I LOVE how 340 and 303 are positioned here, with 340 first and 303 second, creating a VERY nice seamless visual transition between the locomotives and the passenger cars
Golly, what an awesome video! Retired airline pilot here, always been a model railroad enthusiast...so I guess a "railfan"? Currently LA resident. "13 hours" in coach made me skeptical, but it's mostly daylight, and that's great.
Another great one as usual, LTG! Definitely can't wait to chill to the Rocky Mountaineer one after completing yet another run to and from Bertrum. Hope you're doing well in the 100 degrees we managed to get in the state today and stay both awesome and safe on your happy travels
Thoroughly enjoyable as always! Your chapter markers were particularly useful to me on this trip report to see the spelling of the Spanish locations. I took this train from Seattle to Emeryville back when Emeryville was just a platform while the new station was being built after the earthquake.
Ive been on this leg when visiting a family friend who lived in San Jose back in the 80s when I was in High School. Currently living in LA and been wanting to see it again. Love the channel. First time comment.
Years ago I got to ride the whole route from Los Angeles to Seattle but did stop in Emeryville to visit San Francisco for a few days. As you showed this route has very scenic parts to it. I did ride coach from LA but took a sleeper from Emeryville to Seattle. It is one of my favorite routes in the Amtrak system.
The Coast Starlight is a amazing route. I’ve only been onboard once but I can tell this is a fantastic ride. The Starlight runs to many cities along its journey. Definitely SLO is a personal favorite. Maybe one day you can take the starlight to slo and come and see our museum. We have a lot of cool things there. After your done, you can take the Surfliner down to LA. I hope you had a fantastic time on the starlight and It was quite nice meeting you.
Oh the SLO Railroad museum is so fun! One of my favorite memories is going to Bon Temp right next to the station, visiting the station and getting to see the 14 Starlight pull into the station. So much fun!
I would love to come see the museum. I remember seeing it out the window as we departed SLO, and it looked like there was a bunch of great stuff to see. It was a pleasure meeting you on the platform (if only briefly)!
@@LonestarTrips We have several old rail cars so that date back to the 1920s and we even have a old switcher that operated at Camp Roberts just above Paso Robles. We also have a ton of old railroad equipment for the Southern Pacific like signs, signals, grade crossings, and motor cars. We also have a documentary’s that play about the history of the the area and what the railroad had to do with it. We also have an upstairs model railroad that is accurately detailed of the central coast for the 1950s. I am in charge the the Train Simulator to show people how trains work. To end the day, we have a gift shop if you would like to buy a book or something. And of course we also have the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner that run by daily. We are open Saturday. We are still doing work to improve the museum collection. It was pleasure to meet you. It was quite unexpected but is a memory I will never forget. Thank you.
I rode the Amtrak from Klamath Falls,OR home to California about 3 weeks ago! It was a great experience Ill never foeget! Coach class seats were really comfortable- more comfortable and plenty of leg room than if I had flown on a plane! I had to vview the sunrise in the observation car! It was awesome! Im planning my next trip to Yelloawstone, and Grand Canyon by Amtrak! Thanks for the video!
I'm so glad you had a great experience on Amtrak! Many people discount coach class as being more akin to an airplane, but it's miles better than economy, and in some cases the seats are even better that business class. I hope your future travels on Amtrak are just as exciting!
They used to have business class on this train with big brown leather seats too!! They were amazing! It also got you one free drink at the bar! I cannot wait to go again!
@Chrisylink no more parlor car that is correct but only on the Coast Starlight there is 1 business class and in a while (not often) an extra observation car only for business class people.
Thanks for a totally unbiased view of US train travel, some UK and European TH-camrs focus on other aspects but you keep it simple. Looking forward to your next trip.
Last March I took the Lake Shore Limited and Southwest Chief 67 hours across America from New York to LA in coach using most of my points. It's certainly an experience I'll never forget. In order to minimize the number of cafe car purchases I packed a ton of food out of NY and restocked during the Chicago layover. I always treat myself to traditional dining on the last meal of any overnight trip if possible and certainly did that on this one. Although to truly get the long-distance coach experience you have to do the overnight as well in my opinion, otherwise it's no different than taking like the Pennsylvanian which is an intercity train that uses long-distance coaches.
I enjoyed riding along with you on this journey, especially since I will be taking this route in December. Disappointed, though, that you didn't show the stop at Santa Barbara, a lovely city and one I'll be stopping off at on my own trip.
