A group of us for our Train Travel Meetup took the
Pacific Surfliner from
Fullerton to Los Angeles Union Station for National
Train Day. One draw was the ability to get quadruple points for
our Amtrak Rewards Accounts. UP Switcher and Amtrak Rolling Stock |
 Parlour Car from the Coast Starlight |
 Four of us
crowded into the Red Cap's cart, with some Coast Starlight
passengers
for a ride into the station.
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 Through the
tunnel under the 12 tracks, it was clear where the celebration was
going to take place, with many directional signs.
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 We found out
quickly that an orange shirt meant a Supervisor of the blue shirt group
who manned many Amtrak booths. Tom soon removed his orange shirt
to avoid being hastled by questions.
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 The TRAXX Club
near the front of the LA Station is a waiting area for sleeper car
passengers on the Coast
Starlight. This board displays daily
information for the travellers.
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 The waiter on
the Coast Starlight sign at the Traxx Club was nicknamed, "Preston."
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 Entrance to the
original Harvey House, south of the the Lobby.
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 There was a large model railroad setup. |
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 A favorite
train and location of mine: Empire
Builder and East Glacier Station.
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 In the former
ticketing area, a stage was set up for live entertainment.
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 A group
provides tours of Union Station, for both adults and youths, which I'd
like to partake of one day.
They have the following tours: Union Station, Downtown Renaissance, Broadway Historic Theatre District, Biltmore Hotel, Angelino Heights, Historic Core, Evolving Skyline, Art Deco. GO to www.laconservancy.org/tours 213-623-2489 Union Station Tours are the 3rd Saturday ea. month, including the 1939 station, Metro Station, MTA building, and experience the Art Deco and Spanish Revival architectural styles. |
 The first time
I had seen Matt Melzer, Executive Director of Depot Inn & Suites
and Silver Rails Resort, since we were in Pullman, IL, together.
My report about Pullman is at: http://trainweb.org/carl/Pullman150/ |
 Inside the original Harvey House. |
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 Some kids activities were planned inside. |
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 Since this was
my first time ever inside the former Harvey House at LAUS, I was very
pleased to see that it had not deteriorated like other Harvey Houses
along the Santa Fe route.
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 Glad to see a Harvey Girls display in front of the Harvey House, I didn't now there was an organization like that here in LA. They also had brochures of 'Women in Railroading.' |
 The 'Store' was
in a booth where they used to rent video machines for long-distance
trains.
Right, National Train Day and the 70-year old LA Union Station. |
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 A booth honoring the 100,000 Mexican RR workers who worked in the US during WWII. |
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 Pacific
Railroad Society's booth was well covered. Ken Ruben, left, made
sure I had a copy of their newsletter 'Wheel Clicks' Their
website: pacificrailroadsociety.org
They have a new book: The Amazing Journey of Santa Fe's RDC Cars
by Ed Saalig
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 They were
taking photos which they placed in kid-type trains, of course Tom and I
took advantage of the opportunity.
I didn't have to push too many kids out of the way to have my picture taken (left). |
 Back to Disney's Christmas Carol traveling train. |
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 Inside one of the 2 cars on the Christmas Carol Train. |
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 Bill welcomes
guests and describes the car as the unique onboard barber shop conducts
business (right).
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 Not a bad job
when you have Marilyn Monroe watching your back!
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 What caught
every guests' attention was the hostess in the car with the authentic,
timely hair styling! Could this be one of Bill and Debbie's
daughters who I used to see peeking over the serving bar?
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 Bill and Debbie had some nice displays in the car. You
can ride in this car. Bill and Debbie have trips
that they sell by the seat. In Private
Varnish they are advertising a June 13, 2009, San Diego
Troop Train trip. Join the Los Angeles/Orange
County, CA, to San Diego and return trip, or San Diego to Los Angeles
and return.
Email: overlandtrail@cs.com, or call 714-546-6923 or 800-539-7245. |
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 Dean McCormick railexcurs@aol.com |
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 Steamed up and ready to go. |
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 Diner |
 Train Day attendees who have visited the face painting booth. |
 Lower-level Kitchen with Chef preparing sample meals. |
 Other half of the kitchen - freezers and dish washing area. |
 Back upstairs,
in the service area, the ticket drop for the orders on the left.
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 Examples of breakfast meals available in the diner. |
 Lunch diner items. |
 Dinner menu samples |
 Pacific Parlour
Car, available only on the Coast Starlight for sleeping
car passengers.
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 Alternative
dining is available in the Parlour Car as well.
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 Lunch in the Parlour Car. |
 Seating is 2 per table as opposed to 4 per table in the DIner. |
 Breakfast in the Parlour Car. |
 Wine Tasting
with cheese and crackers is available each afternoon in the Parlour
Car. $5 for Sleeper passengers, $10 for coach passengers.
Full bottles of wine in the Parlour Car are about the same price as 1/2
bottles in the Diner.
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 Next was a sleeper car. This is a Roomette made up for day travel. There is also a
Bedrooom choice, upstairs, and two other room types downstairs - an
Accessible Room and a Family Bedroom.
We headed back into the station, passing a "Go Green" Amtrak mascot, right. |
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 We walked across the street to Olvera Street for Lunch. |
 The weather was
perfect for a lunch outside, in the shade.
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 Heading back to
the station, we could see the front door to Union Station, still
looking good at age 70.
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 We relaxed an
hour in the TRAXX Bar before walking through the great hall to
our Southboung Pacific Surfliner, which took
us 35 minutes back to Fullerton.
A very nice
day. I'm glad such enjoyable activities were planned at the LA
Station so we could enjoy them only a 35-minute ride from our home
station.
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Returning home after National Train Day in Los Angeles
Union Station, I
had an e-mail from Susan Lipman. She wrote a blog entry about
National Train Day that really captures the flavor of train travel and
turning frustrations into positives when traveling by rail. Her
professionally written 
