Amtrak Coast Starlight - Along the West Coast by Train
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
-TheLpbrennan
The Starlight is a great trip. I prefer it south to north, however. Leaving LA mid-morning, evening around San Jose, Sacramento at midnight - then you awake to see dawn on the peak of Mount Shasta lit by the sun! That is breathtaking. Shasta is a huge volcano (actually several in one mass) and you see it for quite a while as the sky lightens. Then through the forested Cascades to Portland and Seattle.
I see you mentioned doing the California Zephyr. I suggest doing it westbound - you reach Denver in the morning, then all day alongside the Colorado River through the Rockies, and watch as they change from snow-capped, tree-covered mountains to the dry, semi-arid red rocks at Grand Junction - then the stark desert of southern Utah. The next morning in the sinks of Nevada, which make the Utah desert look lush. Up the Truckee River to Donner Pass, down the Sierras to Sacramento. Westbound on the Zephyr and eastbound on the Empire Builder.
The Builder westbound arrives at Glacier Park at or after sunset, so you miss the views. Eastbound from Portland you follow the Columbia River gorge for miles; east from Seattle, miles along the shore of Puget Sound to Everett, then up into the Cascades along the Wenatchee River. Both sections join in the middle of the night at Spokane, and you have dawn around Whitefish, and a morning alongside Glacier National Park. Across eastern Montana, which is surprisingly rugged in places, then night through North Dakota, to dawn at St. Cloud. Along the Mississippi to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and on to Chicago.
All good, scenic routes.
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The Starlight is a great trip. I prefer it south to north, however. Leaving LA mid-morning, evening around San Jose, Sacramento at midnight - then you awake to see dawn on the peak of Mount Shasta lit by the sun! That is breathtaking. Shasta is a huge volcano (actually several in one mass) and you see it for quite a while as the sky lightens. Then through the forested Cascades to Portland and Seattle.
I see you mentioned doing the California Zephyr. I suggest doing it westbound - you reach Denver in the morning, then all day alongside the Colorado River through the Rockies, and watch as they change from snow-capped, tree-covered mountains to the dry, semi-arid red rocks at Grand Junction - then the stark desert of southern Utah. The next morning in the sinks of Nevada, which make the Utah desert look lush. Up the Truckee River to Donner Pass, down the Sierras to Sacramento. Westbound on the Zephyr and eastbound on the Empire Builder.
The Builder westbound arrives at Glacier Park at or after sunset, so you miss the views. Eastbound from Portland you follow the Columbia River gorge for miles; east from Seattle, miles along the shore of Puget Sound to Everett, then up into the Cascades along the Wenatchee River. Both sections join in the middle of the night at Spokane, and you have dawn around Whitefish, and a morning alongside Glacier National Park. Across eastern Montana, which is surprisingly rugged in places, then night through North Dakota, to dawn at St. Cloud. Along the Mississippi to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and on to Chicago.
All good, scenic routes.
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-kyotokid4
. nice video.
I live a couple blocks from Union Station in the Pearl, wonderful old building with that polished granite interior. Love the sound of the trains passing by (grew up on the Southeast side of Milwaukee near the old Chicago & Northwestern 400 Streamliner route to Chicago.
Rode the Starlight a number of times, for pleasure and business, and yes I remember the -Pacific Parlour- cars (ex Santa Fe lounge cars from the old High Level El Captain) for the sleeping car passengers. Classier than the Sightseer as they had leather seats as well as sofas, a walk up bar and a video screen to watch films. I used to travel to the Bay Area regularly for my company to meet with our main client, much more relaxing then flying. Always took a sleeper for the trip as I cannot sleep sitting up due to serious arthritis and back issues Was mice to arrive well rested. Returning home was just as pleasant as it felt like a mini-vacation that I was being paid for.
For those who haven't been to Portland, the Steel Bridge is a -one of a kind- vertical lift span in that the lower deck can be raised independently of the upper one (rode and walked along that jogging/bike path many a time. The bridge also handles Max Light Rail trains on the middle lanes of the upper deck (which also must proceed slow over the century plus old span)
I would like to see an upgrade to the latest Viewliner series, fewer steps to deal with (getting old and stiff) and less -rocking- while moving.
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. nice video.
I live a couple blocks from Union Station in the Pearl, wonderful old building with that polished granite interior. Love the sound of the trains passing by (grew up on the Southeast side of Milwaukee near the old Chicago & Northwestern 400 Streamliner route to Chicago.
