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 California State Railroad Museum

Trainmaster's Reception, November 6, 2010

With Railroad Photographer, David Plowd.

Text and Photos by Carl Morrison, Carl@TrainWeb.com


(Left:  Yours Truly, Center:  David's Photos, Right: David Plowden)

California State Railroad Museum special Guest, David Plowden

This Coast Starlight trip to Sacramento from Fullerton/Los Angeles, CA, would be a favorite, I could tell before leaving.  I had planned to take Steve Grande's place, representing TrainWeb.com, at the Trainmaster's Reception at the California State Railroad Museum months before departure.  I had attended such a reception 2 years ago (you can read that report by finding it at trainweb.org/carl), but what made this exciting for me was the fact that David Plowden, famous railroad photographer, would have an exhibition in the Museum through January and he would be at the Museum this weekend to give lectures and sign copies of his new book, Requiem for Steam.

A "Posh" Round Trip on the Coast Starlight - Los Angeles - Sacramento, California

You meet the most interesting people on the Train.  While in the Parlour Car on the Coast Starlight, a fellow traveler, Tom from LaGrange, IL, mentioned the origin of the word, "Posh".  When England controlled India for 100 years, those traveling from England on steam ships always asked for POSH accommodations, a code word,  to be on the shade side of the steam ship.  POSH meaning, "port outbound, starboard home".  This is what Coast Starlight passengers traveling out of Los Angeles should ask for so they have the ocean view both ways:  POSH accommodations. 

(Click any photo below for a double-sized copy; Click BACK in your browser to return to this page.)




Note to Amtrak Administration:  Note how the departing and arriving crews of the Surfliner, which carries Coast Starlight passengers from southern towns to LA, place their luggage directly in front of the Business Class exit door!  Also note the female attendant without a hat, facing the camera, was smoking.   Both activities are  inconsiderate for passengers to do, why can crews do it? (Click the photo for a larger copy)




 
Southwest Chief resting in Los Angeles after arriving over an hour early on this day.


Surfliner on which I connected, from Fullerton, to the Coast Starlight.

In the LA Station, a new Famima! store has been built near the ticket Amtrak counter.  It appears to be much larger than the small stores near the front of the station.

The Arrival and Departure board did not yet have the track for the Coast Starlight, so I made my way to the front entrance where there is a lounge for Sleeping Car passengers.
Coach passengers were checking in at the multi-train booth.
The great hall of the Los Angeles Union Station

Right, Front of Union Station

Mother Nature evidently didn't hear about the time change.

Right, The sun dial is located directly in front of the entrance to LAUS.
The bird of paradise were in bloom on this November morning.


Adjacent to the front entrance is a former Fred Harvey.

I like the very tall Washingtonian Palm Trees that seem to be as tall as the clock tower.

I did not know it until this day, but the Metropolitan Water District offices are beside the Station, with a large patio and water fountain.
The center of a second fountain.

Coast Starlight Los Angeles to Sacramento  "The View from a Superliner."

When I take the Coast Starlight, after I put my luggage in the rack downstairs and carry my camera/computer bag to my room, I like to take a few photos of the freshly prepared cars:

Parlour Car for Sleeping Car passengers.

Half the Parlour car is uplolstered chairs, left, and the other half is tables used for meals if you choose instead of the diner.


Next to the Parlour Car is the Diner, set up for lunch.

The next car back is the Sightseer/Lounge Car with tables (below), and upholstered seating (right).




The large-upper windows allow you to see tall things like the Transportation Building next to the Station in Los Angeles (right).

Back in the room I noticed the Champagne and 'gift' bag of toiletries.
The anti-Mercanzer had the Coast Starlight logo imprinted on it.



The Crowne Plaza sits on the sand in Ventura, where you begin to see the ocean from the Coast Starlight.
Beach Camping was not crowed on this day.
Here at Surf, a surfing youth had been killed by a shark a few weeks earlier.
There are many sand dunes on the beach south of San Luis Obispo, but you only see a few from the train while rounding Vandenberg Air Force Base.

During the day, I met Michelle Orr, the Parlour Car Attendant, and an Amtrak Product Development Manager Rachel Dye Francis.  Rachel knew about Internet, or the lack of it, in the Parlour Car.  She said that in May they had upgraded the Internet on the 72 car with new router, antenna, and 'cards', but I saw nothing new or better than on my previous ride.   I asked what's new with Amtrak and she said they would be adding stops at Burbank and Richmond.

I mentioned that my wife had a ticket for this trip, but she fell ill the morning of our departure.  How can I get credit for her ticket?  Rachel said I should contact Amtrak, with a Dr.'s Note for credit or refund.

Incidentally, there was no Internet at all, the Parlour Car Attendant said it was broken.

A missle ready for launch.
Paso Robles station.
Sunset shortly after Paso Robles

I enjoyed the ride to Sacramento including an Angus Burger Lunch, and Broasted Chicken Dinner.  I did not partake of wine tasting before SLO.

Arrived in Sacramento, pulled my luggage west along the platform, under I-5, and to the Vagabond Inn.  Checked into my room just after midnight.  The night clerk has been there as long as I have been coming to Sacramento, about 2004.  He says he's waiting for his gold watch.

Next Part:  A Day at the California State Railroad Museum in Old Town Sacramento




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