dewey@uokvax.UUCP (12/24/85)
Does anyone have ANY information on the trains in California.
Specifically, I'm interested in the routes between Los Angeles
and San Fransisco. I've heard that there is route near or
along the coast highway.
Any or all information would be appreciated.
Dewey Coffman
Engineering Computer Network
USENET: {ihnp4,allegra!cbosgd}!okstate!uokvax!deweyalw@mit-eddie.UUCP (Alan Wu) (01/04/86)
[] If I remember correctly, the train you're interested in is called the "Coast Starlight" or something like that. Anyway, it's run by Amtrak, and you should call their toll-free number (which I unfortunately don't have immediately at hand) to get more info. Also, there are several good books about long-distance travel by train in North America. They include descriptions of things to be seen along the way, as well as the mundane but necessary details. If a trip to the bookstore doesn't turn up anything, send me e-mail and I'll dig around at home and get you the titles and authors.
joseph@orstcs.UUCP (joseph) (01/05/86)
The experience of myself, and others I have talked to has been
that they tend to be quite late. (e.g. 2.5 hrs. late leaving
on a 2 hr. trip! I do, however, have a friend who traveled
quite pleasantly from Portland to Berkeley and back. Good Luck!chris@leadsv.UUCP (Chris Salander) (01/06/86)
There is one train, The Pacific Coast Sarlighter. There are two schedules, one running south and one running north each day. The trains do not run across the Bay Bridges, so if you want to connect to San Francisco, you have to detrain or entrain at two points along the east side of the bay. There is a bus that runs from the train station in Oakland and there is a passenger train (run by Southern Pacific for commuters) from the San Jose station. Also, the train does not run directly through the capital, Sacramento, but instead goes through a small town 10 miles to the west called Davis (Cal Aggies!). There is a regional transit bus from that train station to Sacramento. When last I rode this train the schedules were like this (approximate): Southbound: Davis ~6 am; Oakland ~8 am; San Jose ~9 am; Los Angeles - that evening. Northbound: San Jose - late afternoon Oakland - early evening Davis - evening The line runs all the way from Vancouver to Los Angeles. It stops in some semi-significant towns like San Luis Obispo. North of Davis the track follows Highway 5. South of San Jose the track follows Highway 101 (the old Mission trail). In Seattle, you can change to another passenger train that goes through Montana. In Los Angeles you can change to a train that goes to Arizona. There use to be a train from Sacramento to Reno and points east, but it may be discontinued. The food is snack bar quality. (I almost starved) So bag lunches might help. Restrooms were excellent. They have about the only chairs I have ever ridden in that are big enough and flexible enough that I could sleep in them. Sleep over your bags (theft). This was coach class. - Chris Salander
copp@petrus.UUCP (01/09/86)
I presume that you are looking for a scenic coastal experience. A friend recently took a luxury bus tour from L.A. to San Francisco. The advantage of the bus was that it stopped at Hearst Casle, etc. It is possible that this sort of trip might come closer to what you are looking for.
paul@pilchuckDataio.UUCP (Paul Brownlow, Data I/O Redmond, WA) (01/15/86)
> > There is one train, The Pacific Coast Starlighter. > > > The line runs all the way from Vancouver to > Los Angeles. > > - Chris Salander Service from Seattle to Vancouver was discontinued a few years ago, although it might resume for Expo 86 if enough money is made available ($800,000 or something like that). To get to Vancouver you must now take a bus. -- ------- Paul Brownlow "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"