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Train Travel Meetup Group's Oakland Circle 11/7/2015

I had an idea for a Train Travel Meetup Group train trip, which was to sample Business Class on the northbound Coast Starlight to Oakland, then ride the low-level San Joaquin with the former New Jersey Transit Comet Cars rebuilt by Beech Grove for the State of California on the return trip the next morning. In addition, everyone would be able to see the new First Class Lounge in Los Angeles while we waited to board the Coast Starlight. I posted the announcement on the Meetup Page and started my third year at Heninger Elementary School working with 4th through 6th grade students.

I was up early and waited for Robin to pick me up then drove to the Santa Ana station and parked in the parking structure. Robin had picked me up some hot cakes and sausage before he arrived so we had breakfast on the bench on the Track 1 platform. A few minutes later we heard a horn, Pacific Surfliner 763 arrived and we chose seats in Car 3 in the four-seat section on a very crowded train. More passengers boarded in Anaheim and Fullerton before we travelled the final miles into LAUPT and detrained. On the platform we climbed into a Red Cap's cart and then Jenell, one of our group, took the front seat and soon were taken to the First Class Lounge. There we found a table and Brian joined us, so now had a group of four going to Oakland. I had a glass of orange juice and Robin then ran to Subway to get a sandwich for his lunch later. Not long after, we were told to queu up to be taken out to the train, boarded the same Red Cap's cart and he dropped us off at the Business Class door for the Coast Starlight.

On the Coast Starlight, you will get two bottles of water and a $6.00 food and beverage coupon you can use to enjoy a meal or snack in the Diner, Lounge or Parlour Car. You'll have access to the Parlour Car to enjoy the popular wine tastings, for a small fee. When it's time to get back to business, stay connected with free Wi-Fi access. The overhead luggage racks were taken out above the seats to give the seating area more of an open feel to it. The seating area is twelve leather seats with ample leg room is on the lower level of one of the coaches and power outlets along the wall. A pillow is given to each passenger and you are all set for the trip to your destination.

Robin and I chose the last two seats on the right, Jenell was across from us and Brian had the window seat ahead of her. The train departed Los Angeles on time and we were off on my second long-distance train ride since July; it felt really good to be back on the train. We passed the Metrolink facility before entering the San Fernando Valley and stopped at Burbank Airport.

The seating area.

The information sheet on the Business Class wall.

The wireless control that allows for excellent Internet. We stopped at Van Nuys, went through the Chatsworth Tunnel and entered the siding, passing Santa Susana station to wait for the late-running Pacific Surfliner 774. We also stopped at Simi Valley before we making our way to Oxnard, where we stepped off for a few minutes. The train ran onto Ventura and just past there, we reached the shores of the Pacific Ocean, which were beautiful with the Channel Islands standing out on this totally clear early November day.

The train took us onto our next station of Santa Barbara which was also a fresh air stop. On the way to San Luis Obispo, after I acquired a 6:00 PM dinner reservation for our group, I enjoyed the coast then watched my "Saga Live" DVD for awhile. The three other members went to the Pacific Parlour Car for the wine tasting and I walked to the front of the train and met our conductors on this leg of the trip, after which we arrived at San Luis Obispo and I detrained for some pictures which I inadvertantly later deleted. The train climbed the grade up and through the mountains and into the upper reaches of the Salinas Valley.

Brian returned from wine tasting. We stopped at Paso Robles then proceeded to Salinas under the cover of night.

Jenell returned from the wine tasting as we made our way down the Salinas Valley. At 6:00 PM, we all went to the dining car where I had the Amtrak Signature Steak which was excellent. After dinner I took some fresh air at Salinas then listened to the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Calgary Flames in which my Penguins lost 5-2.

Robin relaxing in Coast Starlight Business Class after dinner.

Caltrain 918 waited in San Jose for its next trip. I stepped off for some more fresh air before the train continued to Oakland as I wondered how much longer the Raiders would call Oakland their home. We arrived at our destination at 9:43 PM, 19 minutes late, ending phase one of this trip.

Once everyone detrained, our group walked the six blocks to the Inn at Jack London Square.

On the way there, the low-level San Joaquin train was on its way to the yard. We reached the Inn and checked in for the night.

11/8/2015 We were up at 5:45 AM and after I checked out, we went to the Buttercup Grill where I had French Toast and sausage.

The Western Pacific Oakland station built in 1910. After Brian and I returned to the station, we set up for pictures.

The early morning view of the Jack London area of Oakland.

An Alameda County Transit bus with Go Warriors.

Brian and I were rewarded with a Union Pacific freight train in the street-running section of Oakland.

Our group in Oakland.

Our low-level train that I would finally have the opportunity to ride approached.

We boarded car 5008 "Redwood" for the journey to Bakersfield this morning.

Brian enjoying himself.

Jenell's first trip aboard this unique equipment.

Robin had brought his laptop and the GPS device so he could track the train's route.

There is a large wheelchair area at one end of the car.

Another feature of this car is the large bathroom.

The coach section.

Large rubbish containers.

The luggage racks. We departed on time with stops in Emeryville, Berkeley, Richmond and later Martinez, where we met the southbound Coast Starlight.

Views between Richmond and Antioch.

Antioch, California. Next stop, Stockton.

The journey between Antioch and Stockton as we crossed the California Delta region of the state. The train stopped in Stockton, Modesto, Turlock-Denair and Merced, after which I bought a hot dog, French Fries and a chocolate chip cookie for an early but satisfying lunch. The train went on to Madera, Fresno, Hanford, Corcoran, Wasco then on into Bakersfield where we split the group, with Brian on the Glendale bus and the rest of us on the Amtrak train connection bus.

We boarded the bus and after a safety speech by the driver, we left Bakersfield on California Highway 99 to Interstate 5, to Interstate 210 to California Highway 2, which had us arriving at LAUPT at 4:02 PM. We walked off the bus, down through the tunnel and up to a waiting train.

Robin and I chose seats in the Superliner coach and the train departed to make the usual stops at Fullerton and Anaheim before we reached Santa Ana, where we detrained. Robin drove me home and that ended the Train Travel Meetup Group's Oakland Circle.

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