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I am deeply saddened by this. I first rode the Coast Starlight 47 years ago, in coach, at Christmas time. I have been on it a dozen times since then, always in a Bedroom--it was an extravagant treat for my first wife and me. It has always been a place where I found joy and beauty...

I just realized that I had a comment pertinent to trains in Costa Rica. When we moved to Maui in 1967, the Kahului Railroad had just shut down its last stretch of track. Two diesel locomotives (I think they were Plymouths) were sitting by the Harbor. (The Kahului Railroad was the only...

There have been a few trip reports about the San Juan Islands and Mount Vernon area lately, and I would like to recommend a hotel in that area. While there a several chain and independent motels close to the station, we like to stay at the Channel Lodge in La Conner, about twenty minutes from...

Those who have said this was useful I suspect are referring to regional trains rather than long-distance trains. As one commented, I don't think it applies to sleepers. My decision whether or not to buy a sleeper room is mainly based on price, although I try to book early to get best room...

What did it really mean anyway? I rode in coach on the Empire Builder from Seattle to Shelby, and the train was shown as 80% full. Every seat was occupied between Everett and Leavenworth, but after Spokane in the Seattle coach there were two seats for everyone with seats to spare. Sleepers on...

Amtrak's Empire Builder is a great train, and a Bedroom in a Superliner is a very fine accommodation. If you were considering Prestige class, perhaps consider booking two Bedrooms (to join and form a suite) on Amtrak. This would be a preferable sleeping arrangement over a Prestige cabin for me...

I love the Capitol Limited, and understand your "sleeper or snap" condition! With no leaves on the trees, there's great views of the (let's see if I can spell this) Youghiogheny River.

My orientation relative to the direction of travel does not have as much influence on my sleep as does the width of the bed. I vastly prefer the full-foot-wider lower berth in a Bedroom over the narrow berths in a Roomette. I convinced my chiropractor to take a cross-country trip, and they had...

For a while (mid 2000's ?), Amtrak had two dining cars on the Empire Builder.

I sometimes wonder how rails that appear smooth can possibly be so bumpy. I'm glad you had a good trip, and appreciated the report.

I am enjoying coming along with you for the journey!

Thank you for the detailed and interesting report!

The seat assignment procedure was abandoned shortly before COVID. You may request assistance for early boarding based on your age.

One alternative is the Family Bedroom, which has (small) windows on both sides. I think I'd probably head for the lounge car if I were dead set on seeing the ocean and my room was on the wrong side.

You won't know until the train pulls into the station! The sleepers can be oriented in either direction.

The time I had a connection from the Coast Starlight to the Texas Eagle, the Starlight was delayed between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, and we were too late for any possible bus connection. Fortunately, I had planned my trip with a hotel waiting and a reservation on the Eagle the next day.

When I rode the Broadway Limited in 1994 from Chicago to Greensburg, we had the equivalent of Flex Dining. Amtrak has a long history of trying to shed dining service.

I also paid an Uber driver cash in Emeryville for an off-the-books trip. Our taxi was delayed, and we had just seen the Uber driver unload a respectable-looking family at the hotel. He was driving a Mercedes, and looked trustworthy. Our taxi from San Francisco to Emeryville was leaking fumes...

There was another Washington State Ferry incident in April, when a vessel lost power and ran aground. It has been attributed to an engineer who primed a fuel pump with water, allowing water into the fuel tanks and permitting microbial growth causing sludge. It should be noted that the crew...

I have decided to never again ride a taxi. I am going to join Uber. I recently traveled to Portland, Oregon, and took the train from and to Seattle. From home, I take a ferry to Anacortes, then catch a Bellair bus to SeaTac Airport, and then must get from SeaTac to the Amtrak station. I...