As usual, it's is kinda long, and as usual I don't mind if you just look at the pictures. I got a lot of great train photos for you railfans. I especially like the night shots.
There are also several video clips. I hope they work OK.
posted
Great travelogue Mr. Toy. I am happy to hear that George is now a Sleeping Car attendant. He was an excellent Dining Car Attendant. On my last Coast Starlight trip he was also on-board, but as a Coach attendant.
I'm also glad to hear you had a Parlour car, lets hope they keep running for as long as possible!
Anton
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
That's a wonderful travelogue - thanks for sharing. I especially appreciated the videos - ahh, the memories they bring back! The diner to coach walk... all the curious faces, and the way that the sunlight runs down the cabin as the train passes by.
Can I ask what the scanner detector gear encompasses? Is is a specific frequency that the trains use?
Posts: 8 | From: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
GregA, the scanner I use is a Radio Shack Pro-94. It rapidly scans multiple frequencies and when it encounters a signal it stops so one can listen to the message. There is a range of frequencies used by railroads which I have programmed into the scanner. I also use it to listen to air and marine traffic, police, fire, etc.
posted
I enjoyed your travelogue, Mr. Toy. The pictures were gret. I especially liked the night shots. they were impressive
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Thank you Mr.Toy. I so much enjoyed your trip report. The pictures were wonderful,especially the night scenes. Also the pastoral scene near Eugene was exquisite. Those video clips started my heart yearning for a long distance trip out to the west.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Impressive trip report and fabulous photos. Condolences on the loss of your feline companion. Sometimes there is nothing like the company of a good cat.
-------------------- 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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I really enjoyed reading your trip report. I love that many of your trips begin with the thought that you will save money by taking coach one way but always find the deal and or talk yourself into taking a roomette both ways. Thank you for the status of the Pacific Parlour Car. I'm looking forward to a trip aboard the Coast Starlight on January 23rd from Emeryville to Seattle.
Cheers, David Z
Posts: 39 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jul 2005
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I really liked Shakebear's part. Just like my sister. She always brings along this little stuffed duck she's had since 1986 or so. It’s supposed to be Webby from the Disney series Ducktales. For those familiar with the series, Webby had a doll she called Quackypatch. My sister had a larger Webby doll too, so the little one became Quacky. And Quacky's been traveling with us ever since.
Quacky's train travels include the Southwest Chief, Desert Wind, San Diegan/Pacific Surfliner, Durango & Silverton, and private rail car trips including the Louisa, North Star, Yerba Buena, and the short lived Princess Tours full dome on the Coast Starlight route.
When I was younger I’d bring along a friend on my rail journeys. These friends included a penguin named Sweet William, and a crow named Cocky.
Quacky should get together with Shakesbear to discuss their rail journeys. However, I’m sure Quacky would rudely point out and laugh because poor Shakesbear had to travel in baggage class...she’s like that. And if Sweet William and Cocky are still around, maybe they could join the fun too.
Update My sister found a photo she took of Quacky on the Southwest Chief. Looks like Quacky's eyes were worn off for this trip. She's gone through a couple of eye repaintings. The yellow duck on the top is Tristan...I forgot, he's been on many train trips too. Who knew Superliner roomette steps work so well for stuffed animals
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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What a fun read, and timely as well. A good friend and her daughter just yesterday booked their first train trip ever on the Coast Starlight, traveling from Salinas to Seattle in mid February. I have some concerns about delays, specifically that any significant delays south of Salinas would make for a much delayed boarding time. But they seem to understand and are up for the adventure. I am excited for them and of course wish that I was going as well!
I will certainly send them the link to your wonderful recap. Thanks for sharing.
Posts: 31 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Apr 2006
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After taking the Coast Starlight, from San Jose to Portland, last summer I can understand both the downside and highlights of your trip.
I won't bemoan the point, but I think Mr. Kummant just has got to do something to get around the requirement for microwave, "dinner-lite" food service. I remember the 1980's when the food got very bad..but I thought there was a definite improvement in the 1990's. Tne dinner-lite food, of today, I think is downright awful. I didn't even like the picture of the french toast..which I found tough and nearly unpalatable. How do the Canadian trains do it...there must be an answer?
I did enjoy the comparison photos of the new Superliner lounge car and the refurbished 1432 car..quite an improvement.
I was kind of surprised that you did not encounter some snow. I figured there would be some in late Oct. I always wanted to take Train #14 during the winter months. I understand that Oregon has had record snowfall, so far this year. I also am glad you included a picture of Lookout Point Reservoir. Back when southbound train #11 was on time, I really enjoyed travelling by Lookout Lake at sundown..very spectacular.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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As I've noted at other forums at which I participate, Mr.Kummant is lately spouting lots of 'Happy Talk'.
