Keep your digital life secure and never forget a password again. Get yourself a discount equal to a sweet TWO MONTHS FREE of Dashlane Premium by heading to www.dashlane.com/paul and use the code PAUL at checkout.
Nice to see you in my city. I often breeze by the San Luis Obispo station daily. Take the Cascade Train Soon if you want the classic cars! They are changing the cars. I did this recently with my wife and her family, it was beautiful.
@@Ham1001dy I came back from LA two weeks ago and I was saying I was severely disappointed at the lack of pure chaos. On a serious note, it's a nice city and I'd love to go back again. Except fuck Hollywood Blvd so much.
When my gamer family visited LA, we didn't even need navigation. The relative positions of everything were close enough to that of Los Santos that we could find our way around
The music control helps you adjust the volume of the train announcements in your room, so you don’t have to hear the early morning stop announcements if you want to sleep
I rode this train last week.. leaving my big bag downstairs was not an issue at all.. no one messed with it. This train is the tale of opposites. Day 1 the coast and the ocean ... Day 2 the mountains including snow on my journey. Worth the price of admission even during COVID.
When I lived in LA, I would head to Union Station on Sunday afternoons just to read and write in those glorious waiting room chairs. Definitely one of my favorite places in LA!
And the Garden at Union Station. I visit LA twice a year from England and spend time there with a sandwich and a drink. I never see many people in the garden !
I live in Boston, and LA's Union Station was my gateway to LA on my first visit there in February 2003, when I took the train across the country (by coach too!). After being on the train for three plus days and looking for breakfast, I was directed by the gentleman manning Amtrak's information booth to Philippe the Original across the street for one of the best dining experiences of my life. Now whenever I go to LA, I try to make a point to visit Philippe's and Union Station. Both some of the best people watching places in the country.
@@ronclark9724 - #1 it should be illegal to sleep on the Street (Tents ) and have a Immobile RV . #2 - all Homeless should be Transfered to a SANTUARY , walled camp where they can Pitch a Tent or Equilivent , but can only walk in with what they can carry. NO Weapons, NO Alcohol, NO Drugs are allowed, and no Bikes or Shopping carts. Homeless are fed, have access to Doctors, and MUST work in the Community Garden, and keep the camp TIDY. camp has bathrooms and Laundry. NO Guests are Allowed, and they cant LEAVE the Santuary EVER.
i did Amtrak from Orlando to Miami because Norwegian Air cancelled my flight, I LOVED Amtrak! t was the real American experience, my first time in the USA and everyone was lovely! I was in a coach seat, so comfortable with wifi, I loved it and my case was so well looked after too. Thank you so much AmtraK!
You should see those fir trees in southern Oregon and northern California flocked with snow in a snow storm. I have from the Coast Starlight. The train I rode had three private railroad cars that day. Even the filthy rich enjoy a winter wonderland...
When it comes to quality trip reporting, you are definitely in my top 3! The details you mention are really interesting and the videos don’t feel too slow or long.
Having lived in the USA for some twelve years before returning to the UK in 2017, it is a good reminder of how - in some parts of the USA- that time stands still and many places are still happily living in the 50’s and 60’s .
In 1998, my wife and I traveled Amtrak overnight from New York City to Chicago. We went coach and slept in our seats. Since it was August, we were dressed in t-shirts and shorts. We nearly froze that night, as the AC made the coach feel like a meat locker. Glad to hear Amtrak trains are warm now. By the way, I love your pronunciations of Salinas and Willamette.
I have done this trip from Emeryville to Seattle. Waking up and eating breakfast as the train passed Crater Lake is something I still remember fondly. The train arrived over six hours late into Seattle, but so what? It was the scenery that I will never forget.
I wish the US had more railways, especially subways. When you live in the city here, it can get annoying having to deal with traffic and terrible drivers everywhere.
Move to the UK. Most major cities have either a tram system at least. 3 cities have subways over here (London, Glasgow, Newcastle). But even the tram systems in the UK are nice
Try living in a small farm town where you have to drive everywhere. I would love a European style passenger train where you can go to other towns without having to get in the car and drive 30 mins just to get to the food store.
@@Hecatate You should relocate to Norway ! I live south east, uphill from the city centre of the capitol Oslo. We have a subway line, several bus lines, both local and long distance, two train lines near by, and an airport coach line for those of us who don't drive. I live in a suburb. Yet the city centre is only an 8 minute drive away. And if I look out of my seventh floor living room window, I look down at a small rural farm, quite close by. They have a few horses for kids to ride, and they grow organic vegetables, fruit and flowers that you can buy directly off the farm. 🍎🍐🍓🌻🐝🏵 🍀🐎
Great video, Paul! The campground you passed at 15:39 was Refugio Beach where I spent two weeks each summer for six or eight years in the late 50s and early 60s. In those days the daytime passenger train was the Southern Pacific's Daylight--not as nice as it's glory days, but always a sight to see. SP also ran the Lark and the Owl along the Coast Line.
Thank you for taking this trip! I am a frequent Amtrak passenger and have been on the coast Starlight a few times and I love it. Still haven't had the opportunity to take the Cascades into Canada but hopefully next year. The Red Cap service at Union Station is usually free to business and Sleeper Car passengers who are using the lounge. Also room attendants should be tipped at least 10 or $20 because they are literally at your beck and call, if you want to have your meal delivered to your room they will do it, and any other special requests.
