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Freddy320
Train Attendant
Hi all!,
Nice to meet everyone, I'm a 33 year old army vet from upstate New York and work in my local hospital ICU as a clerk. started riding Amtrak in 2017 five years ago and loved it ever since, kinda wish I started before that. I'm an amateur photographer, currency collector (coins, paper money), love golf, hunting, fishing and hope to get into ham radio here soon when I get the test in. Sorry for the short intro compared to others I have read, but safe rail travels to everyone, and hope your next one is amazing as your first.
Nice to meet everyone, I'm a 33 year old army vet from upstate New York and work in my local hospital ICU as a clerk. started riding Amtrak in 2017 five years ago and loved it ever since, kinda wish I started before that. I'm an amateur photographer, currency collector (coins, paper money), love golf, hunting, fishing and hope to get into ham radio here soon when I get the test in. Sorry for the short intro compared to others I have read, but safe rail travels to everyone, and hope your next one is amazing as your first.
Welcome to Amtrak Unlimited
Welcome to AU! When you take your ham test, if you are going for the Technician and you pass it, go ahead and try the General. It didn't seem to me to be that much harder and the General opens up most of the HF bands for your use. With the Tech you are very limited on HF. If you do it in the same session there is no additional fee.
I used to shop in Caldor. We used to say Caldors. Eh? ☺
Also I'm old school.
Also I'm old school.
Metra Electric Rider
Engineer
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2016
- Messages
- 2,229
So not the Prangeway, huh?
Hmm.... never heard or seen it. Woolworth, yes.
Sounds like the name of a detergent.
20th Century Rider
Engineer
Welcome to AU! Schenectady is my home town... grew up there 7 decades ago in a place called Colebrook housing built for GI's returning from WWII service... just off of Hamburg Ave... across the street from what was then Carman School... I think it's been renamed? Then we moved to another home by Central Park where I went to Howe School... then renamed. Memories recalled seeing those snazzy new 1956 two tone Ford cars cruising down the main drag. Much to my surprise we bought one! Remembering those outings to Thatcher Park and up to the Adirondack Mountains. You live in a very beautiful part of the country!
So long ago for me... now living on the Oregon Coast.
Freddy320
Train Attendant
oh wow !, howe school is still around by central park and operating too, i would help my cousin babysit and her kids would go there as-well, carman school I believe the building is still there but don't know if the school is still a school. Schenectady is still beautiful in parts central park, GE plot, down town is coming back mostly due to the casino located down there, the current mayor puts most of the funds in that area and the surrounding neighborhoods have gone into severe disrepair unfortunately especially hamilton hill with crime as-well. Its a shame that its a shell of its former self.
20th Century Rider
Engineer
You have inspired me to take a trip back memory lane... with the help of Google Maps.
And what memories... when living near Central Park I remember my mother taking us three brothers sledding there. Behind my home was a hill and woods... we loved to build forts in there. Sometimes we would venture over the hill and fool around in the industrial area... as most adventure bound kids do. I was born at Ellis Hospital in 1947.
[Aerial 1] The former Carman School was evidently swallowed up by another school district... now renamed Bradt Primary School in the Mohonasen School District.
[Picture 1] It was here, in 1954 where I was in Mrs. Berman's 2nd grade. I had a crush on Melanie Squires but also liked Lou-anne Wise. This was my wing... remember waiting outside on cold winter days... to be let in.
[Picture 2] Remember walking back and forth each day to my little home on 1041 Outer Drive... would go down Miller street, and stopping at this fence... recording in my mind 'I'll always remember this minute.' That was in 1954. Recalling that minute now... at age 74! Then I would turn right on Hamburg [mom said to be careful as this was a busy street] to the street guards who would help the kids get across the street to Arlene Street... which led into Colebrook... a cluster of very small homes built for returning GI's after WWII.
[Picture 3] Would turn around the bend in the road and head towards home.
[Picture 4] That was the original color of the house... if I remember correctly... but the garage and connecting way were added after we had moved away. The home was a small kitchen, living room area, and two bedrooms with a bathroom in between. I do remember the ancient Plymouth we had... but what was so special about it was the hole in the floor where you could actually see the road when in the back seat. My brothers and I kept this secret for as long as we could so we could enjoy actually seeing the road through the floor when the car was moving!!!
