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This past weekend I took a trip from Los Angeles to Oakland on the Coast Starlight. I flew into Burbank airport and made the easy Pacific Surfliner connection from the airport to Union Station. I arrived at Union Station about 50 minutes before the Starlight departure, so I went to the Traxx bar for some complimentary juice. The conductor arrived at 9:40am to check tickets and then escorted us to the train on track #10.
I had roomette #4 in the 1431 car. My car attendant was the very accomodating Ron Harris, whom I had previously on the Starlight. Once I settled into my room, I made my way to the Parlour Car (Sonoma Valley) to take some pictures. I met Nanette, the Parlour Car attendant and checked the menu for lunch and dinner. This was the first trip I have taken on the CS since they started serving meals in the Parlour Car.
We departed on-time at 10:15am. Ron Harris brought a small bottle of champagne for departure. I had not had this on previous CS trips, only on the Empire Builder. Ann from the diner car came around for reservations. I decided to have lunch in the diner and dinner in the Parlor Car.
I had lunch with an older couple from South Carolina. They had flown to LA to visit with family and were making their first train trip up to Portland to visit with more family. The lady was deaf but a very good lip reader. I didn't realize this until several minutes after we sat down when she informed the waiter she needed to lip read. I have had several students in my classes over the years who are lip readers and I am always amazed how well they understand what I am saying. We had a very good conversation about train travel and other trains I had travelled.
Just north of San Luis Obispo we had the wine tasting. We paid $5 and made reservations earlier in the day. The 4 wines and 3 cheeses from the California area were very good. On previous CS trips they had the wine tasting in the entire PC, but on this one, they had the wine tasting in the area with the tables. This allowed passengers not partaking of the tasting to stay in the area with the swivel seats.
For dinner I had reservations in the Parlour Car. Instead of 4 people to a table, I shared the table with a student from Los Angles. I noticed all of the people seated were 2 to a table as opposed to 4 in the regular diner. There are only 2 items to select from the PC menu. When I made the reservation earlier, I chose the lamb dinner. The other choice this night was duck. After having my salad, Nanette went over to the buffet/steam table to dish out my dinner. The lamb was much better tasting than it looked!
After dinner I relaxed in my room while awaiting arrival in Oakland. I had a reservation at the Inn At Jack London Square. I was happy with the short walk to the hotel upon arrival in Oakland. The hotel was very satisfactory. The next morning I spent a couple hours exploring Jack London Square before making my way to the Oakland airport and my return to Arizona.
posted
Nice report and thoroughly enjoyed the slideshow (as usual). Do you have to pay extra to watch the movie?
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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Thanks for the report. Nanette is a sweetie and works very hard.
The thing that I still don't like in the Parlour Car is how they kick out the sleeping car passengers when it comes to wine tasting (if you're not a wine drinker and don't pay the 5 bucks, you're outta there to make room for coach passengers who paid 10 bucks). I know that it didn't happen on your trip, and that was a good idea to split the car in half like that. But during peak periods, they are not able to do that.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I just looked at your pictures also. I see that they put blue curtains over the windows in the theater of the Parlour Car. It's nice to see that they are taking care of those cars.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Looks like the dining car had the new crockery. Is that so?
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Ah, yes, the fork made a clink when contacting the plate....
The Parlour Car attendant made mention of the change and she stated she liked the change, however, she mentioned dishwashers were not hired so that responsibility rest with her and current diner staff.
She was okay with it now, but wondered how it will work in the summer when the passenger loads will be greater.
Posts: 120 | From: Arizona | Registered: Mar 2007
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Thank you so much for your excellent report and slideshow! I have a couple of questions: (1) You say that you traveled easily from Burbank Airport to LA Union Station on the Pacific Surfliner. Can you give more details on how precisely you get from terminal to train station? I am not familiar with that airport & did not notice the station layout when I took the Surfliner. (2) Why did you fly from Arizona, instead of taking the SW Chief or Sunset Ltd? Is it because connections would not be smooth?
I did not know they are still showing movies on any of the trains. I don't mind that after dark, but in May or June, I'd hate being in an observation car or parlour car when it's still light out and have the curtains drawn to show a movie. Will they be doing that in the parlour car?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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The movie theater is downstairs in the Parlour Car, not in the main scenery viewing area.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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My wife and I traveled on the Coast Starlight on Feb 2-3 from Los Angeles to Seattle. It was wonderful, excellent service, beautiful scenery; considering that we are home in Ohio with 30 inches of snow.
