Amtrak Coast Starlight - Along the West Coast by Train

Howdy folks,
Welcome to this trip report bound to Los Angeles, a unforgettable 30 hours journey along the American West Coast. Enjoy :)
Don't hesitate to leave a comment
- TRIP INFORMATION -
RECORDED IN JUNE 2020
Railway company: Amtrak
Train type : P42 #194 and #7 and Superliner coaches
From : Portland (Oregon) to Los Angeles (California)
Time : 30 hours
Price : $62 (Eur 51.15)
LINK TO THE NEW PATREON PAGE : / simply_railway
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- EQUIPEMENT - iPhone XS + Dji Osmo 2
English correction made by Michel Seignette de Kerobert
Thumbnail credit : Mike Armstrong

[@SimplyRailway]

@3:49 it's Zephyr and not Zephir. Also it's Chicago - San Francisco and not LA. :) Enjoy

[@TheSouthernOntarioRailfannner]

First one to comment.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

A shower was included in the original Superliner Coach design, but was cut out of the final coach design for cost-saving reasons.

[@TheSouthernOntarioRailfannner]

@@AVeryRandomPersonYep

[@syawalauchika1884]

Oh, God, after taking Chinese bullet trains, riding Amtrak ones seems like forever. BEIJING SHANGHAI is only in 4 hours 40 minutes. That is the distance between NYC to Savannah Georgia in the USA about 800 miles.

[@karenogush5622]

I'm looking forward to when you do the Zephyr. It's my favorite of the Amtrak routes I've ridden. If you get a chance to ride it when there's a decent amount of snow on the ground in Colorado it's absolutely spectacular!

[@Cal90208]

I took this exact route in late October, except from LA to Portland (where I then hopped on the empire builder). Loved your review on it! I was in a roomette so I had the dining car. I do really miss the traditional dining. When you do the CZ you will love it. It has even more scenery than this (I haven’t done it yet either). Anyways, great video!

[@michaelglass4701]

before the pandemic I rode the CZ from Chicago to Glenwood Springs in the Fall, it was a beautiful journey, I Love the CZ

[@Cal90208]

@@michaelglass4701 I really want to ride the CZ. If I do I will have ridden on basically all of the western long distance trains.

[@dynasty0019]

The differences between Business Class and Coach on the Coast Starlight are the leather seats, its own car attendant, complimentary bottled water, and a coupon that can used in the cafe and dining car. It’s worth it on longer trips, especially free Metropolitan Lounge accesses in LA and Portland. Seat sizes and legroom are the same though.

[@SimplyRailway]

Thanks :)

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

Isn't it usually between the lounge and the dining car as well? That's a big advantage normally.

[@paulsuprono7225]

. . . great idea ! 🤗

[@brentonalexander3167]

@@MakeMeThinkAgain that is more or a viewing car and is free to everyone onboard

[@CharlesEvans1969]

Had wine tasting and games, one of which I won, in the club/purple lounge car for 1st class passengers with movie theatre downstairs northbound in summer of 2012 or 2013.

[@SharLyrixMorris]

😮 The shots going through the streets 😍. And also the Pacific Ocean ones 😍.

[@jonknorwood358]

Nice video - some synonyms of sublime are glorious, gorgeous, resplendent, splendid, and superb.

[@discgolfillustrated2640]

Excellent video, ty👍🏼

[@some_guy_in_earth7075]

Omg what an awesome videos!

[@danielbliss1988]

Daily frequencies on the long distance trains are coming back in May and June.