I have taken the Costal Starlight several time from Tacoma, to San Francisco, and Los Angeles. I agree the Roomette is a very relaxing way to travel. Cheers.
Beautifully filmed and narrated video. As a UK family we did the Vancouver to San Diego route some 18 years ago. This brings back many memories. Thanks Paul for the video.
In the late 70’s traveled across country on Amtrak with a 16 day rail pass. Although we rode coach the whole way, it was an experience of a lifetime. Great memories!
Well I first thought who in their right mind would travel this slow and not just take a plane. After watching more it seems like this could be a fun way of traveling, especially for those who enjoy meeting people from everywhere. Old and slow but classy and nostalgic. Thanks for sharing this experience.
You really have to look at a long route train service as being a part of the vacation. $400 plus is obviously more than a plane ticket. But you get sleeping accommodations unlike on a hellish plane, meals included, and scenery included. Not to mention a generally more relaxed atmosphere.
Exactly. It's not for somebody who has to be somewhere quickly. It's basically a "Land Cruise"; watching the scenery go by is part of the package. Now, less so for the cheap coach tickets, especially in some of the rural areas which are nowhere near a major airport, in which case cheap transportation is the main point. It's basically a Carnival Cruise ship stuck to a Greyhound bus.
I would never pay more, to travel so much slower, I rather travel for a few hours and get more time at the destination, unless you pay for first class/get an empty sleeper for yourself, it's way more hellish on a train, and for a longer period of time. However, I could do this trip once, for the scenery, and fly back
Bad Drivers Of The NorCal Area sleeping accommodations are available on planes, but not for $400, and not every airline has a “room” you can lock yourself inside (if anything it’s a little door, but people can see over it as they walk past. No thank you.
@@someoneelse7629 It's definitely more comfortable on an Amtrak train, even for the normal coach seats, vs an airplane in economy class. It takes way longer for sure though. I live in the Northeast US, and the Northeast Corridor trains are a great way to go up and down the East Coast (also the only profitable Amtrak routes, probably for this reason). You can take a ~30 minute flight from where I live in Rhode Island to New Jersey/short commuter trip to NYC, but when you add in getting to the airport early, going through security, and departure/connection to your final destination from NYC area airports (& baggage claim if you check a bag), the Northeast Regional train is maybe an hour or two longer at most, and the Acela is roughly the same time (Acela is more expensive and popular with business travelers because the convenience is great). You get a bigger seat, a hassle-free boarding and departure experience, and more options of where the train stops. You can show up to the train station 5 minutes before the train departs (I had a few close calls, hah) and walk on with no problem. I went to school in Delaware and there was a train station basically on campus, and another station in the same town my parents lived/where I lived at the time. So much more relaxing to take the train (+ free wifi + power plugs) vs the stress of air travel, although I've done the trip from PVD to BWI/IAD to DC area a bunch of times and I'd say if you're going to DC or further from here, that's when it makes more sense to fly. Providence/PVD is probably one of the better airports because it's relatively small but not too far from Boston and you can show up 45 minutes before departure and still make domestic flights (I learned the hard way that 1 hour is the minimum before international flights... missed a flight to Australia years ago & had to rebook out of Boston, whoops).
Oh dear, you’ve me on sold Amtrak again! Looks like a stunning trip with some great views. Love the GTA references (just started playing it again so recognise it haha)
I love Amtrak, every year my husband and I take a long distance trip with bedroom accommodations. I wish that they remodel some of the bedrooms to make it more confortable with a double bed and not to have to climb to the top bunk specially for people 70 and above.
It really is an extraordinarily enjoyable way to travel. The ability to get to a station, board the train and then relax, read, listen to music, watch a movie, dine on food prepared by chefs on the train, sleep while you travel and then wake up in a new locale is what makes it so much fun. I'm glad to hear you and your husband have made it an annual event. I've had some memorable trips. Good luck!
My wife and I have taken our last long distance Amtrak trip until the have double beds available. Our 78 year old bodies do not do upper berths anymore! And our pocketbooks don't do two roomettes.
The one long distance Amtrak trip I’ve taken was extremely cold the entire time, but I only had a seat and not a sleeper of any kind. It was the Cardinal between New York City and Indianapolis (continues to Chicago). That said, I think Amtrak is a great way to travel long distances if you have the time and the cost makes sense (even if it’s a little more expensive than flying). Great video!
Paul, great work as always. Thanks also for mentioning how Amtrak is under bureaucratic assault. While that's been something of a constant since Amtrak's creation in 1971, it's particularly the case today. Specifically at risk are the long-distance trains like the Starlight and Empire Builder, both in terms of the accommodations/experience as well as their very existence. (Traditional dining car service has been largely removed on trains running primarily east of the Mississippi.) Go as soon as you can.
Bureaucratic assault.? Amtrak loses money. Lots of it. Always has. The airlines put the trains out of business on any route over a couple of hundred miles, so of course the US government bought them, because politics. Unlike Europe, we have a low population density and hundreds of miles between population centers. Outside of the Boston to Baltimore and San Diego to Santa Barbara corridors, it cannot be made profitable, despite any subsidy. Yes, I would probably enjoy such a journey myself, strictly from a tourist perspective, but I don't expect the government to keep dumping money down the hole just for my entertainment.
