The AMAZING Coast Starlight and what to expect from Amtrak's Coach Seats!

Today, we take a look at the last third Amtrak's Coast Starlight service, and what to expect from the Coach seats.
Date of Travel: March 2022
Class of Travel: Coach (2nd Class)
Rolling Stock: GE Genesis P42DC
Operator: Amtrak
Service type: Long Distance Train
Train Number: 11 Coast Starlight
Origin: Emeryville, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States of America
Destination: Los Angeles Union Station, California, United States of America
Cost of Ticket: $54 (£41.95, €50)
Café Car Menu: www.amtrak.com...
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[@samtrak1204]

Beautiful Union Station is such a perfect ending for a delightful daylight run along the Pacific Ocean. Thank you.

[@kimberlygila]

This brings back memories l was on this route traveling coach and yes there are delays at times since this train originated from Seattle..beautiful views looking at pacific ocean and the little towns in between also passengers trains must yield to freight so this causes delays too,,but trains still beat driving and trains are good for environment.

[@ronclark9724]

Amtrak runs their train in both directions 24-7 bucking the freight railroads flow which runs their trains in time periods in each direction suitable for single main lines... Its Amtrak bucking the trains flow, not the freight railroads...

[@kimberlygila]

@@ronclark9724 amyrak from bay area to Seattle trains stopped for freight trains l remember in 2018 so l got it wrong on what you mentioned

[@cinemagirl4907]

Always bring your own food on the train if not getting dining! They don't care how much food, beer, whatever you want to bring on. It's cheaper and better! Still...those seats are great and the views are unbeatable. Love this trip! Thanks for the video.

[@ronclark9724]

When I am riding in coach, I bring a jar of Planters Roasted Peanuts and a few bottles of Diet Dr. Pepper... This will get me through a day in coach easily...

[@JISJ1964]

Dylan, you always talk about your lenth when talking about the seats but you only state that in imperical measures, no metres and centimetres there, in this film you talk about Safety information cards on trains, the Øreundståg-trains in Sweden and Denmark have them too, then one last question, you talk about the recline of the seat in each of the films, how much does that reclining reduce the space for the person sitting behind you?

[@samtrak1204]

The seats on Amtrak's long distance trains are literally miles apart so if the passenger in front of you reclines the seat almost flat it will not affect your space. Most Europeans I've encountered onboard love Amtrak's spacious seating. (Samuel Augustus Jennings, retired Amtrak Conductor)

[@nataliajimenez1870]

A lot of negativity in the comments section. Coach and business are a good option for this trip and you can get fantastic views. To keep the price of seats low on coach, food is not a priority so coach passengers should bring their own food, which is easy to do on a day trip. A restroom that tends to not be used as often is the one in the café car. I also suggest that anybody that has a specific complaint about service to contact Amtrak so that attendants are warned about making sure that the restrooms are well-maintained. Let's also remember that renting a car and driving this distance would be a lot more expensive

[@ronclark9724]

Frankly I have found that the train employees will address a dirty restroom as quickly as possible if informed of the sad state of a restroom. Much depends upon the pigs who leave a mess before you... Todays generation do not have CHARACTER, my mom taught me to leave it as nice as you entered it, and if necessary clean it before you leave...

[@sxflyer5410]

0:42 from SF Downtown I can also recommend choosing Oakland Jack London Sq station, because it is relatively easy reachable by BART and even cooler: the ferry! Which can be a nice way to say goodbye to SF, by catching an early morning ferry and seeing the skyline getting smaller, and passing underneath the Bay Bridge.

[@lutomson3496]

Yes im always amazed at these youtubers who dont take Bart to MacCarthar station from the city and walk a little or the ferry, when they are allegedly doing transportation videos and resort to Uber or Lyft.. makes me think they have been watching to many others doing the same thing and not really providing real life content

[@SlackActionBumble]

@@lutomson3496 the walk from MacArthur station to Emeryville amtrak can be a bit dodgy... Honestly for going down to LA, the best option is to just take Caltrain to San Jose and catch the Starlight there

[@deletedwaffles]

I agree about the ferry. Any chance I get to go across the bay without having to drive I will take the ferry.

[@maurykendall]

Oh look! There's me, waving at the gate at 12:39. If I had known you were on 11 on a Saturday, I would've run down to the last coach for a natter. I'm the volunteer Station Host on Saturdays at San Jose Diridon.

[@Mergatroid]

I was recently on one of the refurbished Superliner coaches on the Empire Builder, and I have to say the seats are a bit less comfortable. They're pretty much the same shape as the old seats but are much more firm which results in them not feeling very ergonomic because they don't shape to you as much as the old, more worn out seats. They do look much nicer, though.

