I had been chatting with Carole Walker of Bella Vista Travel and she told me about the "Pacific Sands" private car trip from Los Angeles to San Diego and return. I contacted Doug Spinn, the owner of the car, and arranged to be a passenger.
I was up early and went to Albertson's for some cold medicine for the head cold I had come down with. Back home, I finished packing then drove to the Santa Ana station and made my way to Track 1 to wait for Pacific Surfliner 763, which was running thirty minutes late. I started to feel better and was ready for this trip to begin. The train arrived to take me north to Fullerton and stopped in Anaheim before waiting at Fullerton Jct for a southbound Orange County Line Metrolink train. Once on the move, we stopped at the south platform in Fullerton where I detrained and a few minutes later, here came Carole Walker and Arnold James, who would be joining me for this weekend trip.
Pacific Surfliner 566 arrived and soon the three of us were aboard the "Pacific Sands" after being greeted by Doug Spinn. I was assigned Roomette 8 for the weekend and we were underway for San Diego.
I had recently purchased the new Jackie Chan film "Shanghai Nights and watched it during the journey down to San Diego.
It always feels odd to be on a train going through my home town of Santa Ana.
Carole Walker, my excellent travel agent who runs Bella Vista Travel. The train stopped at Irvine and San Juan Capistrano.
I took a break from the film as we ran along the Pacific surf at San Clemente.
Our next stop was Oceanside.
Later our train climbed Miramar Hill before descending Rose Canyon and into San Diego, where we arrived on time. I detrained before the car was spotted and went inside the station to call Let's Talk Trains, the Internet radio show then returned to the train and still not feeling well, I checked my e-mail via the wireless Internet to which I could connect. The other passengers went their own way and I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the private car, doing some Sudoku puzzles before venturing outside for some pictures. The car is kept locked in San Diego as some people think it is a museum and will climb aboard. Doug gives out keys to his passengers so all can come and go as we please while aboard.
The view from my Roomette 8, after which I went outside.
Union Pacific 6 double-bedroom/10 single roomette sleeping car "Pacific Sands" PPCX 800355, ex. Pullman Adventures 2003, exx. Amtrak 2881 1979, exxxx. Amtrak "Pacific Sands" 1971, exxxx. Amtrak 2630, exxxxx. Union Pacific 1436 1969, nee Union Pacific "Pacific Sands" built by Budd Company in 1950. Both the Pullman Company and Union Pacific had high hopes for the future expansion of rail travel by re-equipping the "City" trains with sleek, modern stainless steel cars. The early fifties was the high point of the showdown between the train, automobile and airplane and UP, Pullman and other railroads were coming out fighting!
Half of the Pacific fleet was delivered in the famous two-tone gray Overland paint scheme, the other half in Union Pacific's Armor Yellow, Gray and red Streamliner colors. By 1953, all of the cars had been repainted to yellow. "Pacific Sands" was first operated by the Pullman Company until the late 1960's when Pullman was dissolved and operation of the cars was taken over by the Union Pacific Railroad. It was a regular on the City of Portland, City of Los Angeles and City of San Francisco, among others, and provided classic Pullman service until Amtrak's formation on April 1, 1971.
The Pacific car fleet was one of Amtrak's best sleeper fleets in the 1970's and 1980's, mostly due the excellent maintenance provided by its previous owner. It lived through the purple and orange interior decor of 1970's and was redecorated to its current interior in the late 1980's. During the 25 years of Amtrak service, all of the Pacific cars were scattered through out the country in various Amtrak trains, but most, including "Pacific Sands", finished their service with Amtrak on the East coast routes, including Autotrain, as the West Coast routes were re-equipped with Superliners. A few Pacific cars served Amtrak as crew dorm cars until 2007 when the last one was taken out of service.
"Pacific Sands" was rescued into private ownership in 1996, after 46 years of railroad service. The exterior has been beautifully restored and polished to a partial Pullman/Union Pacific paint scheme by "Pacific Sands" first private owner. It has also been mechanically upgraded to all current Amtrak and FRA safety standards. LA Rail acquired the car in 2003, and has restored the interior of the car to its glory days of the 1950's while adding modern travel conveniences such as a shower.
The view from the rear of the car looking south.
The view from front of the car looking north.
My Roomette 8.
One of the bedrooms.
The hallway by the roomettes.
The hallway by the bedrooms.
The self-service snack area and bar.
The galley.
Later a Coaster train arrived and Arnold James stopped by for a visit. About 3:00 PM, we walked over to Horton Plaza and I bought Asia's "Fantasia" at Sam Goody's then walked over to the San Diego Trolley and rode the Blue Line to Bayfront Street in Chula Vista where I went to the Black Angus and had a steak dinner which really hit the spot. I returned to "Pacific Sands" and watched my new DVD before checking item on the Internet. Once it was completely dark, I ventured outside for a few more pictures.
Pacific Surfliner 591, which would take us home tomorrow night.
"Pacific Sands" on a Saturday night in San Diego. I went back aboard and watched more of Asia before it was time for two Amtrak trains to be at the station.
Pacific Surfliner 582, which would become Pacific Surfliner 595 at 8:20 PM.
About 8:00 PM, Pacific Surfliner 784 arrived to later become the last northbound of the night, Pacific Surfliner 597. Carol returned and I showed her the rare video footage of my Million Mile rail trip in April then we called it a night as I put down the bed in my room. As I put my head down, a southbound BNSF auto train passed and soon I fell into a deep restful sleep.
11/18/2007 I woke up at 6:30 AM and dressed as I had a 7:05 AM Pacific Surfliner 565 to take to Los Angeles. Once aboard I watched "Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest" which lasted almost all the way to Los Angeles then did Sudoku puzzles before returning south on Pacific Surfliner 572 as I watched Queen's "Live at the Bowl". I went back to "Pacific Sands" to check e-mail before taking the trolley back down to Black Angus, where I had a filet mignon and ice cream with hot fudge then returned to the private car for the final time and relaxed until our departure time neared.
The train crew from 591 ready to couple us to their train.
A safety stop was made before they coupled to us.
They then coupled up before they taking out the slack to make sure we were attached.
The rear marker lights were on and we would be departing on time.
The train departed the San Diego station with us on the rear.
After our stop in Old Town, we proceeded north and I showed Carol some of Blackmore Night's "Castles and Dreams" as we enjoyed cheesecake, followed by that portion of the Asia DVD in whichi band members played songs from their previous careers. What was the first song ever played on MTV? It was Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" so Geoff Downes picked that song to play live from his past. We then talked with Doug Spinn before enjoying the vestibule at San Juan Capistrano and Irvine. All too soon, we were rounding that curve and arriving back in Santa Ana, where I detrained.
I thanked Doug for the excellent trip before making my way across that bridge then drove home.
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