There are only a handful of routes Amtrak can run without incurring huge losses. The long distance routes are the biggest money losers and these are only around because of political reasons.
JOHN BERNTSON Amtrak has to decide whether it’s a business or a public service in this day and age, it can’t be both, Washington has to realize that too.
@@johnberntson1669 The trouble with Amtrak is that freight trains have priority. I used to pick a friend of mine up at the station -- his train could come in an hour late, or three hours late... I never went to the station without checking first. If the thing were reliable it could carry more than just tourists with time to kill. As for European trains, many lose money. But money isn't everything -- the social goods and the 90% less pollution relative to planes are also important.
I took this train, transferred from the Texas Eagle from Little Rock Arkansas to L.A., then the coast Starlight to Pasa Robles when I was 14 with my grandmother when I was 14. God that was 20 years ago. Best memory I have wirh my grandmother that has now passed on
Have done a couple of trips on AMTRAK....longest was Chicago to Sacramento. I was a bit concerned about the length of the trip but I found it utterly enjoyable. I had just finished a series of competitions in the US...and the train trip was, in effect, the relaxation portion of the holiday. Once onboard there were only two questions to be answered... "What time do I want to eat" and "Do I want another drink" lol The food isn't fancy, sure...but its perfectly fine. As an old Navy man the bunks were also perfectly alright... but I imagine for a larger person that might not be the case.
Love the journey and welcome back to Canada. The Coast Starlight is one of my dream journeys. I made the short trip from Seattle to Vancouver - love the Talgo cars.
Fantastic trip and report Paul thanks for this! Never really noticed before how much the silver red and blue livery on some of those carriages is like the old classic AA livery that I loved so much
Love, love, love the train! Each time I've taken it (once from Eugene Oregon to Miami Florida - another from Portland to Chicago) - don't know if it holds true any longer, but both times I had purchased a coach seat and a couple of hours in to the trip asked the Conductor if there were any sleepers vacant/available - she sold a roomette to me for a substantial discount than what I would have paid by purchasing ahead of time. This may be an outdated practice, but it never hurts to ask.
Unfortunately they stopped that. Now you have to pay the full difference. I used to do that on every trip and could get the upgrade for $50. No more, unfortunately. Rather shortsighted on Amtrak's part. They'd rather have the room go empty than take a discount.
Good idea keeping the curtains open,I remember riding the Sydney to Melbourne xpt overnight train and watching the southern Cross moving about the sky with the trains motions.
I did this journey in 1980, in reverse. We travelled from Northern Ireland to Portland Oregon to stay with family. We left from Eugene Oregon to Los Angeles. A wonderful trip as a nine year old.
I took a trip from Seattle to San Diego using Amtrak, and I did it in a seat rather than a sleeper. All I can say about that is that it was an experience. I will most definitely get a roomette if I do the trip again.
I was just searching some info about these amtrak trains and i already started to plan my trip with that kind of train. I just didn't find any informativw videos of these trains. Thank you for this vid.
You did the Amtrak justice with this video I have been on this train a many a day , as well as all the trains out of L. A. Union station I was a food specialist for Amtrak in the 90s I really enjoyed the video gd work 👌🏾
Awesome video, Paul! I took this route with a friend back in 2014 and we loved it, so it's great to see how it compares years later. And for those considering taking this train route, I recommend roomettes on the lower lever because they avoid the upstairs foot traffic, allowing for a very peaceful experience.
I was one of those fools that did this whole trip in a seat, 20 years ago in the opposite direction. The good news is the seats are massive (compared to planes) and have all the leg room you could ask for.
@@mistybuttercup110 The seats actually recline pretty well and aren't half bad to sleep in, but there were some people that opted to sleep on the floor of the mostly-empty last car. There might have been some hanky-panky going on as well.
This is a reverse (well, a leg of it) of the last trip I took with my parents. We flew to Toronto, took the train to Vancouver, the bus to Seattle, the train to Los Angeles, and the train to New Orleans where we stayed a couple of days before flying back to Florida. We did enjoy this section of the trip, but I really think the highlight was the Canada portion. I REALLY liked that train despite (or perhaps because) of how old the cars were. Plus the scenery was spectacular. I do hope you're taking the train to Toronto once you get to Vancouver. It is SO worth it!
"Bring plenty of $1s and $2s to tip" haha, two dollar bills are pretty rare (you have to specially request them from a bank), so it'd be more like $1s and $5s
Aloha e Paul from Hawai'i! I enjoyed this report so much, I watched it 3 times. Unfortunately, no views this time inside Portland Union, my favorite station in the USA (and I've seen plenty in the past 65 years). Last summer, I once again traveled to WA/OR to torment relatives (we had a great time!). I really appreciate your mentioning the bad as well as the good, which might help some of your viewers. When I traveled south from Tacoma to Portland, my son refused to pick me up at Portland Union because the area around the station has become so dangerous due to drug trafficking and massive homeless encampments. He made me go one stop south to Oregon City, so I missed visiting my beloved Portland Union. That's okay. That stop actually is easier for him to access from his home. Your reports have become more and more professional. I'm glad that I am one of your patrons (though you might not know it because of my email address).