The Parlour Car was "cold" the entire trip, causing few to eat there, or enjoy the comfort of the seating. The one wine tasting ended when people said they couldn't sit in these cold temperatures.
Another oddity was that the Attendant's Room (No. 1) actually had a pad lock on it, and he was rarely found in the car.
Posts: 76 | From: Steubenville, OH | Registered: Oct 2004
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Another oddity was that the Attendant's Room (No. 1) actually had a pad lock on it, and he was rarely found in the car.
You might not have noticed it before, but there have always been two metal "thingys" on Room #1 where an employee can bring their own padlock to lock their door. They might put their bag in there, or some supplies that they don't want to get stolen. I've noticed that whenever you see the room padlocked like that and no attendant in sight, he/she is staying in a deluxe bedroom that has not been sold. I'd like to say that I'm surprised that they are allowed to get away with this (hanging out in another car), but I'm not.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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sojourner, 1) The airport train station is quite close (perhaps 1/4-1/2 mile) If you look at my pics again, #3-#6 were taken on my walk to the train station. Pic #5 is actually taken on the train platform, looking back at the airport terminal. There is also a sign advertising a free terminal shuttle at the train station, however, I'm not sure what the frequency is. One thing that caught me by surprise was the sign at the station noting that Metrolink doesn't stop at this station on weekends. Fortunately a Surfliner got me to Union Station with 50 minutes to spare.
2) The reason I flew was due to the middle of the night hours for SWC and Sunset Limited and getting to the nearest stations from my home (either Maricopa, AZ or Flagstaff). Also, I had a free flight to use before it expired in a month so that option worked well for me.
The movie times were 3:30PM & 8:00PM. I didn't go down during the movies, but I believe alot of kids were down there while their parents joined the wine tasting at 3:45PM.
Posts: 120 | From: Arizona | Registered: Mar 2007
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Has anyone ever seen or used the "free shuttle" that takes you from the Burbank train station to the Burbank Airport? I've heard about this free shuttle for years, but I have yet to see it. I've been told that people have sat there waiting for it and it has never shown up.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Gotta say Mr. Meyer, Southwest's "Burple' 737-300 sure looks a little lonely at KBUR. Somehow I think the passenger count handled at that airport is down there with a small one with which I am familiar, namely KHPN.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Mr. Norman, it is a pretty small airport. I didn't check to see how many other planes were at gates that morning, but I would guess 6-10 gates. I arrived at 7:30AM on a Sat.. I have flown out of KBUR in the evenings with planes at all the gates, mostly Southwest.
Posts: 120 | From: Arizona | Registered: Mar 2007
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Burbank is an AWESOME airport! One of the few classics left. They don't have jet bridges, so with every flight, they have two "stair trucks" pull up to the plane and connect to both the front and the back. It makes boarding and deplaning quick and easy. And the approach to KBUR can be quite tricky. You skim the rooftops until the last moment, land, slam on the brakes and thrust reversers, and you're at the gate literally 45 seconds after touchdown. If you didn't check baggage, you can be off the plane and in your car in about 3 minutes. At Thanksgiving, I flew in and my sister picked me up curbside. We were at the grocery store in the checkout line 10 minutes after I got off the plane. Where else can you do that?? Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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[QB] You skim the rooftops until the last moment, land, slam on the brakes and thrust reversers, and you're at the gate literally 45 seconds after touchdown. /QB]
No thanks, smitty195, I'll get my thrills at the local theme park instead!
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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I remember that well! I had just flown to Burbank on SWA the week before this happened. A big "whoopsie" by the flight crew! There is no room for error at that airport---none. If you don't have it right, you've got to go-around.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:Originally posted by smitty195: They (KBUR) don't have jet bridges, so with every flight, they have two "stair trucks" pull up to the plane and connect to both the front and the back.
Mr. Smith, of the 18 boardings or alightings of aircraft I did last year (nine flights), 5 of such were "the old fashioned way' at KBOS, KACK, and KHPN.
Sorry 'bout the hijackin' of your topic, Mr. Meyer.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Has anyone ever seen or used the "free shuttle" that takes you from the Burbank train station to the Burbank Airport? I've heard about this free shuttle for years, but I have yet to see it. I've been told that people have sat there waiting for it and it has never shown up.
