Coast Starlight discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024

[zephyr17]

The convention with the Coast Starlight is odd number is southbound - 11. Northbound has always been 14. At one time, the train was known internally as 12 & 13 south of Oakland.

Yeah, when trains ran with timetable authority in timetable and train order operation, the railroads generally kept the train numbers the same in the authoritative employee timetables as in Amtrak’s public timetables after Amtrak renumbered trains into its own system in late 1971.

All trains on the SP ran either westward towards San Francisco or eastward away from San Francisco. Since the Starlight ran past San Francisco, it could not retain the same SP train number for its whole run. So the southbound Starlight was SP 11 "westward" from Portland to Oakland and SP 12 "eastward" from Oakland to LA. The northbound Starlight was SP 13 "westward" to Oakland and SP 14 "eastward" to Portland. I think it was BN 1011 and 1014 between Portland and Seattle, but am far from sure of that. After the train went daily Amtrak didn't really use 12 and 13 for anything, to Amtrak it was just 11 and 14. It was an SP operational thing and T&E crews were SP for most of the period until timetable and train order operation was discarded.

The short lived Spirit of California was similar, with Amtrak train numbers 15 and 18. It was SP 15 Sacramento-Oakland, SP 16 Oakland-LA, SP 17 LA-Oakland and SP 18 Oakland-Sacramento.

I seem to recall that someone here said Amtrak recycled numbers 12 and 13 for some NEC train at some point.

Fun fact, the early version "Coast Daylight/Starlight" that only ran north of Oakland triweekly was initially 98-11 and 99-12 before Amtrak renumbered it out of SP assigned train numbers, since it was pretty much running the Coast Daylight (98/99) and Cascade (11/12) schedules.

Railroads moved away from timetable and train order dispatching in the mid 1980s and employee timetables now have no trains in those timetables.

 

[trimetbusfan]

I was looking at the Coast Starlight on November 16th and 17th and it is listed as "sold out" in both directions between LA and Martinez, as far as I can tell. Could this be a track maintenance thing? I don't see something listed in the official service alerts section.

Yep. Looks like 14 is only running EMY-SEA that weekend

 

[Bonser]

I just received an email from Amtrak about a schedule change notifying me that my departure from Pittsburgh going to Chicago in November is now on #0040, the Capitol Limited. Only Amtrak would confuse the situation by misnaming their own newly named train.

 

[railiner]

I seem to recall that someone here said Amtrak recycled numbers 12 and 13 for some NEC train at some point.

The “Fast Mail”

 

[justinslot]

Yep. Looks like 14 is only running EMY-SEA that weekend

Thanks for confirming I wasn't missing something. I was originally going to spend the night in Emeryville (I will be arriving via the Zephyr) and catch the train to Salinas in the AM and then the Amtrak shuttle to Monterey, but now I am just going to head to Monterey after I arrive in Emeryville. Car rental, there's an airport shuttle from SFO to Monterey, Lyft is very expensive (like mid $300s was the ride estimate) but available...I'll figure out something.

 

[Asher]

Thanks to all here, after joining the forum I’ve learned a LOT about schedules, consists and other subjects to help me with a planned LD trip on the Coastal Starlight from LA/SEA. Unfortunately after trying to plan this trip 4-5 (Feb/Mar 24) months out on a empty train, not being able to guarantee which side of the train to be on is a deal killer for the spouse and frankly for me as well. Betting over a grand on a 50-50 shot at winning is apparently not for us! Once again, thanks to all on this great forum for all the insight on train travel!

There’s a lot of places you can spend a day at a beach town and then continue on with your trip on that route. What you may see on the ocean side is too brief to miss out on the trip.

 

[Mary Stackhouse]

Thanks to all here, after joining the forum I’ve learned a LOT about schedules, consists and other subjects to help me with a planned LD trip on the Coastal Starlight from LA/SEA. Unfortunately after trying to plan this trip 4-5 (Feb/Mar 24) months out on a empty train, not being able to guarantee which side of the train to be on is a deal killer for the spouse and frankly for me as well. Betting over a grand on a 50-50 shot at winning is apparently not for us! Once again, thanks to all on this great forum for all the insight on train travel!

It is sad that you cancelled the trip. The observation car looks out on the correct side of all California cars and is on the upper level with unobstructed views. People come and go constantly so finding a place to sit is usually easy (especially if people know you are not a local.) Renting a car allows you to drive and stop at your pace but the driver has to stay focused and misses so much that the train has to offer. Having lived north of LA to SF all my life, train travel is the most enjoyable for me.

 

[Mary Stackhouse]

A recently posted trip report mentioned Drawbridge, that odd assortment of long abandoned, weather-beaten shacks located on the San Francisco Bay mudflats and which the Coast Starlight goes passed. (Once a thriving community of railroad workers, bootleggers, and duck hunters, Drawbridge is now protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as the only “certified” ghost town in the Bay Area.)