[@Likers-jz6ss]

Very lucky p42, p42 #7 was one of 2 engines that took the first alc 42 number 300 to the California Zephyr

[@scrambledegg81]

27:38 Aw, had I known you were in SLO I would've ran over to the station with a few beers. :v

[@MrStark-up6fi]

You will get him next time lad 🙂

[@amtraktoemd5885]

I remember when the F40PHs ran for Amtrak now Siemens has took place of EMD and GE it’s really sad Amtrak will never be the same. EMD will always known as a icon for Amtrak but I miss EMD trains even if they are still around

[@adamm2837]

The GE Genesis locomotives have now been the main long distance locomotives for Amtrak longer then the F40PHs were. Most of the traveling public wont care if its a F40PH, P42, or Charger leading as long as they get them to their destination without failure. I do have fond memories of the F40PHs back in the 90s but to be honest one of my favorite Amtrak memories was seeing a GE Genesis for the first time in Albany, NY. They were quite a radical departure from the F40PH and I remember my 10 year old self being pretty impressed by it. Ill miss the GEs too when they are gone, the Siemens locomotives haven't come to my corner of the country yet, but Ive seen some videos of them and I think they are pretty cool too. They seem very smooth and clean running. Hey just be happy there are still passenger trains criss-crossing the country!

[@percismehta8959]

Nice idea. Next. When I cook chicken i will make Maggi Noodles . It will taste delicious.

[@thatsme9875]

another excellent production, many thanks, I need to do this trip as soon as covid will allow me.

[@brookelynrhodes1998]

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.

[@johnmehaffey9953]

I’m also a picky sleeper and can’t seem to sleep sitting up so I think I might have ended up in the overhead luggage rack so I could stretch out 😴🥴

[@redlinedreamin]

i love that he's watching star wars while on this trip, and the clone wars of all things :)

[@genesisrailfan1507]

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.

[@orikutis]

just big WOW!

[@jackD441]

Just found you...love your videos

[@utahrailfan1946]

I'm taking California Zephyr from Denver to Provo, Utah on Thursday. I hope that my experience is similar.

[@deetjay1]

Amenities and good service...That is all...

[@TheRoute.]

I only take coach class I recently took one from new York to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to Seattle I always eat small mainly snacks so that I don't go for number two in the toilets.

[@MyPetGoat2U]

I would definitely recommend bringing your own pillow if traveling coach. IMO the food in the Cafe car sucks AND is horribly expensive. OK for snacking but it would be hard to live on that food for 30 hours so I would definitely bring along some real food. And perhaps you could have a pizza or other food delivered to you at one of the longer stops?

[@haufe012]

Thats a awesome trip for under 50 $ . I dont wanne think off how much a 1800 Km-Trip would cost, if you start in Germany. And btw: You are eating bagles, and the oreo-cookies in the background: "Eat me, Eat me, plzzzzz" :P

[@Nortel4eva]

Love it!!

[@lelandrogers1078]

They probably don't have the personnel to man the business class cars so they just use them as coach class. That is also why they went to flexible meal plan. We are lucky they didn't just cancel the trains.

[@SimplyRailway]

I thinks so too.

[@ronclark9724]

Yep, they have reduced service more than half though.... From daily services to three times a week service... But what do you expect when the trains are running nearly EMPTY...

[@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.

[@b.w.9244]

When it is not crowded, can you spread out into other seats? Is there a microwave for passengers to use? The stops seem spartan. Any place to jog over to for food and beverage?

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

If you don't have a seatmate, you can use the other seat. You are told to stay on the platform at stops, as the train might not stay the whole scheduled time. The Cafe has microwaves, but not for passenger use.

[@ronclark9724]

If you are bringing your own food aboard, be happy with your COLD peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or your chicken salad sandwiches...

[@TheSouthernOntarioRailfannner]

18:49 the Golden Gate Bridge

[@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.

[@agermanengineer831]

Why is nobody in the lounge wearing a mask??!

[@MattJames2211]

probably because the US / amtrak doesn't have mandatory mask wearing

[@agermanengineer831]

@@MattJames2211 I think I saw sign which said that it s obligatory. Nevertheless you should always wear a mask if you are close to strangers inside. Not four yout but for their health. Stay healthy 🤘🏽

[@JoshDoesTravel]

@@MattJames2211 No, face coverings are required by Amtrak. Their policy is if you don’t wear them, you’re kicked off the train. It’s also mandatory to wear in most states, however enforcement is fairly lax because it’s been politicized so much

[@SimplyRailway]

@@MattJames2211 Amtrak mandate mask onboard their trains.

