LAUS -> Oakland

[joequality]

Friends think I'm crazy. Co-workers asked me why I would do such a thing. Well I did. I bought a ticket on Amtrak from LA to Oakland.

It will take over 11 hours at a cost just under $100. I could have bought a cheap, internet ticket on Southwest for $49 that would take about 4 hours, door-to-door (that's being very conservative). But I picked train to see for myself why such travel isn't so popular in the US.

With those numbers I'm amazed Amtrak is still in business.

I plan on coming back via plane though: have a family hookup at United for a cheap, standby seat. Plus the train back to LA takes over an hour more, for some strange reason.

I've read this train is notoriously late, but has gotten better in the past couple months. Anyone have any first-hand experience?

(Side note: I've taken a train through Russia for 3 days and 2 nights, so I can handle long trips.)

[vnc]

Well. Thats the old Coast Starlight Route. I travelled on this train often. And It has been very late in the past. and still has its moments. But been close to on time. The UP has done a lot work on the Coast Line. And has removed many of the slow orders. But they still need to redo the tracks between Salinas and SLO.
If you wanted to get there a little faster. You could have taken the San Joaquin from LA to Oakland. This route is a little faster. Even though it is a Bus and Train Combo. Many Amtrak Ticket Agents recommand the San Joaquin or the Starlate.

[Justin Walker]

The Coast Starlight will lead to an 11-hour trip. The on-time performance of this train actually has drastically improved over the last two months.

The San Joaquins offer a much more competitive 8-hour trip between the Bay Area and Southern California, but of course, the bus connection is required between Bakersfield and Southern California destinations.

The Starlight still has very strong ridership (second among Amtrak long-distance trains only to the Empire Builder) because of the wonderful scenery along the coast and mountains along the route. People that ride this train usually do it because they're not in a hurry to get anywhere.

As part of the recently-formed "Friends of the Coast Starlight" organization, I encourage LA-Bay Area travelers to try the Coast Starlight. (But only do so, if you don't have a tight schedule.) I also strongly encourage anybody interested in improving service or raising awareness of the Coast Starlight to join the Friends of the Coast Starlight by contacting me at [e-mail].

Check out our team promotional flyer!
psurfliner.googlepages.com/CoastStarlightFlyer2-notag.pdf

[vnc]

I agree Justin. The Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak Premier Train Routes in America. I hope to see they can cut the travel time back down to the 8 to 9 hours they use have many years ago. I can only wonder what Amtrak has in store. for the Re Launch of the Starlight in the Spring of 2008. I also wish can run a second Train to the Starlight between LA and Portland. And or even reroute it via Medford.

[joequality]

Very cool, I'm looking forward to the 22nd. Thats a good flyer, Justin.

I saw the bus/San Joaquin option, but didn't like the idea of switching in Bakersfield at 5 in the morning. Plus I'm no hurry. I'll report back after my trip

[joequality]

0840: Depart Green Line Aviation Station
2210: Arrive Amtrak Oakland Jack London Square Station

Long time on trains. Long time.

But it was good. I'm glad I did it. Not so glad that there were no eletrical outlets for my laptop on the 11hr15mn Amtrak, which was delayed 40 minutes into Oakland.

Based on my previous trip to Santa Barbara, I thought I could count on having an outlet so I could power my old, 30-minutes-is-all-the-battery-lasts-for laptop to get some work done and be entertained. Sadly the only ones were not in my car, but either in the bathroom, the lower level (kids' room), or the ever-cold cafe car. I did bring books and the scenery was pretty good, yet it's hard to get excited when you think you've made some progress and you still have over 8 hours to go!

The train was very clean, left on time in LA, and everyone on board was very friendly. I had an open seat next to me so I could spread out. Didn't try the reservations for lunch or dinner (was by myself so I thought it would be silly), and kind of glad since even that was delayed; I think the 6:15 dinner reservations were ready at 8pm....

I would do it again, but for a longer vacation. With only 4 days off work, it's hard to justify the time and money on Amtrak. Next time, I guess I'll have to get more time off.

BTW, it is certain cars that have outlets? That really bugged me....

[vnc]

Hey Joe. Not all Superliner Cars have outlets yet. I think when Amtrak does it's re launch of the Coast Starlight. All cars will have power outlets. As of now. All Pacific Surfliner Cars have this option.

[nickv]

As of now. All Pacific Surfliner Cars have this option.

Surfliner trains sometimes will have Superliner coach cars for extra seating. These cars don't have outlets, but they do have quite a bit of leg room.

[Mac]

Do they have internet access on these trains? If they don't, I think they should consider installing Wi-Fi on them. It would be a very nice! I read an about an airline (i forgot which one) started beta testing Wi-Fi on some flights, but the major problem was that it had no outlets.

[tonyw79sfv]

No Internet access on the trains that I know of.

Verizon and some cell providers offer cellular Internet, Verizon's is known as BroadbandAccess. I used a form of Verizon's cellular Internet on the Pacific Surfliner from Van Nuys station to Grover Beach station and it works wherever there is cell service, meaning that it worked throughout the route except the portion where the tracks splits from the 101 in Gaviota to north of Vandenburg AFB; that area is desolate and lacks cell service, so I didn't have Internet there. Wi-Fi on moving vehicles are usually provided via satellite and should work in desolate areas provided you aren't in a tunnel.

[vnc]

Well. I think The Superliners that fill in on the Surfliners will be sent to Beech Grove for an overhaul soon.

As for the Wi Fi service. The Capitols and San Joaquins may have this service already. And the Surfliner is suppose to have it soon.

I think Verizon has or had provided the Railfone Services on many Amtrak Trains.