Question about the Coast Starlight

CTBob · Oct 23, 2024

We're looking at possibly taking the Coast Starlight one-way between Seattle and LAX at the end of January. It doesn't matter which way, so what direction will have the better scenery during the short winter daylight hours? I wish I could take all my trips in late June when the days are longest but sadly that's not possible. Also, which side of the train is better, the windows facing the east or the west? Thanks!

Cal H · Oct 23, 2024

I’v only rode the LAX to Oakland. I would want to ride this section northbound and sitting on the west side for the views.
Headed northbound you would definitely get the best ocean view during daylight hours, headed south you might miss out on a lot of it.
The CS has an observation car so if you plan to stay in there for a lot of the trip I wouldn’t worry too much about an assigned seat on either side.
Enjoy the trip, it’s beautiful!

CTBob · Oct 23, 2024

We're looking at a sleeper, so it's good to plan which side of the train would be best for scenery. I will definitely spend time in the observation car, but having a roomette is good for relaxing too. So when I call to make the reservation, I'll ask for the preferred side.

TinCan782 · Oct 23, 2024

For the southern portion of the route, especially SLO to OXN, I would recommend the west facing windows. For the northern portion through the Cascades I would recommend the east facing windows. Depending on the timing of the train, it is likely you would be able to see Mt. Shasta on the east about sunrise. BTW, I once was able to see Mt Shasta in the light of a full moon while heading south.
Check the timetable to see scheduled times and compare to sunrise and sunset times for those areas.
Overall, northbound would probably be better in terms of daylight.

Bob Dylan · Oct 23, 2024

I recommend taking the NB Starlight from LAX since you'll have the Coast around Santa Barbara, and the Horseshoe Curve as you go into the Mountains in daylight.

Also from Mt Shasta in N California to Portland will be in Daylight if the Train is running close to on time!

TinCan782 · Oct 23, 2024

CTBob said:
We're looking at a sleeper, so it's good to plan which side of the train would be best for scenery. I will definitely spend time in the observation car, but having a roomette is good for relaxing too. So when I call to make the reservation, I'll ask for the preferred side.

There is no (reliable) way to predict which side of the train a room/roomette will be on. The cars (except for the transistion sleeper beind the baggage car) may be oriented in either direction at the will of the yard crews when the train is made ready for departure. An Amtrak agent will not know this and will not be able to accomodate such a request.

zephyr17 · Oct 23, 2024

1. Northbound, you get crossing the Cascades between Chemult and Eugene mid morning rather than at dusk. You also are guaranteed the coastal running between very roughly Oxnard and San Luis Obispo in the daylight. If the southbound train is significantly delayed some or all of that can be after dark.
2. Northbound, the left side relative to the direction of travel has the ocean views, though it is facing into the hillside through much (though not all) of the Cascades. However, that information is of little use in a sleeper. Sleepers can and do run either end forward so the side a given room is on cannot be predicted. If you absolutely have your heart set on a side, try to reserve a roomette in the transdorm, which I am fairly sure, though not positive, runs in the 40 car line on the Starlight. Those have to run low level transition end forward. Odd numbered roomettes will be on the left.

Asher · Oct 23, 2024

CTBob said:
We're looking at possibly taking the Coast Starlight one-way between Seattle and LAX at the end of January. It doesn't matter which way, so what direction will have the better scenery during the short winter daylight hours? I wish I could take all my trips in late June when the days are longest but sadly that's not possible. Also, which side of the train is better, the windows facing the east or the west? Thanks!

Every trip there is something to see. Book and enjoy. Tell us all about it.

oregon pioneer · Oct 23, 2024

I second all the comments about northbound direction, and left side for the ocean. If your luck does not run to a roomette on the left, you can head for the sightseer lounge for the views. I travel almost exclusively in winter, and Zephyr17 is right on about the timing of daylight stretches being best.

I don't at all mind a roomette on the right, though, because then I can just roll over and peek out the window curtain as soon as it's light out to see Mt. Shasta. Do try for a full moon, or just after the full moon, so the moon will be big and high in the morning. If you are lucky, it will also be a clear night (iffy at the end of January). If you are on-time, you will pass the closest views in the dark. As it gets light, take every opportunity to look backwards along the right side of the train, to see if you can catch the mountain. You can definitely see Mt Shasta from the station stop in Klamath Falls by exiting the train and looking south. By the time the train gets there, it is always light out.

