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Metrolink Weekends
Monthly Free Train Rides
I add reports on the
Metrolink Weekends
Monthly Free Train Rides as they take place, with the most
recent reports first.
All photos and story by: Carl@TrainWeb.com
Table of Contents:
Click the line above for the November Free Ride Schedule for Santa Ana
Depot. Below is the Press Release.
Click the above line to learn about the Toy Express
arriving at a station near you!
OCTA Offers Free Rides on Metrolink
Riders get a free ticket on
Sunday, Nov. 19 from Santa Ana Depot
SANTA ANA – On Sunday, Nov. 19, OCTA
will offer free Metrolink train rides to all passengers boarding at the
Santa Ana Depot train station. In order to qualify for a free
roundtrip, riders must depart from and return to the Santa Ana station.
OCTA recently launched Metrolink services on weekends with three
roundtrips between Oceanside and Los Angeles and an additional two
roundtrips between San Bernardino and Oceanside. OCTA officials hope
the free “test ride” will allow the public to see just how fast, easy
and relaxing taking the train can be.
“We’re excited that the public can take advantage of Orange County’s
expanded commuter-rail system,” OCTA Chairman Art Brown said. “Weekend
service is the first in a series of improvements to Metrolink planned
during the next several years thanks to our Measure M sales-tax funds.”
Metrolink’s diverse range of destinations offers something for
everyone, and riders never have to worry about finding a parking
space. Catch a movie at the Irvine Spectrum, go antiquing in Old
Towne Orange, explore historic San Juan Capistrano or enjoy a day at
the beach in San Clemente.
For more information on Metrolink weekends, including detailed train
schedules please call 800-371-LINK or visit www.metrolinkweekends.com.
# # #
The October station was Anaheim.
For the Press Release of the Oct. 29, 2006, Anaheim Free Train Ride,
Click Here
The Anaheim train station is on the north/back side of the Angels
Stadium parking lot, the Katella Street side.
--October
29, 2006, Anaheim, California, Metrolink Station
The location changes, but the
schedule stays the same. The
Orange County Transportation
Authority (OCTA) holds "Free Train Rides" on the Orange County
Line from
specific stations along their route between Los Angeles Station and
Oceanside once each month, to promote their new "Metrolink Weekends"
schedule, and today it was the Anaheim Station. If you cannot
make it to one of their free rides, travel on any weekend Metrolink
train is 1/2 price. The automated machines are all set up, so if
you buy a ticket, say from Orange to San Juan Capistrano, round-trip,
the cost is $6.50, 1/2 the regular rate. So, take the family on a
weened adventure, as I saw many families doing on the Metrolink train
today from Anaheim Station to either Los Angeles Union Station, or San
Juan Capistrano Station.
The next free train ride will be November 17, 2006 from the Santa Ana
Station. It will be the same schedule where you can leave Santa
Ana at 9:45 a.m. or 3:15 p.m. northbound to Los Angeles and return, or
southbound for San Juan Capistrano at 2:17 pm and return.
Be sure to arrive at the station early to get your free ticket from the
blue EZ-up at the station and other useful items such as the "Metrolink
Weekends Fun guide:
Marcelo Sandoval's crew (above) kept
everyone behind the yellow line as our Metrolink arrived. There
was a recorded message on the P.A. system that said, "Please do not
place pennies or rocks on the track." The ADAs were quickly
boarded by the conductor, E. Ramos, who is positioned in the front/cab
car with a short ramp over which the chairs could safely move (below).
We soon zipped
northward, through my home station, Fullerton, and on to Los Angeles.
|
Inside Los
Angeles Union Station (LAUS), across from the Amtrak Information booth,
I noticed a new kiosk, Railway Media, where you can rent pre-loaded
video players for Amtrak trips. They have an ad on the back of
the current Amtrak Timetable. www.RailwayMedia.com
|
Once you've arrived
at Los Angeles Union Station, head to the Old Station (not the
Bus/Metro Bldg.). Walk through the long tunnel under the many
tracks and you'll come out into the beautiful, old, Union Station
waiting area. Continue through that to the Information
Booth. There you can ask about buses that go through the Ethnic
Neighborhoods (Mexican, Japanese, Chinese) as well as Financial
District of Los Angles. Or, like me, be drawn by the music and
continue on out into the sunshine and across Alameda Street, westward
part of one block to Olivera Street and its many activities.
The Information
booth is manned by volunteers that know every bus route and trolley
route and landmark in Los Angeles.
|
Lots of movies
use the station for some filming, look for the vauilted ceiling, or the
ticket booths to the north of the Information booth.
|
Once outside,
look back at the front of the station. Thousands of World War II
soldiers viewed this facade upon their arrival in California.
|
The light posts
at the entrance from Alameda St. indicate the architectural style of
the construction.