The question was raised as to what Drawbridge looks like today. (The last time we saw it was in 2000 and it was pretty dilapidated back then.)

Can someone who has ridden the Coast Starlight recently give us an update on Drawbridge?

 

[Mary Stackhouse]

This is from Google Earth and Wikipedia. Our Coast Startlight trip going north will be dark as we pass by tje only “structure” in this area. Someone going southbound might catch a glimpse of it.

 

[Cal]

It is sad that you cancelled the trip. The observation car looks out on the correct side of all California cars and is on the upper level with unobstructed views. People come and go constantly so finding a place to sit is usually easy (especially if people know you are not a local.) Renting a car allows you to drive and stop at your pace but the driver has to stay focused and misses so much that the train has to offer. Having lived north of LA to SF all my life, train travel is the most enjoyable for me.

I’d argue that the view, while nice, isn’t the best part of the ride anyway. I think the atmosphere and relaxation is the best part, good views are bonus.

 

[RailDad]

We are family of four (2 parents, 2 young kids) thinking of taking the Coast Starlight from Seattle to San Jose over the Thanksgiving break.

Questions:
1. How should we go about deciding between Family Room / 2 Roomettes / 1 bedroom and 1 roomette?

2. If we take 2 Roomettes or 1 bedroom/1 roomette is there a way to ensure both are in the same car ?

3. How crowded (or empty) might the train be in Thanksgiving? Debating whether doing this trip in summer might be more fun ...

Thanks for the advice!

 

[zephyr17]

We are family of four (2 parents, 2 young kids) thinking of taking the Coastal Starlight from Seattle to San Jose over the Thanksgiving break.

Questions:
1. How should we go about deciding between Family Room / 2 Roomettes / 1 bedroom and 1 roomette?

2. If we take 2 Roomettes or 1 bedroom/1 roomette is there a way to ensure both are in the same car ?

3. How crowded (or empty) might the train be in Thanksgiving? Debating whether doing this trip in summer might be more fun ...

Thanks for the advice!

Size of the kids will decide whether or not a Family Room is appropriate. The "child berths" are child-sized. I don't think they'd comfortably fit over a kid over age 8-10.

If you want to have a say in roomette/bedroom location, call for a reservation and tell the agent that is what you want up front.

The train is likely to be well booked on Thanksgiving travel days. Then again, summer is high season and will likely be equally well booked.

The train is more scenic northbound between Seattle and San Jose. Crossing the Cascade Mountains will be after sunset southbound, whereas northbound, that'll be mid-morning.

Finally, the train's name is Coast Starlight, not "Coastal".

 

[Cal]

Size of the kids will decide whether or not a Family Room is appropriate. The "child berths" are child-sized. I don't think they'd comfortably fit over a kid over age 8-10.

If you want to have a say in roomette/bedroom location, call for a reservation and tell the agent that is what you want up front.

The train is likely to be well booked on Thanksgiving travel days. Then again, summer is high season and will likely be equally well booked.

The train is more scenic northbound between Seattle and San Jose. Crossing the Cascade Mountains will be after sunset southbound, whereas northbound, that'll be mid-morning.

Finally, the train's name is Coast Starlight, not "Coastal".

All great points. I think if the kids trull are little, a Family Room is great. But I think having two roomettes is also an excellent option.

I definitely concur on the northbound being better. Waking up cruising through the mountains is always a great way to start a day, and I love the Starlight's scenery.

 

[zephyr17]

PS, if you are planning for this Thanksgiving it is really late to be making sleeper reservations. There may not be much choice of rooms to keep everything in the same car and fares by now are likely to be high(ish) bucket.

 

[Willbridge]

PS, if you are planning for this Thanksgiving it is really late to be making sleeper reservations. There may not be much choice of rooms to keep everything in the same car and fares by now are likely to be high(ish) bucket.

Sometimes there are lower fares by traveling on earlier dates or later dates. My sister used to organize family Thanksgiving on Friday or Saturday, and air and rail fares were lower or at least available.

For a first trip on the route, the longer days offer more scenery. I've made the trip about a dozen times, at all times of the year and enjoy all the seasonal differences but consider starting with late spring or summer.

 

[RCable]

Hello! This is my first post, but I've been obsessively reading everything I can find about the Coast Starlight and I hope this is the right place for my question. It's on my husband's bucket list to take the train up the coast to San Francisco, so I booked it as a surprise for him next month. I'm only familiar with Amtrak on the east coast and have never been to SF either. I'm struggling to decide whether we should get off the train in Oakland or Emeryville? We are planning on taking a taxi/uber from there to our hotel.

More info:
1.) Bedroom booked from LA Union Station on December 8th (Sunday) to Emeryville and back on December 14th (Saturday)
2.) Hotel booked in Fisherman Warf area
3.) We will have 2-3 pieces of luggage to store - is there enough time to get off the train and grab bags without rushing?
4.) We are planning on taking a taxi from either Emeryville/Oakland to our hotel to hopefully save time - which is why I'm trying to figure out which station is best.
5.) Should we check our bags at Union Station, is that even an option?
6.) I don't mind traveling home from Emeryville, it's more about getting to our hotel as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I'm really excited about this trip, I can't wait to surprise my hubby! I just want to make sure I am prepared for everything and that there's no stress in the journey that can be avoided.

