p&sr
OBS Chief
Here is the Trip Report for our Latest Adventure. My beautiful "Moonlight Express" and I (P&SR) were out for ten days, toured 15 States by Rail, and had an outstanding visit to Chicago and the surrounding Area. This was our first Train Trip together involving more than a single overnight each way.
The Trip began the Afternoon of Friday, June 6th, right here in our own home town. We needed to catch the Amtrak Bus first thing Saturday Morning, earlier than we could get there on foot and earlier than we would trust a small-town Taxi to provide reliable and timely service. So we camped out Friday night in a nice Motel right near the Amtrak Stop.
When "Moonlight Express" came home from work (early, as arranged) that afternoon, we completed our final packing and preparations, then drove to our Motel. On the way (to make sure the day would count as part of a Rail Adventure) we visited our town's Historic Depot (formerly NorthWestern Pacific), and also the Heritage Barn of the P&SR (my RailRoad Namesake), with a bright yellow Switching Engine undergoing restoration sitting proudly right outside.
We checked in to the Motel, dropped off our luggage, then drove home to start the trip again, this time doing things right. After a final check, we left behind the car and headed out across town on foot. Our 2 1/2 mile walk took us past our High School's Graduation Ceremony, and through neighborhoods with our typical trees and gardens (Redwoods, Palm Trees, Olive Trees, Eucalyptus Trees...) all of which would no longer be seen once we crossed the State Line. We had clear skies and a gentle breeze, and good views of the surrounding hills. Good weather was to remain with us... right up until Eastern Iowa.
We had a nice oriental buffet dinner next to the Motel, and set our alarms for 5:30 AM the next morning.
On Saturday we got to the Bus Stop at Sunrise and arrived at our Home Station of Martinez, California in time to see the southbound Coast Starlight (with parlour car, and the chartered Vista-Dome Car "Sierra Hotel"). We caught the next train to San Jose, with breakfast (hot dog and pepsi) on board. Fine cruising along the shores of San Francisco Bay. Along the way we saw the BART Trains in Oakland, and the track and depot for the Niles Canyon Tourist Train. Crossing the Salt Marshes by Newark, we saw White Pelicans, and the island Ghost Town of "Drawbridge", then the roller-coasters of the "Great America" Park in Santa Clara.
We arrived in San Jose a few minutes early, and had lunch (hot dogs and Sprite) at the snack bar there. We watched some light-rail traffic running to Mountain View, then caught the Noon CalTrain to San Francisco. Passing the Airport, we saw the People Mover running between terminals.
At the S.F. Depot (4th and King) we rode the Muni T-Third Street line to Powell and Market Street, where we saw the Cable Cars and their Turntable, and a vast line of Tourists hoping to ride. We walked around the Turntable and across the Tracks to "claim" the system for our trip, then caught the F-Wharves Heritage Streetcar (one of the Peter Witt cars from Milan) to Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf.
We caught the 2:50 Ferry to Oakland (by way of Angel Island, which added interest), then walked around Jack London Square and the near-by Aquatic Park. A colorful Chinese Dragon-Boat Festival was underway. We watched both freight and passenger Trains running right on the streets through that neighborhood.
At 5:50 PM our next Train departed for Bakersfield. Dinner on-board was the Spanish Omelette, with a Corona for dessert. Smooth and pleasant travelling. One group from Stockton to Fresno was a bit loud and thought that being slightly drunk was "funny"... but it was peaceful again after they got off. We continued South on the Midnight Bus to San Diego.
After stopping for another Hot Dog at 1:45 AM in Santa Clarita, we arrived early in San Diego at 5:10 AM. Getting refreshed and organized in the Station, we headed out on the 5:50 AM Orange Line (light-rail) to El Cajon, then the Green Line to Santee and Old Town, then the Blue Line to San Ysidro (Mexican Border) and back. At the 12th and Imperial Transfer Station we had a hot dog lunch, then rode the last stretch of the Orange Line past the Convention Center. We admired the architecture, the fountains, the outdoor cafes, and were surprised to see a Funicular running up the side of the building at the Convention Center (saving people a climb on a very long outdoor stairway).
