Coast Starlight article

[Debbie]

Here's a great article on a couple's LA to Seattle trip on the Coast Starlight:

http://boingboing.net/2014/06/15/36-hours-to-seattle-taking-th.html

 

[Ryan]

The majority of these entertainment options took place in the Pacific Parlour Car, “one of Amtrak’s most prized assets.” This car, originally developed in the 1950s for Amtrak’s El Capitan route between Los Angeles and Chicago,

Apparently they can also travel in time or something.

Minor technical quibbles aside, nice article. Someone should send her writing about the wine and cheese tasting to the guys at 60 Mass Ave.

 

[bobnjulie]

Not eating in the Parlour Car? Not able to sleep on a train? Worried about cell coverage and wifi.... Not able to stand in a roomette?

Maybe not train people... although it sounds like they got the last of the wine and cheese tastings...

 

[SarahZ]

To be fair, it was their first trip, and the entire article had a positive note to it. I'm a "train person", and I often talk about how I can't stand in the roomette when the door is shut. (I mean I CAN, but it's tricky and uncomfortable - I've hit my head on the upper bunk when the train is swaying.) Noting the negatives doesn't mean they aren't "train people".

Also, I don't judge when it comes to cell coverage and wi-fi. It's exciting to be able to share photos with friends and family while you travel, not to mention keeping in touch to let people know where you are. As the author notes, it's akin to writing a postcard or letter back in the day. Many of my friends look forward to my check-ins along the way and are jealous of the sights I get to see. My Facebook check-ins have prompted several of my friends to plan Amtrak vacations.

 

[oregon pioneer]

I liked it. Yes, she was talking about amenities they don't have any more. Yes, the folks on that particular train never did learn how to deal with the funky internet connection (lost every time you are out of range of a cell tower, and you need to ask the Parlour Car attendant to re-boot when you know you *should* have it and you don't). But the romance and excitement and adventure (plus the instant friends) are there.

Anyone reading it should know that it's one person's experience, not a prediction of what the next person will find.

 

[brentrain17]

well written, nice arm chair travel

 

[trainman74]

Maybe not train people... although it sounds like they got the last of the wine and cheese tastings...

Pretty sure the trip being written about took place in August of 2013, since it refers to the couple attending PAX soon after arriving in Seattle (that convention takes place at the end of August/beginning of September).

 

[SarahZ]

Maybe not train people... although it sounds like they got the last of the wine and cheese tastings...

Pretty sure the trip being written about took place in August of 2013, since it refers to the couple attending PAX soon after arriving in Seattle (that convention takes place at the end of August/beginning of September).

Yup. Day One of the article is August 27.