Rode the Starlight a number of times, for pleasure and business, and yes I remember the -Pacific Parlour- cars (ex Santa Fe lounge cars from the old High Level El Captain) for the sleeping car passengers. Classier than the Sightseer as they had leather seats as well as sofas, a walk up bar and a video screen to watch films. I used to travel to the Bay Area regularly for my company to meet with our main client, much more relaxing then flying. Always took a sleeper for the trip as I cannot sleep sitting up due to serious arthritis and back issues Was mice to arrive well rested. Returning home was just as pleasant as it felt like a mini-vacation that I was being paid for.
For those who haven't been to Portland, the Steel Bridge is a -one of a kind- vertical lift span in that the lower deck can be raised independently of the upper one (rode and walked along that jogging/bike path many a time. The bridge also handles Max Light Rail trains on the middle lanes of the upper deck (which also must proceed slow over the century plus old span)
I would like to see an upgrade to the latest Viewliner series, fewer steps to deal with (getting old and stiff) and less -rocking- while moving.
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-jimpern
I took the Starlight from L. A. to Tacoma during my recent multi-train adventure. I elected to try the Business class, which is rare on a long-distance train. The seat was identical to the coach seat except for the leather covering, but it was no more comfortable. The main advantage to Business class was the ability to use the Metropolitan Lounge in L. A. and the ability to eat in the dining car (now restored) for a fee. I ate from the Cafe at first, getting the same excellent turkey and cheese sandwich (this time Swiss) and the cheese stromboli that I had had on the Crescent. For the second dinner I paid the $45 fee (rather steep) and upgraded to the dining car for the excellent flatiron steak. I slept okay in my Business class seat thanks to a new acquisition - noise-cancelling wireless headphones! I strongly recommend them for sleeping in coach. Oh yes, thanks to delays going thru the Cascades in Oregon thanks to nearby wildfires, we arrived 90 minutes late, which forced the eastbound Empire Builder to leave Portland late as well. The fires ruined the views but we didn't smell the smoke inside the train.
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I took the Starlight from L. A. to Tacoma during my recent multi-train adventure. I elected to try the Business class, which is rare on a long-distance train. The seat was identical to the coach seat except for the leather covering, but it was no more comfortable. The main advantage to Business class was the ability to use the Metropolitan Lounge in L. A. and the ability to eat in the dining car (now restored) for a fee. I ate from the Cafe at first, getting the same excellent turkey and cheese sandwich (this time Swiss) and the cheese stromboli that I had had on the Crescent. For the second dinner I paid the $45 fee (rather steep) and upgraded to the dining car for the excellent flatiron steak. I slept okay in my Business class seat thanks to a new acquisition - noise-cancelling wireless headphones! I strongly recommend them for sleeping in coach. Oh yes, thanks to delays going thru the Cascades in Oregon thanks to nearby wildfires, we arrived 90 minutes late, which forced the eastbound Empire Builder to leave Portland late as well. The fires ruined the views but we didn't smell the smoke inside the train.
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-ryanridder4576
The Coast Starlight is my favorite! By the way Amtrak went back to running it daily in late may 2021 so the crossings with the Coast Starlight in SLO are back. However in late October 2021 they do it differently as they changed the schedule. Before that the southbound one was there 3: 07pm-3: 20pm and changed to 3: 24pm-3: 37pm. Before that once many years ago until either 2012 or 2013 the northbound one was there 3: 30pm-3: 43pm before in 2013 it was changed to 3: 22pm-3: 35pm which was what it was until late October it was changed to 2: 58pm-3: 11pm. Traditional dining returned since this, but I wish and hope they would offer it to coach passengers again soon! I also wish they could bring back the pacific Parlour car, which was removed in early 2018
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The Coast Starlight is my favorite! By the way Amtrak went back to running it daily in late may 2021 so the crossings with the Coast Starlight in SLO are back. However in late October 2021 they do it differently as they changed the schedule. Before that the southbound one was there 3: 07pm-3: 20pm and changed to 3: 24pm-3: 37pm. Before that once many years ago until either 2012 or 2013 the northbound one was there 3: 30pm-3: 43pm before in 2013 it was changed to 3: 22pm-3: 35pm which was what it was until late October it was changed to 2: 58pm-3: 11pm. Traditional dining returned since this, but I wish and hope they would offer it to coach passengers again soon! I also wish they could bring back the pacific Parlour car, which was removed in early 2018
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-AeanMichael
What a beautiful journey. Thank you you sharing it with us. I am already checking out arrangements for a journey from Santa Fe, NM, to Seattle (Southwest Chief to Los Angeles and Coast Starlight to Seattle. I also liked the KU basketball shirt! since I graduated from KU. I think I will arrange for a roomette, however. I also loved your schematic of the train's consist and your location in each car as you gave your tour. Impressive!
