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San Joaquin Trip
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by TomT: [QB] I rode Amtrak yesterday from Santa Ana to Martinez- a Surfliner to LA, the bus to Bakersfield and then the San Joaquin to Martinez, which is about 40 minutes short of Oakland and the station nearest to Sonoma county. The Surfliner was a disappointment being too much like a utilitarian commuter train. The cars were well worn and in need of a thorough cleaning, as distinct from just being swept clean. The snack bar, which was located on the lower level, was unattractive with plastic crates and cardboard boxes everywhere. A little pride and professionalism on the part of the attendant would have helped a lot. The bus/train connection was seamless and both buses to Bakersfield were full. That said, a bus is a bus. The San Jaoquin was a very pleasant surprise. Though the cars didn't appear to have been refurbished recently, they were as clean and buttoned up as the Surfliner was dirty and sloppy. The us of off-white ceilings and overhead baggage compartments makes for a lighter, seemingly more sun filled environment vs a Superliner. It works! The crew was friendly and seemed to have been through "deport yourself professionally" training- something badly needed throughout the Amtrak system. The only problem was the conductor's loud radio. Why must their back pockets always talk so loudly? The snack/lounge car was the most pleasant surprise. The entire upper level is given over to the snack bar (perhaps 20 feet) and a creative arrangement of seating and tables. There are tables for one, two and four. Some are turned such that the person faces the window directly. The food was not typical Amtrak cafe fare, which I regard as drek. I had a chicken pasta dinner that was two cuts above regular dining car and diner lite fare. The salad was a 21st century spring mix and tomatoes affair- no iceberg lettuce in sight. I'd look for better in a restaurant, but it was excellent by Amtrak standards and fairly priced at $9. The train moved along at a rapid clip so the ride lacked the tedious quality of the Coast Starlight. Sadly, the central valley has none of the coast's scenic beauty. With this trip I have now ridden every Amtrak route, except for the mid-west corridor routes. Someone at Amtrak California had their thinking cap on when the conceived the San Jaoquin service. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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