[@ashleyjiscool]

Er they comfortable

[@ronclark9724]

Considering many of the Superliner I coaches are approaching their 50th birthday, Amtrak has done a good job just keeping them running as well as they do. How many of us have refrigerators that old? As for the restrooms, its hit and miss with every train worldwide. Much depends whether the person before you are pigs or not. Amtrak's crews do the best they can to keep them clean, but alas, they have more duties to do besides baby sit rest rooms...

[@wandasetzer1469]

That lunch was horrifying. I wish Amtrak treated us better. It's just another sad reflection on the state of affairs in the US.

[@williamhughmurraycissp8405]

Some of us take the train to avoid the horrible experience of flying in the US. Thirty years ago, flying in the US was a pleasure: no more. Business class on long flights is just oK while coach is now so unpleasant that one will consider almost any alternative. Everyone on the plane, passengers and crew, is stressed to the point of rudeness. If it is just about "getting from A to B," and time is not of the essence, prefer the train.

[@vrkoven]

To your comment about not having good public transit options from SF to Emeryville, why not make your SF connection in Oakland, where you can get the BART nearby to go across the bay.

[@arthurfavis8833]

I like it when you share the cost of the trip thanks

[@itsjohndell]

You've traveled Amtrak enough to know that food bought on the train is ghastly. On a day run you could have brought much better! Just curious, dis you fly home from LA or train back to NY?

[@ronclark9724]

When Amtrak opens the diner for coach passengers again, the food will be much better... While it won't be Gordon Ramsay five star cuisine, the diner will provide good solid diner food...

[@goodi2shooz]

We've eaten from the cafe plenty of times and didn't find the food vile at all, we like the hamburgers and. the hot dogs.. of course we prefer the dining car food but it's not always practical.

[@John_Fugazzi]

Your being in the last car worked very well. The view from the rear was very scenic once you were on the coast and the seat window gave a good look at how long the train was on those horseshoe curves. The windows were filthy and we can't blame Sahara sandstorms which affected the Italian train in last week's offering.

[@samtrak1204]

Filthy windows are Amtrak's registered Trademark. How many times did I have to beg the dispatchers to send car cleaners down to clean dirty train windows during my illustrious 30-year career at Amtrak? If I had a dollar for every call I'd be a wealthy retiree.

[@John_Fugazzi]

@@samtrak1204 Wow! I believe you!

[@ronclark9724]

@@samtrak1204 American has a lot of dust storms from deserts and farms that dirty the trains being operated almost all of the time 24-7. This isn't Europe where the train cars have a car wash every night...

[@ronclark9724]

But half of Southern California is a desert that also has sand storms... Your logic is flawed... In the western half of America people wash their cars after a rain storm...

[@karolinaholewinska2472]

Bro WTF this train goes through roads? Thats impossible!!! Bro wut? Anyways i love your videos

[@rclaughlin]

The Coast Starlight's leg north to Seattle is more impressive. The scenery in Washington, Oregon and northern California has to be seen to be believed.

[@ronclark9724]

True, but the coastal mountains and the wine country along this route are also great scenery...

[@michaausleipzig]

I will never get over how train travel in the US is like watching something from a parallel universe. Like a "the road not taken" kind of thing... It's so fundamentally different from rail travel in much of the rest of the world.

[@jamesthompson3099]

Great comment. 🤣

[@chromebomb]

help us plz

[@erikgustafson1410]

Outside of heavy populated areas... it is different. The Northeast Corridor similarly compares to routes in Europe, although it isn't as fast.

[@samtrak1204]

@@erikgustafson1410 Or smooth!

[@Abluemoon9112]

It is because flying is so much quicker in the USA and you don't have to be in then most populated cities to get to any airport

[@transitcaptain]

I love your American videos. It’s amazing how a foreigner sees our network really good. I enjoy these videos because it is my home country

[@RicksTravelogue]

1) What do you feel is wrong with your older videos? Personally, I don't mind them. The narrated videos are good, don't get me wrong, but I felt there was nothing wrong with the old text only videos. 2) I think part of the reason for the multiple "fresh air" stops on these kind of trains are out of necessity to allow the crew to unload checked baggage at the busier stops. 3) The views once you got south of the Bay Area are stunning. 4) The Amtrak Cafe food is ... food. Definitely not wrong in it being low quality and overpriced as it would be nice to see it just be more than stuff zapped in a microwave, but it's there if you need it. Personally, for something long distance coaches, it would be awesome if Amtrak had a microwave which travelers themselves could use to zap food they brought themselves onto the train. Good stuff as always.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

I think the fresh air stops are partly there for timetable padding, and maybe to allow for freight meets too

[@reginaburke5804]

I bring my own food and wifi hot spot. Love the train

[@mikevale3620]

The scenic route via the coast is the primary reason the high speed rail is slowly being constructed through the Valley. As scenic as it is with spectacular horseshoe curves, this doesn't work for point to point high speed rail if your destination is time critical. I hope once the high speed railway is finished there still remains a scenic route between SFO & LAX.