[@RagdollsOfLasVegas]

Maskholes! Stay home if you're so frightened!

[@MrMatley74]

on the beverage list barcardi its written wrong,,,its bacardi!!!!

[@farmerlucas1853]

So, what are your top 5 US stations, then?

[@everythingbyjanetdullaghan5122]

#amtrak

[@briantowne8923]

Ok

[@hwileyiii]

Anybody can eat in the full diner car...not just sleeper passengers

[@MikMoen]

Traveling by Plane = Trip Traveling by Train = EXPERIENCE I have fond memories of a childhood trip from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR on the Cascades. I've been hoping to one day take a train over the border to Vancouver as well.

[@sarthsingh3271]

I took this train from LA to Seattle. It was actually an addition to my Pacific Surfliner trip. One of the most blissful journeys of my life

[@DownieLive]

I love that shot from the rear of the train around the Horseshoe Bend.

[@fuguwatt]

Anyone else shout "Toilets Time!!" when it gets to that part of the review?

[@samuelitooooo]

Yes. In my head

[@maxmegamax2174]

12:04 "Face covering required" And nobody in that car Is wearing a mask...

[@cocobeanie4704]

Ya idk why they weren’t...

[@asiablack1968]

@@cocobeanie4704 they are stupid humans who don’t give a duck about anyone else

[@jg-7780]

Seems like an awesome trip, but I saw almost no masks lounge car, yikes.

[@Bobrogers99]

If this train is popular with the no-maskers it's off my list!

[@goodi2shooz]

That isn't the case these days, they are very serious about enforcing everyone that being masked all the time

[@jg-7780]

@@goodi2shooz Hopefully you're correct!

[@Cal90208]

When I’ve been on it at least 90% wore the mask

[@dennisfox6343]

WELL - WELL done! I also appreciate very much your personal insight(s). I'm disabled & you give to me the ability to go to and see what I can't do for myself, Thanks so much. BTW, your dining car & conclusion needs to be sent to every person in Congress plus the new Administration in the White House, right to the TOP! It would be very useful on Amtrak's behalf.

[@ronclark9724]

Congress has a say too. Unfortunately Congress does not desire to increase Amtrak's subsidies significantly. The simple fact is the diner meals were getting so expensive no one in coach was buying meals in the diner. Only the sleeping car passengers were using the diner, and they were balking at the price of the sleeper with meals included. Therefore, the airline style preprepared box meals. Something European sleepers have been doing for over a decade. Amtrak employees are union employees, many earning over $25 an hour. Very few restaurants are paying that much even in cities with the $15 minimum wage.

[@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

[@StupidStuff135]

Saw the sightseer car and thought "oh wow, this must have been filmed pre-covid" then he said the dining car was closed bc if covid. Not a single persom person wearing a mask thats just crazy and stupid

[@ronclark9724]

Well, that is west coast la la land of socialists refusing to wear masks all day long. I did notice most are attempting to social distance themselves from strangers... 6 feet or 2 meters... It isn't as if this train was jammed full of passengers...

[@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.

[@RagdollsOfLasVegas]

I just discovered you, today. What a fantastic ambassador you are for Amtrak! If they havent hired you on they should- we have begun looking routes for our family to take a getaway. I do wish you would speak so I don't have to wear my glasses to read everything, though@ Many happy journeys keep on clickity- clacking!🚈

[@CharlesEvans1969]

Amen!

[@edeinhorn6016]

Hi Melissa. I just found his channel today, June 26, 2022. I am wondering if he is not speaking because perhaps he has a thick accent and is worried we would not understand his English. But I agree with you, his videos are done quite well.

