Train connections (CS->EB and SWC->CS)

[bmjhagen9426]

So I will be traveling to Klamath Falls to Chicago and back this coming winter. I will be traveling on the following trains on the following dates:

Klamath Falls to Chicago (outbound):

Coast Starlight 14 from Klamath Falls to Portland (12/8)

Empire Builder 28 from Portland to Chicago (12/8 to 12/10)

Chicago to Klamath Falls (return):

Southwest Chief 3 from Chicago to Los Angeles (1/4/2017 to 1/6/2017)

Coast Starlight 14 from Los Angeles to Chicago (1/6/2017 to 1/7/2017)

On the outbound trip (CS->EB) the layover is 1 hour and 13 minutes, and on the return trip (SWC->CS) the layover is 1 hour and 55 minutes. The Westbound SWC coming into LA apparantly has some sort of schedule padding between Fullerton and LA (1.5 hours between these two stops, while the Surfliner trains can ususally travel between those two in half an hour) and the Northbound CS is usually on-time or less than an hour late coming into Portland (Most of my trips coming into Portland were less than an hour late). Will my second train wait if my first train pulls in late? If so, for how long? If I do miss my second train, what can I do? I am assuming that both pairs are valid since the ticket agent on the phone booked them on a single reservation, and that it could be considered guaranteed as well.

 

[zephyr17]

Those are both guaranteed connections. In terms of how the guarantee works, it depends on how late the train is, among other things. If the SWC is late, they will often hold the Starlight for a little while. If it is more than a brief delay, Amtrak will put you on the bus/train San Joaquin connection to connect with the Starlight in Sacramento or Emeryville.

They will hold the Empire Builder for a while. If the Starlight is really late, they will bus bridge from some point down the line like Klamath Falls or Eugene to Pasco.

Since those are guaranteed connection, Amtrak WILL get you where you are going. The method they use to accomplish it depends on how late the train is, how many people are connecting, etc.

 

[printman2000]

So I will be traveling to Klamath Falls to Chicago and back this coming winter. I will be traveling on the following trains on the following dates:

Klamath Falls to Chicago (outbound):

Coast Starlight 14 from Klamath Falls to Portland (12/8)

Empire Builder 28 from Portland to Chicago (12/8 to 12/10)

Chicago to Klamath Falls (return):

Southwest Chief 3 from Chicago to Los Angeles (1/4/2017 to 1/6/2017)

Coast Starlight 14 from Los Angeles to Chicago (1/6/2017 to 1/7/2017)

I think you have a typo. Should your last destination be Klamath Falls instead of Chicago?

 

[printman2000]

We were late on the Southwest Chief and missed the Coast Starlight. They buses us from San Bernardino to Bakersfield. Then the San Joaquin to Martinez to catch the Coast Starlight.

In Bakersfield, no one knew anything. We had to explain to the conductor what happened so he would accept our tickets.

 

[bmjhagen9426]

So I will be traveling to Klamath Falls to Chicago and back this coming winter. I will be traveling on the following trains on the following dates:

Klamath Falls to Chicago (outbound):

Coast Starlight 14 from Klamath Falls to Portland (12/8)

Empire Builder 28 from Portland to Chicago (12/8 to 12/10)

Chicago to Klamath Falls (return):

Southwest Chief 3 from Chicago to Los Angeles (1/4/2017 to 1/6/2017)

Coast Starlight 14 from Los Angeles to Chicago (1/6/2017 to 1/7/2017)

I think you have a typo. Should your last destination be Klamath Falls instead of Chicago?

My bad, it IS a typo. I meant to say: Coast Starlight 14 from Los Angeles to Klamath Falls.

 

[the_traveler]

Most times, the 14/28 connection is made with no problem. One time, I was on a late 14 connecting to 28. They bussed all the connecting passengers from Albany to PDX up I-5. (It was actually faster.) They held 28 until the buses arrived, then it departed. 14 continued on it's regular route from Albany north, making all stops. 14 arrived ~45 minutes after 28 (after the buses arrived) had departed from PDX.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Although no-one really enjoys a bustitution, the ride up I-5 on an Ambus to catch #28 in Portland is MUCH Better than having to ride all the way to Pasco,WA to do the same thing!