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What a beautiful journey. Thank you you sharing it with us. I am already checking out arrangements for a journey from Santa Fe, NM, to Seattle (Southwest Chief to Los Angeles and Coast Starlight to Seattle. I also liked the KU basketball shirt! since I graduated from KU. I think I will arrange for a roomette, however. I also loved your schematic of the train's consist and your location in each car as you gave your tour. Impressive!
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-wabash-fr9yu
Rode the Texas Eagle to San Antonio in a sleeper (room A. The ride was good being up next to the engine (horns. Meals were airplane food and nothing to write home about. Great trip though seeing the Mississippi River. My car was then added to the Sunset Limited for the to Yuma ARIZONA with my back porch being the rear window. The food, as you mentioned before, on this portion of my trip was great! It was a good overall.
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Rode the Texas Eagle to San Antonio in a sleeper (room A. The ride was good being up next to the engine (horns. Meals were airplane food and nothing to write home about. Great trip though seeing the Mississippi River. My car was then added to the Sunset Limited for the to Yuma ARIZONA with my back porch being the rear window. The food, as you mentioned before, on this portion of my trip was great! It was a good overall.
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-KU84dh37
I'm noticing, now that I have watched a couple -Simply Railway' you waste window viewing which I imagine most people, like me watch train videos for by showing useless time of train parts which really are not interesting. The main reason I watch train videos is to see parts of the U. S. 'll never get to see live. If my next -Simply Railway- viewing has this wasted viewing time, I'll most likely stop watching. JMS
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I'm noticing, now that I have watched a couple -Simply Railway' you waste window viewing which I imagine most people, like me watch train videos for by showing useless time of train parts which really are not interesting. The main reason I watch train videos is to see parts of the U. S. 'll never get to see live. If my next -Simply Railway- viewing has this wasted viewing time, I'll most likely stop watching. JMS
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-aprilbox3766
i took the coast starlighter a few times, SLO to klamath falls and another time from san francisco to san diego. late 1970's and i got a drink when i was underage! i agree, the part along the ocean is the best. i was living in mendicino county when i went to san diego, i took greyhound to SF, bart to richmond, and up stairs to the amtrak station. i thought it was so cool that they were stacked like that.
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i took the coast starlighter a few times, SLO to klamath falls and another time from san francisco to san diego. late 1970's and i got a drink when i was underage! i agree, the part along the ocean is the best. i was living in mendicino county when i went to san diego, i took greyhound to SF, bart to richmond, and up stairs to the amtrak station. i thought it was so cool that they were stacked like that.
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train
I have ridden from Sacramento to Portland and back over 12 times. Your review is quite accurate and very much represents the journey, especially your nights sleep. To the pillows that Amtrak used to provide is bet placed on your side by the curved part of the seat. That is the main flaw to these seats. Yes, sleeping diagonally is the best if there is not other person there. Most people do that.
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I have ridden from Sacramento to Portland and back over 12 times. Your review is quite accurate and very much represents the journey, especially your nights sleep. To the pillows that Amtrak used to provide is bet placed on your side by the curved part of the seat. That is the main flaw to these seats. Yes, sleeping diagonally is the best if there is not other person there. Most people do that.
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-MTREC
My first AMTRAK is San Joaquins from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 1999.
And then I visited Seattle, St. Paul/Minneapolice, Chicago, New York, Washington D. C, Niagara Falles, Orlando, KeyWest, Miami, San Diego, Ground Canion, San Francisco, Hollywood, Santa Monica by Amtrak.
So I went around The USA by Amtrak except from Chicago to New York.
I had a good trip.
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My first AMTRAK is San Joaquins from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 1999.
And then I visited Seattle, St. Paul/Minneapolice, Chicago, New York, Washington D. C, Niagara Falles, Orlando, KeyWest, Miami, San Diego, Ground Canion, San Francisco, Hollywood, Santa Monica by Amtrak.
So I went around The USA by Amtrak except from Chicago to New York.
I had a good trip.
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-macmikey
Looking forward to the Empire Builder review. I rode that one a few years back, single, in a bedroom the whole way. Stopped off at Minot, ND and Isaak Walton Inn near Glacier Park. Stayed at the Inn for 2 nights and then hopped back on that days train to finish ride to Seattle. I loved it. The bedroom on that trip was just right for me.
