Sunday 9th November.
BA049 from LHR to SEA, as good as it could be really, got 2 seats to myself at the rear of the 747 and a mid afternoon departure meant we were chasing the sunset most of the way and it was quite spectacular, makes the humdrum dullness of flying almost acceptable!
Clear weather meant super views of the ice and snow of Greenland and Canada.
Landed nearly on time. Shuttle Van to Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle and a watch that said 0300 London time and a fairly grim rainy evening meant bed was a good choice...
Monday 10th November.
Weather forecast had promised more rain but Monday broke with some sun and a few clouds. After breakfast and leaving my bag in the hotel I headed out to see what Seattle had to offer today. Weather was quite good now so after quick visit to Pike Place Market I headed along Alaska Way to see what trains were about. Some track work on the stretch of track by the cruise liner place had operated all the level crossing barriers even though there were no trains about so much traffic chaos ensued!
Got a few good shots of a Cascades and several freight trains and enjoyed a walk along the waterfront past the sculpture park. Had coffee and lunch and headed back via Pike Place again and tried some quite good ice cream before heading back to the hotel to collect my bag and jump a cab to King Street station.
Got there about 4pm and the EB was just pulling in but boarding didnt start till almost 430.... which included 10 minutes of standing at the door for no reason. Some older passengers were not amused by this, why announce boarding and then not let people on the train?
Anyway, had booked a bedroom for the first part of the trip, when I booked it was only a few $$ more than a roomette so I decided to try a bedroom for the first time. Quite nice, lots more room but if there was 2 of you its still a bit compact. Doubt it is worth the $1000 charge they sometimes attract....
Train was hauled by 2 P42s 146 and 130 running nose to nose and a P32 507 on the front. I was in room E car 831. We left on time, but it was near dark as we left Seattle so the view across the sound was not to be enjoyed like last time. Had dinner at 715pm, steak, which was good, rice and veg. Companions were a lady who had never been on a train ever,going back to Chi after flying to Seattle and some students going to Whitefish. Jetlag was still in the house, so after dinner another early night as in order.
Tuesday 11th November
Slept well, woke up just outside Whitefish, we were running early so got a quick shower and had a stroll about Whitefish while waiting departure. Left on time and had breakfast, omelette with cheese. Went back to room and packed just as Curtis, the sleeper attendant came round to tell me Essex was about 20 mins ago. Curtis was quiet and unassuming but was a good attendant.
Got talking with him before leaving and told him I was on the railway for 28 years, the conductor joined in and he was a fan of the Beatles, and was amazed when I told him I came from Liverpool.
arrived at Essex on time and was met by the hotel van for the short trip to the Izaak Walton Inn.
Checked in and my room was ready straight away and I was the only guest that night!
Dropped by bags in the room and wandered out , camera at the ready. Weather was ok to start but after lunch it started snowing, the raining and then it rained from Tuesday night till Thursday morning! But not a problem, it was nice to just watch the trains go by and enjoy the great food in the restaurant, the trout I had for dinner on that night was as good a fish dish I have had anywhere and a selection of local Montana micro brews was a very good thing! The hotel is full of old railway things and the rooms are quite comfortable and if you choose, a great view of the trains! Not as noisy as I thought it would be, except for the helper locos making a bit of horn noise one morning at 0500... Its a good place to stay and the staff are very friendly, Crystal the waitress was a star and a lot of fun!
Stayed there for 2 nights and was booked out on the eastbound EB on the morning of the 14th...
To be continued....
Photos at http://50031.fotopic.net/ and click on the correct bits!
BA049 from LHR to SEA, as good as it could be really, got 2 seats to myself at the rear of the 747 and a mid afternoon departure meant we were chasing the sunset most of the way and it was quite spectacular, makes the humdrum dullness of flying almost acceptable!
Clear weather meant super views of the ice and snow of Greenland and Canada.
Landed nearly on time. Shuttle Van to Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle and a watch that said 0300 London time and a fairly grim rainy evening meant bed was a good choice...
Monday 10th November.
Weather forecast had promised more rain but Monday broke with some sun and a few clouds. After breakfast and leaving my bag in the hotel I headed out to see what Seattle had to offer today. Weather was quite good now so after quick visit to Pike Place Market I headed along Alaska Way to see what trains were about. Some track work on the stretch of track by the cruise liner place had operated all the level crossing barriers even though there were no trains about so much traffic chaos ensued!
Got a few good shots of a Cascades and several freight trains and enjoyed a walk along the waterfront past the sculpture park. Had coffee and lunch and headed back via Pike Place again and tried some quite good ice cream before heading back to the hotel to collect my bag and jump a cab to King Street station.
Got there about 4pm and the EB was just pulling in but boarding didnt start till almost 430.... which included 10 minutes of standing at the door for no reason. Some older passengers were not amused by this, why announce boarding and then not let people on the train?
Anyway, had booked a bedroom for the first part of the trip, when I booked it was only a few $$ more than a roomette so I decided to try a bedroom for the first time. Quite nice, lots more room but if there was 2 of you its still a bit compact. Doubt it is worth the $1000 charge they sometimes attract....
Train was hauled by 2 P42s 146 and 130 running nose to nose and a P32 507 on the front. I was in room E car 831. We left on time, but it was near dark as we left Seattle so the view across the sound was not to be enjoyed like last time. Had dinner at 715pm, steak, which was good, rice and veg. Companions were a lady who had never been on a train ever,going back to Chi after flying to Seattle and some students going to Whitefish. Jetlag was still in the house, so after dinner another early night as in order.
Tuesday 11th November
Slept well, woke up just outside Whitefish, we were running early so got a quick shower and had a stroll about Whitefish while waiting departure. Left on time and had breakfast, omelette with cheese. Went back to room and packed just as Curtis, the sleeper attendant came round to tell me Essex was about 20 mins ago. Curtis was quiet and unassuming but was a good attendant.
Got talking with him before leaving and told him I was on the railway for 28 years, the conductor joined in and he was a fan of the Beatles, and was amazed when I told him I came from Liverpool.
arrived at Essex on time and was met by the hotel van for the short trip to the Izaak Walton Inn.
Checked in and my room was ready straight away and I was the only guest that night!
Dropped by bags in the room and wandered out , camera at the ready. Weather was ok to start but after lunch it started snowing, the raining and then it rained from Tuesday night till Thursday morning! But not a problem, it was nice to just watch the trains go by and enjoy the great food in the restaurant, the trout I had for dinner on that night was as good a fish dish I have had anywhere and a selection of local Montana micro brews was a very good thing! The hotel is full of old railway things and the rooms are quite comfortable and if you choose, a great view of the trains! Not as noisy as I thought it would be, except for the helper locos making a bit of horn noise one morning at 0500... Its a good place to stay and the staff are very friendly, Crystal the waitress was a star and a lot of fun!
Stayed there for 2 nights and was booked out on the eastbound EB on the morning of the 14th...
To be continued....
Photos at http://50031.fotopic.net/ and click on the correct bits!
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Makes good memories of my trip 2 months ago. (The EB portion was the only one that went right on the trip east.)