[@nathanjiang100]

As a frequent Amtrak coach rider, there is nothing like getting woken up at 2am by some inconsiderate person screaming on the phone with speakerphone on. You really have to spend multiple overnights in coach to know its ins and outs. Also the cafe menu has been upgraded (in my opinion) since the filming of this video, and the food is miles above what it used to be. It's also worth noting that short-distance trains like the Northeast Regional and Amtrak Midwest trains use a worse version of coachclass that has probably about half the legroom and less recline. But some short routes like the Pennsylvanian and Heartland Flyer use long-distance coach, so you kinda have to know which trains have good coachclass and inferior coachclass if you want to maximize comfort. That feeling booking the Pennsylvanian between NYC and Philly for $23 knowing that you'll get the luxury of an Amfleet 2 for an 80-minute journey, and at the same lowest price as any other train on the route, is super rewarding. Honestly with how low coach prices can get outside of the Northeast, I wouldn't really recommend a sleeper more than once just to experience it and the traditional dining, especially with the Rail Pass which gets you 10 segments of any length for $500, or $300 when on sale. And getting woken up intermittently overnight is the price to pay for saving hundreds of dollars, but if you're spending the next day entirely on the train anyways, you can nap anytime. As for stretch breaks, usually those stops have high ridership so the train has to stop for a long time anyways to discharge/board passengers, so Amtrak decides to take advantage of such stops to let people get some fresh air.

[@djackmanson]

What beautiful scenery on the coast, especially. I’d be interested to see a review of business class on a similar route. Eagerly waiting for the California Zephyr review!

[@jamesthompson3099]

One thing I love about your channel is the honesty. The hot food from the Cafe is inedible although the packaged stuff is ok. Coach restrooms can be rather disgusting at times. They are the responsibility of the car attendant and some are not very diligent. You are right about the schedule. They are heavily "padded" for delays. Because of the competition with the freight companies delays are inevitable so Amtrak builds that in . If you get lucky and go straight through without being put on a siding, you may get in really early. For a day trip, coach isn't bad. For overnight I have heard it described as "brutal". For 3 days I don't know how anyone stands it. If my trip is going to be over 8 hours, I book a roomette and forget the cost. I love Amtrak for the views, the relaxing ride and the people I meet. I'm retired and in no hurry! 😁

[@jamesthompson3099]

PS. While the Cafe food sucks the food in the dining car (free for sleeper passengers) is really good! We are not talking airline food here.

[@mikevale3620]

The $242 Roomette cost is for TWO people and includes a 3 course lunch. Excellent value.

[@ronclark9724]

As I noted before Amtrak employees have other duties besides rest room baby sitting. Its a shame there are too many pigs in America leaving a mess in a public rest room. My mom taught me to leave it as clean as I entered it, and if necessary, clean it... Either one has character or they don't... Obviously, many don't...

[@mazdaman2315]

The food on amtraks long distance trains are mostly terrible but I found the Buffalo wings to be delicious

[@ronclark9724]

The diner serves good diner food with traditional dining returning after the pandemic out west, but the east still has to suffer the airline pre prepared flexible dining on the east coast...The cafe is convince store fare of snacks and microwaved sandwiches...

[@spark_6710]

Very nice ,comfy looking ,wide seats !! I was thinking the exactly same thing when you said in your video that those were much better than ( cleaner & wider ) the train seats in U.K. !! LOL.I just got back from Wales/ England trip ! So...lol.👍😆💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@RuthStaley]

I honestly don’t believe Heiu deliberately killed this monkey! If Elly died, she really never stood a chance! She always looked depressed! She never acted like a monkey. 😢 it was so horrible to watch! I think she lost her will to live! So sad! I really did love Elly! There was something about her that was so enduring! A real sweetheart!

[@charlesbaran1106]

Beautiful route, which I hope to take in the next couple of years. The northbound trip leaves LA in the morning, so the Pacific views are early in daylight and the Bay Area arrival is after dark. Too bad about the cafe food. It would make a lot of sense to have local restaurant food brought to the train at various stations. I think that happened on one of my Empire Builder rides years ago.

