While in Santa Barbara Monday we were down by the beach when the northbound Starlight passed. This was around 12:40pm. The train was on time.
We drove away from Santa Barbara around 3:00pm. We caught up to the Starlight just north of Paso Robles, near Camp Roberts, at about 5:00pm or so. It was stopped on a siding along the freeway. A mile or so later we saw a southbound UP freight train. Evidently that was what the Starlight was waiting for. it was interesting to observe the train at two different points on its journey. Though I would have preferred to have been on it!
The station attendant in Salinas told me the Starlight usually makes good time until it gets to Paso Robles, where it is often delayed. I think I witnessed this in person today.
The train arrived in Salinas today 45 minutes late, around 7:20 or so. That was about the same time we stepped in our front door in Monterey. As much as I would have liked to take the train, door to door it would have taken almost twice as long as driving. Part of this is due to the fact that it takes us well over an hour to get to our house from the station on two busses.
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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy
Your observations are always well-written and interesting. I enjoy reading them. The Coast Starlight is my favorite train. I would have liked to have been on it also.
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Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
[This message has been edited by Konstantin (edited 10-02-2001).]