We are taking the Coast Starlight from LA to Oakland this weekend and were wondering what to expect. We booked standard bedroom accomodations. Does anyone know if even numbered sleeper compartments are on the left (ocean side) or the right side of the train when traveling northbound? How would you rate the food? I read that it's rarely on time, how late does this train usually run? Thanks for any last minute tips and info.

Patty, I haven't been on the train but I want to take the same trip you are (in reverse--oak to la). Please write a review after your trip. Best wishes!

We took the Starlighter from Portland to LA and back last summer. We were told that they can't guarentee which side of the train your room will be on, because it depends on how the car is put on the track, meaning it can go either way. Does that make sense. We were fortunate to have our closet sized room on the ocean side for the trip North which is in the daylight. The train is terrible about keeping on time, but we lost the most time after Oakland, so you should be okay. We thought the food was wonderful as did most of the people we had meals with, but maybe we aren't as picky as some. The club car is pleasant, always goodies available, the attendants are in very good spirits especially considering what they have to put up with. Coming all the way to Portland was a little more time on the train than we really needed, but it was a trip we were glad to have taken once anyway. Just relax and enjoy that beautiful scenery. We even saw dolphins swimming along somewhere close to Santa Barbara.

Do you need a sleeper from L.A. to Oakland?

Patty, we are booked to take the Coast Starlight in September, and would be very interested in a report after your trip. With thanks.

Glenda, thanks for your response. That does make sense about the train cars. We figure if our compartments face the inland side, we can enjoy the scenery from the parlor car.

Vicki, we compared the additional cost of the standard sleeper to regular coach and figured that we'd spend at least that amount on 3 meals so why not be more comfortable too.

Julie & Prue, I'll post a report after we get back.

Just returned from our weekend trip on the Coast Starlight traveling one way from LA to Oakland.

The good stuff: The beautiful views of the coast line around Santa Barbara and valleys of central CA. The food in the dining room was very good, better than we expected. Enjoyed the afternoon wine tasting in the parlor car and even won a bottle of wine. The time passed very quickly and overall I think it's a great way to travel if nothing unexpected happens.

The bad stuff: Our train hit a vehicle at 8:20pm halfway between San Jose and Oakland station. No one was injured and I'll spare you the mechanical details, but we did not end up in Oakland station until 6:00am the following morning.

This was where I thought Amtrak really could have done something to improve the situation. We were probably only 20 miles from Oakland yet they would not arrange for alternate transportation for us nor would they tell us where we were so we could call ourselves a cab. The train cars were without power for 6-7 hours. Since there was no ventilation, it was too hot to sleep in the bedrooms. Also the toilets couldn't flush so the sleeper cars had developed a pretty foul smell. Most of us ended up trying to sleep in the parlor car. After about 10:30pm, we hardly saw any crew members at all. You would think that they would try to make us more comfortable while we waited on board the train, but that wasn't the case. If we wanted water, we had to find where the cases of water were stored. When the emergency back up lights which run on battery went out after a few hours, I went downstairs to where they keep all of the emergency supplies, found a box of light sticks, and brought them back up for the other passengers. We received no assistance from the crew. While I understand that the breakdown was not their fault, I thought that the way that it was handled was a disgrace.

I did call Amtrak after returning and they are sending me a voucher equivalent to what we paid for our rail fare and accomodations (I had to fight for the accomodations portion).

Bottom line: You will probably have a very enjoyable trip if everything goes according to schedule. But when something does go wrong, it seems like they are very ill prepared to handle the situation.

Email me if you have any questions.

Patty, I too had an experience on the Coast Starlight. We were coming from Seattle into Los Angeles, when our "sister" train coming FROM Los Angeles TO Seattle, was involved in a fatal train, truck accident. We were taken off the train in San Luis Obispo and put on busses to finish the trip into Los Angeles. The crew disappeared almost immediately. There was no one to tell us what bus to get on, the train passengers had different destinations, so the bus drivers tried their best to get hundreds of passengers on the right bus.

We did not get the best view of the Coast from a bus on the freeway.

We were acheduled to be in Los Angeles that night, not as late as we were, so we had a hotel booked. We did have to pay for dinner. Our dinner was included in the train fare.

I contacted Amtrak, explained what happened, and they sent a voucher to be used on another trip with Amtrak. The vouchers are good for 18 months. We didn't use ours within the 18 months, so I called them and they issued another voucher. Good for 18 months.

From what we heard from fellow passengers, something always happens on that trip. A few of them used that train often when travelling from North to South in California.

I would take the Coast Starlight again. I may be better prepared for "incidents".

Patty and Sheila, thank you for your reports on the Coast Starlight - we are so looking forward to our trip in September - only hope there are no accidents!
Despite the downside owing to the delay I gather you both enjoyed the rest of the trip and the accomodation and food was good. So we will hope for the best.

Prue, if there are no "incidents" on your trip, I think you will have a wonderful time. Keep your fingers crossed.