Calendar note: unfortunately, the timing of the full moons in January and February are not good, so that isn't going to be a factor for you.

west point · Oct 23, 2024

Being on the west side southbound into LAX means sun near horizon will make viewing difficult.

oregon pioneer · Oct 24, 2024

west point said:
Being on the west side southbound into LAX means sun near horizon will make viewing difficult.

In winter it may be dark shortly south of SLO, so most of the coast running views are lost on the southbound train. Same with Cascade views. Why most are recommending northbound.

Northwestern · Oct 24, 2024

I definitely agree, for the reasons given in this thread, that the northbound Starlight offers the most scenic views. However, I do remember some wonderful views of sunset when the southbound train approached Klamath Lake,

Too bad the Shasta Daylight wasn't still around. Good photo ops for Mt. Shasta during daylight. If the Shasta Daylight were to return, I guess it would have to take the natron cutoff as does the Starlight. And, if they didn't change the old schedule, the northbound train got into Portland very late, after 11 PM.

Willbridge · Oct 25, 2024

Northwestern said:
I definitely agree, for the reasons given in this thread, that the northbound Starlight offers the most scenic views. However, I do remember some wonderful views of sunset when the southbound train approached Klamath Lake,

Too bad the Shasta Daylight wasn't still around. Good photo ops for Mt. Shasta during daylight. If the Shasta Daylight were to return, I guess it would have to take the natron cutoff as does the Starlight. And, if they didn't change the old schedule, the northbound train got into Portland very late, after 11 PM.

In the summer of 1966 SP10 was due in Portland at 12:30 a.m. The Pacific Greyhound bus connection from Train 9 was due to arrive in San Francisco (at 3rd Street!) at 12:20 a.m. Amazingly, when I rode it we arrived in Portland on time and I was able to run through Union Station to catch the outbound Broadway bus that left the downtown meet at 12:32 a.m. That arrival time missed most other last trips, making cab rides or a wait for the arcane 1:32 a.m. Owl trips. It also had no immediate connections in Portland.

Here's Mt. Shasta in 1967 when Train 12 was running late (today's Amtrak 14).

Devil's Advocate · Oct 25, 2024

The Coast Starlight is my favorite route. A couple other routes may have higher highs but they also have lower lows. The consistent scenic beauty means both sides and both directions of the CS are enjoyable for me. I don't think you can go wrong and if you feel like you're missing out head to the lounge.

Pour one out for Anderson's liquidation of the PPC fleet.

Northwestern · Oct 25, 2024

https://is.gd/3YDyLK

When Amtrak relaunched the CS Pacific Parlor car, from 2006-2009, the overall Starlight ridership increased 15%. I never believed Amtrak's excuse for eliminating the Parlor Car. I wish they would give it another try.

CTBob · Oct 26, 2024

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. We just booked a roomette for the LAX-SEA route for Jan. 28th. We managed to get the free companion fare that Amtrak is offering, so it's $506 total for the two of us. We'd prefer going in summer, but we already have a bunch of trips planned for next year. Thanks again!

CTBob · Oct 26, 2024

Northwestern said:
https://is.gd/3YDyLK

When Amtrak relaunched the CS Pacific Parlor car, from 2006-2009, the overall Starlight ridership increased 15%. I never believed Amtrak's excuse for eliminating the Parlor Car. I wish they would give it another try.

Yeah, one of my regrets is not booking the CS and experiencing the Parlor Car when it was running. We love those old-timey railroad experiences, and this would have been an amazing trip. Oh well, we love Amtrak anyway, and there's also some great train journeys outside of the Amtrak system.

Sunrobber · Oct 27, 2024

CTBob said:
We're looking at possibly taking the Coast Starlight one-way between Seattle and LAX at the end of January. It doesn't matter which way, so what direction will have the better scenery during the short winter daylight hours? I wish I could take all my trips in late June when the days are longest but sadly that's not possible. Also, which side of the train is better, the windows facing the east or the west? Thanks!

We did it for Thanksgiving last year. Oceanviews are a must on the west side, going north. After that, views may be equal for either side.

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