It was going to be just another Saturday train trip up to Los Angeles but this time Chris Parker and Larry Boerio would be leaving on the rear of the Coast Starlight aboard the "Tioga Pass" private railroad car. Pacific Surfliner 565 arrived in Santa Ana on time and I settled in for my trip to Los Angeles. We were delayed by the Coast Starlight reversing into the station so arrived a few minutes late and we had come in on Track 7 across from the Starlight.
I walked to the rear of the train and found "Tioga Pass" bringing up the markers with Larry Boerio on the platform.
Built by Canadian National in 1959, the car was part of an order for 12 similar cars designed for railroad executives. Originally number 23, and later number 93, "Tioga Pass" spent most of its life in Edmonton, Alberta. There it served the Vice President of the Mountain Region. Records show the car traveled all over Canada, providing some 30 years of faithful service. By the early 1990s, though, the car was largely redundant and seldom used. Like the passenger trains on which it used to hitch a ride, the automobile and airplane offered quicker and more convenient transportation in today’s fast-paced corporate world.
In 1992 Canadian National decided to sell the car, and a local businessman in Barstow, California named Rutherford P. "Rudy" Hayes bought it sight unseen because, as he put it, "I always just wanted one." In an epic trip, the car travelled from Edmonton to Barstow in January 1993. Through fierce cold and driving blizzards, the passengers stayed warm inside. Its new owner was like a proud father, pronouncing the car was all he ever thought it would be. Unfortunately, Rudy never got the chance to travel on his new car. He died of a heart attack only months after it was delivered. The car sat, forlorn and neglected in front of the Harvey House train station in Barstow for several years. Aronco Leasing Company purchased the car in 1997 from the Hayes estate.
I asked if Chris Parker was already aboard and was asked into the car. Larry told me that he was running late so I quickly looked around the car then back on the ground, I met Norm Orfall and handed him one of my business cards. Larry detrained and we talked for a few minutes after he learned that Chris Parker had just arrived and was in the parking structure by the MTA Building. A few minutes later, Chris approached.
Larry and Chris on the platform of the "Tioga Pass". I said goodbye to those two and started walking away en route to Track 10 for a photograph of the Coast Starlight departing. I then heard Norm say "Stop him!" and was waving me to come back to the car. He asked me if I wanted to come along for a ride. Knowing that my dog Clyde was locked up on my porch and had food, as well as plenty of water, I decided to ride to Santa Barbara. Norm welcomed me aboard and I sat on one of the couches. A few minutes later, we departed Los Angeles Union Passenger Station on time.
Leaving the platform as we started our trip, which was a dead-head to Seattle to start a charter trip there.
The Coast Starlight left Terminal Tower behind.
At Mission Tower, we curved north along the Los Angeles River.
The former Southern Pacific Railroad painted wall that read "7 Trains a day to San Francisco".
As we passed the Gold Line shops, new cars were waiting for the opening of the Gold Line extension to East Los Angeles.
Next we passed the Metrolink shops with a Sounder coach at the south end.
Curving along the Metrolink yard. I returned inside the car at this point and started talking with the other passengers and car staff. At Van Nuys, I stepped back onto the rear platform.
A leased locomotive and former Southern Pacific locomotive switching. At all stations, most of us would come out onto the rear platform to wave goodbye to people watching the Coast Starlight departing.
Norm chatting after we left Van Nuys. Chris took several short breaks from the open platform.
Larry was enjoying the "Tioga Pass".
The switcher hard at work after we departed. Norm and I started talking and soon I learned he had worked as a brakeman on the Southern Pacific over the line and as a trainmaster for the Santa Fe at Fullerton. For over the next hour, he told me truly interesting stories about working for the Southern Pacific. Having read John Signor's book on the SP Coast Line, his stories really added to my knowledge about this line. As we talked, the Coast Starlight passed through the Chatsworth tunnels and we travelled down the Simi Valley.
At Strathearn, we took the siding for Pacific Surfliner 774 then back on the move, we proceeded to Oxnard, where we all returned to the rear platform. At Ventura, we held the mainline for an eastbound Union Pacific freight train before going through Ventura, crossing the Ventura River and reaching the shore of the Pacific Ocean.
The Coast Starlight and "Tioga Pass" meet the Pacific Ocean. Back inside, the good conversations continued before the chimes for lunch were sounded. Turkey sandwiches were the choice for lunch today, after which I rode the open rear platform on a beautiful warm day, waving to the cars and trucks on Highway 101 as we continued north.
Passing Rincon Point.
Just west of the old railroad siding of Ortega.
A few minutes later, the lagoon by the Santa Barbara Zoo came into view and I knew my trip aboard the "Tioga Pass" was just about over. I returned inside and said goodbye and have a safe trip to everyone then the Coast Starlight and I detrained.
Amtrak Train 11 at Santa Barbara.
The "Tioga Pass", after my first time riding in this private car.
Chris having some fun with Larry.
Chris and Larry with the "Tioga Pass". I walked over and thanked Norm for a very unique trip this morning then went into the Amtrak station to buy a Pacific Business Class ticket back to Santa Ana as the Coast Starlight departed. As I walked towards State Street, I saw Lawrence Dixon, a fantastic Amtrak conductor, and told him I would be back after picking up my lunch. I took the electric bus to The Habit where I purchased a tri-tip sandwich to go before returning to the station. There, Lawrence and I talked before I went trackside to wait for Pacific Surfliner 784 to arrive.
Pacific Surfliner 784 10/20/2007
I boarded the Pacific Business Class and settled in for my trip home. Conductor Mike Monroy took my ticket and soon I was having lunch as Lawrence joined me to continue catching up. Our train held the mainline at Seacliff for Pacific Surfliner 769 then later at Ventura, we again held the mainline for a westbound Union Pacific freight train.
The author enjoying the trip in Pacific Business Class.
Car Attendant Lee Jackson, who took my picture, had only six months left in his career with Amtrak. After Simi Valley, we did not go into Hassen, but kept on to Chatsworth, where we took the siding for Pacific Surfliner 775.
Pacific Surfliner 784.
We arrived in Van Nuys at 3:59 PM and did not leave until 4:15 PM then made our way into LAUPT early, only to be held for a late-running Bakersfield bus. The trip back to Santa Ana was quick and I returned home to liberate Clyde from the back porch. He was one happy dog when he saw me. What a great day it turned out to be, taking my first trip aboard the "Tioga Pass".
