RAILforum: Coast Starlight Timekeeping

This is topic Coast Starlight Timekeeping in forum Travel at RAILforum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/140.html

Posted by Kenc (Member # 691) on :

Does anyone know why the Coast Starlight timekeeping is so consistently poor ?

I have booked some extensive travel on Amtrak when I am on holiday from the UK in June and have been tracking the performance of the services over the last month or so. The Coast Starlight from LA has averaged 190 minutes late into Portland Oregon during that time with a "best" of 735 minutes late.

Does anyone know if there are any particular difficulties on that route which are causing the service to perform so badly ?

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

Well, compared to European trains those in the U.S. are 50 years behind the times.
American rail lines are controlled by private freight companies. Passenger trains are supposed to get priority over freight traffic, but in practice that rarely happens as the freight company dispatchers are really calling the shots.

Occasionally trains will be delayed by mechanical problems, but most delays are outside of Amtrak's control. As they say herre, "this is no way to run a railroad."

So don't count on your train being on time. About an hour before your departure call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) and ask if your train will be on time. If it is late you can linger a bit bit before going to the station. Be aware that trains can make up some lost time, so don't linger too much!

Once aboard just relax and enjoy the ride. Expect delays, but also expect an enjoyable trip.

------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy