I'm currently in Houston after my trip SBA/LAX/CHI that started with a late Surfliner departure on Saturday (04/16) caused by the collision of the train with an abandoned bicycle on the tracks between Goleta and SBA. We made up plenty of time and the SW Chief departed ontime. I had a great two day journey across beautiful scenery with good meals, a pleasant crew, and some interesting fellow travelers. We arrived in CHI 30 minutes early! My next trip may be on the Capitol Limited from CHI to WAS in early May.
BTW, I met 5 Australians on the SW Chief who had been planning on going on the Sunset LAX/ORL but were re-routed via Chicago and DC. I told them they got a lot of extra travel and they agreed. They were all going on to a cruise leaving from Puerto Rico to Europe. There's a lot to be said for the "Long Service Leaves" that Aussies still enjoy.
Best,
Frank normally of SBA but now in warm, humid Houston.