We should also note that the Bush administration finds that the political 'cookie jar' is now quite empty, and save another national tragedy rising to the level of 9/11, is not likely to be refilled while they remain in office. The 2005 initiative (Marionetta *** and Pony Show)I think has proven to be a flop. Congress wants their playthings rolling about the land and they will use such as the catalyst to ensure continued funding of the Corridor. Whether or not such playthings provide any meaningful transportation is apparently irrelevant to the "critters' we send off to "the Hill". After all, they are "our finest men, and so we elect them again and again".
My phrase describing this phenomenon is becoming timeworn, but "No Yuma, no Moolah".
I further believe that Mr. Kummant fully understands his role in the big picture. That is to administer a $2B agency, and otherwise preach the "Gospel" as directed. I believe his talking points are carefully developed at some level within the White House.
His talk has certainly been happy talk of late for LD interests. Cases in point are the interviews he has granted to reporters from both The New York Times and most recently to Reuters.
Folks, I think the existing LD network is safe so long as the incumbent Administration remains in office; and I would not be surprised if the SDS food service initiative is put in 'go slow' mode with only 21-22-58-59 becoming the 'converts' and that pre-existing F&B is restored to the remainder of the fleet.
Who knows what is ahead, but woundn't it be funny if one thinks back to the "train loving' Bush administration?
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Mr. Toy - I finally had a chance to read your travelogue!! Great story!! Thanks so much for sharing it -- I particularly enjoyed your video clips. I'm glad "Shakesbear" enjoyed the trip too, and that was too bad about the truck accident, but s**t happens I guess! I'm glad you weren't delayed TOO much, and I'm glad no one got hurt seriously.
One question for you -- as you may surmise from reading my posts, I have been making and revising a set of detailed "route maps" for all the AMTRAK routes, based on DeLorme's "3-D Topo Quads" software (and my personal knowledge of the routes). Is the route of the CS between Oakland and San Jose the same route that the Capitol Corridor trains use? I was under the impression that the Capitols take a more "inland" route from I believe Niles, while the CS keeps to the route closer to the Bay. Any insight into this? Thanks--
"Railroad Rich" in Florida
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Fabulous report and excellent pictures. I really enjoyed it - thank you for the work you put into it - you can be assured that I appreciated it! Posts: 45 | From: San Diego, CA | Registered: May 2002
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Page 5 of your travelogue: like the hat! I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't looking at Ernest Hemingway!
Mr. Norman, I agree on most everything you write and I'm respectful of everything you write, but on your following point:
"I believe his talking points are carefully developed at some level within the White House"
I don't believe it gets that high. I think the policy is developed at the Transportation Dept. level.
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Is the route of the CS between Oakland and San Jose the same route that the Capitol Corridor trains use? I was under the impression that the Capitols take a more "inland" route from I believe Niles, while the CS keeps to the route closer to the Bay. Any insight into this? Thanks--
Rich, on my last few trips 11 & 14 have taken the Niles route. I haven't seen it take the bay side for awhile.
Yukon, there wasn't much snow in the Cascades. Detector reports indicated temps well above freezing. But I saw a fair amount of white on the ground near Mt. Shasta in the moonlight. That was awesome.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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Mr Toy, thanks for such an interesting and well-illustrated travelogue. It makes me even more determined to ride the Starlight. John
Posts: 41 | From: Yaxham, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Jul 2006
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North of Newark CA the Coast Starlight MAY go on the mostly freight-only Mulford line which is a more direct way of getting to and from oakland. The UP train crews call the Mulford line the "Coast" as opposed to the Niles Sub which the Capitol Corridor uses. This is all the choice of the UPRR dispatcher based upon freight traffic patterns. South of Newark ALL PAX trains MUST legally use the mainline thru Alviso and Great America.
There is an FRA EXCEPTED FREIGHT ONLY line that continues south from Niles. This freight only line runs thru Warm Springs and in front of the Great Mall of the Bay Area and joins the Coast main just north of the San Jose Arena. This trackage issue plus the travel needs of a former Amtrak President was the basis for the ultra-historic Tehachapi Starlight train 11 detour that I rode on October 23rd 2005.
quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: One question for you -- as you may surmise from reading my posts, I have been making and revising a set of detailed "route maps" for all the AMTRAK routes, based on DeLorme's "3-D Topo Quads" software (and my personal knowledge of the routes). Is the route of the CS between Oakland and San Jose the same route that the Capitol Corridor trains use? I was under the impression that the Capitols take a more "inland" route from I believe Niles, while the CS keeps to the route closer to the Bay. Any insight into this? Thanks--
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