Coast Starlight Connections

[morgan51]

We are planning a trip from Lincoln NE to Eugene OR in June via the CA Zephyr and connecting to Coast Starlight in Sac. We'll be spending a few days In Eugene before connecting via bus to our next segment in Florence OR for another couple of days' stay, then heading back to Eugene via bus again to return on Coast Starlight.

Any suggestions regarding these connections? They seem to have enough leeway to allow for late trains if need be, but since we are traveling so far, we don't have a lot of room for major lay-overs.

Anyone have suggestions regarding these routes? I haven't traveled on Amtrak for quite a few years!

Thanks

 

[SP&S]

On your way to Eugene you have 10 hours between the arrival of the CZ and when the CS leaves. On the way back it's 4 1/2 hours. Of course anything can happen but I certainly wouldn't loose any sleep worrying about these connections. If anything, I'd be looking into something to do during the ten hour layover - I guarantee the SAC (or any other) station will get kinda old after that long. Eugene's a nice town, enjoy your stay.

 

[morgan51]

Thanks! I appreciate the reply. I am SO looking forward to this trip!

 

[the_traveler]

In SAC, within easy walking distance, is the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM), Old Sacramento and a large mall (with many restaurants)! The CSRM is considered by many (including me) to be the best railroad museum in the country!

Enjoy the trip!

 

[morgan51]

That's great advice! Thank you! Someone else told me the Amtrak station wasn't anywhere near Old Towne, but was in the financial district "downtown," wherever that is. I have an old Sac map somewhere I am going to have to pull out!

 

[the_traveler]

Yes, and no. "Old Town" is around San Diego! In Sacramento, there is an area called "Old Sacramento" - which includes the CSRM. It is an easy less than 1/2 mile walk from the station!

 

[fairviewroad]

Just keep in mind that the CSRM is only open from 10-5. So, assuming an on-time arrival into SAC,

you'll only have a couple of hours to visit on your way to Oregon, and less than an hour on your way home.

It's not really optimal for people connecting between long-distance trains in SAC. But there is plenty to "do"

(i.e. spend money) in Old Sacramento.

If you find this sort of thing interesting, the California capitol building is an easy walk from the station in the

downtown direction. They offer tours, etc. The capitol grounds are a nice place to explore and pass the time.

Lots of trees, etc.

 

[GG-1]

Yes, and no. "Old Town" is around San Diego! In Sacramento, there is an area called "Old Sacramento" - which includes the CSRM. It is an easy less than 1/2 mile walk from the station!

Aloha

The Traveler is correct again :help: ,less than 1/2 mile, the tracks run behind the building and if you walk to the end of the Amtrak SAC Platform the entrance is to your left across a parking lot.

 

[Rail Freak]

That's Great!!!

He said he would transfer 35 K points to me if I win the bet!!!

Thanx 'T-"

 

[the_traveler]

He said he would transfer 35 K points to me if I win the bet!!!

Did I mention my middle name is ME - which I go by sometimes?

 

[LA Resident]

He said he would transfer 35 K points to me if I win the bet!!!

Did I mention my middle name is ME - which I go by sometimes?

I don't think this can be true, as your posts over the years have shown you to be a precise grammarian. Therefore, it would be, "My middle name is I" and you consequently would not be the recipient of any wagering scheme.

Methinks. hboy:

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

Boy is this silliest fun. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: my side hurts, mahalo.

 

[the_traveler]

Did I mention my middle name is ME

Methinks. hboy:

ME thinks you is wrong! (If it involves ME getting free AGR points!

)

 

[steamer]

So is it crazy to continue on to Emeryville and transfer from CZ to the CS there? Looks like only a 5 hour layover instead of 8 hours at Sacramento. I have done the 8 hour wait till 11:40 PM at SAC and it's not fun around about 9 PM!

 

[the_traveler]

Yes. EMY is now a guaranteed connection between the CZ and CS also.

 

[DeAnna Marler]

Hello all -

We're considering Denver to Seattle via CZ and a connection to CS in Sacramento. My question is what to do with your luggage during the 9-hour layover??? We'll have checked and carry-on baggage...and a 7year old and a 2year old....we'd love to tool around Sac but not if we have to haul all our baggage with us.....any tips? Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[the_traveler]

See the answers in your other thread.

 

[Bruce-C]

Yes. EMY is now a guaranteed connection between the CZ and CS also.

When does a connection become "guaranteed"? And how can I check that it is?

I have a CS to EB connection at PDX in late July '11. I hope it's guaranteed.

 

[the_traveler]

When does a connection become "guaranteed"? And how can I check that it is?

I have a CS to EB connection at PDX in late July '11. I hope it's guaranteed.

The CS->EB connection is a guaranteed connection, assuming you booked from "A" to "B" - and not "A" to PDX on one reservation and PDX to "B" on another reservation.

Any time you enter "A" to "B" online on the "regular" screen (not the multi city screen) and a choice comes up, those connections are guaranteed!