[@Camibug]

I took this same train in December 2019 right before Covid and it was so full of life! I’d guess the lack of activity is due to Covid

[@Toast0808]

I LOOOOOVE TRAIN TRAVEL. Amtrak is an amazing way to travel and see the country at the same time. (I am American).

[@EzraM5]

I mean, $62 for a near 1200 mile journey? I don't even see buses go that cheap. Also I saw that leg room and immediately cried, it's so goddamn beautiful for my stupid tall ass.

[@Dovietail]

Don't be sad. Covid can't last forever. I had my 2nd vaccine today!

[@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.

[@ChrisWong-q6l]

If you're a true daredevil, consider trying China Railways' hard seat class on an ordinary train (with train no. being full number), like 1461 from Beijing to Shanghai. Basically nothing more than a seat is covered by the ticket, but is one of the most economic ways to travel for migrant workers...

[@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.

[@aprilbox3766]

me too, i live in spokane, train comes here about 2 am

[@604kev]

You'd think there isn't a deadly pandemic going on, looking at the train and people in this video.....

[@personalfunfest]

because it's fake and 🐑😷🐑😷🐑😷

[@revontulet3390]

@@personalfunfest Feel free to axplain your opinion to the relatives of the dead and the people in hospital and the families. I'm sure they'll be amazed by your elite knowledge. Oh wait...they don't exist, according to you...

[@personalfunfest]

@@revontulet3390 what "dead people" ? On TV? Surely you're not gullible enough to not realize TV is where *acting* occurs... Did TV images make you afraid? That's the goal 🐑🧟‍♀️🐑🧟‍♀️🐑🧟‍♀️🐑🧟‍♀️🐑🧟‍♀️🐑😷😷😷😷

[@revontulet3390]

@@personalfunfest Must be nice to live in a bubble. Singing lalala, I can't hear you, you don't exist. No, I'm not afraid, just acting responsible, because I know victims of the desease. In life, not tv. But stay in your bubble, don't come out, be happy.

[@vijgai3]

@@personalfunfest horse shit rubbish.

[@tall1sobay]

I've done this from San Francisco to LA, coach only for that leg and its just amazing. I've done the Zephyr, San Francisco to Salt Lake City in a roomette. When you've got the time, riding the train is the best!

[@CharlesEvans1969]

David, My principal at the high school when I was a teacher, would always let me use PTO for any train trip I wanted to take.

[@LisaMarli]

We were supposed to travel to Seattle WA from San Jose CA July 4th weekend. First they cancelled Business Class, then my conference cancelled, so we cancelled the trip. Business Class includes a dedicated steward, better access to the dining car, and some other perks, ie more than coach but not full sleeping car. When I made the reservations, pre-covid, it was a good compromise for the 1 night of travel. And yes, Trump putting an airline person who hates trains in charge means that everything that makes trains special had to be eliminated. Especially the food.

[@banksrail]

Actually, by that time Richard Anderson (the old CEO Delta) already left Amtrak. The new Amtrak president is Stephen Gardner. He became president back in April and has no affiliation with airlines.

[@Cal90208]

I would advise you to not buy the business class product on this particular route. The coast starlight business class is one of the worst ones on the Amtrak system

[@LisaMarli]

I was looking for upgraded coach, so business class would have been fine. But my reason for traveling has been Covid-19 cancelled, so I'm not going anywhere.

[@Cal90208]

@@LisaMarli Yep, however business class here isn’t worth the price for many. To each their own

[@josephtambun3767]

I think 3:45 need a bit correction, California Zephyr route is Chicago- Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area)

[@bob297100]

Awesome video as always. I believe part of the business class upcharge is the free water bottles and the credits you get for food and beverage offerings. Also they have access to the first class lounges in LA and Portland.

[@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!

[@gladfan1989]

Took this train last year between the same cities. Going south was in business class, loved it.

[@sciencecw]

Although it'd be a waste of the scenery, SF to LA is an excellent route to launch regular night train. There's certainly unmet demand and the right travel time. I hope amtrak would seriously consider it

[@hwherron]

There used to be such a train, years ago. It was called the LARK.

