Train from Galesburg to Los Angeles questions

[Gingee]

Taking the train from Galesburg, Illinois to Los Angeles in May. Few questions.

What station does the train come into in Los Angeles? Thinking of staying in Hollywood (downtown-not sure). Want to also not be far from the San Pedro port. Never been here before so any experiences will be a help.

Do we go through Las Vegas on the train?

Any crazy train curves or drops on the way? Anything scary I guess I should say.

How is the condition of this train? Are they on time most of the time?

For now we just have a roommette sleeper. I think in car three room 6?

Any experiences? Thanks

 

[JayPea]

The train does go through Las Vegas: Las Vegas, New Mexico, that is :lol: And there are some very impressive S curves, about 30-45 minutes out of Las Vegas toward Los Angeles that are (to me, anyway) by no means scary but rather dramatic as you can see, depending on where you're sitting, the most if not all the entire train on them.

 

[GG-1]

Taking the train from Galesburg, Illinois to Los Angeles in May. Few questions.
What station does the train come into in Los Angeles? Thinking of staying in Hollywood (downtown-not sure). Want to also not be far from the San Pedro port. Never been here before so any experiences will be a help.

There is only 1, Los Angeles Union Station. It is too long since I lived there to give directional advice. If no one else helps I could call my Daughter and ask her.

Do we go through Las Vegas on the train?

Not the Famous Glitzy one.

Any crazy train curves or drops on the way? Anything scary I guess I should say.

Not that I remember.

How is the condition of this train? Are they on time most of the time?

This is probably the best at on time performance. I feel each time I have ridden it was keep in good condition. (We are talking about the South West Chief, correct?

For now we just have a roomette sleeper. I think in car three room 6?
Any experiences? Thanks

 

[a few answers]

Taking the train from Galesburg, Illinois to Los Angeles in May. Few questions.
What station does the train come into in Los Angeles? Thinking of staying in Hollywood (downtown-not sure). Want to also not be far from the San Pedro port. Never been here before so any experiences will be a help.

Do we go through Las Vegas on the train?

Any crazy train curves or drops on the way? Anything scary I guess I should say.

How is the condition of this train? Are they on time most of the time?

For now we just have a roommette sleeper. I think in car three room 6?

Any experiences? Thanks

1. You arrive at Los Angeles Union Station, just east of downtown Los Angeles.

From the station to Hollywood, you can take the Red Line subway, about 18 minutes. Has stops all along Hollywood Blvd. The website is metro.net

2. From downtown to San Pedro, you could take the Blue Line subway (it connects with the Red Line in downtown at 7th St. Metro Center station). There are also freeway buses from LA Union Station to San Pedro. Again go on the metro.net site.

3. No you do not go through Las Vegas, Nevada. You do, however, go through Las Vegas, New Mexico. They are quite different.

4. Nothing scary along the way. You will see beautiful scenery of the Amereican southwest.

I'll leave the other answers to those more experienced with Amtrak equipment and operational issues.

Have a great trip!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Taking the train from Galesburg, Illinois to Los Angeles in May. Few questions.
What station does the train come into in Los Angeles? Thinking of staying in Hollywood (downtown-not sure). Want to also not be far from the San Pedro port. Never been here before so any experiences will be a help.

Do we go through Las Vegas on the train?

Any crazy train curves or drops on the way? Anything scary I guess I should say.

How is the condition of this train? Are they on time most of the time?

For now we just have a roommette sleeper. I think in car three room 6?

Any experiences? Thanks

The Southwest Chief #3 runs into Los Angeles Union Station, last of the deco/art stations built here (1939). Its a very beautiful place,Spanish-Mission Style

with gardens on both sides,fountains and palm tress outside. It is located across the street from the first sight of LA, Spanish village with a tourist market and a nice church and old time replica of a Spanish Style Villa to visit. China town is a couple of blocks away also, as is the Metro Plaza Hotel where lots of train buffs stay. (Across the street from the front of the station). Phillipes, the famous breakfast and French Dip sandwich joint is located here also a couple of blocks away from downtown (turn right when leaving the station).The subways and light rail also run into/out of this station. Downtown is to the left under the freeway next to the station, a few really nice hotels and lots of flop houses and old time hotels that have seen better days. Lots of buildings are being rehabed,made into condos downtown but still lots of street people but also a fascinating garmet district and mexican market here.You can google up lots of info on hotels/downtown etc.There are lots of new interesting buildings down here too, a very diverse culture for sure!