Sweet! I just took that same trip from San Jose Diridon to LA Union Station about a couple of months ago! I’ll see you at the Caltrain electrification opening ceremony my friend 🫡
I was on this same exact train while on the way back to LA from Santa Barbara on the same day this was recorded ironically 😅 (hence the same train consist)
I’ll be taking this trip in September and plan to overnight in Salinas/Montery, SLO and Santa Barbara, continuing on the Surfliner into San Diego. The scenery between LA and San Diego is equally spectacular.
I was a bit disappointed you didn't show Shuttle Launch Complex 6, or SLC-6. This was supposed to be the launch pad for the Space Shuttle for USAF missions into a polar orbit. I got to visit it as kid, when I was in Civil Air Patrol. Also, if you take a look, the roads going to SLC-6, the sides are cut out when going through hills, that was to accommodate transporting the Space Shuttle to the launch pad. You went in June, unfortunately the sun doesn't set until 8 or so. If you want to catch the sunset off the coast you'll have to travel late September through November or in mid Spring. The wife and I took the train down to Southern California to Disneyland for our 1st wedding anniversary in 2019. We traveled the end of September and we got dinner almost at sunset. So beautiful! If you're in San Jose for the first day of Caltrain's new trains, look for me running VTA light rail. Or if I'm in Mountain View on the Orange line!
I've never had a seat assigned on an Amtrak long distance train, I've always been told to go to a specific car but allowed to choose a seat, with a seat tag given when conductors come through to check tickets.
While yes that's where the sun will be pointing, all of the coast views are on the right side of the train heading south. It ended up not mattering or at least mattering less, as I spent most of that time in the lounge car.
you make it look glamorous lol... just rode coach from LA to Portland to Milwaukee to Chicago to Memphis to NOLA to DC to waterbury VT to Boston to DC to Chicago to LA. I should have gotten a Roommette
The Coast Starlight runs between Seattle and Los Angeles. A coach ticket from Emeryville to Los Angeles booked 2 months in advance currently costs $40, due to a sale. Normally it's closer to about $50 or $60, depending on how far in advance you book.
@@sgt.eclair Thank You much. 13 hours between the 2 biggest cities in CA is embarrassing. Amtrak is more for sightseeing, than going to visit family. You can be on a different continent in less time.
@@AT-nq6cu there's actually a significantly faster route - if you take the San Joaquins to Bakersfield and then a thruway bus to LA, it shaves a few hours off. The Coast Starlight is prettier, but the inland route is better if you want extra speed
I think we pronounce the city of Goleta "Go-lee-ta", but I'd defer to the locals on that. After watching, I need to buy more HO-scale Amtrak equipment for my collection.
$117 to hop aboard Amtrak Coast Starlight with two ALC-42s from Emeryville CA to Los Angeles, CA, yeah, Amtrak is making money hand over fist, no question about it!!!
I LOVE how 340 and 303 are positioned here, with 340 first and 303 second, creating a VERY nice seamless visual transition between the locomotives and the passenger cars
It really looks great. Hopefully the new rolling stock will feature the phase 7 livery, so the full trains will look seamless.
@@LonestarTrips oh they will
Golly, what an awesome video! Retired airline pilot here, always been a model railroad enthusiast...so I guess a "railfan"?
Currently LA resident. "13 hours" in coach made me skeptical, but it's mostly daylight, and that's great.
Another great one as usual, LTG! Definitely can't wait to chill to the Rocky Mountaineer one after completing yet another run to and from Bertrum. Hope you're doing well in the 100 degrees we managed to get in the state today and stay both awesome and safe on your happy travels
Glad you enjoyed! Hope you're enjoying your new home in Texas, and are managing to stay cool in the insane heat!
@@LonestarTrips Definitely a big and more positive change than the cold loathed of both my origin state, Maryland and New Jersey of latter
Great video, as always and congrats on reaching 30k 🥳
Thoroughly enjoyable as always! Your chapter markers were particularly useful to me on this trip report to see the spelling of the Spanish locations. I took this train from Seattle to Emeryville back when Emeryville was just a platform while the new station was being built after the earthquake.
Ive been on this leg when visiting a family friend who lived in San Jose back in the 80s when I was in High School. Currently living in LA and been wanting to see it again. Love the channel. First time comment.
