as long as they lasted.
When I asked the conductor who pulled my ticket about the Business Class muffins/rolls he said there should be some in the cubby as you enter the "real" B/C car. I checked as we came up on Carpinteria and they were all gone. I suspect that they only catered for the regular number of Business Class passengers.
I did ride in the dome briefly but the windows were VERY dirty as were the windows in all of the coaches. The interior of the coach I was in was in very good shape but both of the bathrooms were smelly and wet.
Can someone remind me where this dome car came from? It's pretty basic inside. Lots of plastic and vinyl.
We did arrive early to LAUPT and my ride picked me up easily out front. We were planning to go to Phillipe's before heading to Palm Springs but the line was literally out the door. Instead we found an In 'n' Out Burger in Baldwin Park (??) that had "In 'n" Out University" next door and the "Company Store". Sadly they were both closed.
I will be asking for a refund of my $13.00 upgrade charge. I did not get a Business Class seat or any of the amenities.
Frank, currently in warm and dry PSP.
P.S. I will be taking the 2:55PM Surfliner back from LAUPT to SBA on Wednesday.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you for the trip report. Sorry you had this experience, especially on a Surfliner. I have a buddy who is a Conductor for the Surfliners and he worked today---I'll see if I can find out what happened and post here when I hear from him.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
The full length domes, we had 3 assigned, served for many years on the Atk auto train service until it went superliner.
Posts: 332 | From: Long Island, NY USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks, MDRR. But where did they come from before that? Or were they built by Amtrak? The steps to the upper level and down to the lower level are pretty narrow and steep for a lot of today's travelers.
Frank, still in very warm PSP
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
If it is still the Great Dome(s) I remember from my work era (which ended in 2002) they were originally made for, and ran on the Great Northern railroad. There's a way you can tell if it is the GN dome-- if you look around the top periphery of the door to the outside, (not the inside door) there is a cast piece that looks like it might have been there for carrying a small running flag, and on this cast piece were the letters "GN." So, I'm pretty sure these are the domes that used to run across the High North on the famous passenger trains that used to run up there. I get the NP and the GN mixed up, so I'm not sure if the old train would have been the Hiawatha or the 'Builder. Probably one of them, though. Hope this helps, Frank. At any rate, these cars were around WAY before the Amtrak era began in 1971. I loved ridin' in 'em, expecially when the windows were clean and clear. They're pretty heavy; gives 'em a solid ride quality.
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think Railroad Bob is right. Amtrak definitely did not build them, The GN sounds right.
Posts: 332 | From: Long Island, NY USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm on #422 just pulling out of LAX. On the next track was the great dome car next from last in a consist heading to, I was told, to San Diego.
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