Agreed! We took this same trip Thanksgiving week 2019. The trees and route through Oregon were all snow covered. It was gorgeous. 🚉☃❄ We took business class, which is not as expensive as a room, but much more roomy and quite than coach. I highly recommend this trip.
Hello Paul.... I LOVE watching your train travels and I LOVE the Coast Starlight!! I’ve been on her many times going to Portland from Tacoma Wa!! I’ve never taken a Long trip though and have longed to do so. Being disabled holds me back. I appreciated you showing a disabled sleeper car!!’ Happy travels and take care of you! Kathy Washington State
Paul, thank you for all your flight and travel videos in 2019. They are very interesting, informative and compulsive to watch. Please don't stop. Best wishes for the New Year. Glen in England.
That breakfast was only missing bacon, btw. And I've taken part of that journey twice: once by motorbike, the other time by Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle. Both times the scenery (and service) was wonderful. Good idea, Paul, to mention tipping as it's part of the culture there.
So if you look in the comments below, under anything praising the overall Amtrak experience, you will find one name: Mark Plott. He's gone to nearly every comment and replied something negative about Amtrak, how apparently the system is "outdated" (apparently because we don't waste our money building a high speed line between San Francisco and Seattle nobody will use) and then he boasts about how this one Shinkansen line is so great, even though it was built under completely different circumstances. People, don't be like Mark. Don't try to force your opinion on to other people by replying the same message to dozens of comments. It's not nice, and it makes you look like an incoherent jackass. Paul, thanks for the great video. You did a nice job outlining the service provided on such an amazing route. It truly is an experience to be had.
Well,look at Europe,They did spend nicely on High Speed trains,Nowadays Everybody (almost) Prefers high Speed,you can also take a train from/to other countries,I Once did a Trip With ÖBB (Austrian railways) From Verona,Italy to Munich,Germany,and it wasn’t the fastest way to go,but The It was so Scenic At least Amtrak Is Scenic
I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak merged private Railroad Company for over 52 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because trains travel is a blast with a wonderful socially different people from all over the world and a beauty by looking a view passing to different areas too.
As someone who lives in (and has lived in for my whole life) one of the cities this line stops in (Oxnard, CA), I never tire of seeing the trains pass by as I drive down the coast to Santa Barbara. The view of the beach along the 101 never seems to get old.
Took this as part of our 2 wk. Amtrak vacation. Crescent, Sunset, Starlight, Empire, Capitol Ltd., NEC back to Wilmington, DL. We did it for our 50th Anniversary! The beds are too hard for our taste, but food is excellent and the views first rate!
@@janlovesmany6058 We did 2 weeks: Wilmington DL to NOLA, a full day there, out to LA on Sunset, immediately on to Starlight to Seattle (we dislike LA), a day in Seattle, Empire ti Izaak Walton Inn, day there in Glacier Park, then back on Empire to Chicago, Capitol Ltd. to DC, and NEC back up to Wilmington. We live an hour SE in Down Jersey near the Delaware Bay.
Thanks for showing us Americans what we are missing... before it’s gone. Though I’ve not done a roomette and gone hard (4 days to Texas) in a seat it must be noted; seating on a train is a FAR more pleasurable experience than a plane or bus. They have far more legroom, recline farther back, and the ability to walk around at one’s discretion cannot be overstated. Flying these days is a bus with wings- short term misery to get to a destination, rail travel is part of the journey, and when you account for the cost of hotel rooms these days as an inclusive part of the ticket, rail travel is on par- given one has the time of course. Lived in CA most of my life and never done this? That’s gotta change! Thanks for opening my mind.
I've done the Amtrak from Seattle to Portland and return, I wish some one from the British Rail companies would do the same to see how rail travel should be done.
@@thomasscottmilburn7985 It's not the speed, it's the cleanliness of the train and the station too. I had an allocated seat which reclined. I rarely travel by rail in the UK, very expensive for what you get, if the train turns up.
My wife and I chose to visit Seattle for ten days for our 20th anniversary in early July '13. Zero rain that time of year and lots of blue skies and sun. We flew in and used only public transportation. We pretty much saw and loved it all! We took the Amtrak Cascades train from the glorious just recently completed restoration of the King Street Station and rode along the soothing and scenic Puget Sound coast north to Bellevue. Took advantage of the historic and charming city of Fairhaven/Bellevue. Lots of boutique shops, restaurants, cafe's, bakeries, ethnic cuisine etc. and the beautiful campus of Western Washington University. If we'd known that we could have gone all the way to Vancouver, if we had had passports, we would have planned for that. Very interesting, entertaining and enjoyable!
For me personally, one night on the train at a time is enough. I do want to travel by train a lot, but I will break it up with hotel stays in between two-day runs.
My fiance and I went for the holidays to Oregon. It was very nice and relaxing. Seeing the scenery rush by. The food was also amazing. I would reccomend waiting till covid restrictions ease up because they only have "airline" style meals and no free coffee outside the roomettes
@@angelicacrites7653 Yeah the food is only airline style right now.. but it was actually amazing for what it is.. I was impressed. I did not have high expectations for the food at all.
This really isn't that long. I did Oakland-L.A-Chicago-NYC! Almost 3 days with getting stuck on the snowed in tracks for hours! But, it REALLY flies by! Unless you have a sharp deadline, it's hours of stress-free beauty and if you want, meeting nice people.
