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Heads up everyone BOTH Amtrak Coast Starlight trains 11 and 14 on Sunday June 22 are planned to Detour via Bakersfield and Tehachapi. This will involve OFFICIALLY the Train 11 Seattle departure of 6-21-08 saturday and Train 14 on 6-22-08 from Los Angeles.
This detour will depart the normal route at Sacramento and run NON-STOP to Los Angeles. The only stop should be a SHORT crew change in Bakersfield at the BNSF Bakersfield Freight Yard. That Bakersfield stop will NOT be for any passenger or station work.
A very SOLID inside source phoned me several days ago to inform me about this detour. In addition 2 SOLID - INSIDE NO-Nonsense sources from the 10-23-05 Tehachapi detour of train 11 have CONFIRMED this over on that iwell-known website Trainorders. These 2 MAGICAL trainorders dot com sources are users "silagi" and "stevedavis". I have not so far seen any reversal of these plans so I am a believer. If you recall the postponed 4-27 detour was cancelled with almost 1 MONTH notice. We are now just some 10 DAYS before this event this time around,
This is apprently what is CURRENTLY planned in the OFFICIAL Amtrak Computer for SUNDAY 6-22-08 again involving BOTH trains 11 and 14.
Train 11 is currently MISSING from the Amtrak reservation options on 6-22-08 SUNDAY from Martinez and/OR Emeryville TO LAX (Los Angeles). Still MISSING from the res options as I double-checked it at 6:36AM also from EMY to LAX on the 22nd. I just want to be sure the Socal Railfan crowd knows about this very likely and RARE RARE detour possiblity.
BTW the 1974 Tehachapi detour date should be recorded as August 26, 1974 . In 1974 a Bakersfield are railfan saw train 11 arrive in REVERSE order with the baggage car on the rear way back then. That is why both he and I suspect that 1974 train was reversed out of Oakland and likely ran the normal Oakland Amtrak San Joaquin Corridor routing.
The NARP Hotline news has a brief item about this historic detour plan here for 6-22-08. Again I just want to alert everyone to be in poistion if this plan unfolds next week as is planned now by Amtrak (6:36 AM on early 6-12-08 Thursday).
I would just LOVE to hear additional info and or confirmation from other sources about this very SURPRISING and AMAZING detour plan by Amtrak. Pretty please !!!
Here is that short NARP news item about this Amtrak Tehachapi Detour: == Daniel
Amtrak plans to detour the Coast Starlight on Sunday, June 22 in both directions between Los Angeles and Sacramento via Tehachapi Pass and the San Joaquin route (with no intermediate station stops) due to the need for Union Pacific to repair a bridge near Santa Barbara. Train 14 is expected to arrive Sacramento at 9 PM and hold for its normal departure, while train 11 should arrive Los Angeles early as well. Passengers to or from Van Nuys, Simi Valley, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Salinas, San Jose, Oakland, Emeryville, Martinez, and Davis may avail themselves of the various state corridor trains and buses. The last Amtrak train to traverse Tehachapi Pass was when the southbound Coast Starlight detoured on October 23, 2005; before that, 1974. Due to the same bridge work, most Pacific Surfliner service will not operate north of Santa Barbara on June 22. Connecting motorcoaches will serve stops between Goleta and San Luis Obispo, except Lompoc-Surf and Guadalupe (an additional stop will be added at Santa Maria).
RR4me Member # 6052
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Well, the guest rewards people didn't know of this, and commented that often scheduled repairs are re-scheduled. But I'm willing to gamble, and booked a trip 6/22 from LAX to SAC. What's the worst that could happen - I travel the beautiful coast of California on one of the longest daylight days of the year? Not too tough a call.
Jarrod Member # 4318
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I heard that a second re-routing day is possibly in the works for later this summer. I think it was September sometime, but don't quote me on that...
amtraxmaniac Member # 2251
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Don't they have to wye the train in Sacramento? The way the tracks are in Sacramento-the line to and from the San Joaquin line is BEHIND SAC station. Coming NB the train would arrive into SAC with the NB line BEHIND the train. SB-same thing. The train would arrive into SAC with the San Joaquin line BEHIND it. Trying to picture it...
daniel3197 Member # 27
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They will have to BACK the train either IN OR OUT of the Sacramento Depot.
