In the consist you can see Amtrak’s newly purchased Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives (the second and third locomotives), which may mean the sight of long-distance trains led by two P42DCs will gradually fade from view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzazDmEoLtw
Introduction
This article covers one part of Chestnut’s 2014 Christmas trip. Back then, Chestnut first flew Southwest from CAK to LAX; then flew Hawaiian’s A330-200 economy class from LAX to HNL (during which Chestnut’s RP somehow caused the A330-200 cabin door not to close, forcing a flight change); next came Hawaiian Airlines A330-200 angled-flat business class from HNL to SEA; and for the SEA to LAX segment, we chose to travel south along the West Coast on Amtrak Train 11, the Coast Starlight. Finally, Chestnut flew United from LAX back to CAK. The whole trip took about two weeks.
Next, let’s focus on the Amtrak train journey from SEA to LAX!
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak’s long-distance trains on the U.S. West Coast. It runs daily, as Train 14 northbound and Train 11 southbound. Along the way it passes through Washington, Oregon, and California. According to official Amtrak data, the route covers 1377 Miles and takes about 36 hours.
https://www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train
Award Ticket Redemption
We booked this trip using Amtrak Guest Rewards points. At the time, awards were still priced by Zone, and since the Coast Starlight did not cross Zones on this itinerary (it stayed entirely within the West Zone), a Roomette for two on this train cost only 15,000 points.
After the program changed its redemption system, valuing points at roughly three cents each, the same redemption would now require a bit over 17,000 points (not too bad—the devaluation wasn’t especially severe).
The Journey
Seattle on New Year’s Day 2015 was sunny. In the morning, we left the HI Hostel, and after crossing a few streets we arrived at King Street Station (top left photo).
After entering the station, we found a Vending Machine and printed two boarding passes as souvenirs (top right photo), then sat down to wait for boarding (bottom left photo).
Before long, boarding began (bottom right photo), with coach and sleeping-car passengers lined up separately.
Once on the platform, we first took photos of our train, led by two P42DCs (bottom right photo). In the consist, the Parlour Car—noticeably shorter than the other cars (second car from the right in the left photo)—was a distinctive feature of the Coast Starlight (top photo), and I’ll cover it in more detail later.
This time, Chestnut’s room was on the upper level, and there was a Coast Starlight poster displayed inside the car (photo below).
Not long after departure, we passed the Boeing Museum.
Boarding was at 9:30, and before long it was already lunchtime. Since we redeemed a sleeping-car ticket, all three meals were included for free (though tips were still expected), so when mealtime came, off we went to eat.
Dining on the Coast Starlight could be in either the dining car or the Parlour Car. However, by the time the attendant came to ask us, the Parlour Car for the first day’s lunch was already fully booked, so we had to go to the dining car instead.
The dining car also served as the divider between coach and sleeping cars. Near the sleeping-car end there was a sign forbidding coach passengers from entering the sleeper section—just like the rules on trains in China (top right photo).
During lunch, the train stopped in Portland. Since the stop here was fairly long, we could get off, walk around a bit to digest, and take some photos of the train.
After leaving Portland, the next two stops were Salem, the capital of Oregon, and Albany.
At dusk, the train arrived in Eugene-Springfield, OR.
In the left photo you can see the two P42DC locomotives; in the right photo you can clearly see that the Parlour Car is noticeably shorter than the other cars.
Back on board, it was time for dinner. We had reserved the Parlour Car for dinner (top right and middle left). The food there was clearly a step up. After the salad (middle right), Chestnut chose the lamb chops (bottom right), while his girlfriend picked the roast chicken (bottom left).
Snowy mountains in Oregon under the moonlight (top left). Walking through the dining car (top right) and the coach car (bottom left), we made our way to the rear of the train for a few photos (bottom right).
At 10 p.m., the train arrived in Klamath Falls, OR, the last stop within Oregon.
Not long after returning to the room, we fell asleep. At 2:30 a.m., the train stopped in Redding, CA.
PS: A later story—three years afterward, Chestnut interviewed at Shasta College here, but didn’t Pass... This was probably Chestnut’s only real connection with Redding station.
The next morning, I was awakened by a burst of strong sunlight. Stepping off the train, I realized we had already reached Sacramento, the capital of California. Here the train made a long stop to take on water (right photo) to ensure the bathrooms had sufficient water.
Not long after leaving Sacramento, we entered the Bay Area.
The first stop, of course, was Emeryville, CA, which is also the terminus of the California Zephyr.
Breakfast time—time to feed our stomachs.
The Bay Area’s second stop: Jack London Square - Oakland.
The Bay Area’s third stop: San Jose!
The first stop after leaving the Bay Area was Salinas, CA. Poor little station—this is probably the only train pair it sees each day.
I didn’t realize until this ride that there is actually oil production in California (left photo).
At lunchtime, I ordered a burger (right photo).
We went into the Sightseer Lounge to enjoy the scenery.
After San Luis Obispo, CA and until Oxnard, CA, the Coast Starlight runs along the coast for an extended stretch.
Only during this part of the trip does the train truly live up to its name—the Coast Starlight.
For the final meal, I ordered Cat Fish!
At 8:20 p.m., the train arrived in Oxnard, CA (top left and top right photos).
Looking up at Orion in the night sky over Moorpark (bottom left photo), the train arrived in Sim Valley (bottom right photo).
Postscript: Three and a half years later, the stretch between Oxnard and Sim Valley had become incredibly familiar to Chestnut...
Finally, the train arrived at Los Angeles Union Station more than an hour late, bringing Chestnut’s 2015 grand rail journey to an end. This was also Chestnut’s only long-distance rail trip of 2015.
Conclusion
As always, I’ll end with the banner text from the Train board on Nanjing University’s Lily BBS:
We train fans ride toward distant places, with the rails pointing us in the direction ahead.
Along these parallel lines that never meet—we have crossed mountains and rivers; we have passed through every station, airport, and harbor in the world...
Perhaps one day, we will stop all this restless traveling. And when that day comes, we will truly be old...
Related Articles
For more of Chestnut’s rail trip reports, see:
For ways to earn Amtrak points, you can also refer to: