Day 1 – Los Angeles
DAY ONE PHOTOS
The first day began in Los Angeles in the evening of December 13th. We hitched a ride into LAUS with family. As we turned onto one of the feeder streets for Alameda St. the Southwest Chief was backing into the station.
A quick drop off at the station and we headed into the main terminal. This was a first, seeing Union Station decorated for the holidays. A quick shot of the tree by the main entrance, and some of the wreaths led me to decide to chronicle the different Amtrak holiday displays as we cross the nation.
Next we headed over to quick-trak and printed a boatload of tickets. The coach line was already forming for #4, but being in a sleeper we didn’t sweat it and enjoyed Union Station’s very comfortable seats a short distance away. Being mid-Dec. the station was fairly quiet (and a Sunday night). We must have missed the sleeper announcement and heard the general boarding call over the PA. My travelling companion commented how it was a shame we couldn’t use the Traxx as a lounge.
Gathering our gear we headed out to track 11 and were directed in the sleeper direction.
We walked up to an empty platform and were greeted by our SA. We were in car 430, a Superliner II with the name “Florida”. I thought the names had all been removed from these cars, but it was nice to see a name on this one, as well as the original phase IV paint. However the inside of the car was in good shape and I have to say we prefer the II to the Superliner I. The closet isn’t big enough in the Superliner I for two people’s winter weather gear and makes you feel a bit more cramped. I guess they both have their plusses and minuses, but for us the Superliner II was a bit better.
Heading up to room 8 it wasn’t long before the train started moving. Our LSA came around soon for dinner reservations. Since we had a late lunch, we opted for an 8:30pm seating. We watched the LA suburbs go by and were seated around San Bernardino in the diner.
I decided to order the steak and my companion had ???. The steak was very tasty. I like whatever marinate they are using. I did have to cut off the very edge of one side of the meat, as it was hard and tough, but as I understand that's pretty normal for this cut of beef. Would definitely recommend the steak.
Being in the late seating we were not rushed and enjoyed the time with our tablemates until well after Victorville. We enjoyed ice cream for dessert. Can’t go wrong there! Heading back to the room we were asked to have our rooms put down so we headed to the lounge. It was fairly crowded and had some rather loud folks using quite a bit of profanity. This kept up until a bit after Barstow (another station with nice holiday decorations). At that point we decided to head to bed.
Onto Day 2!
DAY ONE PHOTOS
The first day began in Los Angeles in the evening of December 13th. We hitched a ride into LAUS with family. As we turned onto one of the feeder streets for Alameda St. the Southwest Chief was backing into the station.
A quick drop off at the station and we headed into the main terminal. This was a first, seeing Union Station decorated for the holidays. A quick shot of the tree by the main entrance, and some of the wreaths led me to decide to chronicle the different Amtrak holiday displays as we cross the nation.
Next we headed over to quick-trak and printed a boatload of tickets. The coach line was already forming for #4, but being in a sleeper we didn’t sweat it and enjoyed Union Station’s very comfortable seats a short distance away. Being mid-Dec. the station was fairly quiet (and a Sunday night). We must have missed the sleeper announcement and heard the general boarding call over the PA. My travelling companion commented how it was a shame we couldn’t use the Traxx as a lounge.
Gathering our gear we headed out to track 11 and were directed in the sleeper direction.
We walked up to an empty platform and were greeted by our SA. We were in car 430, a Superliner II with the name “Florida”. I thought the names had all been removed from these cars, but it was nice to see a name on this one, as well as the original phase IV paint. However the inside of the car was in good shape and I have to say we prefer the II to the Superliner I. The closet isn’t big enough in the Superliner I for two people’s winter weather gear and makes you feel a bit more cramped. I guess they both have their plusses and minuses, but for us the Superliner II was a bit better.
Heading up to room 8 it wasn’t long before the train started moving. Our LSA came around soon for dinner reservations. Since we had a late lunch, we opted for an 8:30pm seating. We watched the LA suburbs go by and were seated around San Bernardino in the diner.
I decided to order the steak and my companion had ???. The steak was very tasty. I like whatever marinate they are using. I did have to cut off the very edge of one side of the meat, as it was hard and tough, but as I understand that's pretty normal for this cut of beef. Would definitely recommend the steak.
Being in the late seating we were not rushed and enjoyed the time with our tablemates until well after Victorville. We enjoyed ice cream for dessert. Can’t go wrong there! Heading back to the room we were asked to have our rooms put down so we headed to the lounge. It was fairly crowded and had some rather loud folks using quite a bit of profanity. This kept up until a bit after Barstow (another station with nice holiday decorations). At that point we decided to head to bed.
Onto Day 2!
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