 

[fairviewroad]

Yes. EMY is now a guaranteed connection between the CZ and CS also.

When does a connection become "guaranteed"? And how can I check that it is?

I have a CS to EB connection at PDX in late July '11. I hope it's guaranteed.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if Amtrak allows you to

book it on one itinerary, then it's guaranteed. Obviously anyone who's flown knows that

airlines will sometimes allow you to book guaranteed connections that are iffy in real

life, but as a rule you'll have good odds with a guaranteed connection on Amtrak.

That said, the CS to EB connection is one of the tightest in the system (in terms of LD trains)

but the CS is doing fairly well these days and Amtrak thinks you'll make it...and you probably

will.

(Edit: I see the_traveler beat me to it.)

 

[the_traveler]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if Amtrak allows you to

book it on one itinerary, then it's guaranteed. Obviously anyone who's flown knows that

airlines will sometimes allow you to book guaranteed connections that are iffy in real

life, but as a rule you'll have good odds with a guaranteed connection on Amtrak.

That said, the CS to EB connection is one of the tightest in the system (in terms of LD trains)

but the CS is doing fairly well these days and Amtrak thinks you'll make it...and you probably

will.

You're correct! Last October, I had a CS->EB connection but the CS was running late. They bussed all those connecting to the EB from Eugene to Portland! (It's actually faster to drive up I-5 then to take the train!

)

(Edit: I see the_traveler beat me to it.)

You have to be quick to beat me!

 

[Bruce-C]

When does a connection become "guaranteed"? And how can I check that it is?

I have a CS to EB connection at PDX in late July '11. I hope it's guaranteed.

The CS->EB connection is a guaranteed connection, assuming you booked from "A" to "B" - and not "A" to PDX on one reservation and PDX to "B" on another reservation.

Any time you enter "A" to "B" online on the "regular" screen (not the multi city screen) and a choice comes up, those connections are guaranteed!

I booked LA to Albany, NY. all on one reservation and on the multi-city screen. The CS to Portland, connecting with the EB to Chicago, LSL to Albany was each a separate selection among the listed choices. I realize 1 hour 5 minutes from arrival of the CS to departure of the EB is a very tight schedule to change trains. But, I will have no checked baggage because of this tight schedule. If everything is on schedule, I should just have to walk across the platform to catch the Empire Builder(I hope).

 

[zephyr17]

When does a connection become "guaranteed"? And how can I check that it is?

I have a CS to EB connection at PDX in late July '11. I hope it's guaranteed.

The CS->EB connection is a guaranteed connection, assuming you booked from "A" to "B" - and not "A" to PDX on one reservation and PDX to "B" on another reservation.

Any time you enter "A" to "B" online on the "regular" screen (not the multi city screen) and a choice comes up, those connections are guaranteed!

I booked LA to Albany, NY. all on one reservation and on the multi-city screen. The CS to Portland, connecting with the EB to Chicago, LSL to Albany was each a separate selection among the listed choices. I realize 1 hour 5 minutes from arrival of the CS to departure of the EB is a very tight schedule to change trains. But, I will have no checked baggage because of this tight schedule. If everything is on schedule, I should just have to walk across the platform to catch the Empire Builder(I hope).

In my experience in Portland, if the Starlight is on time, they'll wait until the Starlight is done with its station work and has departed before they open the Empire Builder for boarding. So you'll have to step inside after all .

 

[Bruce-C]

When does a connection become "guaranteed"? And how can I check that it is?

I have a CS to EB connection at PDX in late July '11. I hope it's guaranteed.

The CS->EB connection is a guaranteed connection, assuming you booked from "A" to "B" - and not "A" to PDX on one reservation and PDX to "B" on another reservation.

Any time you enter "A" to "B" online on the "regular" screen (not the multi city screen) and a choice comes up, those connections are guaranteed!

I booked LA to Albany, NY. all on one reservation and on the multi-city screen. The CS to Portland, connecting with the EB to Chicago, LSL to Albany was each a separate selection among the listed choices. I realize 1 hour 5 minutes from arrival of the CS to departure of the EB is a very tight schedule to change trains. But, I will have no checked baggage because of this tight schedule. If everything is on schedule, I should just have to walk across the platform to catch the Empire Builder(I hope).

In my experience in Portland, if the Starlight is on time, they'll wait until the Starlight is done with its station work and has departed before they open the Empire Builder for boarding. So you'll have to step inside after all .

I will be thrilled if I have enough time to get a cup of coffee and see the inside of the Portland Station!!!!!

 

[morgan51]

Just catching up with this thread - sorry! Great answers and info, everyone. You guys are too much fun! So could someone explain how we would connect from CZ westward to CS northward through EMY instead of the late layover? I am not looking forward to hanging around SAC or the train station with a child that late at night either, but the bus sounds worse to me. Anyway I am not sure I am following you. Isn't EMY a bus connection rather than train? Or am I completely confused? Well... yes, but please explain anyway