[@ronclark9724]

The Coast Starlight has a diner, but lately during and after the pandemic, the diner is reserved for sleeping car passengers... The cafe is basically convenience store snacks and microwaved sandwiches...

[@The105ODST]

I took this route last week and man the views were spectacular.

[@keithpanda]

I wondered if San Jose is a better pick up point than Emeryville for this train as it’s connected to San Francisco downtown? (SF and LA are on my bucket list)

[@LiftFan]

I have also seen safety cards on First Great Westerns HSTs about 10-15 years ago, they used to have them in the back of every seat with the pamphlet showing the layout of every carriage.

[@samtrak1204]

I hope you wrote Amtrak and complained about the food service.

[@applebased8936]

why is everything in america twice as big as normal? Not only the food portions and cars, also the trains!

[@NozomuYume]

Dylan wish you'd included footage of the ghost town of Drawbridge between Fremont and Santa Clara. It's neat that a wild west ghost town is right there in the bay area. It's protected from modern encroachment by the marshes, but that also means that all the buildings are half-sunk into the ground now. It's a neat view that you can mostly only see from the train.

[@transitcaptain]

IMPORTANT: The US has good trains. The reason most people don’t realize this is because they don’t understand the purpose of trains in America. Most people in the world are from Europe and Asia and think that trains in America are so bad because they don’t get you from A to B very well. In America, on Amtrak’s long-distance trains, people pay for the experience and offers of taking a train and are specifically on a rail trip, not always JUST getting from A to B. If someone was only going from A to B they would take a plane. Most people don’t properly appreciate or understand the US rail network

[@EastMidlandsRailwayRBLX]

But uk got better trains

[@transitcaptain]

@@EastMidlandsRailwayRBLX they do in certain respects. The respects that most people care about

[@davidaarthur]

But the U.S. railways were built to be a useful means of transport - a century ago, they were as good as Europe's. It was only as they stopped being competitive that they were re-invented as land-based cruise lines, while Europe and Asia continued to invest.

[@Aliceintraining]

@@davidaarthur actually. its because Rail mail was abandoned for air mail, which took away passenger service subsidation. which helped make even low frequancy routes viable to keep operational. and then Eisenhower interstate which basically covered all the cost of very large highways and made most turnpikes obsolete meaning truckers could compete with railroads for freight by not having to pay for roadways in a fair and reasonable way. so trucking companys like amazon, walmart, ups ground/fedex ground, can undercut the cost of lower weight freight in high frequency situations because they dont have to pay for the roads, only fuel, maintance, and drivers. meanwhile railroads need to also build the tracks (average of 1.2 million dollars per mile of track) as well as maintaining it, building and maintaining safety and signaling, and also keeping the tracks secured. and then, each line of track is also taxed as one line, instead of the actual space the tracks take up. keep in mind that double tracks realistically require the same amount of land cleared as single in most cases (tunnels and bridges being the main exception) as such, our current rail companys have to min max everything to compeate with trucks because everything that the federal goverment could do to screw them over, they have done. even recently with how PTC got required. it only ended up costing companys billions of dollars for systems which where not properly standardized, and had really dumb requirements and especially when we already have had great systems ready to go, such as the east coast style atc plus aceses.

[@michaausleipzig]

I inderstand that in a world of crumbling infrastructure, being a the mercy of freight rail companies and travelling in ancient rolling stock with the aesthetics of a brick on wheels, this is what like to tell yourself.

[@thomassmall5241]

I thought the comments were interesting as well as insightful . The scenery was Gorgeous. The seating amenity for fairly good. The food was little to be desired. I do like the Empire Builder and the Lake Shore Limited Quite NICE

[@aviano72]

That Mac & Cheese looks so disgusting 🤮🤢

[@trainsimulatorfan7656]

I have rode amtrak before it was a very good experince i did ride coach class like you Dylan

[@valfaulkner648]

Loved the scenery! loved the sunset! that looked a very relaxing journey! can I say , why don't you include your lovely lady( sorry forgotten name) she is there and you keep saying I when it's we! Please include her she is there and I for one would love to know what she thinks! Thank you for your video's love everyone of them!

[@johannesbols57]

Hey, Dylan. You would want to consider yourself lucky not to have been sidelined by a freight train, shunted off to a siding for the better part of an hour whilst freight trains, wh. have priority, whizz by. Nothing like watching paint dry.

[@still_guns]

Was the issue with the food an issue of taste, texture, or both?

