Can anyone comment about this trip? Clean or dismally dirty train? Crowded? How was the food (snackbar only)? Would you do it again?

Thanks in advance.

only went from richmond to sacto, but it is a pleasant trip around the delta, some industrial areas along the way

If you are talking about the Coast Starlight train, it arrives in SJC after dark (about 7:30 pm??) and then goes to Sacramento. The train is fine, you won't see a lot since it's after dark, the snack facilities are OK. You could also consider renting a car and driving the about 2 hour trip.

Thanks, Kam. I'm a local. Don't want the hassle of a car in downtown Sacto (staying at the Hyatt) and fighting Friday afternoon traffic back to SJ. Can get a 2-for-1 ticket ($9 each way/pp) on Amtrak and am travelling with a couple of colleagues, so we're going for it--may even pack sandwiches and wine and kick back a little. We're planning to take the train that leaves downtown SJ about 3 pm on a Wednesday and return on Friday about 4:00. Sure beats the idea of 880 and 80, don't you think?

Take any one of the Capitals. The trains are comfortable, clean and far superior to the jammed up traffic on I80. Do it once and you'll probably do it everytime you need to be in Sacto.