7/09/09
Wake up call comes @ 7Am but Im awake of course! :lol: Awaken Stacy.we go down to the coffee shop
downstairs,have great latte and fresh pasteries!(better than Star-$$$$$s/the Europeans must be onto something!)
Grab our stuuf/catch a Kamakaze driver to LAUS,watching the LA traffic and streets come alive on this cool/hazy
LA morning!Already heard the reports of fires in the hills and the traffic copters thick as flies reporting on
the delays and wrecks on the thousands of freeways in LA! :lol: Good drive/unloads the luggage and its an
honest $8 fare(I asked BEFORE we left!),good tip for him!
We check our bags/go sit in the beautiful gardens enjoying the beautiful morning in a beautiful train
station as we watch the throngs come and go in this very busy place that still does what it was desgined
for 70 yrs. ago!!!The coffee wasnt as good,that seems to be the only thing this place lacks,good
snack/food court!Soon its time to head to the Traxx lounge to await boarding, a friendly agent(didnt get her
name)briefed everyone on whats going on/the beverage service began and it rapidly filled!Late arrivals
were sent across the hall to the Traxx resturant to await. Soon the redcaps and conductors showed up,tickets
AND IDs were checked and we follwed them through the throngs in the lobby past the Loooooooooooooong
coach line awaiting for CS#14!Greeted by the SA Sandra @ Sleeper 1430/Room 4,placed our gear in the
room(only time wed use it! :lol: )and I got off and walked the train to get the consist: 2 engines/baggage/
transition dorm/2 sleepers/PPC/diner/ssl/3 coaches!!!Sandra had said it would be a full train!!!
Soon they announced the PPC was open so we strolled(ran is more like it! :lol: )in,snagged a couple of chairs
on the good side(the left) and Dan took drink orders and started briefing the 25 or so folks in the beautiful car!
We made lunch reservations for the PPC and soon were underway to the LA yards where we stopped and sat
while we watched various commuter trains and freights go to and fro/criss cross and high ball. Dan told us the
really neat looking brick apts. overlooking the yards and station were the oldest projects in LA, looks like a
great place to me if youre a railfan!Shortly thereafter we backed into the station and the conductor announced
that one of the engines had died and a replacement had to be found from the yards,we lost the HEP and they
let folks get off but limited to the platform,they anticipate about a 30 minute delay!One hour later( :lol: )two engines
back in,couple up and then shut down again!The replacement is DOA and they announce that the next
replacement will come off a train arriving from Santa Barbara!!!!After about 30 mintues more ,we finally get
hooked up and roll out!This time theres no stopping in the yards so we highball for Van Nuys as some natives
aboard tell us what we are seeing and where we are as we roll through the burbs!
After brief stops in Van Nuys and Oxnard we roll up to beautiful Santa Barbara, WOW,no wonder so many
people want to live/move here!A grand old SP sleeper,City of Santa Barbara painted in the old green SP
colors sits by the station!We are amazed as we roll out by all the people camped right next to the highway on US 1
with traffic zooming by constantly like 1 foot away!The locals tell us these are prized spots and that people
stay all summer and book them years ahead!Beautiful ocean,sea lions,dolphins,ships and sailboats,folks
waving @ the train,surfers,nude sunbathers!
are all part of the passing scene, as well as the surprise
of oil platforms!No wonder they dont want the oil companies to drill anymore here!
We have a delicious lunch in the PPC of the special salad and some of the best apple pie Ive ever eaten
(of course with ice cream!! :lol: )We visit in the PPC(surprisingly it never gets full!!)with a couple from San Jose
who tell us they paid $8 to upgrade from coach to firstclass since theyd booked a high bucket fare!Its true what
the forum has said, what a deal!!!