[@sciencecw]

@@hwherron they should bring it back. I used overnight train to travel between sf and Portland and it was great

[@Cal90208]

And the slow travel time would be perfect for overnight. However UP, local politics, and lack of equipment would stop it

[@alistairmcelwee7467]

Where are all the passengers? No wonder Amtrak is struggling financially. I live opposite the Emeryville train station, the stop a short distance from your final Oakland stop. Happy to video you from an overpass or the station if you’re passing through on another Coast Starlight trip, or a California Zephyr (Emeryville to Chicago). There’s another one from Emeryville to Sacramento but it’s mostly a business commuter train. However, there is one train not to miss here in California: THE WINE TRAIN. Totally old fashioned. It’s a day out where you sit in old fashioned cars and stop at a couple of vineyards. The trick is to sit in the viewing/dining car for spectacular views. Costs extra. Best done with a friend or three.

[@Cal90208]

This was during the worst bit of COVID. When I was on it it was much fuller. And pre-Covid it was nearly full on most of its runs.

[@PH2LB]

Made the trip in April 1997 with my father (as part of a 11.500 Km train ride through the US), would do it again when I have the change with my son. I can understand that Covid19 is a mood killer, because one of the greatest thing on theses train rides is meeting other people. But loved to watch your video (I only have slides from that train ride), it brings back lots of good memories.

[@HappyComfort]

I just took the Coast Starlight to Oregon. Sept 20&21, Much more life onboard now and diner, snack bar etc are open. The seats have an option I don’t think we’re shown where a padded portion flips up for your legs with one of those seat buttons. For new viewers that might be important. Thanks for the great video 😊👍🌷

[@thefareplayer2254]

That “never found a position” is why I opt for the roomette whenever I can afford it.

[@Randoman35]

In addition to having an actual place to sleep, I actually had trouble deciding whether to sleep in the main bed or the bunk because they were both so comfortable!

[@SimplyRailway]

Indeed. that is what I suggest in the video.. :)

[@ronclark9724]

Coach is okay when you are not riding Amtrak overnight. But I require a flat bed to sleep on, not a chair even if it is reclined...

[@risasb]

I was almost always lucky enough to commandeer two seats, had my own (better insulation) blanket, and slept well. But on one trip they missed the Capitol connection in DC and to make up for it put me in the biggest room on the Meteor. I had no idea there was a suite like that! HUGE. It was mine (for the price of Coach) all the way to Palatka, Florida, where the porter handed me down the steps like a queen. photos.app.goo.gl/NENKvMstmqn5gKp66

[@ronclark9724]

Unfortunately the Mount Shasta area of Northern California is in the middle of the night going southbound, but northbound is in the early morning hours after dawn... Paramount Pictures logo is Mount Shasta...

[@kentdavis6646]

Met Neil Young and chatted for over an hour in the club car with on this train, back in January 1992. Bought a round trip ticket from Los Angeles to Seattle to visitba,friend 5hen. Didnt come back until 10 years later...seriously. Good times, good memories on that train ride

[@eriks8382]

I could never imagine big rockstars taking the train these days. What a time it must have been to be riding the trains

[@edvaira6891]

Too bad you didn’t continue the rest of the way down the coast to my hometown, San Diego...you would’ve loved it down here,

[@johndornoff]

The Coast Starlight is a wonderful train but Amtrak has been stripping it of all its character for the last few of years. I love Portland Union Station too, I lived in Portland from 2011 till 2016 plus I grew up just 9 miles from Los Angeles Union Station so the Coast Starlight has been a regular fixture in my life although I have not ridden the train since the Parlour cars have been removed. When it comes to the dining cars, Amtrak has been slowly killing dining car service over the last few years first on the east coast then using the COVID crises as an excuse to kill it on the west coast all thanks to a former representative from Florida who was out to kill Amtrak.