[@ronclark9724]

I believe he was disappointed coach passenger were still being denied access to the diner. Amtrak cafe car is basically convenience store snacks and microwaved sandwiches or a cup of soup. It isn't diner food found in the diner... On the other hand second class isn't much better in Europe on any trains in coach, just first class coach passengers of which there is no such thing in America outside Acela... Basically he got spoiled eating traditional diner food on the California Zephyr with his roomette...

[@michaelformaini7053]

I did this journey in the opposite direction back in September 1989 and remember the scenery well, especially the climb away from San Luis Obispo through those horseshoe curves. Such a pity that the food service has gone 'third world'. I was lucky to be travelling First Class and the Dining Car service was excellent. I loved your night time view of LAUPT. Absolutely stunning what Amtrak (and the city) have done to make this an inviting place. Look forward to your latest Sleeping Car review of the Coast Starlight.

[@stephen24601]

That sunset over the Pacific, from the best spot on the train! A brilliant review as always Dylan.

[@harryborsalino1276]

Looks like you started on a gorgeous day in the Bay Area, which is always a treat, even if it's cool, as it apparently was. Also, I'm glad you were doing the southbound run, because I only have seen the northbound Starlight previously, as best I can recall, and I like to see different views, and thanks for including the scene of rolling right down the middle of the street in Oakland...that's always fun on the train! Pretty great you enjoyed just about ideal California weather the whole trip, which made the amazing views even more impressive, and the best parts were in daylight. Never made a trip yet in Coach, but based on what I see here, l would say I think I could manage it for a day trip, but the real cross-country routes will still find me in a roomette. Thanks for sharing another fun trip, Sir!

[@nathanielfruchter9636]

If you have time to kill around the station, there's a giant shopping mall and a food hall accessible by walking across the footbridge over the tracks, probably about 10 minutes away.

[@dannydanny9875]

Well, at least the view is delightful, right Dylan?

[@BibtheBoulder]

A double-deck train with a blue sky...it sure isn't 'Uddersfield....lol

[@shirleynitka5030]

Dylan, I watched this morning when you posted. A lovely journey for sure. I do agree with you on every point. Even though the train was old/by modern standards, a newer version may not have as much room. I'd be happy cruising along, except for the bathrooms & food catering. That's a disgrace. Those prices for such horrid food. They should alert you to bring snacks & food onboard. I'm diabetic & I'd go into shock if I had to travel that long & far on those choices. I'm sure you're aware that US trains share the rails with freight trains. That's why so many delays. Freight has first priority over travel. It's nice to see that you did make up time & arrive early. I'd be bitter about those smoking delays. Seriously? in 2022. Hard to believe.

[@samtrak1204]

The train made up time only because schedules are heavily padded to minimize delays en route.

[@karens8633]

They also call them “Fresh Air” Breaks for those that don’t smoke, and it’s good to walk around on stationary ground for a bit.

[@ronclark9724]

@@karens8633 Usually the busier stops are the smoke stops. These are overnight trains with passengers toting lots of luggage for vacations and holidays. This isn't a commuter train with passengers toting a single backpack or briefcase. Many of Amtrak passengers have mobility issues as well. Being diabetic I suffer with Amtrak's food items from the cafe as well, except for the salads and fruits. Even in the diner you aren't getting broccoli or cauliflower, at best some carrots and green beans. Amtrak's vegan options are pasta and rice options, no-no's for diabetics. I have to bring unsweetened apple sauce and other no sugar added snacks to get me to their diner's meals leaving the non-whole wheat bread on the plate...

[@sammy7068]

took this train years ago and u were lucky to get a window seat. love this train th eonly good seat is by the window and sight seer lounge peace

[@jamesthompson3099]

A note for non-Americans. Passenger rail in America is not considered critical infrastructure. The only folks that use it are tourists (primarily), people going from one small town to another where air service is not available and people afraid to fly. For that reason train service in the US is pretty abysmal by European or Asian standards. That said, I, and many others, ride it for the journey, not the destination. The scenery in the US can be crazy beautiful and not really visible from 35,000 feet. Time isn't an issue. If you are on a tight schedule you don't take the train. You go for the relaxing, scenic journey through the land and the wonderful people you meet. The fact you end up (eventually) at your desired destination is just a bonus. I love it. ❤ Thanks Dylan.

[@gacj2010]

I believe it's due to the mammoth size of America... Texas being the size of France..air is best suited in us

[@davidwilliams8405]

Beings back many pleasant memories. Never took the Amtrak up the coast, but have done much traveling along HWY 1, aka "The Pacific Coast Highway," between San Diego and L.A, & L.A. & Oxnard. Beautiful part of the country.