We make dinner reservations in the diner and continue to visit till its time for the wine and cheese tasting
which is sort of neat!I dont know anything about wine(Chablis anyone? :lol: )but 2 of the 4 tasted OK
and the 4 kinds of cheeses were sort of tasty!Dan did a great job, again Im surprised that the crowd was
small considering the full train??Couldnt answer any of the questions to win wine, they were about wine andCalifornia
but Dan said he was from NJ so it wasnt rigged! :lol:
After San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles we said goodye to the coast and climbed into dry hills including an
intersting climbing horseshoe curve,dont have a clue where it is or whats its called???After a brief stop in Salinas,
and noticing the agriculture around there,we went to our romm for a quick feshen up and to get ready for
any early dinner since were getting off in MTZ!Sandra said: "Oh,I thought yall had gotten off in Santa Barbara
like so manyfolks want to do!" :lol: Stacy prettied up,I washed my face and hands,dressed up(put on a Polo
shirt! and we went to the diner for a first rate salmon dinner and the delcious apple pie(sans the ice cream this time!
Good decaf coffee here,the dishes were even real and the table cloth was just that!
Back to the PPC to visit with folks from all over the world,boy does the AC work good on this oldie but
goodie,Dan tells us that its either ON or OFF,different technology in the old days!We roll into
San Jose about an hour late,brief stop and highball for Oakland!We notice the bay gleaming in the moonlight and the commuter trains going and coming up the line!Why couldnt Texas have thought of this years ago? :lol:
We pass the Oakland Coliseum,looks like the A's are playing,lights are on, there are cars in the lot(a few)I
understand attendance is not great due to the economy!)then its into Jack London square,neat how the cars are right there!
and off for Emeryville!We are now only 30 minutes late, they let us get off to stretch/smoke,I check out the
station since I plan to ride the CZ ASAP!Then its off for MTZ!
Sandra has us get our stuff, come downstairs and lets us wait in the Family BR since it emptied out in
Oakland!Its my first time,windows on both sides,comfortable seats and lots of beds!!! :lol:
A nice touch for a friendly if not heavily used SA!A good tip for her along with all the other great
OBS on this magic carpet ride!We pull in only 15 minute s late now(they rocked and rolled after Emeryville)
ny brother and his gf are awaiting us, we claim our luggage train side(the agent says station closes in 5 mins!!!)
and its off across the toll bridge to Sonoma Valley and a few days of adventure away from the train( :unsure: )
but definitly a place on my bucket list!More to come, stay tuned if youre not asleep yet or bored to tears!!h34r: (no pics!!!!)
Wake up call comes @ 7Am but Im awake of course! :lol: Awaken Stacy.we go down to the coffee shop
downstairs,have great latte and fresh pasteries!(better than Star-$$$$$s/the Europeans must be onto something!)
Grab our stuuf/catch a Kamakaze driver to LAUS,watching the LA traffic and streets come alive on this cool/hazy
LA morning!Already heard the reports of fires in the hills and the traffic copters thick as flies reporting on
the delays and wrecks on the thousands of freeways in LA! :lol: Good drive/unloads the luggage and its an
honest $8 fare(I asked BEFORE we left!),good tip for him!
We check our bags/go sit in the beautiful gardens enjoying the beautiful morning in a beautiful train
station as we watch the throngs come and go in this very busy place that still does what it was desgined
for 70 yrs. ago!!!The coffee wasnt as good,that seems to be the only thing this place lacks,good
snack/food court!Soon its time to head to the Traxx lounge to await boarding, a friendly agent(didnt get her
name)briefed everyone on whats going on/the beverage service began and it rapidly filled!Late arrivals
were sent across the hall to the Traxx resturant to await. Soon the redcaps and conductors showed up,tickets
AND IDs were checked and we follwed them through the throngs in the lobby past the Loooooooooooooong
coach line awaiting for CS#14!Greeted by the SA Sandra @ Sleeper 1430/Room 4,placed our gear in the
room(only time wed use it! :lol: )and I got off and walked the train to get the consist: 2 engines/baggage/
transition dorm/2 sleepers/PPC/diner/ssl/3 coaches!!!Sandra had said it would be a full train!!!
Soon they announced the PPC was open so we strolled(ran is more like it! :lol: )in,snagged a couple of chairs
on the good side(the left) and Dan took drink orders and started briefing the 25 or so folks in the beautiful car!