Returning to the Amtrak Depot, we then walked down to the Waterfront, where we saw the Coronado Island Ferries, and the USS Midway (Aircraft Carrier Museum), interesting public Art along the walkway, and the Maritime Museum (with sailing ship "Star of India" and the Ferryboat "Berkeley"... formerly operated by Southern Pacific Lines on San Francisco Bay), plus a Russian Attack Submarine and a luxury Harbour Cruise for Sunday Brunch, and lots of other points of Nautical Interest.
Back at the Depot again, we noticed that the Snack Bar there is called the "Silver Streak Cafe".
We boarded the Noon Surfliner for Los Angeles, with great coastal views along the way. We were ticketed to allow a stopover in Oceanside (to ride the new Sprinter to Escondido), but realized it just wouldn't fit in on this particular trip. At Redondo Junction we enjoyed great views of Downtown, and were glad to see the famous operating Steam Engine back in its place by the TurnTable there.
Down the escalator to the Red Line, where we bought an all-day pass, then up the elevator to the Gold Line, which we rode to Pasadena (3:00 PM departure) and back, noting the restored Santa Fe Station at the Del Mar Stop along the historic Santa Fe route to Chicago.
Back at LAX, we enjoyed French Dip Sandwiches at Philippe's (double-dipped), with ice tea and lemonade, then rode the Red Line to Pershing Square. We walked up Hill Street to the Angels Flight Funicular (track and stations... the cars are still in storage pending resumption of service "sometime"). Climbing the stairs there, we saw the historic Subway Building, with painted-on false windows... some with "broken glass", and some with paintings of workers on a scaffold. (Back in the 50's we would catch the Streetcars there underground for various destinations such as Hollywood, reached through long tunnels beneath the City.) On top of Bunker Hill, we enjoyed the fountains and modern Architecture at the Water Court complex, then walked north on Grand past the Museum of Contemporary Art and the new Disney Concert Hall, admiring the many tall buildings all around us. Heading down the hill again on 1st Street, we caught the Red Line at Civic Center Station and returned to Union Station at 5:45 PM... exactly one hour before our scheduled departure on the SouthWest Chief.
To be continued...
The Trip began the Afternoon of Friday, June 6th, right here in our own home town. We needed to catch the Amtrak Bus first thing Saturday Morning, earlier than we could get there on foot and earlier than we would trust a small-town Taxi to provide reliable and timely service. So we camped out Friday night in a nice Motel right near the Amtrak Stop.
When "Moonlight Express" came home from work (early, as arranged) that afternoon, we completed our final packing and preparations, then drove to our Motel. On the way (to make sure the day would count as part of a Rail Adventure) we visited our town's Historic Depot (formerly NorthWestern Pacific), and also the Heritage Barn of the P&SR (my RailRoad Namesake), with a bright yellow Switching Engine undergoing restoration sitting proudly right outside.
We checked in to the Motel, dropped off our luggage, then drove home to start the trip again, this time doing things right. After a final check, we left behind the car and headed out across town on foot. Our 2 1/2 mile walk took us past our High School's Graduation Ceremony, and through neighborhoods with our typical trees and gardens (Redwoods, Palm Trees, Olive Trees, Eucalyptus Trees...) all of which would no longer be seen once we crossed the State Line. We had clear skies and a gentle breeze, and good views of the surrounding hills. Good weather was to remain with us... right up until Eastern Iowa.
We had a nice oriental buffet dinner next to the Motel, and set our alarms for 5:30 AM the next morning.
On Saturday we got to the Bus Stop at Sunrise and arrived at our Home Station of Martinez, California in time to see the southbound Coast Starlight (with parlour car, and the chartered Vista-Dome Car "Sierra Hotel"). We caught the next train to San Jose, with breakfast (hot dog and pepsi) on board. Fine cruising along the shores of San Francisco Bay. Along the way we saw the BART Trains in Oakland, and the track and depot for the Niles Canyon Tourist Train. Crossing the Salt Marshes by Newark, we saw White Pelicans, and the island Ghost Town of "Drawbridge", then the roller-coasters of the "Great America" Park in Santa Clara.