[@TheSpotify95]

If the prison food was likely better than the train food, well, that's saying something. Trouble is, you don't get much choice unless you pack your bags with plenty of food for the journey, and the stops for getting off and stretching your legs aren't long enough to get decent food either...

[@lorijohnston4311]

What a shame that the cafe food is so abysmal, given how good the dining car is reported to be. The seats look extremely comfortable (although I wouldn't want to be in them for the journey between Seattle and LA) and the scenery really is quite spectacular. I used to live in CA and it was the best thing about the state. Thanks for the video, Dylan. Have a great weekend and see you on Monday!

[@ronclark9724]

The cafe car does NOT have a short order cook the diner has.. It is convenience store snacks and microwaved sandwiches...

[@sagestats]

In the summer, passing beaches in the LA area is a treat. The "gap" in the schedule is called "padding" and dates back to the Claton and Gunn era's of Amtrak management when Amtrak offered a money-back on-time arrival policy.

[@samtrak1204]

Railroads have alway padded schedules.

[@WINDOWSEATADDICT]

Dylan, I love your videos and I am always anxiously waiting twice a week to see a new one. I do have a question that I hope you can answer: what settings do you have your Gopro on? I am struggling with mine and never have such a good image quality as yours. Thank you for all the great videos and all the details you provide! It is really impressive!

[@deaniej2766]

Oakland is a bit surreal, whether you are on Amtrak or not.

[@andrewwilson6240]

It is not hard to see why most people on this route fly. 12 hours to go 700km and it still costs £50 ish. At times appearing to be at little more than walking pace. The single track sections are I guess why there are long layovers at intermediate stations which are adding time to a severely delayed (and yet not!) service.

[@andynorris3537]

On my bucket list to do one of these long distance American Train journeys

[@gacj2010]

I can't believe America is so different like a hundred different countries all in one...is this what you see..

[@mdavid1955]

Amtrak considers 30min. late as "on time" on it's long distance trains.

[@TheSpotify95]

Yeah, that's definitely NOT "on time". I know it's long distance travel, but if my train in the UK arrived at its destination 30 minutes late, I would be eligible to have 25% of my return fare refunded through "delay repay".

[@mdavid1955]

@@TheSpotify95 Amtrak is at the mercy of the host railroads. US law states that Amtrak has probity, but it's not enforced.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

@@TheSpotify95 For perspective the shortest of Amtrak's 'long distance' routes are longer than Inverness to Penzance, and many are twice or triple that. Think Edinburgh to Madrid for this sort of route, or Edinburgh to Moscow for the longer ones. Amtrak doesn't (can't) operate like European railroads because it could never afford its own right-of-ways, and it leases trackage rights on the freight railroads where long-distance double track is an unnecessary luxury.

[@ronclark9724]

America is not a TINY nation like Germany or France. Think in terms of airline flights. It is a five hour flight from London to Tel Aviv, to another continent. It is a five and a half hour flight from New York City to Los Angeles, a six hour flight from Boston to Los Angeles. It is a seven hour flight from Miami to Seattle, the same seven hour flight from London to Toronto across an ocean to another hemisphere. While the British think a four hour trip is a long one, America does not think that is a long trip whatsoever...

[@mdavid1955]

@@ronclark9724 Air travel we know it now is finished...Looming energy issues and C02 restrictions.

[@euanmckerrell507]

Any freight trains on horseshoe curve will be able to pass it's self on the way down.

[@juliehenderson1672]

Thank you for your honesty and being objective. Hopefully Amtrak will upgrade their food and sleeping quarters. Otherwise, bring own food and overnight in hotel along the way! I'm taking Starlight 30 hour trip via coach in three weeks. Wish me luck! My first Amtrak adventure!

[@andrewreynolds4949]

This was the economy seat, the sleeper car would be much better

[@ronclark9724]

These Superliner I cars are approahing their 50th birthday. Considering their age Amtrak has done a good job just keeping them running. How many 50 year old refrigerators do you have? Unfortunately, even with tax and spend Amtrak Joe as POTUS Amtrak is NOT getting a new fleet of Superliner replacements. Only a long due refurbishment...