On October 23, 2005 our soutbound train 11 BACKED OUT of the SAC depot to Elvas Tower near Cal Expo. The northbound train 14 will likely BACK INTO the Sacramento depot from Elvas because it will arrive a few hours early into Sacramento. Upon arrival at ELvas Tower Junction our train 11 began the forward move south down the now normal Amtrak route thru Lodi. At Stockton we made the tight LEFT turn onto the ATSF (now BNSF) mainline all the way to our Bakersfield crew change stop at the ATSF Freight Yard.
We departed Bakersfield with NO PAX stop. That will be different this time as Amtrak is now SELLING passenger tickets to/from Bakersfield in either direction. After Bakersfield it is on to Kern Junction and the Tehachapi Joint track thru Tehachapi to Mojave. AT Mojave we continued on the former SP to Palmdale Jct where we switched onto the former Sp Saugus Line. The former SP Saugus Line is now the Metrolink Anteolpe Valley Line OR Metrolink Valley Subdivision as the railroaders know it. After leaving Palmdale it should be direct thru Santa Clarita and Newhall to Burbank and LA to FINISH the Detour.
I hope this little rundown helps you to know how these detour trains will be operated.
RussM Member # 3627
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I boarded the eastbound Zephyr in Sacramento on March 10th, when they detoured via the Altamont route. They backed into SAC from Elvas. It was kind of amusing to see all the people watching for the train to arrive from the West, and having the train sneak up on them from the opposite direction.
I will be flying out to Los Angeles from Connecticut on the 21st to do the detour on # 14. Booked with Amtrak (not TUT), and have a sleeper to Eugene. Breakfast at Phillipes, and on to Tehachapi !
RR4me Member # 6052
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Where's Phillipes? And they should have plenty of time to wye or back the train, especially if they really do make the run with a stop only in Bakersfield.
RR4me Member # 6052
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Found Phillipes. I'll go there on your implied recommendation. Absolutely confident it will beat a bagel from the station concessionaire.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Since you're not familiar with Phillipes, I just wanted to let you know it's not a fancy restaurant. It's a famous "greasy spoon", and it is very small. There is sawdust on the floor. They are famous for French Dip Sandwiches, and their breakfasts are great also. Here is their website:
(PS: You're not too far from me. I'm in Pleasanton, and I head up your way every now and then to hit the casino!)
RR4me Member # 6052
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Hi Smitty, I'm familiar with Pleasanton, I acutally grew up in Walnut Creek. Moved to La Grange a couple years ago to get room for the horses. If you've ever gone to my favorite (and the only) dining option in La Grange, the La Grange Saloon and Grill (est 1857), you will understand when I say these are my favorite type of restaurants. Are you going to get on the CS 6/22?
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I'll have to visit the Saloon next time I go through there---I've never heard of it, but I will definitely give it a shot!
And yup, I'll be on the train on the 22nd from LA to SAC. I'll be in the private cars on the rear. For sure there will be at least three (Silver Lariat, Silver Solarium, and Colonial Crafts) and I've heard that there might be a fourth (Tioga Pass).
sbalax Member # 2801
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Smitty--
I wouldn't say that Phiippe's is "very small". It certainly can seat a couple of hundred people at one time. Have you ever gone upstairs? It is busy just about all day, though, and I can heartily recommend it. I've been eating the "lamb, double dipped" since my very early teens.
If you get sandwiches to go ask for the "jus" on the side and make sure you get some of the house mustard. Be warned, it's strong.
Frank in, finally, sunny SBA
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Now everybody wave at Mr. Smith (aboard Silver Solarium), and Railroad Net Member Mr. Primrose (gprimr1; in line space):
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I took the CS from LAX to BFD. I was ticketed to SAC, but since I wanted to detrain in Modesto, I switched to a San Joaquin in BFD. It was a very intersting trip for me, as I have not previously been in the company of so many interesting folks who know so much about the route, the train, its location at any given minute. My first exposure was a with man in back of me in line at Traxx, checking into the "first class lounge", who was covered with pins and blinking lights. We chatted a bit, and he told me he was riding the train too. I hazarded a guess that he was on the CS, and he ocnfirmed. Little kids were gazing at him in awe.