As to Hollywood, the Redline subway will take you there from Union Station (if you don't have lots of luggage). Plenty of pricey hotels there for sure! Lots of junky places on Hollywood Blvd. (it's seen better days for sure). Plenty of tours, traffic is horrible, cabs are plentiful but expensive when stuck in gridlock traffic. Id say stay downtown/tour Hollywood on day trips or with tours.Dont go on Hollywood Blvd. @ night!

The SWC is a Superliner (two level train) with a great on-time record, really first rate staff and a very interesting trip through New Mexico/Colorado

(Raton Pass divides the two).Roomette six is in the middle of the car, may be on the left or right dep[ending how the car is hooked up, the Sleeping Car Attendant has Room #1 by the stairs, coffee/juice kisok so your well situated. (The shower is downstairs,also 3 bathrooms as well as the family room and the Handicap bedroom and 4 roomettes (#11-#14), Upstairs has 10 roomettes and 5 Bedrooms (A-E). You will be within two cars of the diner depending on which sleeper you are in (0330-0331 I believe are the two sleepers plus the crew sleeper/transdorm.All the snow should be melted by then and everything green and the rivers and streams running (there still will be snow caps on the high mountains),a really pretty trip. Also the redrocks and canyons in New Mexico are great, the stops in Arizona are @ night, California is mostly desert once you get outside LA, the run through Kansas is very rough due to bad tracks, pretty flat, crossing the Rivers on the way to CHI is pretty much it across Iowa and Illinois. Hope this helps. Lots of info here and other places on this trip.

 

[zephyr17]

Taking the train from Galesburg, Illinois to Los Angeles in May. Few questions.
What station does the train come into in Los Angeles? Thinking of staying in Hollywood (downtown-not sure). Want to also not be far from the San Pedro port. Never been here before so any experiences will be a help.

Los Angeles Union Station is at 800 N. Alameda Street, just north of downtown LA. It is the only "Los Angeles" station, although there are other stations in Southern California. It is about 25 miles from San Pedro. Hollywood is northwest of downtown LA and even further from San Pedro. There is an Amtrak Thruway bus that will take you to San Pedro. This is a streetside bus stop and not a manned station. It is the cheapest way to get to San Pedro, aside from Metro buses, and the connection is guaranteed. If you want to do this, you MUST be ticketed through to "station" SPD, not LAX. Amtrak cannot sell you a ticket on their Thruway bus without a rail segment on the same reservation. It is only about $5 a person more.

Do we go through Las Vegas on the train?

You go through Las Vegas, NEW MEXICO. A small town. It isn't the Las Vegas you are probably thinking of.

Any crazy train curves or drops on the way? Anything scary I guess I should say.

It's a train, not a roller coaster.

How is the condition of this train? Are they on time most of the time?

BNSF handles the train very well. It has one of the best on time records of any long distance train. The train is likely to be 30-60 minutes early into LA. As to the condition of the train, well, its Amtrak. My Amtrak travel kit always includes duct tape (tape curtains with worn velcro shut, taping a closet door with a broken latch closed, etc), a Swiss Army knife and a penlight flashlight (there are surprising number of crannies small stuff can fall into in those little roomettes).

For now we just have a roommette sleeper. I think in car three room 6?

"Three" is not a normal car line number, although it is the train number. Your sleeper will probably be either "30" (0330) or "31" (0331) car. The 30 is closest to the diner, the 31 is one car away. Roomette 6 is about 1/2 back on the "roomette" end of the sleeper and is good room, about halfway between the upstairs toilet (traffic, door opening and closing) and the end of the car (slightly rougher ride past the trucks, end door opening and closing). There is no way to predict which side you'll be on, because the cars can be set up either direction in the consist.

