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I was reading, in the Oct issue of TRAINS magazine, that you cannot get on the Coast Starlight in Eugene, and head for a destination north (such as Portland or Seattle). Is this true? I guess you can board the Starlight, in Klamath Falls, and ride the CS for a destination north. I tried the Amtrak site, for Eugene to Seattle, and it only referred to the Cascades, not the CS. The opposite apparently is possible..you can ride the CS from Seattle, on coach, to any destination.. Portland, Eugene, etc.
Just curious, why can't you ride the CS, coach, from Eugene headed north?
Richard
Beacon Hill Member # 4431
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Train 14 was designated "Discharge Only" when time-keeping became an issue. The Starlight was scheduled to leave Portland, northbound, at about 4:30 pm. But passengers ticketed on the 14 would end up riding the Cascade train that left Portland at about 6:15 pm because the Starlight was usually way behind schedule. Southbound, train 11 usually leaves Seattle on-time so Amtrak still sells tickets on the southbound Starlight. The "Discharge Only" symbol has been dropped from the Starlight's schedule at the Amtrak website, but the computer still won't let you book. Maybe with improved timekeeping on the 14 Amtrak will sell space again.
SunsetLtd Member # 3985
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That rule was established back when it ran 12 hours late. It was designed to help the train make up some time. I only think that rule applied to #14 though, #11 was ok going down the valley so I think they allowed people to board and head south. Don't know if they are still following that rule or not.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Interesting. Well, maybe if the Starlight can get back to a much better on-time performance it will allow passengers to board, in Eugene, headed north. I wonder if this is the situtaion year-round and if it will remain so?
Richard
RRRICH Member # 1418
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The new timetable does NOT show any such restrictions from EUG northward on #14.
Beacon Hill Member # 4431
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The 14 is not shown on the Cascades timetable and Amtrak's on-line booking site won't allow you to board 14 north of Eugene. Hopefully service can be restored soon.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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quote:Originally posted by yukon11: Interesting. Well, maybe if the Starlight can get back to a much better on-time performance it will allow passengers to board, in Eugene, headed north. I wonder if this is the situtaion year-round and if it will remain so?
Richard
The Starlight IS back to reasonable timekeeping. Best I've seen in years, in fact.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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Oops, I must take back what I said. This week the timekeeping has deteriorated somewhat. Some days were pretty good, but one day 14 was almost 6 hours late into Seattle. Other days were OK, or somewhere in the middle.
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