Sheila, we talked to several other passengers and they also mentioned many "incidents" from previous trips especially the ones that traveled often by train.

Patty

We decided to give the Coast Starlight another try this past weekend going from LA to Santa Barbara and back using the transportation certificate that we received from our trip in March (see above). I have to say that NEVER AGAIN WILL WE TRAVEL WITH AMTRAK!

First of all, when I made our reservations, the Amtrak representative agreed to extend the ticketing deadline until the day of travel because we were using a transportation certificate. Just to be safe, I called back again and spoke to another agent who also confirmed that the ticketing deadline was extended for us. Then we arrived at the station only to find that our reservations had been cancelled. Luckily or maybe unluckily, there was space available and they were able to re-book us at the station.

Our northbound train from LA left a little over an hour late which wasn't too bad. But on our return trip, we were informed at the station that the southbound train was going to be almost 3 hours late leaving Santa Barbara. Not wanting to risk any additional delays, we ended up taking the Pacific Surfliner train home last night. We had booked accomodations on the Coast Starlight which would have given us a nice bedroom and dinner in the dining car, instead we got to ride home in a coach seat with a snack box.

We were told that both delays were due to "mechanical problems". Amtrak needs to either get it's act together or when the federal subsidies run out next year, they won't be around much longer.

Patty, my heart dropped when I saw your Post! We are still booked on the Coast Starlight in September and will certainly take the trip - but will obviously have to be prepared for the worst timewise.
As a matter of interest we have already had problems with Amtrak trying to get bookings on the day we wanted - and this was a month or so ago. They are definately not easy to deal with.
Thanks for your report.

Prue: Sorry my earlier post was so negative. I know you were really looking forward to your trip in September. I had hoped that this second experience with Amtrak would be much better than our previous one. And I was really disappointed that we could not complete our trip on the Coast Starlight. Because despite all of Amtrak problems, the CS train itself is actually very nice. Maybe if you just expect to have problems, everything will turn out OK. How far are you going?
Best of luck!

Patty, write or call...National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Cusromer Relations 2W 125
60 Massachuetts Avenue
Washington DC 20002
(202)906-3000
Tell them of your problem and they should send you a voucher for future use. The vouchers are good for 18 months. They can be extended for another 18 months.

Amtrak has a new policy for customer satisfaction. Call or write them.
Sheila

Patty, Sorry, I meant Customer. Sorry about the spelling

Patty, We are taking the Coast Starlight from Emeryville right up to Seattle. We have booked a deluxe cabin (since it is a once in a lifetime trip). But we do have some leeway timewise - not much, but some - so will just have to stay calm and hope for the best!! We then go to Vancouver and take the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff -

Just did the trip Davis to San Luis Obispo twice last month. The first time we had major time delays. What I learned from that was make sure to reserve an early dinner because if (you are in the last coach cars)and they run out you are out of luck.The ticketer discouraged us from buying a sleeper car for our short trip. It probably is not worth it for Oakland to LA. I really would suggest a sleeper car if you are going further though as the delays mean you appreciate the privacy at night. We still were able to get served dinner somehow.I think breakfast is the best deal on the train. The lunch is ok. I hear the potpie is very good. Dinner was good, but kind of expensive. They seat you with other passengers which can be good (if they can or are willing to speak at the table). It is best to sit together on one side so you can leave as you wish without disturbing the tablecloth etc. Bring a blanket if you go coach at night. it makes it easier to sleep. ..or you can buy one onboard for $11.00. I think it is a good idea to bring a sandwich or french bread and fruit. That way you are prepared.The lounge primarily has microwave type food and snacks.Check previous (text search) posts as there has been recent discussion.All in all we had two pretty good trips. Hope your goes well!

Gail, thank you for your reassurances about the Coast Starlight - it seems that delays are just going to be something we have to live with - luckily we will not be too pressed for time. We are Australian and it is all going to be a huge adventure.

Sheila, I did call their Customer Relations department. Since we did not want to travel on Amtrak again, I asked that the transportion certificate be issued in a friend's name. They are not supposed to this, but did accomodate my request. So we received a certificate in the mail for the amount equal to the return portion of the trip issued in my friend's name.

Prue, please let me know about your trip when you get back. I am interested to hear about the Rocky Mountaineer as we would like to try this. And good luck on the Coast Starlight. Please email me directly at [email protected] as I don't check this board often.

Patty and Prue--maybe a message of reassurance? I traveled the Coast Starlight two times about 2 years ago. Both times, the trains were on time, the service was old fashioned great, the potpie is delicious and we managed not to kill any drivers along the way! (agree that meals should be eaten early) Maybe we were just lucky, but we had a great time. Trips were LA to SLO and SLO to San Jose. Really interesting as you go through Vandenburg AF Base north of Sta. Barbara. Know that north of SLO, the train cuts inland so the views aren't as spectacular. I wouldn't think a sleeper compartment necessary for LA to Oakland. Good luck. It's a wonderful trip when it goes well.