 

[Cal]

3.) We will have 2-3 pieces of luggage to store - is there enough time to get off the train and grab bags without rushing?

Head to the door a few minutes before arriving and bring your bags with you so you are ready to just step off as soon as you arrive. This is standard practice for most intermediate stops. Oakland is a smoke break when on-time, however, so they may ask you to just head down once the train has stopped. In that case, you won't need to rush anyway because it's a longer break.

5.) Should we check our bags at Union Station, is that even an option?

Should be an option, that's up to you. Since you're only on the train for a daytrip, I think it would be wise to just keep the stuff you would need for the day with you, and check the rest. Makes boarding/deboarding much easier, and less things to worry about on board.

4.) We are planning on taking a taxi from either Emeryville/Oakland to our hotel to hopefully save time - which is why I'm trying to figure out which station is best.

I'm not super familiar with Oakland or Emeryville, but I don't think there will be a clear advantage to using either station. Oakland is a smoke break when on time, so there is more time for you to disembark. Oakland also has a nicer station in my opinion. I believe Emeryville is the connection point for the bus, so there might be more people around after the train leaves if that would make you feel safer. And of course since Oakland is a good 30 minutes before Emeryville (assuming on-time operations), you would get to your hotel quicker by choosing Oakland.

I'm sure others will have great insight as well.

 

[trimetbusfan]

Head to the door a few minutes before arriving and bring your bags with you so you are ready to just step off as soon as you arrive. This is standard practice for most intermediate stops. Oakland is a smoke break when on-time, however, so they may ask you to just head down once the train has stopped. In that case, you won't need to rush anyway because it's a longer break.


Should be an option, that's up to you. Since you're only on the train for a daytrip, I think it would be wise to just keep the stuff you would need for the day with you, and check the rest. Makes boarding/deboarding much easier, and less things to worry about on board.


I'm not super familiar with Oakland or Emeryville, but I don't think there will be a clear advantage to using either station. Oakland is a smoke break when on time, so there is more time for you to disembark. Oakland also has a nicer station in my opinion. I believe Emeryville is the connection point for the bus, so there might be more people around after the train leaves if that would make you feel safer. And of course since Oakland is a good 30 minutes before Emeryville (assuming on-time operations), you would get to your hotel quicker by choosing Oakland.

I'm sure others will have great insight as well.

Yeah, I'd probably bail at Oakland too. While Oakland and Emeryville are very close to each other, Oakland is where they address mechanical issues and restock food, which can delay its departure and subsequent arrival into Emeryville.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Nice Trip!

I agree about getting off @ Oakland ( Jack London Square) and Ride Sharing to San Francisco since it will be dark when you arrive, and you'll beat the rush @ the Emeryville Station.

As was said, I wouldn't check Luggge either since theres a downstairs Luggage Rack on your Car, and you can just take whst you need upstairs to your room, then hop off as was said upon arrival.

 

[RCable]

Thank you @Cal That was all super helpful! Sounds like checking luggage is the way to go. And getting off the train 30min earlier with the distance to the hotel being nearly identical definitely sounds like the smarter option.

And thank you @trimetbusfan you sold me on changing the ticket to Oakland with the whole mechanical issue/food restock thing. There wasn’t much difference in price between to the options but it seems like Oakland is the better option for the trip!

 

[anilou]

Hello! This is my first post, but I've been obsessively reading everything I can find about the Coast Starlight and I hope this is the right place for my question. It's on my husband's bucket list to take the train up the coast to San Francisco, so I booked it as a surprise for him next month. I'm only familiar with Amtrak on the east coast and have never been to SF either. I'm struggling to decide whether we should get off the train in Oakland or Emeryville? We are planning on taking a taxi/uber from there to our hotel.

More info:
1.) Bedroom booked from LA Union Station on December 8th (Sunday) to Emeryville and back on December 14th (Saturday)
2.) Hotel booked in Fisherman Warf area
3.) We will have 2-3 pieces of luggage to store - is there enough time to get off the train and grab bags without rushing?
4.) We are planning on taking a taxi from either Emeryville/Oakland to our hotel to hopefully save time - which is why I'm trying to figure out which station is best.
5.) Should we check our bags at Union Station, is that even an option?
6.) I don't mind traveling home from Emeryville, it's more about getting to our hotel as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I'm really excited about this trip, I can't wait to surprise my hubby! I just want to make sure I am prepared for everything and that there's no stress in the journey that can be avoided.

If you get off in Oakland there is a hotel a couple of blocks away, the Waterfront. Then you could catch the ferry to SF the next day. Amtrak, hotel, ferry dock all in close proximity.