I've done the LAX --> SEA Coast Starlight 4 times in the roomette and love it every time. The first two times were with my husband and mother in law (she had her own roomette) and we shared one. We booked roomettes across from each other which was great for being able to see out both sides of the train at once and also for being able to have 4 seats for 3 people. The more recent trips were: once with my 7 year old daughter (one roomette) and then with my daughter, husband and his brother - again with 2 roomettes across from each other. Having meals included and showers and luggage space downstairs was very helpful. The crew onboard are always really helpful and kind. The one thing I miss very much is the Parlor Car! There used to be a car with a lounge and small serving area upstairs and MOVIE THEATER below! The Parlor was a place with big booth type seats where you could sit and relax, look out extra big windows. There were wine tastings on the first day's afternoon and you could get modified meals there too. Sad that budget issues have made this car obsolete. Will it ever come back?
People in the UK do complain about the trains but it’s a pretty good system all things considered. Growing up there, I took the bus or train pretty much every day and always used the tube when I lived in London. I’ve taken one train trip in 37 years in the US. In Florida you basically have to drive or you don’t go anywhere. A great public transport system is a blessing.
whenever I ride the Shinkansen I always bring a bottle of 25 year Japanese Whisky with me , I can get FREE ice cubes from the Cute CART girl. though in GRAN class they give FREE Champaine.
I can not wait until the borders open up again to do an Amtrak Journey. As a lone traveler, I like the idea of not sharing sleeping quarters, and LOVE the idea of sitting with different people at meal times. Get to learn where people are from, hear their stories, make some new friends. Great video. Great scenery Yummy looking food !
Awesome video Paul! I've been following your airline and European train videos for a while and it's nice to see a European perspective on Amtrak (I know you've done at least one previous Amtrak video). Here in the USA, Amtrak is the under-appreciated stepchild to commercial aviation (and the interstate highway network), with constant threats of budgetary cutbacks and even elimination of routes. My wish is that federal funding (and public appreciation) for Amtrak increases so that service can be upgraded to a level considered marginally acceptable by Europe's standards. Almost embarrassing as an American to see how you're navigating the whole experience (although Amtrak and their employees do an admirable job under the circumstances). Most of those rail cars you rode were most recently built in the early 1980s and pretty much at the end of their designed service life.
Your spot on Michael, it is a shame we have few great routes here in the U.S.. I live in Las Vegas, over 2 million people and no train service. I don't know the answer, it is tough to see how we can feasibly put more routes in service with air travel so inexpensive. But, I hope to experience some of our great routes while I can. I have done the Eurostar and spent 2 months on trains in Europe, and loved it.
Whilst there are the aviation.road transport, petroleum and rail freight lobbyists in Washington DC plus the orange one who thinks he is president, passenger rail travel in the USA will always by the under-appreciated stepchild.
@@rick081956 I an remember when Las Vegas had one train each way per day. It split off from the Zephyr at Salt Lake City and went to LA. I thought it was stupid to kill that service.
The details you include are really helpful. A friend will be making this trip soon, and it was so nice to be able to see so many of the things that may be unknown to a new traveler. Cheers!
Always anticipated train trip vlogs like this, Paul. A very nice video indeed. In my opinion, long distance trips by train is the best way to travel because you will get a good feel of how long it is to travel long distance and of course, the magnificent sceneries that you will get along the way.
Unlike other vlog by other people I really enjoy yours. Your trip reviews seem to be always positive. I happy enjoyed Amtrak. It’s fun to take the train, you don’t have to deal with the stress of the airport and the train is always very relaxing.
Been looking forward to an LD Amtrak review since you started your new style, and I'm glad to see you had a good time! Interesting to hear the opinion of a frequent traveler on the Amtrak beds too, since I've never flown long-haul business class I always only compared them to proper beds. I guess you can't really get a proper bed on a vehicle after all, but I definitely agree that sleeper is a bargain compared to coach on LD trains for the amenities alone. Also, a word of caution regarding the Cascades. As the result of a couple accidents, WSDOT doesn't have enough Talgo sets to run every service with them right now. Information on which sets are using conventional Amfleet cars instead is spotty at best, but they're very different from the Talgos.
Awesome ride on Amtrak Coast Starlight #14. I am dying to do the Amtrak Coast Starlight route roundtrip between Seattle & Los Angeles for YEARS. I can't wait to do a roundtrip soon. Keep up the amazing work.
Hi Paul, This might be a bit strange but just want to say thank you for your videos. I watch them religiously while i study for my University course and help me get through my revision. Happy travelling :) !
so... i wonder if anyone has ordered a pizza from a train... you know.. 10 mins before you hit the smokebreak stop... order up a pizza and have it delivered to the train... lol
It's possible. I did see one person on the Texas Eagle order Grubhub delivered to the station while we were laying over in Dallas, but that was a nearly hour-long layover so they had plenty of time. I've also had several Amtrak crews do this (oftentimes for the whole train, not just sleeper passengers) if they're running late-enough to warrant serving an extra meal.
When you are in the cabin and the door is closed and locked, can you hear the other passengers talking in their cabins? I heard talking when you where in your bed at night?
