The Amazing Birthday Trip.
- Thread starter TylerP42
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TylerP42
Conductor
Up close and personal with some BNSF crew in Fullerton.
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TylerP42
Conductor
5 AUG 2015
DAY TWO
This day I was on the train all day. It was a pretty normal train day, amazing as always. However there is one story that I want to pick out from that day.
I was in the Sightseer Lounge playing solitaire with my Amtrak cards. The conductor was sitting at the table that was across the aisle from me. A nice lady came and sat across from him. She began to speak to him, and said that she had her dad on the train, her dad was 80 years old and it was his birthday today. But the very special thing about it was the fact that he loved trains. He apparently spent most of his time watching trains go by and he absolutely loved trains. She really wanted to do something special for him, since all she could afford for his trip from Chicago was coach. He apparently came from a very impoverished family and could never take trains trips, but still loved trains. The conductor said there isn’t much he can do. I looked at my cards, piled them together and put them neatly in the box, and gave her them, and said give them to her dad. She started to tear up and tried to deny the gift, but I told her that I love trains and that I am very blessed, and I want to pay it forward. She went back to her seat, very happy.
I was in my room and I thought for a second, and looked at the yard paperwork that showed track work and other conductor paperwork that the conductor gave me. I made a decision. I picked it up, and walked back to coach and found the nice lady next to her dad. I crouched next to him, and started talking about trains. At that moment, I gave him the paperwork and explained what everything meant and what the paperwork did for the conductor. He had a huge smile on his face and the lady was so happy!
I am so happy to be able to make someone’s day and to be able to pay it forward.
DAY TWO
This day I was on the train all day. It was a pretty normal train day, amazing as always. However there is one story that I want to pick out from that day.
I was in the Sightseer Lounge playing solitaire with my Amtrak cards. The conductor was sitting at the table that was across the aisle from me. A nice lady came and sat across from him. She began to speak to him, and said that she had her dad on the train, her dad was 80 years old and it was his birthday today. But the very special thing about it was the fact that he loved trains. He apparently spent most of his time watching trains go by and he absolutely loved trains. She really wanted to do something special for him, since all she could afford for his trip from Chicago was coach. He apparently came from a very impoverished family and could never take trains trips, but still loved trains. The conductor said there isn’t much he can do. I looked at my cards, piled them together and put them neatly in the box, and gave her them, and said give them to her dad. She started to tear up and tried to deny the gift, but I told her that I love trains and that I am very blessed, and I want to pay it forward. She went back to her seat, very happy.
I was in my room and I thought for a second, and looked at the yard paperwork that showed track work and other conductor paperwork that the conductor gave me. I made a decision. I picked it up, and walked back to coach and found the nice lady next to her dad. I crouched next to him, and started talking about trains. At that moment, I gave him the paperwork and explained what everything meant and what the paperwork did for the conductor. He had a huge smile on his face and the lady was so happy!
I am so happy to be able to make someone’s day and to be able to pay it forward.
Way to go Tyler! Passing on good fortune to others is known as Good Karma, and you are definitely building some up!
Bravo, Tyler! I don't know who Mr. Z is, but I can sure see why he thinks you are worth helping out.
Tyler, you are a great, caring young man. I can't wait to meet you in October.
Mystic River Dragon
Engineer
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2014
- Messages
- 4,447
What a gracious and lovely thing to do, Tyler! And taking time to talk with the gentleman was a special part of your gift to him--as people get older, sometimes they feel like nobody cares or wants to be around them anymore--you absolutely made his 80th birthday the best ever! 
FormerOBS
Conductor
The great unwashed masses look upon trains as just one more way of getting from here to there.
Those in the know are aware that trains are a social phenomenon second to none.
They are a force for civility and decency, much needed in today's world.
It's wonderful to see that you're carrying on the tradition, Tyler.
Tom
Those in the know are aware that trains are a social phenomenon second to none.
They are a force for civility and decency, much needed in today's world.
It's wonderful to see that you're carrying on the tradition, Tyler.
Tom
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TylerP42
Conductor
Almost forgot.
4 AUG 15 SWC #3
43, 84, 1753, 39009, 32022, 32093 "Missouri", 38062, 33033, 34048, 34093, 31043, 31036
4 AUG 15 SWC #3
43, 84, 1753, 39009, 32022, 32093 "Missouri", 38062, 33033, 34048, 34093, 31043, 31036
I hear you are in the lounge at LAX waiting for the Coast Starlight. Enjoy your trip up the coast.
Now I am hearing there are PVs on the back of the CS. I hope you are able to get photos.
TylerP42
Conductor
There she is!
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nice.
TylerP42
Conductor
I talked to Mr. Z and he OK'd it, the mystery of Mr. Z will be solved, TONIGHT!
Who is that Masked Man?
The Shadow knows and so do some of us! It won't be a big surprise that Mr. Z is really a swell guy!
Hope y'all have a great trip on the Starlight! We're envious!
The Shadow knows and so do some of us! It won't be a big surprise that Mr. Z is really a swell guy!
Hope y'all have a great trip on the Starlight! We're envious!