Olivera St. Fountain, just across
Alameda St. from LAUS.
|
El Pueblo Historical Monument, the
oldest part of the City of Los Angeles, contains 27 historical
buildings, a traditional Mexican style plaza area, and world-famous
Overa Street.
|
Fire House No.
1, the city's first fire station, is to the left as you enter the
Plaza. Ann works for the City of L. A. and was the docent this
day.
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The horse-drawn
fire engine stands in front of the horse stalls.
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In the floor is
a round table for turning the fire engine by hand after being pulled
into the fire house by the team of horses.
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You can get a free map at the fire
house, or, the next door immediately west you can have a free tour of
the area.
The music and
dancers were enjoyed by large assembled crowd.
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There were
numerous memorials set up honoring those who had passed.
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|
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Free Face
painting made pretty girls look gruesome.
|
King Carlos III
(right) who ordered the founding of Los Angeles in 1781, seemed unmoved
by all the festivities. I proceeded through the sales stalls on
Olivera St., enjoying the aroma of the leather goods on sale.
|
|
I walked through the
one-block Olivera St. shops and came out where Main St. joins
Alameda. I continued walking north to a favorite restaurant for
those who travel to or from LAUS.
The San Antonio
Winery is an alternative, but too far to walk in the hour I had left to
eat and return for the 1:30 pm train back to Anaheim.
|
|
Soon most of the folks who took the
train to LA must have had time to do what they wanted in the area and
they returned to the station for their trip back to Anaheim. With
15 minutes to spare, I took a few pictures of the engine, and the ADA
loading arrangements they have in LAUS as the same folks who went north
went back south to Anaheim.
 |
The departing
engineer (right), leaving her cab car position, helped situate the
loading ramp before going off duty.
|
Conductor E.
Ramos took his position in the cab car (right) and 'conducted' the
train via radio to the engineer, out on the main line where we reversed
and proceeded engine-first southbound. Track work in the station
area necessitated this move by most arriving Metrolink trains this day.
|
|
3751 still
sits, partially undressed by Santa Ana winds, at the roundhouse.
|
It was a tiring day for most.
|
Back at Anaheim
Station, our group of 472 disembarked and a new group about the same
size boarded for San Juan Capistrano.
|
 
|
The San Juan Capistrano portion of the Metrolink Free Ride
The upper level
of the Metrolink cars are new, with a table for 4 in the center of each
car in both rows of seats. Handicapped seating is provided on the
lower level.
|
After making
the San Juan Station, Metrolink continues to Oceanside before reversing
to Los Angeles.
|
Walking west
after the train leaves, takes you into the Los Rios Historic
District. Don't miss it! Very interesting historic homes
many converted into antique and art shops. It reminds me of
Hawaii.
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Even birdhouses
in the area have Mission drawings on them.
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From the Los Rios Historic District there are different views of the
new Mission church.
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On the west side of the track is also the Petting Zoo.
In the one block walk to the main drag in San Juan Capistrano, you'll
pass a Napa Valley Wine Bar.
In the one
block walk east to the main street in San Juan Capistrano, you'll pass
a Napa Valley Wine Bar.
|
Turn left and,
across from the Mission, is a nice Indian jewelry store with this
welcoming sign facing north.
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The historic Mission.
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Different kind of signal light in front of the Mission.
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 f
The train
station sign looks almost as old as the mission, but this is the spot
where you wait for your returning Metrolink train.
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It can't be that old, however, if this is carved into it!
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The San Juan
Capistrano Station has a single track so the foliage at trackside is
like a tunnel for the trains. This makes the platform narrow,
however, so be careful here, especially with small children as there
are trains that do not stop here and they move through this narrow area
quite quickly. The platform here is very low and, as you can see
to the left of the above picture, if the car stops at the street, it is
impossible for anyone slightly limited in mobility to board.
Therefore, move to the north of the street crossing to board a car at
the raised part of the platform.
I had an excellent
lunch at the El Adobe Restaurant, before returning to my home Metrolink
Station.
I'll post the Press Release for the next Free Metrolink Ride at the top
of this page in November.
The next event is Sunday, November 19 at The Depot at Santa Ana.
[
Back to the Table of Contents ]
It's not every
day you get a Free Train
Ride!
By
Carl Morrison, Carl@TrainWeb.com
September
17,
2006
The Orange County Transportation
Authority (OCTA) holds "Free Train Rides" from
specific stations along their route between Los Angeles Station and
Oceanside once each month, to promote their new "Metrolink Weekends"
schedule.