[@MandatedReporter]

Thank you

[@spark_6710]

Google says coast starlight is prettier than the one goes to San Diego from Los Angeles ,but so far I see it isn't !! Lol. I know it gets better later ! Right now after 2/3 or more passed ,the views are getting much better finally !! Lol. I do remember tge view I saw from the window on amtrak on my way to San Diego was very nice !! 💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@edwinleslie1330]

Something for you young dude to think about (I put this on one of your 'older videos').... Have you ever thought of doing videos of the 'restoration steam train site's? ie. Bluebell railway, Lake District, Welsh , Scottish, Swanage etc, etc. As you do a terrific job of railway journeys (I'm a Brit living in Austria and instead of travelling back to the island by plane (Something I find BORING) thanks to your page I shall be Comming back by train and travelling around Europe the same way) next time I'm over on 'The Island'...... a visit with the info you could provide would be wonderful. Just an idea! 😉

[@171trains]

Just a question, Why do A lot of American trains have that bell sound when going slower?

[@bahnspotterEU]

Excessive warning measures. Bells, horn-blowing and flashing ditch-lights are all there to tell people the train is approaching or beginning to move. Seems overkill really, but by now it's become such a staple of American trains that you also don't really want to miss it.

[@johannesbols57]

To let Europeans know how awful it is to ride by rail here in The Colonies.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

@@bahnspotterEU You would be surprised at the number of idiots who don't notice the train coming despite all that noise

[@jenniferjuniper97]

I am looking forward to car and amenities upgrades, including full access to dining cars. Dining cars that serve fresh meals made from local ingredients are the last vestige of railway 'romance' and 'class'. The coach seats are quite comfortable, and they set the standard IMHO for all train services domestic and foreign. Coach airplane seating was that nice long ago. I agree the coastal scenery is magnificent on this service. Yet, there is simply no excuse for neglecting restroom cleanliness. So much for the romance of rail travel...

[@samtrak1204]

I have been riding coach class on airlines since the 60's and I've never experienced seats as comfortable and spacious as Amtrak's coach seats. I agree filthy toilets are the biggest turn-off thanks to lazy coach attendants and conductors that don't give a damn. (Samuel Augustus Jennings, retired Amtrak Conductor)

[@stevenmontoya9950]

They're starting major refurbishments to the Superliners, but I rather Amtrak just purchase new equipment, given the first generation of Superliners are approaching 50 years old. Especially when the state supported routes are getting the new Venture coaches very soon.

[@samtrak1204]

The Venture coaches are the latest addition to Amtrak’s hodgepodge of mismatched consists. Amtrak should have stuck with the practical double deck “California Cars”.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

@@stevenmontoya9950 Since the long-distance routes are huge loss makers, new equipment isn't considered worth the investment on those trains. The refurbishments are a lower-cost alternative

[@ronclark9724]

Much depends upon the person who used the restroom before you entered it. Sadly today there are too many pigs leaving a large mess everywhere, from public restrooms to campsites. My mom taught me to leave it as clean as you entered it, and clean it if it weren't. Unfortunately todays generations don't want to work any, LACKING CHARACTER, expecting someone else to do the dirty work... Amtrak employees have other duties than baby sit restrooms...

[@trainmanbob]

Thanks Dylan. A great journey but so sad the food is so bad.

[@andyballard7647]

We always bring our own food on Amtrak so much more enjoyable

[@snowcub7139]

You guys didn't get to do the cable cars?

[@omtay77]

Nice informative video....but, and I apologize for this...after the third cheapshot at microwaveable lounge car food, I have to ask...what exactly do you want for $54?...it's still better than coach class airline food....and speaking of "vile and repugnant", some of the worst food I've ever eaten has been in the UK. 🤨

[@baseballfan99]

I will be travelling Business Class on this train from LA to Portland in Feb. Mainly so I have paid for diner access and not just the snack bar.

[@stewartdorrell2506]

I travelled on this train in reverse 2 years ago in Business class ending up in Oakland Jack London late at night with an awkward taxi transfer to San Francisco. I agree with most of your views especially with the lovely coast run. The snacks were not good nor the coffee, but we bought quality food from SanFrancisco. However we may have missed out on dining at table that was then on offer. Our return trip was inland via Bakersville. Still fascinating with glimpses of work on the new high speed line work and of the desert so do not despair. Thank you Dylan. Stewart Dorrell

[@dazlebluefrogify]

whaoh there's gonna be a new line where from and to ?do you know how long the trips will take ?and more important when is it going to open ?

[@andrewreynolds4949]

@@dazlebluefrogify The California High Speed Rail project plans to link the Bay area with Los Angeles and Anaheim. That won't be finished until at least 2033, probably much later. There's also plans to extend to San Diego and Merced to Sacramento but I suspect the timescale for that will be 'never', or measured in decades instead of years if it eventually does go ahead.

[@joermnyc]

The delays are pretty easy to figure out once you realize the majority of the route is single track, and not rated for anything close to High Speed Running.