Smitty, we used Burbank last summer. It is a great little airport. When we got off our Surfliner train from Santa Barbara we called for the shuttle. The guy said it would be right over, but it never showed. But, you really don't need it. It's a very pleasant short walk down a tree shaded sidewalk - even with a couple rolling bags.
The only reason to use LAX and the flyaway bus is if you need to catch an LD train. Burbank is certainly better/faster for coastal trains - even if you do miss out on seeing LAUPT.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Thanks for the info. I myself do not plan on flying if I can help it, but I know someone else who was curious about the Burbank Airport details.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Thanks, palmland. The mystery of the Burbank Shuttle continues! It's published that it's there, and if you call they say it's running, but I still have yet to see the actual shuttle bus or talk to anyone who has successfully ridden it. Fortunately, the airport is just a short walk from the train platform.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Bob Hope is one of the airports my wife wants to visit. She has heard the take-offs are under full power and at a steep climb rate, so they do not offend the ears of the people that live around the airport...
She likes those types of takeoffs, I hate them.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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The takeoff (under normal weather/wind) is an immediate right turn after takeoff for noise abatement procedures. You fly up like a rocket in a right turn, and depending on traffic, level off at 5,000 and fly for a few more miles, then resume the ascent. It sounds neat to hear those engines screaming, then they pull them back to cruise as you hold at 5,000, then up up and away again.
Landing is just as fun. You get a nice rooftop view for the last minute or so. Make sure you pull your seatbelt tight for landing......It's pretty amazing how quickly you pull into the gate (not really a gate--just a glass door!).
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Ah-hah!! The one person alive who has seen it, and he is out of the country. Sounds very suspicious to me. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Also of interest; there appears to be only one runway, 08, that handles ILS landings. This was the runway SWA 1455 03/05/00 was cleared to land, but was on a visual approach.
Again, apologies extended to any of the "won't flys" out there for the hi-jack.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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"Bob Hope Airport was initially built for smaller aircraft; as a consequence, the airport has one of the smallest commercially-used runways in the United States. The result is a challenging landing for even the most experienced pilots. Aircraft arriving on Runway 8 must turn off onto the ramp area by the JetBlue gate before completely stopping their landing roll.
" * On March 5, 2000, Southwest Airlines Flight 1455, upon landing on Runway 8 at Burbank following a flight from Las Vegas, overran the runway, injuring 43. The Boeing 737 crashed through a metal blast barrier at the end of the runway, then an airport perimeter fence, and came to rest in the traffic lanes of Hollywood Way, a main north-south thoroughfare. The plane stopped alarmingly close to a Chevron gasoline station located across the street from the runway. The incident resulted in the dismissal of the pilots. The Chevron gasoline station was subsequently closed and removed due to safety concerns.
" * On September 21, 2005, JetBlue Airways Flight 292, took off from Burbank, and the front wheel of the aircraft failed to retract and instead jammed at a 90 degree angle perpendicular to the direction the wheels normally face. The aircraft spent several hours in the air before safely making an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport, with 140 passengers and 6 crew members aboard. The Airbus A320 was originally bound for JFK International Airport, in New York City, New York. After the aircraft took off, the incident was quickly captured by news helicopters which ran feed that was shown live nationally on cable news. Notably, many passengers on the flight said they watched images of their own aircraft's plight on JetBlue's LiveTV system.
" * On October 13, 2006, a Gulfstream jet overran the runway upon landing. There were no reported injuries amongst the five passengers and two crew members. New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was on board, on his way to attend the funeral of fellow teammate Cory Lidle. Rodriguez was uninjured, but the accident happened two days after the fatal plane crash of his teammate."
Uh . . . I think I'd rather take the train. Those short-field landings scare the bejesus out of me.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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GBN--that YouTube video of the Burbank landing is interesting. I've never landed on that runway before. As you can see near the end of the video, they cross a runway---that's the one you normally land on. You can see for a brief moment the blue tails of the SWA planes parked at their gates. Normally, you finish your landing roll right there at the gate, turn right, and you're done! There must have been different winds on the day that video was taken. But yup, pretty much everything is on YouTube!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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The You Tube caption of "to the South' would suggest Rwy 15. From the chart linked above, the only KBUR runway with a Localizer (IBUR) is 08 (Hdg 77 true).
Possibly some of those related videos show an approact to Rwy 8.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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