Chicago-LAX-Seattle, May 9 thru 12.

[hankster211]

Used the last of my old AGR points back in January to book a roomette for wife and me on the Southwest Chief, transferring to the Coast Starlight.

We flew from Knoxville to Chicago on May 9, along with my sister who booked a roomette and had never ridden a train.

Trip was on time and thankfully free of any irregularities or bad service. My first time on the SWC and the LA to Davis portion of the CS.

I loved the entire trip but I think for me, 3 continuous days and nights is about one day/night too many.

Posting some photos of the CHI-LAX portion. I'll post the second part of the trip later.

EDIT: Adding Photos of Coast Starlight portion. LAX - SEA.......May 11-12, 2016

 

[Bob Dylan]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing! Most of us agree that breaking up a LD Trip with a stopover or two in interesting places is a good idea!

Everyone's tolerance level is different,IME Age is a big factor in being able to ride for multiple days and nights, especially in Coach!

 

[greatcats]

What, no night shot of my town, Flagstaff? :unsure: Very nice photos, and shows a positive slant to Amtrak. Thanks for sharing/

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Very nice--thanks for posting the lovely pictures.

No Flagstaff for greatcats, but I see there's a Princeton. What state is that in? (I looked it up but there are several out west.) I'm sitting about 10 minutes away from Princeton, NJ, right now, and being an east coaster, it is good for me to be reminded that there are other Princetons!

Looking forward to the other part of your report.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Very nice--thanks for posting the lovely pictures.

No Flagstaff for greatcats, but I see there's a Princeton. What state is that in? (I looked it up but there are several out west.) I'm sitting about 10 minutes away from Princeton, NJ, right now, and being an east coaster, it is good for me to be reminded that there are other Princetons!

Looking forward to the other part of your report.

Based on the order of the pictures, I'd say it's Princeton, IL

 

[hankster211]

It is Princeton, IL. Just added more photos LAX-SEA.

 

[greatcats]

The shot with the Conductor appears to be at La Junta. I'm not sure if it is him, but did he work from Dodge City, and was his name Billy Ray Pearson?

 

[hermit]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a fun trip!!!

 

[hankster211]

It is La Junta. I don't know where the conductor got on (could be Dodge City), but he was leaving at La Junta.

(I tried to add greatcats quote, by clicking on the "quote" button under his post, but I guess I'm doing something wrong)

 

[greatcats]

I'm not sure it is the same man I have spoken to on previous trips. There is a crew based in La Junta that makes an overnight turn to Dodge City, which works if the trains are close to schedule. The crew is on duty around 7:30 pm in La Junta and arrives Dodge City around midnight and then had a 4+ hour rest period and returns to LAJ about 8:15 am, which is legit, rather like some commuter assignments.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Great photos of your trip. Glad your family had good service, food, etc. Yes, it has come to pass that more than 2 nights on the train is more of a problem as we get older. Its been a while since we have been on the CS. Time to GO WEST AGAIN..

 

[Ronbo]

It is Princeton, IL. Just added more photos LAX-SEA.

What, no pictures of Santa Barbara station?

 

[hankster211]

I went back and looked, but no Santa Barbara Station photos.............don't know why, I tried to get every station on the route, if I was awake.