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I'm sorry for the problem. @PaunchyPirate was able to get it by turning adblocker off. Sfgate usually doesn't block articles. I believe it's supposed to be a truncated freebie version. Instead of clicking the above link, try this: Go to Sfgate.com Search Carl Nolte (upper right corner) Scroll...

Thanks for the tip. The SF Chronicle has a subsidiary website called SFGATE. Most of its main stories also appear there. That's where the second link comes from. All that said, Nolte's article isn't particularly insightful for AU readers, but if it appeals to newbies, that's a good thing. It...

I think (hope?) this link will work. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/nativeson/article/The-Coast-Starlight-is-a-cruise-on-rails-and-the-17250543.php?cmpid=gsa-sfgate-result

Oops! Sorry about that. I tested it before posting it and it worked for me, but now I realize that's because I do have an account. I will try to find an alternative version a little later this afternoon after I return home.

This story, by a long-time columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle, appeared in today's Sunday edition. I always enjoy Carl Nolte's stories. (I didn't ask The Chronicle's permission to post this, but I hope they won't mind the national exposure.)...

Perhaps IDs? But then why the word "to?" Typo? I'm sorry, but M. Poirot is stumped on this one. :)

I don't have numbers, but I suspect there are many more level crossings (therefore more blasts) on the CL than on the western portions of the EB.

You might try Amtrak Vacations on the phone. I'm not sure; they maybe offer only fixed itineraries. But it might be worth a call to see if they can have one of their agents build an itinerary of your choice. My understanding is they do this for trains around the world...

Maybe not alone, but all one has to do is ask a store or some other vendor to change the $20. And it will be automatic if you make a small purchase. I don't think I'd be comfortable asking an American in Boston or Seattle to accept $CDN as a tip. The burden it imposes might be more than the...

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do," has always been a fail-safe rule when traveling. Even if you're going to be in Canada for only the length of a train trip, IMO you should go to an ATM and withdraw adequate Canadian cash to pay your Canadian tips. "But what will I then do with any leftover...

It's not clear to me what risk(s) you want to cover. Missed connection at Port Authority? Need for additional overnight accommodation? Forfeiture of prepaid hotel and other costs? Medical costs in event of a mugging or other medical emergency? Lost/delayed baggage? etc. If you have Medicare...

I also suggest you check your home owners or rental insurance policy to see if a claim is worthwhile. Also your credit card coverages and your mobile provider to see how they might help you with a low cost replacement. Check with the person who gave you the phone to ascertain the terms of its...

Not exactly on topic, but my SCA on my recent #1 trip that was unexpectedly terminated at El Paso saved my bacon by checking my roomette closet and finding I had left my jacket when de-boarding. I do hope the OP gets her iPhone back.

AGR hasn't been too bad lately, at least for me. I use the callback feature and select "It's something else."

Good question. If the original email with the ticket attachment is one of those "Do not reply to this automated emails," perhaps Amtrak will never know it has bounced. And if the mistyped email address is nevertheless a valid one, maybe somebody is sitting around with an unwanted ticket (s)he...

Thanks. I guess that sums it up pretty succinctly (and humorously). Especially if the agents' UI is no more comprehensive than the customers'. Which begs the question: Why not hire a few IT guys with airline reservation systems experience to modernize Amtrak's? I guess we all know the answer to...

Just curious. Will Amtrak or AGR phone agents help you search for the best fare/date?

I'm afraid this is not always true, although it should be. I could not find the SL/CS portions of my circle trip. The AGR person saw them, but I couldn't. She explained that if the original reservation is manually changed by an agent, as it had been in my case, it will no longer show up in "My...

A heartwarming gesture on a magnificent piece of architecture.

If you haven't already done so, I suggest you check your credit/debit card or bank statement to be sure you were actually charged. You probably were, but there might be a small chance that the purchase never went through and you weren't issued a ticket.