After a bit, I walked to track 11 to watch the traim back in, and ended up back by the Silver Solarium. By the time I walked forward to my roomette, I noticed the lounge car was already full.
During the trip, I talked to many folks and what caught my attention, against my preconceived notions, was the wide range of ages fo the folks who ride and follow the trains. I sat at lunch with a man named Daniel, who proved a wealth of inforamtion. He also said he was updating our progress on TrainOrders.
It was interesting to hear the on-board folks comment on the "foamers" following the train, taking video and paictures. It seemed to me that the only difference between the tow groups was one was aboard the train and one was outside.
Goig over the mountains and through the loop caused great excitement - you could feel it in the train. Then meeting the southbound CS at Caliente felt like icing on the cake. There were people on the train communicating with folks outside, calling out estimated positions and times.
By the time we rolled into Bakersfield, it felt like the party was over, although many were going on to Sac. I am sure that those passengers who were not aware they were participating in something special felt as though a tornado had rolled through the train then departed by Sac.
sbalax Member # 2801
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Great video, Gil. Thanks for the link.
Did my eyes deceive me or was the Parlour Car missing on #14? I need to watch again to tell about #11.
Frank in sunny SBA
RR4me Member # 6052
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There was no parlour car on 14. In it's place was a refurbished lounge/diner care. The Customer Supervisor (?) on board mentioned that the origianlly assigned parlour car had "wheel problems", and they had to substitute.
HopefulRailUser Member # 4513
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That was an excellent video. I hear that only 2 of the 5 PPCs are functioning. Air conditioning problems being one thing going on. And they spent a lot of money "refurbishing" them!
RR4me - a nice note about the variety of people who are interested in trains. We aren't all interested to the same degree in the same train related aspects but there are a lot of us who just like trains. Even I have been to the loop and seen the freights travel through. Loved it!
Will get my fix next week, the Surfliner LAX to SBA and a meeting with my friend Frank. I think it is great than an interest in one thing, trains, leads to meeting new people and new adventures.
sbalax Member # 2801
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Vicki--
Agreed. But we also share a love for cruising! We're looking forward to seeing you and Art next week.
Looking at that video reminded me of the one time I convinced my Mom that we should take the San Joaquin Daylight instead of the Coast on our annual trip to San Francisco. I remember the loop and also hitting a truck somewhere in the Valley that made us miss the last ferry from Oakland. We were, yes, "bustituted"! I think that is the same trip where I convinced her we should fly home. My first flight. On a PSA DC4 SFO to Burbank. I think the fare was around $12.00.
Frank in Sunny (It WILL hold for you, Vicki!) SBA
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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All the excitement over the "Tehachapi move" reminds me of another passenger train over the "Hill" way back in Fall, 1987. The DNC had chartered a train from Amtrak for Mike Dukakis and his team to run from LAX to Stockton, giving 6 "Truman-style" whistle-stop speeches along the way. All speech stops were in the valley above BFD. Security was high as you'd imagine-- the railfans on the Hill for the most part never knew the train was coming; 4 gleaming F-40s and a spotless Superliner/HiLevel consist. I know for sure this train happened because I was a crew member on it and still have my Secret Service metal badge/pin. We met Michael as he walked through the train...of course he went on to lose that election to GB the First... Oh, and if memory serves there was a "pilot train" that ran just ahead of the main train- a single engine and one or two cars to check track and blocks w/security staff riding the headend as well...
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Very nice video! I was only able to catch a glimpse of my arm as the train entered the last "loop" tunnel (train #14, rear car Silver Solarium). I was hanging out the side taking pictures.
Just a few minor corrections....the engine added to the front of #14 at Stockton was a Union Pacific SD70M (4765). Also, the reason there was no Parlour Car on our train has nothing to do with "wheel" problems. I continue to be shocked and stunned (although I really shouldn't be!) at how many weird and seemingly made-up reasons that Amtrak managers give passengers as to why a certain car is not there. The missing Parlour Car is #39973, and it has a bad air conditioner (even though it's brand new and was on one of it's first runs). The other missing car is #39974, and it has problems with the new fridges keeping things cold. The other 3 PPC's are in service. The car that was on #14 for the detour on Sunday was a "Cross Country Cafe" that has been in use on the Texas Eagle and City Of New Orleans.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Great video, Gil!!!! Thank you for posting the link!!
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