OK - I'm back at it with another trip. This time, I'm taking the Surfliner up to LA and then taking local transit all the way to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Not the most efficient trip to do via Amtrak, but driving isn't an option for me (and even if it were, I probably wouldn't want to do it this weekend with the whole "Carmageddon" thing - which is part of why I opted to do the trip this weekend!)... In any case, it's more fun this way - not only do I get the Surfliner to LAX, I get Metro or Metrolink too! Will be spending the night at a hotel near the park and returning Sunday night via the same route. I have done this trip before (though as a daytrip - I know 5hrs each way to spend 7hrs there is kind of crazy, but I had fun..), though the last time was before I moved to San Diego (was visiting family then...)
Part 1: SAN to LAX
Got up slightly after 5am - earlier than I'd like, but that's what you have to do when taking #763 at 6:05am. Could obviously take a later train, but then I'd get to the park later. Packed up a few things (not that much, since I'm only spending one night), and then walked the short distance to the station. A line was already forming to board , and as I waited I tried (unsuccessfully) to purchase a weekend Metrolink pass from the ticket machine. Even though I may not necessarily take Metrolink, it also is good on all the other transit I'd need to use - and if I had a ticket I could try to make a mad dash for the 8:55am Antelope Valley Line train which would get me to Santa Clarita (where I transfer to local transit to the park) sooner than the Red Line+Santa Clarita Transit option. Oh well - looks like its the Red Line (unless we're significantly early and I can get a ticket quickly).
Anyway, I heard the first boarding call for #763, which was my cue to stop trying to get the Metrolink ticket machine to work and get on the train. Was confused by the two consists parked in front of SAN, but eventually figured out which one I wanted (perhaps the second one was for the next train?) Found a Superliner car, but it was quite dark inside, so I opted to sit in a standard Surfliner car with better lighting instead. Trip has been remarkably smooth thus far - no stops for passing trains, and no other "mystery stops" for that matter. Perhaps being the first train of the day on a weekend helps. Anyway, I did get some coffee in the cafe car to help wake me up (the early train isn't my favorite, though when you want to get there early that's what you have to take...) - the people in front of me were purchasing alcoholic beverages (at 7am!) Just departed Santa Ana - hoping we get to LA early so I can at least attempt to make that Antelope Valley train...
Part 1: SAN to LAX
Got up slightly after 5am - earlier than I'd like, but that's what you have to do when taking #763 at 6:05am. Could obviously take a later train, but then I'd get to the park later. Packed up a few things (not that much, since I'm only spending one night), and then walked the short distance to the station. A line was already forming to board , and as I waited I tried (unsuccessfully) to purchase a weekend Metrolink pass from the ticket machine. Even though I may not necessarily take Metrolink, it also is good on all the other transit I'd need to use - and if I had a ticket I could try to make a mad dash for the 8:55am Antelope Valley Line train which would get me to Santa Clarita (where I transfer to local transit to the park) sooner than the Red Line+Santa Clarita Transit option. Oh well - looks like its the Red Line (unless we're significantly early and I can get a ticket quickly).
Anyway, I heard the first boarding call for #763, which was my cue to stop trying to get the Metrolink ticket machine to work and get on the train. Was confused by the two consists parked in front of SAN, but eventually figured out which one I wanted (perhaps the second one was for the next train?) Found a Superliner car, but it was quite dark inside, so I opted to sit in a standard Surfliner car with better lighting instead. Trip has been remarkably smooth thus far - no stops for passing trains, and no other "mystery stops" for that matter. Perhaps being the first train of the day on a weekend helps. Anyway, I did get some coffee in the cafe car to help wake me up (the early train isn't my favorite, though when you want to get there early that's what you have to take...) - the people in front of me were purchasing alcoholic beverages (at 7am!) Just departed Santa Ana - hoping we get to LA early so I can at least attempt to make that Antelope Valley train...