[@ronclark9724]

Most of the tracks are owned by the freight railroads who are happy to be going the speeds they are going now. They have NO intentions of spending trillions to upgrade their tracks for HSR. Nor will the US government nationalized the railroads either, as the political kingmakers control the freight railroads. The likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, among others...

[@elexisbonilla1162]

Shout you dude I couldn’t figure out the footrest till I watched your video!

[@LisaMarli]

I live in San Jose, less than a mile from Diridon Station. I've used it a number of times, mostly for local travel. Though I've taken the Coast Starlight a number of times. It is a lovely trip.

[@georgeandrews1612]

I very much appreciate the videos that you provide. I look forward to each new one. I especially enjoy those from Europe. I enjoy travelling very much, but I probably shall not be able to personally experience much of Europe. Continue the good work and enjoy it!

[@DavidTaylor-v6o]

I want to go to the site of the completion of the Transcontinemtal Railroad We will take the train round trip Dallas Tx to Salt Lake City Utak

[@Tbpker22]

Looks like a comfortable and scenic day long ride - thanks, Dylan, for showing us this!

[@johansilwouden3403]

Do people use these trains to travel from point A to B? Or is it rather used for leisure travel? The views from the train are stunning! Compared to Dutch/European trains, this train is really spacious! With an upgraded interior, WIFI, better food in the cafe car this would really be a premium offer!

[@louisthetravelspotter]

great video dylan mate

[@harryelliott4310]

Trains Station 🚉

[@danielstripreports]

Nice video mate

[@jenniferjuniper97]

P.S. The California Men's Colony is a state prison that houses only minimum-medium security convicts. It is not a federal prison. It would be nice if AMTRAK could at least make the trip educational by having conductors or docents occasionally announce interesting geographical/historical facts about the areas and AMTRAK service history. There is so much to tell. I would go insane without wifi/cell service. In terms of noise and bumpiness, these long-haul routes now feel like nearly empty cattle cars rattling through the Twilight Zone.

[@carolinecaiger6717]

I just love the ‘sightseer train car’ with everyone staring at their phone or laptop!

[@samtrak1204]

They’re watching the passing scenery on their phones and lap tops😂

[@andrewreynolds4949]

After several hours the scenery gets boring, that's why I would bring a book on trips like this

[@AlexCab_49]

I've taken the coast starlight from Oakland to Van Nuys station and the latest it's come was 30 minutes after the scheduled time.

[@andreawoelke]

Is thr food vile on all Amtrak services or only in this one?

[@samtrak1204]

All.

[@andreawoelke]

@@samtrak1204 What do you do on a trip which takes several days then? 😳

[@nataliajimenez1870]

This is the café food. It's similar to gas station food. The dining car available to sleeping car passengers has really good food. Coach passengers are better off bringing their own food

[@tomosmerivale6297]

At 16:53 it looks a bit like a British view that you see out of the window between Newport and Shrewsbury.

[@YusufAli-yn4fr]

nice video,,,

[@JD-kf2ki]

Is Wifi available?

[@JD-kf2ki]

Can you take a bath?

[@warrenwarner6157]

Have a good ride!

[@Andrewjg_89]

I do enjoy your videos all the time. Your videos are so amazing and beautiful. ☺️

[@transitcaptain]

Those Capitol corridor trains have about 15-17 departures daily

[@Jurigag]

I hope that someday in USA they will se that trains are future and will renovate train trucks to allow higher speeds.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

Most of the American rail system is optimized for freight rather than passenger rail. Our freight rail captures a surprising amount of the market share, and in busier places they upgrade line speeds as needed to handle the traffic. For most of the country the small amount of passenger traffic doesn't justify it.

[@ronclark9724]

The freight railroads have NO intentions of upgrading their tracks and signals for HSR. Ever... They are happy going the speeds they are presently...

[@ellenfalls1330]

Slept comfortably in coach NYC to NOLA in 1995. Now aged 67, the sleeping would be less comfortable. I am 5'1". A tall gentleman In remember played cards in the cafe car all night. Luckily Amtrak sells the cards! 😂

[@orsonbear9627]

We did the Starlight in May 14 from Oakland to Santa Barbara. It was a very comfortable and scenic experience......... and the food was not as bad as it seems nowadays.

[@NozomuYume]

The cafe car food is basically gas station food. I don't think it's revolting, but it's not great either. The dining car food on the other hand is quite good (they went back to fresh-cooked meals instead of the microwave ones they had during pandemic). Unfortunately for now it's off-limits to coach class.

[@skullgeezer7174]

Amazing content, amazing quality, detailed reviews, best trip reporter!

[@christopherfox735]

Wonderful video. Really well done.