Any experiences? Thanks

The Southwest Chief is one of my favorite trains. The scenery through Colorado and northern New Mexico (Raton and Glorietta Passes) is great, although not as dramatic as the CZ. The first night on the secondary main through Kansas past Newton is kind of rough. Once you get back on the BNSF Transcon at Dalies, NM (south of Albuquerque) the ride is very smooth and very fast (90 mph in a lot of places).

 

[Gingee]

What is the secondary main? How long does that last since it is sleeping time?

I am not sure if we are on the lower level or upper level. Forgot to ask.

So when do you get the bus to San Pedro and how often does it run since we are due in in the morning? I guess I will have to extend my reservation if we decide to do this.

If we go and stay in San Pedro, what would be the easiest way to get to the Hollywood attractions? I have just bought a little book last night but you guys are giving me great ideas so far.

We just have Saturday when we get there to see things and then the following Sunday when we get off a cruise and Monday before the train leaves that afternoon.

Thanks

 

[Gingee]

Oh yes it is Southwest Chief train.

 

[zephyr17]

Oh yes it is Southwest Chief train.

A secondary main is one that is an alternative route for the host railroad, sees less traffic than a primary route, and is usually not maintained quite as well. So it often is rough riding, although not unsafe, and that is the case here . BNSFs main freight route between about Newton, KS and Dalies,NM is a more southerly route through Amarillo TX. So the track you'll go over the first night after leaving Kansas City is pretty rough riding. It lasts all that night. The good news is the second night out is about as smooth as it gets.

Roomettes 2-10 are on the upper level. 11-14 are on the lower. Attendent has room 1 and that one isn't sold. So you are on the upper level.

The problem with the San Pedro Thruway bus is the first one isn't until 2:50pm. There are a total of 4 in the afternoon and evening. What you could do is not pick up your checked bags (they'll hold it for up to 2 days free)and parcel check your hand luggage ($3/bag) at the baggage room. Then take the Red Line subway out, to Hollywood do your thing, then take the Red Line back to Union Station, claim your bags, and take one of afternoon/evening Thruway buses to San Pedro and stay at a hotel there. The buses are at 2:50, 4:30, 7:00 and 10:10. They leave from the north side of Union Station, right outside the Baggage Room.

You can see the bus schedules in the Pacific Surfliner schedules, http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?b...=Amtrak_W31.pdf

 

[Gingee]

Thanks. So expect a bumpy road? I know the one out of New Orleans was very bumpy also. I usually don't sleep too well on the first night anyhow. Oh well.

By the way, since our train leaves at 6:45 at night, will we have dinner on board or eat ahead of time? Also, since we come in at 8:15 in the morning in LA, will we get breakfast on that day?

 

[zephyr17]

Thanks. So expect a bumpy road? I know the one out of New Orleans was very bumpy also. I usually don't sleep too well on the first night anyhow. Oh well.
By the way, since our train leaves at 6:45 at night, will we have dinner on board or eat ahead of time? Also, since we come in at 8:15 in the morning in LA, will we get breakfast on that day?

If talking about the City of New Orleans to Chicago, yes it is rougher. Don't know about the Crescent. Leaving Galesburg, you should eat on the train. Your car attendent will have gotten a dinner reservation for you.

Breakfast coming onto LA is a very abbreviated service. There is only one sitting, and last call is at Riverside about 6am. I don't eat breakfast on that train coming into LA, but that is up to you. Philippes serves a very good breakfast, as well as their famed French Dips. It is an easy 2 block walk north of Union Station on Alameda.

www.philippes.com

 

[George Harris]

The Southwest Chief is the fastest of the long distance trains, both in average speed and maximum speed limits. Most of the line between just west of Albuquerque and around Barstow CA has a 90 mph speed limit. Most of the rest of it 79 mph. Does not mean that you will not be considrably slower in some areas. For example, Raton and Glorietta passes in northern New Mexico have much lower speed limits. There of numerous other slow areas along the way, so don't expect 90 mph running throughout.

 

[Rumpled]

We just have Saturday when we get there to see things and then the following Sunday when we get off a cruise and Monday before the train leaves that afternoon.
Thanks

You'll get off the cruise mid-day most likely. San Pedro to Hollywood will be about an hour's drive; longer if you are using transit options.