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Looking forward to the Empire Builder review. I rode that one a few years back, single, in a bedroom the whole way. Stopped off at Minot, ND and Isaak Walton Inn near Glacier Park. Stayed at the Inn for 2 nights and then hopped back on that days train to finish ride to Seattle. I loved it. The bedroom on that trip was just right for me.
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train
Thanks a million for sharing these amazing videos; I've always been fascinated with train travel ever since as a young boy living in Honduras where my dearly beloved mom took me and my niece on my first trip. I have plans to do it again very soon in the U. S. Is there a train that travels from Miami to Los Angeles?
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Thanks a million for sharing these amazing videos; I've always been fascinated with train travel ever since as a young boy living in Honduras where my dearly beloved mom took me and my niece on my first trip. I have plans to do it again very soon in the U. S. Is there a train that travels from Miami to Los Angeles?
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-compdude100
Wow, this train sure was empty in 2020, especially since you rode it just after the lockdowns were being lifted. I don't miss that year at all!
I rode this train in July 2022 from Seattle to Chemult, OR and it was pretty packed. I would definitely ride this train again; I liked it more than driving.
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Wow, this train sure was empty in 2020, especially since you rode it just after the lockdowns were being lifted. I don't miss that year at all!
I rode this train in July 2022 from Seattle to Chemult, OR and it was pretty packed. I would definitely ride this train again; I liked it more than driving.
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-davidburgess3882
riding that train when it-s packed is a nightmare. Try sleeping when there's someone sitting next to you. And getting a seat in the view lounge is impossible. And do you really need a shower during a 30-35 hour trip? btw. It's Gaviota, not Gavotia. Nice presentation though.
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riding that train when it-s packed is a nightmare. Try sleeping when there's someone sitting next to you. And getting a seat in the view lounge is impossible. And do you really need a shower during a 30-35 hour trip? btw. It's Gaviota, not Gavotia. Nice presentation though.
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train
Hi. Of course Amtrak should offer showers with a fee or something alike for Coach passengers. Last year I did segments of 19 hours on coach and at least a shower one time in the trip will be great to have a more comfortable stay between the starting and ending point of the trip.
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Hi. Of course Amtrak should offer showers with a fee or something alike for Coach passengers. Last year I did segments of 19 hours on coach and at least a shower one time in the trip will be great to have a more comfortable stay between the starting and ending point of the trip.
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-avanb8818
Your videos are fantastic about these trains-
In South Africa we have a VERY VERY bad railway system as they steel the rail tracks and the copper cables for the signal system. -
The say it could take ten years to get the system working properly again
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Your videos are fantastic about these trains-
In South Africa we have a VERY VERY bad railway system as they steel the rail tracks and the copper cables for the signal system. -
The say it could take ten years to get the system working properly again
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-sub2julianthekang
I remember taking the coast starilight as my first amtrak trip. It was a fun experience, and i aas pretty surprised to see a reastraunt and sleeper rooms. The scenery was amazing, i took it from Tacoma, WA to Eugene, OR.
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I remember taking the coast starilight as my first amtrak trip. It was a fun experience, and i aas pretty surprised to see a reastraunt and sleeper rooms. The scenery was amazing, i took it from Tacoma, WA to Eugene, OR.
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-Roadcalldude
You will be happy to know, Amtrak will be resuming Dining Car operations starting 6/23/2021. ONLY on routes West of the Mississippi River. This includes the Coast Starlight route. This is per the Washington Post Newspaper
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You will be happy to know, Amtrak will be resuming Dining Car operations starting 6/23/2021. ONLY on routes West of the Mississippi River. This includes the Coast Starlight route. This is per the Washington Post Newspaper
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-andrewauto6082
Something I have learned when traveling is that book business over coach if you have like 10 more dollars. You get a free drinks and you can reserve a table (you have to pay. Amtrak horribly advertises business.
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Something I have learned when traveling is that book business over coach if you have like 10 more dollars. You get a free drinks and you can reserve a table (you have to pay. Amtrak horribly advertises business.
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-dontedrake2316
27 minutes has scheduled that's not too bad that's awesome that's a beautiful scenery you should take a trip from New York to Chicago on the Amtrak and see how you like it great video keep up the great content
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27 minutes has scheduled that's not too bad that's awesome that's a beautiful scenery you should take a trip from New York to Chicago on the Amtrak and see how you like it great video keep up the great content
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train
One day, I need to take the Coast Starlight. I see it stop at the Tacoma Dome Station every time I board the Amtrak Cascades northbound. Being on a train is definitely more scenic than on a plane or a charter bus.