[@ronclark9724]

I have rode sleeper trains in Europe, they don't have diners either. Nor do their sleeper trains have observation cars.

[@hughosborn7292]

Great video !! Loved the scenery !!

[@Meela234]

I think if you shower well before the trip and pack body wipes you should be ok for that length of time.

[@ahyodem]

Another great trip report. The journey south of SF to the south looks amazing. I've only done the trip from Seattle to SF. I can only recommend buying a good neck pillow. I concur with your findings about the one that Amtrak provides (they were free until Covid). Business class long distance is a good value (maybe it was?). Even taking the train from Western NY to Chicago this year, you had free lounge access and a free drink. I think the lounge access in Chicago was worth the upgrade alone. It's great that you have experienced Amtrak in better times. Hopefully after Covid, things will go back to normal, where the service and the quality was actually improving. Looking forward to more trips...

[@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.

[@bethp1530]

This is so not typical of Amtrak coach class AT ALL. That seating, legroom, and overall newness is just that train. That is even better than reserved business class on any regular Amtrak. I'd call that Amtrak luxury LOL

[@amcaljosh]

3:48 *the California Zephyr is Chicago to San Francisco. The route you were talking about is the Southwest Chief. Anyways, nice vid!

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

No, the Chief is Chicago-LAUPT.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

The Zephyr is Chicago-Emeryville

[@Cal90208]

@@AVeryRandomPerson And that is what he said...

[@jandejonge2881]

As a Dutchman I was proud to see your in an NS hoodie. It was a great video. I love to do some Amtrak routes in the future.

[@brendalogan6281]

did or would you have time at the fresh air stops to buy food in those stations?

[@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.

[@sandieinatlanta9587]

This was recorded during the beginnings of Covid. Proper dining with Real Food, attendants in business class, and people on the train have all been restored nearly two years later. I am booked on the Zephyr this June and perhaps next year on this train. Thank you for a glimpse at West Coast.

[@ace74909]

16:56 i would probably sleep on the floor if possible

[@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.

[@thibaultdemaziere3150]

I wish this was belguim🇧🇪 my homeland because I love this ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩😍👍👍 calerfornia the trian the view everything I love it

[@HardRockMaster7577]

At 25, in March of 1981 I took my first Amtrak adventure. That solo trip included the Coast Starlight. We started in Seattle on a Thursday. I had brought along a pillow and a blanket, and some snacks for the coach experience. By Portland, the train filled up with a lot of folks headed to the Bay area. That was a very lively segment of the trip. A party atmosphere. That night something wonderful happened. We stopped somewhere near Crater Lake. It was late at night. And we were waiting to pick up some special cars. We had time to step out and look at that beautiful starry sky out in the middle of nowhere. I enjoyed the dining experience and the food on the train. I can honestly say, I had the best slice of cheesecake I have ever had the pleasure of eating. My adventure started in Minneapolis on the Empire Builder two days earlier, and so, by the time I got to LA, all I wanted to do is take a nice, long, hot shower!

[@Cal90208]

You got to experience Amtrak at its best, I wish I could’ve

[@lesleyallinson8738]

I need a bed to lie flat I can't sleep if I not lying down

[@snowy7317]

havent watched the full thing yet even though its goood already

[@josephallard6394]

At 74, I am getting ready to take a cross country (round) trip via the California Zephyr from PDX to Albany, NY and back, on My 5th 2021. Taking coach all the way. You have to be a billionaire to afford a sleeper on such a long trip... @ nearly $3,500... round trip... compared to $577 + meals. Still cheaper than a sleeper. I have done this three times before but by way of the Empire Builder. The California route adds an extra day.

[@ronclark9724]

People spend as much for a one week cruise in a luxury cabin... Think in terms that every night on the train is one less night at a nice hotel... Not a dump, a nice hotel... You will be hard pressed to avoid spending less than $200 per night sleeping and dining in a nice hotel... Your coach fare is very affordable...