Years ago I got to ride the whole route from Los Angeles to Seattle but did stop in Emeryville to visit San Francisco for a few days. As you showed this route has very scenic parts to it. I did ride coach from LA but took a sleeper from Emeryville to Seattle. It is one of my favorite routes in the Amtrak system.
The Coast Starlight is a amazing route. I’ve only been onboard once but I can tell this is a fantastic ride. The Starlight runs to many cities along its journey. Definitely SLO is a personal favorite. Maybe one day you can take the starlight to slo and come and see our museum. We have a lot of cool things there. After your done, you can take the Surfliner down to LA.
I hope you had a fantastic time on the starlight and It was quite nice meeting you.
Oh the SLO Railroad museum is so fun! One of my favorite memories is going to Bon Temp right next to the station, visiting the station and getting to see the 14 Starlight pull into the station. So much fun!
I would love to come see the museum. I remember seeing it out the window as we departed SLO, and it looked like there was a bunch of great stuff to see. It was a pleasure meeting you on the platform (if only briefly)!
@@LonestarTrips We have several old rail cars so that date back to the 1920s and we even have a old switcher that operated at Camp Roberts just above Paso Robles. We also have a ton of old railroad equipment for the Southern Pacific like signs, signals, grade crossings, and motor cars. We also have a documentary’s that play about the history of the the area and what the railroad had to do with it. We also have an upstairs model railroad that is accurately detailed of the central coast for the 1950s. I am in charge the the Train Simulator to show people how trains work. To end the day, we have a gift shop if you would like to buy a book or something. And of course we also have the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner that run by daily. We are open Saturday. We are still doing work to improve the museum collection.
It was pleasure to meet you. It was quite unexpected but is a memory I will never forget. Thank you.
I have been on this train several times to Los Angeles from Oakland. One of my absolute favorite ways to travel!
I rode the Amtrak from Klamath Falls,OR home to California about 3 weeks ago! It was a great experience Ill never foeget! Coach class seats were really comfortable- more comfortable and plenty of leg room than if I had flown on a plane!
I had to vview the sunrise in the observation car! It was awesome!
Im planning my next trip to Yelloawstone, and Grand Canyon by Amtrak!
Thanks for the video!
I'm so glad you had a great experience on Amtrak! Many people discount coach class as being more akin to an airplane, but it's miles better than economy, and in some cases the seats are even better that business class. I hope your future travels on Amtrak are just as exciting!
They used to have business class on this train with big brown leather seats too!! They were amazing! It also got you one free drink at the bar! I cannot wait to go again!
They also used have the Pacific Palor Car, an ex ATSF Hi Level Lounge car for the first class passengers.
@Chrisylink no more parlor car that is correct but only on the Coast Starlight there is 1 business class and in a while (not often) an extra observation car only for business class people.
Thanks for a totally unbiased view of US train travel, some UK and European TH-camrs focus on other aspects but you keep it simple. Looking forward to your next trip.
I’m riding the entire way in coach from Seattle right before Thanksgiving
Last March I took the Lake Shore Limited and Southwest Chief 67 hours across America from New York to LA in coach using most of my points. It's certainly an experience I'll never forget. In order to minimize the number of cafe car purchases I packed a ton of food out of NY and restocked during the Chicago layover. I always treat myself to traditional dining on the last meal of any overnight trip if possible and certainly did that on this one. Although to truly get the long-distance coach experience you have to do the overnight as well in my opinion, otherwise it's no different than taking like the Pennsylvanian which is an intercity train that uses long-distance coaches.
I enjoyed riding along with you on this journey, especially since I will be taking this route in December. Disappointed, though, that you didn't show the stop at Santa Barbara, a lovely city and one I'll be stopping off at on my own trip.
Loved the video. Living in England it gave me a great view of that part of the US.
Brilliant video, great scenery
Sweet! I just took that same trip from San Jose Diridon to LA Union Station about a couple of months ago! I’ll see you at the Caltrain electrification opening ceremony my friend 🫡
Great review.
Beautiful!!
Did 20 hours in coach yesterday from Dunsmuir CA to Los Angeles CA
I was on this same exact train while on the way back to LA from Santa Barbara on the same day this was recorded ironically 😅 (hence the same train consist)
I took it from slo north to Emeryville, it was 6 hours late, 12 hours
at 4:21 that UP 8388 has logos for Employee Assistance Program's
I’ll be taking this trip in September and plan to overnight in Salinas/Montery, SLO and Santa Barbara, continuing on the Surfliner into San Diego. The scenery between LA and San Diego is equally spectacular.