We made lunch reservations for the PPC and soon were underway to the LA yards where we stopped and sat
while we watched various commuter trains and freights go to and fro/criss cross and high ball. Dan told us the
really neat looking brick apts. overlooking the yards and station were the oldest projects in LA, looks like a
great place to me if youre a railfan!Shortly thereafter we backed into the station and the conductor announced
that one of the engines had died and a replacement had to be found from the yards,we lost the HEP and they
let folks get off but limited to the platform,they anticipate about a 30 minute delay!One hour later( :lol: )two engines
back in,couple up and then shut down again!The replacement is DOA and they announce that the next
replacement will come off a train arriving from Santa Barbara!!!!After about 30 mintues more ,we finally get
hooked up and roll out!This time theres no stopping in the yards so we highball for Van Nuys as some natives
aboard tell us what we are seeing and where we are as we roll through the burbs!
After brief stops in Van Nuys and Oxnard we roll up to beautiful Santa Barbara, WOW,no wonder so many
people want to live/move here!A grand old SP sleeper,City of Santa Barbara painted in the old green SP
colors sits by the station!We are amazed as we roll out by all the people camped right next to the highway on US 1
with traffic zooming by constantly like 1 foot away!The locals tell us these are prized spots and that people
stay all summer and book them years ahead!Beautiful ocean,sea lions,dolphins,ships and sailboats,folks
waving @ the train,surfers,nude sunbathers!
are all part of the passing scene, as well as the surpriseof oil platforms!No wonder they dont want the oil companies to drill anymore here!
We have a delicious lunch in the PPC of the special salad and some of the best apple pie Ive ever eaten
(of course with ice cream!! :lol: )We visit in the PPC(surprisingly it never gets full!!)with a couple from San Jose
who tell us they paid $8 to upgrade from coach to firstclass since theyd booked a high bucket fare!Its true what
the forum has said, what a deal!!!
We make dinner reservations in the diner and continue to visit till its time for the wine and cheese tasting
which is sort of neat!I dont know anything about wine(Chablis anyone? :lol: )but 2 of the 4 tasted OK
and the 4 kinds of cheeses were sort of tasty!Dan did a great job, again Im surprised that the crowd was
small considering the full train??Couldnt answer any of the questions to win wine, they were about wine andCalifornia
but Dan said he was from NJ so it wasnt rigged! :lol:
After San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles we said goodye to the coast and climbed into dry hills including an
intersting climbing horseshoe curve,dont have a clue where it is or whats its called???After a brief stop in Salinas,
and noticing the agriculture around there,we went to our romm for a quick feshen up and to get ready for
any early dinner since were getting off in MTZ!Sandra said: "Oh,I thought yall had gotten off in Santa Barbara
like so manyfolks want to do!" :lol: Stacy prettied up,I washed my face and hands,dressed up(put on a Polo
shirt!
and we went to the diner for a first rate salmon dinner and the delcious apple pie(sans the ice cream this time! Good decaf coffee here,the dishes were even real and the table cloth was just that!
Back to the PPC to visit with folks from all over the world,boy does the AC work good on this oldie but
goodie,Dan tells us that its either ON or OFF,different technology in the old days!We roll into
San Jose about an hour late,brief stop and highball for Oakland!We notice the bay gleaming in the moonlight and the commuter trains going and coming up the line!Why couldnt Texas have thought of this years ago? :lol:
We pass the Oakland Coliseum,looks like the A's are playing,lights are on, there are cars in the lot(a few)I
understand attendance is not great due to the economy!)then its into Jack London square,neat how the cars are right there!
and off for Emeryville!We are now only 30 minutes late, they let us get off to stretch/smoke,I check out the
station since I plan to ride the CZ ASAP!Then its off for MTZ!
Sandra has us get our stuff, come downstairs and lets us wait in the Family BR since it emptied out in
Oakland!Its my first time,windows on both sides,comfortable seats and lots of beds!!! :lol:
A nice touch for a friendly if not heavily used SA!A good tip for her along with all the other great
OBS on this magic carpet ride!We pull in only 15 minute s late now(they rocked and rolled after Emeryville)
ny brother and his gf are awaiting us, we claim our luggage train side(the agent says station closes in 5 mins!!!)
and its off across the toll bridge to Sonoma Valley and a few days of adventure away from the train( :unsure: )
but definitly a place on my bucket list!More to come, stay tuned if youre not asleep yet or bored to tears!!
h34r: (no pics!!!!)
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