Especially fun when on an evening outing to the local Carvel for ice cream!!!
And what memories... when living near Central Park I remember my mother taking us three brothers sledding there. Behind my home was a hill and woods... we loved to build forts in there. Sometimes we would venture over the hill and fool around in the industrial area... as most adventure bound kids do. I was born at Ellis Hospital in 1947.
[Aerial 1] The former Carman School was evidently swallowed up by another school district... now renamed Bradt Primary School in the Mohonasen School District.
[Picture 1] It was here, in 1954 where I was in Mrs. Berman's 2nd grade. I had a crush on Melanie Squires but also liked Lou-anne Wise. This was my wing... remember waiting outside on cold winter days... to be let in.
[Picture 2] Remember walking back and forth each day to my little home on 1041 Outer Drive... would go down Miller street, and stopping at this fence... recording in my mind 'I'll always remember this minute.' That was in 1954. Recalling that minute now... at age 74! Then I would turn right on Hamburg [mom said to be careful as this was a busy street] to the street guards who would help the kids get across the street to Arlene Street... which led into Colebrook... a cluster of very small homes built for returning GI's after WWII.
[Picture 3] Would turn around the bend in the road and head towards home.
[Picture 4] That was the original color of the house... if I remember correctly... but the garage and connecting way were added after we had moved away. The home was a small kitchen, living room area, and two bedrooms with a bathroom in between. I do remember the ancient Plymouth we had... but what was so special about it was the hole in the floor where you could actually see the road when in the back seat. My brothers and I kept this secret for as long as we could so we could enjoy actually seeing the road through the floor when the car was moving!!!
Especially fun when on an evening outing to the local Carvel for ice cream!!!
20th Century Rider
Engineer
Hi everyone, I'm 50 and new to empty nesting. Hubby and I are planning on taking the Coast Starlight from PDX to LAX at the end of April for our 25th anniversary, stay a couple weeks in Huntington and La Jolla, then head back. Neither of us have ever been on a train, so this will be an adventure! 
After watching all the youtube videos and lurking here, I truly wish we would have thought of doing this when the kids were little years ago. Looks like we've been missing out!
Hope it's as good of a trip as it looks like it will be. Does anyone know how many people are normally on this train, are they back to being completely full again now, so we'll need to wait for open seats in the sightseer lounge?
After watching all the youtube videos and lurking here, I truly wish we would have thought of doing this when the kids were little years ago. Looks like we've been missing out!
Hope it's as good of a trip as it looks like it will be. Does anyone know how many people are normally on this train, are they back to being completely full again now, so we'll need to wait for open seats in the sightseer lounge?
20th Century Rider
Engineer
So happy for you and your Hubby! If you've never been on a train before you are in for an absolutely fabulous experience. Of course the ocean is on the West side of the train... but there are good views from both sides. You will be going during Daylight Savings months... and just out of Eugene is where that magnificent scenery unfolds... you'll be going through the Cascades with peeks of beautiful Lake Odell on the right... but mountain views on both sides.
The next day just before San Luis Obispo you will go through some amazing loops at the train descends into that city... where you'll meet the twin heading in the opposite direction.
Don't know if you are traveling coach or in a room... if in coach... do bring along some snacks to munch on. I suspect the train will be absolutely full due to receding covid and people wanting to pursue spring fever... it's also spring break time.
But a really good thing is that on a train folks like to make friends and talk... so that adds extra fun to the trip!!!
Lots of stuff available to Google in anticipation of your great trip... some is attached. Do have a fun trip!!!
https://amtrakguide.com/routes/coast-starlight/
The next day just before San Luis Obispo you will go through some amazing loops at the train descends into that city... where you'll meet the twin heading in the opposite direction.
Don't know if you are traveling coach or in a room... if in coach... do bring along some snacks to munch on. I suspect the train will be absolutely full due to receding covid and people wanting to pursue spring fever... it's also spring break time.
But a really good thing is that on a train folks like to make friends and talk... so that adds extra fun to the trip!!!