Google shows it as 30 mins up to 1 hour 10 min in traffic. It is getting very rare in SoCal that we do not have traffic.

On the metro website you can look at schedules and use their trip planner to get a feel for how long the trips would be.

Give yourself plenty of time to get around.

 

[gswager]

Thanks. So expect a bumpy road? I know the one out of New Orleans was very bumpy also. I usually don't sleep too well on the first night anyhow. Oh well.

Yes, it's bumpy in Kansas since it's lightly used. Probably mostly for coal trainsets.

By the way, since our train leaves at 6:45 at night, will we have dinner on board or eat ahead of time? Also, since we come in at 8:15 in the morning in LA, will we get breakfast on that day?

Yes, you'll get dinner on board if the train is on time or up to about 1 1/2 hours late.

As for breakfast, you'll get breakfast until about 6 am (or 7 am if you forgot to change the time while in NM or Arizona). Usually the SWC arrives early about an hour if the stations, starting in Barstow or later down the line is on-time.

 

[Gingee]

Is there any hour stops or anything like that along the route? Any "camera" moments?

 

[GG-1]

Is there any hour stops or anything like that along the route? Any "camera" moments?

Aloha

I can't remember any stops that were an hour, but if you look in this gallery you can seethe pictures I hve from the South West Chief. Hope you find them useful.

Eric

 

[zephyr17]

Is there any hour stops or anything like that along the route? Any "camera" moments?

The stop in Albuquerque is long, 50 minutes, and there is "recovery" time (aka, "pad") built into the schedule there, too. If you are on time that day from La Junta on, you may well have as much as 90 minutes in Albuquerque. However, note if the train is running late, they will try to shorten that stop as much as they can (it is a major servicing stop) and get out on time.

Also, given the length of the stop, people have been known to wander away from the station for ice cream, snacks, film, whatever, and don't make it back on time. It won't wait for you.

There are still vendors selling Indian jewelry on the platform, there, too. Towards the south end of the platform.

 

[gswager]

"Kodak" moments are crossing the Mississippi River, mountains (starting after Trinidad, CO if going westbound) and last until Lamy (NM), NM/AZ border (after Gallup, NM), and wherever your eyes tell you to click your camera.

 

[Gingee]

I am still trying to figure out the whole LA transportation and such.

It is always nice to get off for a little while expecially when you are on a two day trip.

 

[gswager]

LA has excellent subway/light rail system which is right at LA Union station. You can go to Hollywood to walk on a Board of Sidewalk, go to downtown LA which is safe to walk in daytime, stop by Phillipe's or Cole's, walk to historical LA which is right across from LA Union Station, etc. So much to see!

Check LA Public Transportation for information.

 

[leemell]

Taking the train from Galesburg, Illinois to Los Angeles in May. Few questions.
What station does the train come into in Los Angeles? Thinking of staying in Hollywood (downtown-not sure). Want to also not be far from the San Pedro port. Never been here before so any experiences will be a help.

Do we go through Las Vegas on the train?

Any crazy train curves or drops on the way? Anything scary I guess I should say.

How is the condition of this train? Are they on time most of the time?

For now we just have a roommette sleeper. I think in car three room 6?

Any experiences? Thanks

1. You arrive at Los Angeles Union Station, just east of downtown Los Angeles.

From the station to Hollywood, you can take the Red Line subway, about 18 minutes. Has stops all along Hollywood Blvd. The website is metro.net

2. From downtown to San Pedro, you could take the Blue Line subway (it connects with the Red Line in downtown at 7th St. Metro Center station). There are also freeway buses from LA Union Station to San Pedro. Again go on the metro.net site.

3. No you do not go through Las Vegas, Nevada. You do, however, go through Las Vegas, New Mexico. They are quite different.

4. Nothing scary along the way. You will see beautiful scenery of the Amereican southwest.

I'll leave the other answers to those more experienced with Amtrak equipment and operational issues.

Have a great trip!

Do NOT take the Blue Line, it goes to Long Beach, NOT San Pedro. There are two harbors, Long Beach and Los Angeles (at San Pedro) with a common outer waterway.

