Seattle King St station is still being refurbished. The lowered ceiling is gone and the old plaster ceiling visible. The add on area with escalators has been removed. They're getting there.
Check in was at 9:00 and boarded about 9:15. Bedroom E again in car 1130. At least we have less distance to walk to the PPC and diner. Brian is car attendant and two Joses in the food cars. The room has the old type of toilet/sink/shower device with the explosive sink controls.
Nice ride along Puget Sound and then the Colombia. Had lunch in the PPC, an unimpressive roast beef sandwich. Wifi in the car not being acknowledged by my iPhone. The strange little curtains that block some of the view look dirty and sad. Corelle dinnerware again.
The conductor emphasizes that phones, etc. should be used in vestibules, no audio without headphones. Unfortunately he tells us this after every stop and talks way too much when added to the two Joses.
Best Cascades trip ever, lots of waterfalls, wild flowers, new conductor does some sightseeing notices. Dinner in PPC, not the entree in the menu or as announced. Instead a beef thing. Would have been better with a good sauce. But Smitty would be pleased to know that cappuchino machine was functioning.
After a reasonable night's sleep awoke in Sacramento. Early arrival and on time departure here. French toast breakfast with an Australian couple. They has bused across Canada, done a one week Alaska cruise, two nights Seattle and now were headed to San Francisco for three nights. Amtrak then is busing them to SBA with train on to LAX. Advised them on the airport connector bus. They hit LAX at 5:00 pm so they will get the full rush hour traffic show. But their 9:30 flight should work. They traveled via LSL and Zephyr 14 yrs ago and felt Amtrak "has declined".
Wifi connects but doesn't hold. Did lunch in PPC, mac and cheese. Best dish so far but huge serving. Continue on time with a bit less talking over the PA today. Beautiful sunny day. All the valley is planted, being watered or being harvested.
Wine tasting is popular. $5 for sleepers, $10 for coach. At SLO female conductor on board. New emphasis on safety features instead of smoking rules. Engineer agrees to blow horn at Mission St in SBA for Frank. The first ocean views are fabulous as always. Lots of deer on the bluffs. Wind surfers at the RV encampment. Great views.
Great on time arrival home. This trip I thought all staff were great. Food continues to be so-so but perhaps I should stop transitioning from cruise line food to train food. Not fair to the train. The train itself needs some sprucing up, especially the PPC if it is to be the highlight of the route.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Nice report. Usually conductors don't point out the sights. That is really nice. The conductors in my area only sit in the lounge, and talk to each other, and order coffee with the radio.
Posts: 465 | From: elgin (s-line) | Registered: Dec 2008
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Great trip report! I know who the 2 Jose's are! If you attended the wine tasting, was the Jose (with glasses) still telling jokes? If so, it's the same jokes for the last 5 years.
I loved reading about the horn blowing for Frank! Frank---did you hear it??
I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I'm contemplating an Amtrak LD trip sometime in the next few months. Either the CS to Seattle (and fly home with Virgin America), or a simple day trip on the Zephyr to Reno, where I can stay at Harrah's el freebo. I just dread the overnight part on the train---can't sleep, uncomfortable on my back and neck....ugh....But I would like to try it again, seeing as my last trip was for the "relaunch that wasn't a relaunch" on the Coast Starlight back in June, 2008.
Also, that's funny (in a way) that the Seattle station refurb is taking soooooooo long. Didn't they begin this like, I don't know, 6 to 10 years ago? I remember what "Step 1" was----removing some of the ceiling panels and putting a spotlight up there so that people could see the original, beautiful ceiling that was being covered up. Then it stayed like that.......forever. When I was there in 2008 for the "relaunch that wasn't a relaunch", they had just repaired the clock tower (Just like Back to the Future!). Who's in charge of that anyway---Caltrans?
And WOW...the cappuchino machine was working!! I AM SHOCKED.
Glad you had a nice cruise and train trip. But it's always nice to get back home, isn't it??
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Sorry I missed the horn. You were way too early! I was watching with the binocs but started about 6:10 thinking I'd catch you for the 6:17PM ON TIME arrival that the website was reporting. I NEVER expected you would be as early as you were!
Frank in finally cool and dark SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Seems like the renovation there was being announced when I was there in 2002....
Precious little had been accomplished when I next passed through in 2004.
Nothing more, it appeared, was evident when I passed through in 2005, the last time I was in Seattle.
Maybe I ought to try going back to the Pacific Northwest and have another look..... there is a basketball game in Portland in November I would enjoy seeing....
-------------------- 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
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quote:Originally posted by HopefulRailUser: The conductor emphasizes that phones, etc. should be used in vestibules, no audio without headphones. Unfortunately he tells us this after every stop and talks way too much when added to the two Joses.
I hate that sort of thing! Especially in so-called quiet coaches where the near silence is shattered by somebody loving the sound of their own voice over the PA system.
Nice report.
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: When I was there in 2008 for the "relaunch that wasn't a relaunch", they had just repaired the clock tower (Just like Back to the Future!).
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Yup, same reference! Although I did not know that Back to the Future day was last week. That's pretty cool. I wonder what Doc thought things would look like 25 years later, coming from 1985? Hover cars? Pills that become instant gourmet meals with the drop of a water? Amtrak trains using the same equipment as in 1985??? Heh heh heh....
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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The above is a link to the Restoration of King Street Station.
It appears that part of the original work was done by Amtrak. Largest part of the project (which is ongoing) is being funded by a variety of State of Washington, Federal, City of Seattle and Private donations. The cost is staggering.
When last I was in the station they had just begun the project. I was quite impressed with the work being done. It was obvious that the goal was not "slap a coat of paint on it and fix a few minor things". A true restoration is costly and time consuming.
I hope to get back when the job is done to see it.
Dee
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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Thanks for the report on your return trip home. I agree that it's not fair to compare cruise line food with train food. Truthfully I am not expecting too much with the Amtrak dining experience when we embark on our train trip in August. I'll be happy if it's basic comfort diner food that's cooked properly.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Nice concise report. I agree with you and 20th Century - no comparison possible with cruise food and Amtrak food. On another note, I am tentatively getting a trip to Kansas planned, and several mid-September dates on the SW chief are already sold out of bedrooms! Good for Amtrak I guess, but surprising to me. May end up going in October.
Posts: 406 | From: La Grange, CA | Registered: Sep 2007
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