What is the MTA sign that you passed at 25:20 when you heading down into the LA terminal station?
I was a bit disappointed you didn't show Shuttle Launch Complex 6, or SLC-6. This was supposed to be the launch pad for the Space Shuttle for USAF missions into a polar orbit. I got to visit it as kid, when I was in Civil Air Patrol. Also, if you take a look, the roads going to SLC-6, the sides are cut out when going through hills, that was to accommodate transporting the Space Shuttle to the launch pad.
You went in June, unfortunately the sun doesn't set until 8 or so. If you want to catch the sunset off the coast you'll have to travel late September through November or in mid Spring. The wife and I took the train down to Southern California to Disneyland for our 1st wedding anniversary in 2019. We traveled the end of September and we got dinner almost at sunset. So beautiful!
If you're in San Jose for the first day of Caltrain's new trains, look for me running VTA light rail. Or if I'm in Mountain View on the Orange line!
Nice video
I've never had a seat assigned on an Amtrak long distance train, I've always been told to go to a specific car but allowed to choose a seat, with a seat tag given when conductors come through to check tickets.
I've had a mix of both. I said "all" in this case to cover my bases, but it really depends on how full the train will be on any given day.
Were the Sightseer lounge windows clean?
They were fine, but not super clean.
Seat 4 is next to the window so the person in seat 3 conned you.
Conned or not, the guy sitting there already was not a character I wanted to sit next to for 12.5 hours.
AMT 💙💙💙💙💙
Heck yeah! We love Amtrak.
13:30 Pro tip: Bring your own hot sauce(s) while traveling.
Good call. I'll have to start packing some when I travel.
3:45 You actually got the better side of the train because in the afternoon, the light will be pointing inland.
While yes that's where the sun will be pointing, all of the coast views are on the right side of the train heading south. It ended up not mattering or at least mattering less, as I spent most of that time in the lounge car.
Why didn't you eat in the dining car? Are coach passengerls allowed?
Coach passengers are allowed in the dining car, but I didn't feel like paying for it.
Can you bring your own food on board like cup noodles
I’m hoping amtrack offer the special on USA rail pass for $299 😊
Map of route, please?
you make it look glamorous lol... just rode coach from LA to Portland to Milwaukee to Chicago to Memphis to NOLA to DC to waterbury VT to Boston to DC to Chicago to LA. I should have gotten a Roommette
I hope no one confuses these ‘channel islands’ with the ones between France and the UK 😂
My brother works for Siemens but not the diction that are making the new trains for via rail
Your pronounciation of Goleta killed me 😂 tip guh leet uh
The Trails and Rails guides pronounced it Goleta, so take it up with them.
How much it cost? From where does it starts🤔
The Coast Starlight runs between Seattle and Los Angeles. A coach ticket from Emeryville to Los Angeles booked 2 months in advance currently costs $40, due to a sale. Normally it's closer to about $50 or $60, depending on how far in advance you book.
@@sgt.eclair What about a 1 or 2 days in advance or is that not possible?
@@AT-nq6cu just checked, it's $91 two days in advance
@@sgt.eclair Thank You much.
13 hours between the 2 biggest cities in CA is embarrassing.
Amtrak is more for sightseeing, than going to visit family. You can be on a different continent in less time.
@@AT-nq6cu there's actually a significantly faster route - if you take the San Joaquins to Bakersfield and then a thruway bus to LA, it shaves a few hours off. The Coast Starlight is prettier, but the inland route is better if you want extra speed
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I wish the Cafe car would offer PBJ sandwiches.
Funnily enough, the cafe on the Heartland Flyer does. No idea why only that one
@sgt.eclair I think because many people are allergic to peanuts and some even to the smell of them.
I think we pronounce the city of Goleta "Go-lee-ta", but I'd defer to the locals on that.
After watching, I need to buy more HO-scale Amtrak equipment for my collection.
No wifi - unbelievable
Jackson Eric Martin Patricia Brown Margaret
I wish that trains were used like they used to. Big Oil keeps Amtrak on life support only.
$117 to hop aboard Amtrak Coast Starlight with two ALC-42s from Emeryville CA to Los Angeles, CA, yeah, Amtrak is making money hand over fist, no question about it!!!
Tickets usually cost closer to $60-70. I booked a little too late so I paid a higher fare, but it’s usually much more reasonable.
@@LonestarTrips Oh ok got it!!!