Voices yes.. but not from other rooms.. usually only at stops when there are people by the doors. Upstairs obviously is more quiet than down. You will hear if someone moves the bunk in a cabin though.. its loud.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip on the full length of the Coast Starlight’s route! The Starlight is by far my favorite long distance train and I have ridden it many times. The Cascades is actually the only train service currently in North America to operate Talgo equipment, though there are plans to make the Hiawatha (Chicago to Milwaukee) use Talgo equipment.
I used the Cascades service in Aug 2019 from Seattle to Vancouver and honestly it was so much more civilised compared to a flight. You get from the heart of one city to another in about 4 hours. No stress of typical airports with check-in, security screening, boarding and queues at every stage!
I've done the Empire Builder full length in a roomette with two people and it was fine... just think of it vs. sitting in a coach seat. You still have more room in a roomette, plus privacy, plus a bed and (communal) shower. I've also done that same trip in coach, and while that was fine at the time, I wouldn't do it again now that I'm a little older. Anyway, I'm always amazed at how well Amtrak maintains these 40+ year old cars; whenever I see videos on channels like yours that mix coverage of European and American trains, I don't feel so bad about our rail system. Amtrak has a lot of good things to recommend it. It just doesn't have high speed on its long distance lines.
@@markplott4820 As shown in the video, Amtrak takes great pride in the preparation of their food on West Coast routes. You should try it sometime, I guarantee it's disease free!
@@crashcast_e6339 - Novovirus and E Coli are common in Amtrak kitchens and inside Cabins. as for their MENU no thanks, I'm much Safer with a Overpriced Ramen noodles . I can bring homemade Rice Balls with Salmon and it will be Better. too bad your Stations don't Prepare Hot Lunch kits with Local Cusine, it would be a Great way to Promote Train travel. the Problem with Amtrak as a whole is its Crappy user Expierence, from the Check in to the RIDE of the Train to the Attendant service to the Train Noise level and Vibration, this is BS.
@@markplott4820 You are actually making up false information at this point. There is absolutely no credible sources that state that Amtrak has issues with Norovirus and E-Coli because they don't have issues with those diseases. The passenger experience on Amtrak is good, and it's evident if you ask anyone who rides it. For the final time I will tell you this: America is it's own country. We have our own people, our own geography and our own culture. The people who ride Amtrak far and wide don't car about the little minute vibration given by the train trundling down the tracks, they enjoy the fresh meals prepared on trains like the Coast Starlight, and they enjoy the atmosphere of the ride. Along the way, car attendants (as seen in the video) are provided for each sleeping car and execute their job gracefully. They don't want your "rice balls with salmon" or your station-side cuisine. That wouldn't improve the passenger experience any better for the passengers and would only create a needless cost for Amtrak. So for one last time I will tell you, in all captials which seems to be something you understand yourself: AMERICA IS NOT JAPAN.
Thank you for this video. It helped bring back wonderful memories of my favorite childhood trip with my father and sister. We took this train from Richmond Ca to Seattle in coach. Keep up all the excellent work
I grew up near Burbank Airport. As a kid, watched and later flew dozens of times on PSA, Hughes Airwest, Continental and others. All gone, sorry to say. Enjoyed your presentation. Well done...
40 mph average? Welcome to the 19th century! :) It all looks so ancient on that train. But not the good kind of ancient like in those legacy trains such as the The Ghan or the Indian Pacific. But what a stunning landscape.
The train system here is fundamentally different versus the UK. With few exceptions, rail is really all about freight in the US and most Amtrak trains (including this one) run on the freight railroads' tracks. There's A LOT more on why things here are the way they are, but I'll spare you the full rabbit hole. Note: I've been to the UK. Love it and your rail system - flawed as it also is.
@Liam Doyle Right...and what a bucket list item either of them would be! I had assumed that xBris was from the UK...so perhaps there's my Sunday reminder of what happens when one assumes.
@Liam Doyle - When I traveled on the Overland, it appeared to be fast, compared to the XPT. The Spirit of Queensland appeared to be faster than the XPT and Indian Pacific. I would say the XPT between Melbourne and Sydney had an average of 67kmh, it there seem to be alot lot of speed restriction on the day I travel on it.
Keep your digital life secure and never forget a password again. Get yourself a discount equal to a sweet TWO MONTHS FREE of Dashlane Premium by heading to www.dashlane.com/paul and use the code PAUL at checkout.
It used to be said "don't send me to Detroit" I think now it's Seattle 👍
I love Amtrak..... just came back home on the " Vermonter".... Friendly crews every time
Nice to see you in my city. I often breeze by the San Luis Obispo station daily. Take the Cascade Train Soon if you want the classic cars! They are changing the cars. I did this recently with my wife and her family, it was beautiful.
My parents took me on this route when I was a kid and I still remember how fun it was. Thanks for posting this.👍
Sell out.
Loved that GTAV bit 😂
bxy94 lol my cousin is visiting LA right now and he’s saying the exact same thing
It is amazing how there are parts of la you look at and go, didn’t I go on chain gun spree there?
@@Ham1001dy I came back from LA two weeks ago and I was saying I was severely disappointed at the lack of pure chaos. On a serious note, it's a nice city and I'd love to go back again. Except fuck Hollywood Blvd so much.
When my gamer family visited LA, we didn't even need navigation. The relative positions of everything were close enough to that of Los Santos that we could find our way around
@@gino14 is LA a safe place?