 

[Gingee]

I am still trying to find the airport since my daughter and friend are coming by plane. They don't want to take the train.

Anyway, what is anyone's thinking about the Orchid Suites in Hollywood? It sounds like where the action is but then again it is downtown Hollywood and I have heard that it isn't the best after dark. Of course we can stay in after dark. Just trying to find a central location from San Pedro to Amtrak and Airport (LAX).

 

[zephyr17]

I am still trying to find the airport since my daughter and friend are coming by plane. They don't want to take the train.
Anyway, what is anyone's thinking about the Orchid Suites in Hollywood? It sounds like where the action is but then again it is downtown Hollywood and I have heard that it isn't the best after dark. Of course we can stay in after dark. Just trying to find a central location from San Pedro to Amtrak and Airport (LAX).

In order to meet up, there is the "Flyaway" dedicated airport bus service non-stop between LAX airport and Union Station that runs every 1/2 hour. You could meet up at Union Station, and take the Red Line to Hollyweird.

A little geography. LAX is about 17 miles southwest of downtown LA (Union Station). Hollywood is about 8 miles or so northwest of downtown LA. San Pedro is about 25 miles south of downtown LA, and about 15/20 miles southeast of LAX. Los Angeles/Southern California is a very big place.

There is nothing "central" about Hollywood, except you want to go there. It is kinda, sorta is between downtown and LAX if you don't look really hard. You just have to choose between there and near San Pedro. If you didn't want to go to Hollywood, my recommendation would be just to stay in San Pedro. NONE of these locations (LAX, LA Union Station, San Pedro) are close to each other. Hollywood itself is not that far from Union Station (about 15/20 minutes via Red Line subway)

Since you traveling on the train in both directions, and have a day layover both ways, do you do want to Hollywood both on your way in AND out? BTW, there would no problem catching the Southwest Chief the same day as the cruise gets in, as it doesn't leave until like 6:30 pm.

One way to do it:

Arriving Los Angeles (stay in San Pedro):

Leave bags at Union Station baggage room

Take Red Line to Hollywood for the day

Return to Union Station via Red Line, pick up bags.

Take Amtrak Thruway bus to San Pedro.

Other group takes airport shuttle (SuperShuttle, Prime Time, etc) to hotel in San Pedro.

Meet up at hotel in San Pedro.

Departing Los Angeles (stay in Hollywood):

Take Amtrak Thruway bus to Union Station (Daughter and friend get a ticket to Van Nuys or Fullerton to fulfill the requirement of rail travel. Just don't use the rail ticket). The bus stop is right outside the cruise terminal. Buses leaves at 8:50am and 11:10am. While at Union Station you can check bags, if you want and be rid of them. Amtrak will accept baggage for a couple of days before you leave.

Take the Red Line to Hollyood, check into your hotel.

Next day, daughter and friend take SuperShuttle from Hotel to the airport.

You take Red Line back to Union Station.

Of course the easiest thing to do would be rent a car. It is LA, after all, and those things come in handy there. Then one or the other party picks the other up, LAX or LAUS, goes to Hollywood, whatever. Enterprise has locations in downtown LA and San Pedro, as well as near LAX. Hertz and Budget have counters in Union Station, but I know for a fact that Hertz does not allow one-way rentals from Union Station, and there is not a location in San Pedro (there is one in Lomita, but that is still a few miles from San Pedro port).

PS - once upon a time I lived in Hollywood, 1/2 block north of the Chinese Theater on Orange between Hollywood and Franklin.

 

[GG-1]

PS - once upon a time I lived in Hollywood, 1/2 block north of the Chinese Theater on Orange between Hollywood and Franklin.

Aloha

So did I, 40 some years Ago :huh:

 

[zephyr17]

PS - once upon a time I lived in Hollywood, 1/2 block north of the Chinese Theater on Orange between Hollywood and Franklin.

Aloha

So did I, 40 some years Ago :huh:

Well, we were neighbors except we were separated by 10 years. My stay in Hollywood was "only" 30 years ago. In an apartment building called "The Nirvana" populated by a nice collection of freaks and an indefatigible army of cockroaches...