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One day, I need to take the Coast Starlight. I see it stop at the Tacoma Dome Station every time I board the Amtrak Cascades northbound. Being on a train is definitely more scenic than on a plane or a charter bus.
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-danielonn2002
I am going to Lamy NM from San Jose r/t for $246 less than a flight and I did Business Class on the Starlight from LA-San Jose. Its very comfortable like First Class and I have the time to do it!
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I am going to Lamy NM from San Jose r/t for $246 less than a flight and I did Business Class on the Starlight from LA-San Jose. Its very comfortable like First Class and I have the time to do it!
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-tenprinthello8127
Curious if you've ever done any -Worst train ever- reports. I backpacked Europe in 2004 and there was one particular overnight train ride in Italy that was pure hell from start to finish.
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Curious if you've ever done any -Worst train ever- reports. I backpacked Europe in 2004 and there was one particular overnight train ride in Italy that was pure hell from start to finish.
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train
Didn't the Coast Starlight used to have a Parlor+Cinema Car?
They were retired in 2018 due to age along with the older Heritage equipment.
These were one of the best features if I'm honest.
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Didn't the Coast Starlight used to have a Parlor+Cinema Car?
They were retired in 2018 due to age along with the older Heritage equipment.
These were one of the best features if I'm honest.
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-murraymaxwell637
Hey would you know? On the Superliner Coach Cars. Can the next seats ahead of you be turned around so you have 4 seats together?
On our Via Rail Canada Coaches you can.
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Hey would you know? On the Superliner Coach Cars. Can the next seats ahead of you be turned around so you have 4 seats together?
On our Via Rail Canada Coaches you can.
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-davejacobsen3014
Problem in this country, USA, the Amtrak service is a money losing proposition. Even on the East Coast all the food and drinks have to supported by federal taxes.
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Problem in this country, USA, the Amtrak service is a money losing proposition. Even on the East Coast all the food and drinks have to supported by federal taxes.
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-hwherron
Your overnight in the Coach seat would have been an entirely different experience had you had another person sharing your seat. Might have made a roomette seem worth it.
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Your overnight in the Coach seat would have been an entirely different experience had you had another person sharing your seat. Might have made a roomette seem worth it.
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-charlesrabb5568
Don't mean to correct you, but your ticket needs to show lower level. It's not a big deal, If you want lower level book it that way. I prefer it less motion.
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Don't mean to correct you, but your ticket needs to show lower level. It's not a big deal, If you want lower level book it that way. I prefer it less motion.
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-Areyoukidding621
I always find train interiors tired-looking. And the tops of the fabric chairs looked dirty, as if from hundreds of hands gripping the chairs for stability.
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I always find train interiors tired-looking. And the tops of the fabric chairs looked dirty, as if from hundreds of hands gripping the chairs for stability.
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-timothydingus9005
Is that Kansas sweatshirt yours? Or your lounge car companions? If yours, hello from Kansas! Specifically hello from the town that has that college!
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Is that Kansas sweatshirt yours? Or your lounge car companions? If yours, hello from Kansas! Specifically hello from the town that has that college!
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-seattledude2022
Amtrak Seatte to LA, not truly coastal, 30+ hours, cost $400+. If I drive, I can go US 101, mostly coastal, around 20 hours, cost half on gas.
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Amtrak Seatte to LA, not truly coastal, 30+ hours, cost $400+. If I drive, I can go US 101, mostly coastal, around 20 hours, cost half on gas.
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-imthaweedman420
I really appreciate this video, I will be aboard this same train and route this Thursday PDX>LAX and it will be my first time on a train.
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I really appreciate this video, I will be aboard this same train and route this Thursday PDX>LAX and it will be my first time on a train.
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-salia4597
Half the time we go to San Fran, we'd hop on at Davis CA and go to Emeryville, thanks for bringing back those memories. Now I wanna go back!
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Half the time we go to San Fran, we'd hop on at Davis CA and go to Emeryville, thanks for bringing back those memories. Now I wanna go back!
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-MsMoviestar1
I enjoyed this train ride nice scenic routes and at these crazy times it is a pleasure t travel anywhere thanks for this moment -
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I enjoyed this train ride nice scenic routes and at these crazy times it is a pleasure t travel anywhere thanks for this moment -
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-kariharvey4127
The hateful era preauricularly prevent because june progressively chase forenenst a unruly class. toothsome, hilarious pike
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The hateful era preauricularly prevent because june progressively chase forenenst a unruly class. toothsome, hilarious pike
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