The music control helps you adjust the volume of the train announcements in your room, so you don’t have to hear the early morning stop announcements if you want to sleep
tota mery tota mein to teri ho gayi
@@syedfamily1312 wat
I was wondering what that does..I was hoping to hear actual music in my roomette haha
I rode this train last week.. leaving my big bag downstairs was not an issue at all.. no one messed with it. This train is the tale of opposites. Day 1 the coast and the ocean ... Day 2 the mountains including snow on my journey. Worth the price of admission even during COVID.
Thanks for the safety of baggage, good to know 🙏❤️
When I lived in LA, I would head to Union Station on Sunday afternoons just to read and write in those glorious waiting room chairs. Definitely one of my favorite places in LA!
And the Garden at Union Station. I visit LA twice a year from England and spend time there with a sandwich and a drink. I never see many people in the garden !
I live in Boston, and LA's Union Station was my gateway to LA on my first visit there in February 2003, when I took the train across the country (by coach too!). After being on the train for three plus days and looking for breakfast, I was directed by the gentleman manning Amtrak's information booth to Philippe the Original across the street for one of the best dining experiences of my life. Now whenever I go to LA, I try to make a point to visit Philippe's and Union Station. Both some of the best people watching places in the country.
Johnny Panic The original French dip! I miss that place!
@@gents6379 Philippe's is still in business and it misses you too!!
It will forever be Unity Station to me. All we had to do was follow the damn train CJ!
I thought Train stations were for the Homeless to BM and shower ?
Mark, go and fuck yourself, please.
@@markplott4820 Actually the police tend to weed out the homeless who are better off living in a library...
@@ronclark9724 - #1 it should be illegal to sleep on the Street (Tents ) and have a Immobile RV .
#2 - all Homeless should be Transfered to a SANTUARY , walled camp where they can Pitch a Tent or Equilivent , but can only walk in with what they can carry. NO Weapons, NO Alcohol, NO Drugs are allowed, and no Bikes or Shopping carts.
Homeless are fed, have access to Doctors, and MUST work in the Community Garden, and keep the camp TIDY.
camp has bathrooms and Laundry.
NO Guests are Allowed, and they cant LEAVE the Santuary EVER.
Thank you for sharing your trip. Thank you for being respectful to the rural areas of America and acknowledging the beauty of the American West.
i did Amtrak from Orlando to Miami because Norwegian Air cancelled my flight, I LOVED Amtrak! t was the real American experience, my first time in the USA and everyone was lovely! I was in a coach seat, so comfortable with wifi, I loved it and my case was so well looked after too. Thank you so much AmtraK!
I agree, i was on the northeast regional from boston to DC. 8 hours it was very comfortable and the conductor even gave a souvenir. I loved Amtrak!
The scenery is like something Bob Ross would paint 😍
try Japan in the Fall (October-November), its breathtaking.
The Pacific scenery is one of the best places in the world!!!
You should see those fir trees in southern Oregon and northern California flocked with snow in a snow storm. I have from the Coast Starlight. The train I rode had three private railroad cars that day. Even the filthy rich enjoy a winter wonderland...
@@markplott4820 nobody cares
@@CharlieND You're wrong, many of us do care.
When it comes to quality trip reporting, you are definitely in my top 3! The details you mention are really interesting and the videos don’t feel too slow or long.
Having lived in the USA for some twelve years before returning to the UK in 2017, it is a good reminder of how - in some parts of the USA- that time stands still and many places are still happily living in the 50’s and 60’s .
The US I so much love...
Explains why so many people are back asswards
It's not that great in all places
In 1998, my wife and I traveled Amtrak overnight from New York City to Chicago. We went coach and slept in our seats. Since it was August, we were dressed in t-shirts and shorts. We nearly froze that night, as the AC made the coach feel like a meat locker. Glad to hear Amtrak trains are warm now. By the way, I love your pronunciations of Salinas and Willamette.
I have done this trip from Emeryville to Seattle. Waking up and eating breakfast as the train passed Crater Lake is something I still remember fondly. The train arrived over six hours late into Seattle, but so what? It was the scenery that I will never forget.
I wish the US had more railways, especially subways. When you live in the city here, it can get annoying having to deal with traffic and terrible drivers everywhere.
Move to Boston, Chicago, or New York if you want great subway systems
@@EvanAviator Calling the NYC subway great is quite the over statement
Move to the UK. Most major cities have either a tram system at least. 3 cities have subways over here (London, Glasgow, Newcastle). But even the tram systems in the UK are nice
Try living in a small farm town where you have to drive everywhere. I would love a European style passenger train where you can go to other towns without having to get in the car and drive 30 mins just to get to the food store.
@@Hecatate
You should relocate to Norway !
I live south east, uphill from the city centre of the capitol Oslo.
We have a subway line, several bus lines, both local and long distance, two train lines near by, and an airport coach line for those of us who don't drive.
I live in a suburb. Yet the city centre is only an 8 minute drive away.
And if I look out of my seventh floor living room window, I look down at a small rural farm, quite close by.
They have a few horses for kids to ride, and they grow organic vegetables, fruit and flowers that you can buy directly off the farm.
🍎🍐🍓🌻🐝🏵 🍀🐎
Love the subtle editing entering and leaving the tunnel on the train , going above and beyond for continuity ;-).
