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A similar question to one I asked a few weeks ago for a different train: until what time is the diner open for breakfast on the Southwest Chief into Los Angeles - assuming they do actually serve breakfast on that final morning? It arrives at LAX at 08:15.
If I travel on it, I'll be buying a ticket just a few hours before travel, just in case it's horrendously late. Will the conductor know about late ticket purchases, rather than skipping the local station stop thinking there's nobody to board/disembark (as I've experienced while on other Amtrak trains)?
MontanaJim Member # 2323
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they usually do one seating, very early, like 5 am, and you need to be there about then or youll miss out. Jim
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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Last January, I made a reservation in the morning for #4 leaving Albuquerque that noon, and printed my ticket at the station. The conductor and my sleeper attendant were surprised to see me.
I don't believe Amtrak ever skips a scheduled stop that is not a flag stop, but I could be wrong.
Judy McFarland Member # 4435
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It could get tricky if you're boarding at a station with no agent. Be sure you're trackside when the train pulls in and yell when (if) you see inboard personnel look out, especially if the train is running late. I once bought a sleeper ticket on the Empire Builder in Mikwaukee and one of the station personnel went to the train and pounded on the sleeper door to get the attendant to open up for me as I bought the ticket about 20 minutes before departure.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Definitely make sure you are on the platform with your baggage before the train pulls in. That way, the engineer will see you and can tell the conductor over the radio, "We've got one!". You will NOT be on their manifest and they will NOT know about you.
Breakfast on the last day begin somewhere around 0500-0530. I forget the exact time. It is an "abbreviated service" where all menu items are not available. They serve fast, so be sure to be there when they open.
chrisg Member # 2488
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The Diner opens at 5:00 AM and stays open until normally Riverside as a last call right before there. If the train is run ning late they sometimes start at 6:00 AM and close at 7:30 AM.
Chris
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Thanks for all the help. Unfortunately it would seem that the trip is now off, and I have the joys of I-15 and I-210 instead. At least it's not a 4am awakening!
But it will be useful for the future no doubt. Victorville is a small, single platform (a double spot if sleeper and coach passengers need to disembark or board) with some lighting and nowhere to hide (or shelter for that matter) - but the speed through there is easily 40mph+.
mr williams Member # 1928
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Although it was nine years ago and therefore this is probably out of date when I took the SWC breakfast was at 5.00am. It was a limited menu and served on paper plates with plastic crockery and cups so the tables could be cleared straight into a rubbish bag!
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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I would have been on it at 4:18 - far too early for my liking but beggars can't be choosers. I even toyed with the idea of heading east before switching trains and going back again but it would have been nearly 4 hours on the platform in Barstow (11pm - 3am) or 20 minutes at Needles, which is far too short should anything go wrong.
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