[@josephallard6394]

@@ronclark9724 All well and good if I were going to spend my vacation sleeping in a hotel. I am going home to spend six weeks at my brother's home. My home away from home. He doesn't charge me $200 per night eighter. Incidentally, I have never been on a cruise and have no desire to. Too many hidden costs I am told... by a friend who took one. On a side note, this may be the last time my brother(s) and I see each other. Two of us are 73 and 74. The other two are ten years younger. Being 3200 miles apart, along with the pandemic who's to know what the future holds for any of us. Here today, gone tomorrow?!?

[@hardstuff57]

Enjoyed this and your other NY to Miami video. Just so you know, Google allows you to store up to 5 omits maps on your phone, so you won’t incur or need a mobile data connection for access.

[@Jeepersca]

Did you get to choose which side of the train your sleeper was on? I wonder about the ones not facing the ocean.

[@Likers-jz6ss]

Sleepers and coach are assigned when you board at the door, I know this since I just took the coast starlight in coach and at the door they assign you a seat, seats 1-68 are on the top while seats 69-86 are on the first floor.

[@beforeigo4284]

How much was the ticket? I want to do the exact opposite, LA to Portland. I’ve never travelled alone and I feel like this would be a fun start. 😊

[@Cal90208]

Cost varies. Amtrak has recently been quite expensive... 😞

[@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.

[@marydonohoe8200]

BTW, the nighttime leg of the trip went between the CA coastal range and the northern Sierra. Redwoods!!! Be sure not to miss Redwood National and State Parks (they overlap in area.). One of the most amazing experiences in the world. These are the tallest of the Sequoia genera, and are some of the oldest on Earth. Your body vibrates with their energy when you are among them. At least, mine did! 😉💥🛤⛰

[@CiaGuy]

that heritage center you passed with the southern pacific cars houses the legendary SP 4449

[@Trainviking]

Although Europe & Asia are mainly on my travel list, your video's really make me want to go to America.

[@SimplyRailway]

You should. It's really different from Europe.

[@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.

[@FreihEitner]

I also took the Coast Starlight for the first time in 2015 (in August) and despite arriving multiple hours late in both directions, it was a wonderful, memorable experience. I rode again in 2017 and enjoyed it a lot. I was hoping to go again this year until the covid-19 pandemic. The closure of the dining cars is real shame. I had met so many friendly people in the diner on my prior trips--it won't be the same until the diner can eventually re-open, but by then Amtrak may be so financially unstable that they discontinue the Coast Starlight entirely. :-(

[@ronclark9724]

Amtrak's long distance trains are going to be around for a long time. However the daily service may be cut to thrice weekly or even as in some other countries the overnight sleeper trains have been reduced to a once per week service. And while folks are concerned Amtrak went to a thrice weekly service, Via north of us went to a once per week service with the Canadian, ceasing operations east of Winnipeg. Imagine the Canadian not serving Toronto? I dread the thought, but it happened. Amtrak's Maple Leaf not serving Toronto, but it happened.

[@atlasdude]

Love your videos Simply Railway. Would you consider putting footage of the destination rail stations in your future videos?

[@alexahuatzi]

Star Wars!!! great show to watch before bed

[@SimplyRailway]

Indeed :)

[@hbruins85]

I’ve been to the Bay Area countless times on biz trips, even spotted Trains 11 and 14 near San Jose a few times... but haven’t had a chance to actually ride it. Merci beaucoup for the great preview!

[@kevanhubbard9673]

A shame that a certain gentlemen with orange hair cut the Amtrak budget thus reducing their services I'd like to bet that the road building and airport budgets weren't cut.

[@dynasty0019]

Amtrak actually had its greatest funding in 2018 and 2019, almost two billion dollars in each year, thanks to Republican senators in the Midwest lobbying against Richard Anderson's plan to cut up long distance routes.

[@Cal90208]

@@dynasty0019 Doesn’t mean people still wanted to cut funding altogether