I have a Web site about the Coast Starlight, and I do keep tabs on the arrival/departure times of the train on a daily basis (partly so I know when it's going by so I canwatch it. Southbound out of Portland (#11), the train is usually on time; but northbound(#14), I ahve been amazed at to see the train arrive on time a few times, but most of the time it is late. The arrival time is supposed to be 3:40pm. Usually, as long as it is in before (or at) 6:00pm, I don't worry too much about it. From Portland, it is officially 4 hours to Seattle, but a lot of the time is probably padded scheduling, and the time goes pretty fast.
I can understand, though, people who have been on the train since LA or Oakland getting quite antsy on the train by the time the train gets to Portland and/or Seattle. My advise is to bring along plenty of reading and/or listening (CDs) material, take advantage of the smoke stops (even if you are not a smoker) to get off the train, stretch your legs, get a breath of fresh air, maybe go inside the station (if you can do so without missing the train departure!), and there are usually movies playing the the lounge cars; the Pacific Parlour Car (for sleeping car passengers) has all kinds of attractions to keep people occupied there for several hours. I think dinner is also still being served in the diner (I always see people in the diner at the tables eating--or about to) on the northbound run. It probably helps to have a hotel/motel reservation at your destination so you have a specific place to go. Downtown Portland and Downtown Seattle are fairly compact and easy to get around in, and taxi fares (within the downtown areas) are reasonable (it's probably a good idea to let someone do the driving who knows where he's going in a--for you--strange city). In both cities, city buses are free within the downtown areas. Fortunately for me, I know both Seattle and Portland well enough that I don't have to worry about it, I know where most things are and get get to places fairly easily. But other people are not so fortunate. Anyway, have fun and relax!
Steve's Coast Starlight
One more thing: The Seattle station has a call center where you can call several different hotels to see if rooms are available. That might also be an option for people who arrive without a specific reservation and before setting out to find a room. Just make sure the hotels are downtown and not in the outrlying areas or at the airport (unless you want to go to the airport), for it can be a pretty spendy cab ride you did not anticipate. Just be careful, whatever you do.