We arrived in San Jose a few minutes early, and had lunch (hot dogs and Sprite) at the snack bar there. We watched some light-rail traffic running to Mountain View, then caught the Noon CalTrain to San Francisco. Passing the Airport, we saw the People Mover running between terminals.
At the S.F. Depot (4th and King) we rode the Muni T-Third Street line to Powell and Market Street, where we saw the Cable Cars and their Turntable, and a vast line of Tourists hoping to ride. We walked around the Turntable and across the Tracks to "claim" the system for our trip, then caught the F-Wharves Heritage Streetcar (one of the Peter Witt cars from Milan) to Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf.
We caught the 2:50 Ferry to Oakland (by way of Angel Island, which added interest), then walked around Jack London Square and the near-by Aquatic Park. A colorful Chinese Dragon-Boat Festival was underway. We watched both freight and passenger Trains running right on the streets through that neighborhood.
At 5:50 PM our next Train departed for Bakersfield. Dinner on-board was the Spanish Omelette, with a Corona for dessert. Smooth and pleasant travelling. One group from Stockton to Fresno was a bit loud and thought that being slightly drunk was "funny"... but it was peaceful again after they got off. We continued South on the Midnight Bus to San Diego.
After stopping for another Hot Dog at 1:45 AM in Santa Clarita, we arrived early in San Diego at 5:10 AM. Getting refreshed and organized in the Station, we headed out on the 5:50 AM Orange Line (light-rail) to El Cajon, then the Green Line to Santee and Old Town, then the Blue Line to San Ysidro (Mexican Border) and back. At the 12th and Imperial Transfer Station we had a hot dog lunch, then rode the last stretch of the Orange Line past the Convention Center. We admired the architecture, the fountains, the outdoor cafes, and were surprised to see a Funicular running up the side of the building at the Convention Center (saving people a climb on a very long outdoor stairway).
Returning to the Amtrak Depot, we then walked down to the Waterfront, where we saw the Coronado Island Ferries, and the USS Midway (Aircraft Carrier Museum), interesting public Art along the walkway, and the Maritime Museum (with sailing ship "Star of India" and the Ferryboat "Berkeley"... formerly operated by Southern Pacific Lines on San Francisco Bay), plus a Russian Attack Submarine and a luxury Harbour Cruise for Sunday Brunch, and lots of other points of Nautical Interest.
Back at the Depot again, we noticed that the Snack Bar there is called the "Silver Streak Cafe".
We boarded the Noon Surfliner for Los Angeles, with great coastal views along the way. We were ticketed to allow a stopover in Oceanside (to ride the new Sprinter to Escondido), but realized it just wouldn't fit in on this particular trip. At Redondo Junction we enjoyed great views of Downtown, and were glad to see the famous operating Steam Engine back in its place by the TurnTable there.
Down the escalator to the Red Line, where we bought an all-day pass, then up the elevator to the Gold Line, which we rode to Pasadena (3:00 PM departure) and back, noting the restored Santa Fe Station at the Del Mar Stop along the historic Santa Fe route to Chicago.
Back at LAX, we enjoyed French Dip Sandwiches at Philippe's (double-dipped), with ice tea and lemonade, then rode the Red Line to Pershing Square. We walked up Hill Street to the Angels Flight Funicular (track and stations... the cars are still in storage pending resumption of service "sometime"). Climbing the stairs there, we saw the historic Subway Building, with painted-on false windows... some with "broken glass", and some with paintings of workers on a scaffold. (Back in the 50's we would catch the Streetcars there underground for various destinations such as Hollywood, reached through long tunnels beneath the City.) On top of Bunker Hill, we enjoyed the fountains and modern Architecture at the Water Court complex, then walked north on Grand past the Museum of Contemporary Art and the new Disney Concert Hall, admiring the many tall buildings all around us. Heading down the hill again on 1st Street, we caught the Red Line at Civic Center Station and returned to Union Station at 5:45 PM... exactly one hour before our scheduled departure on the SouthWest Chief.
To be continued...