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TylerP42
Conductor
DAY THREE
6 AUG 2015
We were scheduled to arrive in LAX at 13:30, meaning we would miss the Coast Starlight connection for the day, but we already had the reservation changed so we did not have to worry. I had breakfast, and when they called for lunch there was nothing I could eat (being gluten free, the only thing they had was grilled cheese). The SCA, Julio, was amazing.
We got into LA and one of the first things we did was check-in at the Metro Plaza Hotel. Very nice hotel, while I was there I noticed a Mexican market across the street and kept a mental note of it. A few hours later, me and Mrs. Z decided to go to Hollywood Blvd.
We took the Red line.
First place we decided to go was the Chinese theatre. Right next door there was a shopping center, where I saw an Oakley’s store and thought I’d take a look. I did a U-Turn as soon as I saw the cheapest sunglasses were $110. We then went and looked at a few stores, I got a LA Kings shirt and a Anaheim Ducks shirt. We saw the Hollywood sign and made sure to take a picture of it!
Then we went was lunch/dinner at Mel’s Drive-In. It was amazing food; I had rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes with a chocolate milkshake. The place had outstanding service and food.
After that we went to was Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. It was a very interesting place, with a lot of weird stuff going on. Next place, which was one of my favorites, was the wax museum!
I made sure to get my picture with my favorite movie actors and favorite movie, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black! It was very cool. I also got my picture with Morgan Freeman and a few other stars.
The next place we went to was the Guinness World Records Museum. It was kind of small and not very interesting.
We started to head back to the hotel at that point. We took the red line back. We decided to stop at the Mexican market on the way back to our hotel, and I got a wrestling mask! It is of Sin Cara, a WWE wrestler. Mrs. Z got a shawl. I also ate at this amazing little Mexican place called “la buena noche”. It was very good food and amazing service.
We then got back to the hotel and decided to get ready for bed, as our Coast Starlight was the next morning!
6 AUG 2015
We were scheduled to arrive in LAX at 13:30, meaning we would miss the Coast Starlight connection for the day, but we already had the reservation changed so we did not have to worry. I had breakfast, and when they called for lunch there was nothing I could eat (being gluten free, the only thing they had was grilled cheese). The SCA, Julio, was amazing.
We got into LA and one of the first things we did was check-in at the Metro Plaza Hotel. Very nice hotel, while I was there I noticed a Mexican market across the street and kept a mental note of it. A few hours later, me and Mrs. Z decided to go to Hollywood Blvd.
We took the Red line.
First place we decided to go was the Chinese theatre. Right next door there was a shopping center, where I saw an Oakley’s store and thought I’d take a look. I did a U-Turn as soon as I saw the cheapest sunglasses were $110. We then went and looked at a few stores, I got a LA Kings shirt and a Anaheim Ducks shirt. We saw the Hollywood sign and made sure to take a picture of it!
Then we went was lunch/dinner at Mel’s Drive-In. It was amazing food; I had rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes with a chocolate milkshake. The place had outstanding service and food.
After that we went to was Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. It was a very interesting place, with a lot of weird stuff going on. Next place, which was one of my favorites, was the wax museum!
I made sure to get my picture with my favorite movie actors and favorite movie, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black! It was very cool. I also got my picture with Morgan Freeman and a few other stars.
The next place we went to was the Guinness World Records Museum. It was kind of small and not very interesting.
We started to head back to the hotel at that point. We took the red line back. We decided to stop at the Mexican market on the way back to our hotel, and I got a wrestling mask! It is of Sin Cara, a WWE wrestler. Mrs. Z got a shawl. I also ate at this amazing little Mexican place called “la buena noche”. It was very good food and amazing service.
We then got back to the hotel and decided to get ready for bed, as our Coast Starlight was the next morning!
TylerP42
Conductor
I will hopefully post the report for today later tonight.
The Mexican block kind of between LAUS and Metro Plaza is a national historic monument where Los Angeles was founded. Some of the original buildings remain. This being Friday night, you might find a party going on in the plaza with live music, worth checking out. They also have a visitor center, walking tours, etc. Olvera Street
Don't forget Metro Plaza is tucked into the corner of China Town. It isn't as big as many other China Towns and has had some hard times recently but does have a pretty spectacular dragon gate, especially when lit up for festivals. When they built LAUS, they took out the original China Town. The best sweets are at Phoenix Bakery and I like the dim sum at Won Kok.
Don't forget Metro Plaza is tucked into the corner of China Town. It isn't as big as many other China Towns and has had some hard times recently but does have a pretty spectacular dragon gate, especially when lit up for festivals. When they built LAUS, they took out the original China Town. The best sweets are at Phoenix Bakery and I like the dim sum at Won Kok.
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TylerP42
Conductor
Alice, thank you for the tips. Today I am on the Coast Starlight. I have been posting everything a day behind. I will be posting today's report tonight when I get to Emeryville.
Tyler, I hope that you enjoyed your lunch in the PPC, your movie in the PPC and you will enjoy your dinner in the PPC.
TylerP42
Conductor
The mystery of Mr. Z
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Ah Ha! Fooled ya! And yes, Dick is a great man with a kind heart.
It made sense since you live in Ohio.Ah Ha! Fooled ya! And yes, Dick is a great man with a kind heart.