Lots of stuff available to Google in anticipation of your great trip... some is attached. Do have a fun trip!!!
https://amtrakguide.com/routes/coast-starlight/
Thank you, and thanks for the tips and link. We're super excited for the trip and wish it was sooner! I did manage to get us a roomette, it was the last one on the way there, I just didn't know if the train would be booked to capacity - sounds like it will be!
Once we get to LAX (scheduled to arrive at 9:11pm), we have a train booked to get us from LAX to Santa Ana (then we can take a taxi to Huntington), but the train is supposed to take off right after we get there. I'm hoping we don't miss it - the last bus is 10:45 pm. What are the odds we'll actually get in before the last ride out? That would mean it would only be 1.5 hours late. Maybe I should make alternative plans, but it may be the middle of the night in Los Angeles... This is my one concern about the whole trip.
On the way back the times aren't so late.
Once we get to LAX (scheduled to arrive at 9:11pm), we have a train booked to get us from LAX to Santa Ana (then we can take a taxi to Huntington), but the train is supposed to take off right after we get there. I'm hoping we don't miss it - the last bus is 10:45 pm. What are the odds we'll actually get in before the last ride out? That would mean it would only be 1.5 hours late. Maybe I should make alternative plans, but it may be the middle of the night in Los Angeles... This is my one concern about the whole trip.
On the way back the times aren't so late.
If your ticket is booked as a single trip, and your train is late, Amtrak will take care of you. They will either have a bus waiting to take you to your destination, or they will put you up in a hotel close to the station and re-book you for the next morning. Just watch your phone for notifications if your train runs late.
20th Century Rider
Engineer
Hi neighbor! Always good to see your posts. And yes... I had that experience... misconnected going through LAX when the SWC was really late. It was a bit of a 'beg - borrow - steal' kind-a thing with the station mgr to get that hotel room but he did come through with transfers, money for a meal, and that cheap hotel room... but I took full advantage of a full day in LA! Went to Japanese Village, the farmers market, and spent some quality time in the downtown Catholic Cathedral where there is always beautiful music and prayers. Next day I was off on the CS for EUG.
20th Century Rider
Engineer
I've stayed in LA on my own account several times and find the Metro Plaza Hotel a short walk away and reasonable... but it is older and quite basic... with a score of 7.3 out of 10 on travel websites. I truly enjoy the Oriental vibe and culture in and around the Asian community
http://www.metroplazahotel-losangeles.us/
One time that we misconnected at LAX (arriving eatbound on the SL, headed north on the CS), they put us up in the Metro Plaza. It was clean and comfortable, but as you say pretty basic. The other time we were late on the southbound CS, and headed to San Diego. They had a bus waiting for us at Union Station. Our arrival in Sam Diego was in the wee hours of the next morning, and we were very glad of a guaranteed hotel room that we could check into and crash!
20th Century Rider
Engineer
On a number of occasions I've purposely scheduled an overnight stop at the Metro just to take a break... plenty of restaurants around and guitars playing in the 'Little Mexico' area... rather than to continue on the San Diego getting there late and missing all the views along the way.Always an adventure. I've heard that particular train is often late. So we'll either look forward to staying at Metro Plaza, or going on to our destination as planned
Either way, it sounds like it will be fine!
Another idea I want to try is to take the CS out of EUG and make an enroute stop in the Oxnard area... then pick up the Surfliner and enjoy the views going through LA and on to San Diego during the mid day.
https://www.groundedlifetravel.com/amtrak-pacific-surfliner-route-guide/
I am an undergrad senior (Math & Transportation Systems Analysis). I live in Berkshire County, MA.
Have ridden Amtrak many times both HUD to NYP and LD from PIT. Most recent trip was a 30-day pass over winter break (Lakeshore LTD, Texas Eagle, Sunset LTD, Coast Starlight). Love riding Amtrak. Also involved in local public transit (bus) service.
We need direct service between NYP and PIT! It's been "in the works" for about a decade but maybe now it'll happen with the infrastructure bill...
Have ridden Amtrak many times both HUD to NYP and LD from PIT. Most recent trip was a 30-day pass over winter break (Lakeshore LTD, Texas Eagle, Sunset LTD, Coast Starlight). Love riding Amtrak. Also involved in local public transit (bus) service.
We need direct service between NYP and PIT! It's been "in the works" for about a decade but maybe now it'll happen with the infrastructure bill...