I noticed some signs at the Fullerton Station Sunday, September 17,
2006, that had arrows showing where to board Metrolink Trains. I
followed the signs and found a canopy with friendly folks offering a
Free Train Ticket. Upon inquiry, I found there were no strings
attached, you just had to use the ticket this same day.
Since I was there just after 11 a.m., I had the choice to go south to
San Juan Capistrano, and return to Fullerton, or to go north to Los
Angeles Union Station, and return to Fullerton.
Marcelo Sandoval, from the Marketing Dept. at Orange County Transit
Authority [OCTA], was in charge of the activities at Fullerton Station,
with
help from: Abbe, Ileen, Maureen, Jon, Gail, Audrey, Gloria, and
Mike. Marcelo mentioned that the 3 earlier "Free Train Rides"
were a great success. Laguna Niguel had 500 riders on a Saturday,
Orange had 1,200 on a Saturday. Tustin had 700 on a Sunday.
This day, Sunday, there had already been 200 on the first train.
Tickets are available at the station from approximately one hour before
the first train until 7 pm.
At this time of day, prospective riders were informed that they could
go south to San Juan Capistrano, leaving Fullerton at 2:00 pm, coming
back at 2:49 or 6:10 pm and arriving back in Fullerton at
3:32 pm or 6:53 pm. Or, riders could go north to Los Angeles
Union Station, leaving Fullerton station at 3:32 pm and returning on
the 8:45 pm train arriving back in Fullerton at 9:15 pm. (Full
Schedule link below)
Some of you might have seen the Press Release before September
17. I'll include the next Press release on this page before the
October 29 activity:
Sept.
12, 2006
OCTA
Offers Free Rides on Metrolink
Riders get a
free ticket on Sunday, Sept. 17 from Fullerton Metrolink Station
ORANGE – On
Sunday, Sept. 17, OCTA will offer free Metrolink train rides to all
passengers
boarding at the Fullerton Metrolink station. In
order to qualify for a free roundtrip, riders must depart
from and return to the Fullerton station.
Passengers can travel free of charge to any of the destinations
on the
Orange County Line between downtown Los Angeles and Oceanside.
Northbound
trains to Los Angeles will
depart Fullerton at 10:02 a.m., 3:32 p.m. and
6:53 p.m. Southbound trains will
depart at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
OCTA recently
launched weekend Metrolink service on the Orange
County Line with three roundtrips serving Fullerton each Saturday and
Sunday. OCTA officials hope the
free “test ride” will allow the public to see just how fast, easy and
relaxing
taking the train can be.
“We’re excited
that the
public can take advantage of Orange County’s expanded commuter-rail
system,”
OCTA Chairman Art Brown said. “Weekend service is the first in a series
of
improvements to Metrolink planned during the next several years.”
Metrolink’s diverse range of
destinations
offers something for everyone, and riders never have to worry about
finding a
parking space. Catch a movie at
the Irvine Spectrum Center, go antiquing in Old Towne Orange, explore
historic
San Juan Capistrano or enjoy a day at Olvera Street in Los Angeles.
For more information on
Metrolink
weekends, including detailed train schedules please call 800-371-LINK
or visit
www.metrolinkweekends.com.
# # #
Next Free Train Ride, Anaheim,
CA, Station, October 29, 2006.
Photos of Metrolink at the Fullerton, CA, Station, September 17,
2006.
(Double-Click any photo below for
a double-sized copy. Click BACK in your browser to return to this
page.)
Fullerton
Station, Track 1, OCTA 'free train ticket' tent, the Amtrak Office, and
the Santa Fe Cafe on a beautiful Sept. Day.
|
Track 2 and
passengers awaiting the southbound Metrolink.
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"Please stay
behind the yellow line and wait for the train to come to a stop before
boarding." Unfortunately, there were instances of kids ON THE
TRACKS, before the train arrived. Luckily, at least 4 uniformed
Metrolink employees were walking the platform warning against
such activity, as above.
|
Adjacent to
Track 2 (south of the station) there are new condos and lofts with
businesses below being built.
|
When I got
home, I found this nice map online at:
http://www.metrolinktrains.com/
Metrolink's Official Site (metrolinktrains. com) has all the details, and links, on the Weekend Service:
_______________________________
NEW WEEKEND SERVICE
ORANGE
COUNTY AND INLAND EMPIRE-ORANGE COUNTY LINES
Orange County Saturday/Sunday Service
Metrolink
trains now operate on the Orange County Line on weekends. Three round
trips are offered every Saturday and Sunday on the Orange County Line
-- two between Los Angeles and Oceanside, and one between Los Angeles
and San Juan Capistrano. Click here for schedule.
For
a limited time, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is
offering special discounted fares for weekend travel on the Orange
County Line. See below for additional information.
Click
here for additional information.
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