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In planning a summer trip today between San Luis Obispo CA and East Glacier National Park, the Amtrak website would not allow a same-day connection from the northbound Coast Starlight to the eastbound Empire Builder in Portland. This is a connection we have used several times in the past. Is...

I was in San Luis Obispo yesterday and stopped by the depot where I spoke with an Amtrak agent. He has not seen any photos so could not explain the extent of the damage, but he said a bridge was out hear Lompoc/Surf. Union Pacific will repair it but he did not know how much time it would take...

Maybe it was a maintenance of way train. There are not a lot of freights that move along this line nowadays, so something different stands out.

I live in Paso Robles, Calif., in a house about one mile from the tracks. I heard what I thought was the horn of the Coast Starlight around 8 a.m. Is that the Starlight that was due here yesterday afternoon and is now some 18 hours late? If so, does anyone know what happened?

These are all great responses that provide lots of ideas. Thanks much -- keep them coming!

I forgot to list that we have been to the Isaac Walton Inn. You're right, it's a great rustic winter destination. I'll correct my original message.

My wife and I are planning to vacation on Amtrak this winter to a destination we do not yet know -- but I'm open to suggestions! We're not skiers, so that's not a concern. We're looking for a historic hotel of some type in the west or mid-west that would be a great winter destination, such as...

Amtrak recently changed access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Los Angeles to not allow Surfliner business class passengers. But what about business class passengers aboard the Coast Starlight -- can they use the lounge? Please reply if you know, for I will be traveling soon! Much appreciated ....

All the input is truly appreciated! I have traveled quite a bit by Amtrak over the years and take it whenever I can. The first long distance train I ever went on was as an 11-year-old -- my father took my brother and me on the San Francisco Chief. That led to a lifetime of passenger train riding.

I am planning to take the train to Los Angeles the day before cruise departure and spend the night in a hotel, either in nearby to the station Little Tokyo or in San Pedro. I've heard too many horror stories about people having trouble making connections.

I live in Northern California and am traveling to Los Angeles in late September to take a cruise leaving from San Pedro, which is about 30 miles from the downtown LA Amtrak station. What is the best way to get from the station to the cruise terminal? Amtrak used to offer a bus connection...

Hi, my wife and I lived in Yuma for 26 years and we relocated to California only six months ago. We traveled in and out of Yuma many times from the local station (at least the remainder of the historic depot), going mostly to and from Los Angeles to connect with other trains. Too bad we didn't...

Across the street from the train depot in Centralia is the McMenamin's Olympic Club hotel/bar/restaurant which is a nice place to linger for a meal, have a cool beer or stay overnight. It's a historic building that has been renovated and is a nice place. I stayed there twice. McMenamin's owns...

My wife and I are considering traveling overnight business class on the Coast Starlight. My understanding is that we will be able to eat in the dining car. Can we count on this or is it possible it will not be allowed? We are looking at having a dinner and breakfast there. Does anyone know...

The policy may have changed, as you mentioned, so don't take what I said as gospel truth. It would make for a much better travel experience if they would drop you off and later pick you up at a hotel.

My wife and I rode the shuttle between Lamy and Santa Fe this past October, and the driver refused to drop us off in Santa Fe other than at the Railrunner Station in town. He would not drop-off passengers at ANY local hotel, no matter how close. I later called Amtrak customer service and they...

I never cared much for Amfleet cars -- small windows and seats that don't recline enough. They are okay on short distance routes, but Amtrak has also used them on long distance trains. That's where I really dislike them. A short distance car used on a long distance train equals nothing more...

The Coast Starlight is a very scenic, great trip. Going northbound, you'll travel astride the Pacific Ocean for over 100 miles, wake up the following morning near majestic Mt. Shasta and travel through mountains in Oregon. You really can't beat the scenic sights along the way. I highly...

My wife and I are making a last minute Amtrak trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, taking the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles and using the shuttle between Lamy and Santa Fe. Does anyone have recommendations regarding where to stay in downtown Santa Fe that is served by the shuttle? My first choice...

If we were on the same trains it would be fun to meet!