Great video, Paul! The campground you passed at 15:39 was Refugio Beach where I spent two weeks each summer for six or eight years in the late 50s and early 60s. In those days the daytime passenger train was the Southern Pacific's Daylight--not as nice as it's glory days, but always a sight to see. SP also ran the Lark and the Owl along the Coast Line.
Thank you for taking this trip! I am a frequent Amtrak passenger and have been on the coast Starlight a few times and I love it. Still haven't had the opportunity to take the Cascades into Canada but hopefully next year. The Red Cap service at Union Station is usually free to business and Sleeper Car passengers who are using the lounge. Also room attendants should be tipped at least 10 or $20 because they are literally at your beck and call, if you want to have your meal delivered to your room they will do it, and any other special requests.
LOL ..."Gloriously unhealthy"" Great post Paul, very enjoyable.
Nice report on your trip. We plan to take this trip next year. Some medical problems have taken front stage.
Just like the “RARE” steak!
It was funny to get a glimpse of that trip on your instagram back in October... I was precisely travelling the other way on the same track !
Excellent 😊
I have taken the Costal Starlight several time from Tacoma, to San Francisco, and Los Angeles. I agree the Roomette is a very relaxing way to travel. Cheers.
Beautifully filmed and narrated video. As a UK family we did the Vancouver to San Diego route some 18 years ago. This brings back many memories. Thanks Paul for the video.
Great trip mate...and you are right about "seeing America"...loved it !!
That LA river....I have many memories of flying planes under the bridges
In the late 70’s traveled across country on Amtrak with a 16 day rail pass. Although we rode coach the whole way, it was an experience of a lifetime. Great memories!
Well I first thought who in their right mind would travel this slow and not just take a plane. After watching more it seems like this could be a fun way of traveling, especially for those who enjoy meeting people from everywhere. Old and slow but classy and nostalgic. Thanks for sharing this experience.
You really have to look at a long route train service as being a part of the vacation. $400 plus is obviously more than a plane ticket. But you get sleeping accommodations unlike on a hellish plane, meals included, and scenery included. Not to mention a generally more relaxed atmosphere.
Exactly. It's not for somebody who has to be somewhere quickly. It's basically a "Land Cruise"; watching the scenery go by is part of the package. Now, less so for the cheap coach tickets, especially in some of the rural areas which are nowhere near a major airport, in which case cheap transportation is the main point. It's basically a Carnival Cruise ship stuck to a Greyhound bus.
I would never pay more, to travel so much slower, I rather travel for a few hours and get more time at the destination, unless you pay for first class/get an empty sleeper for yourself, it's way more hellish on a train, and for a longer period of time.
However, I could do this trip once, for the scenery, and fly back
@@someoneelse7629 then you're missing the point...
It's PART of the vacation, not separate.
Bad Drivers Of The NorCal Area sleeping accommodations are available on planes, but not for $400, and not every airline has a “room” you can lock yourself inside (if anything it’s a little door, but people can see over it as they walk past. No thank you.
@@someoneelse7629 It's definitely more comfortable on an Amtrak train, even for the normal coach seats, vs an airplane in economy class. It takes way longer for sure though. I live in the Northeast US, and the Northeast Corridor trains are a great way to go up and down the East Coast (also the only profitable Amtrak routes, probably for this reason). You can take a ~30 minute flight from where I live in Rhode Island to New Jersey/short commuter trip to NYC, but when you add in getting to the airport early, going through security, and departure/connection to your final destination from NYC area airports (& baggage claim if you check a bag), the Northeast Regional train is maybe an hour or two longer at most, and the Acela is roughly the same time (Acela is more expensive and popular with business travelers because the convenience is great). You get a bigger seat, a hassle-free boarding and departure experience, and more options of where the train stops. You can show up to the train station 5 minutes before the train departs (I had a few close calls, hah) and walk on with no problem. I went to school in Delaware and there was a train station basically on campus, and another station in the same town my parents lived/where I lived at the time. So much more relaxing to take the train (+ free wifi + power plugs) vs the stress of air travel, although I've done the trip from PVD to BWI/IAD to DC area a bunch of times and I'd say if you're going to DC or further from here, that's when it makes more sense to fly. Providence/PVD is probably one of the better airports because it's relatively small but not too far from Boston and you can show up 45 minutes before departure and still make domestic flights (I learned the hard way that 1 hour is the minimum before international flights... missed a flight to Australia years ago & had to rebook out of Boston, whoops).
Oh dear, you’ve me on sold Amtrak again! Looks like a stunning trip with some great views. Love the GTA references (just started playing it again so recognise it haha)
I love your train trip reports - almost like a TV documentary! Keep them coming please!
I love Amtrak, every year my husband and I take a long distance trip with bedroom accommodations. I wish that they remodel
some of the bedrooms to make it more confortable with a double bed and not to have to climb to the top bunk specially for people 70 and above.
It really is an extraordinarily enjoyable way to travel. The ability to get to a station, board the train and then relax, read, listen to music, watch a movie, dine on food prepared by chefs on the train, sleep while you travel and then wake up in a new locale is what makes it so much fun. I'm glad to hear you and your husband have made it an annual event. I've had some memorable trips. Good luck!
My wife and I have taken our last long distance Amtrak trip until the have double beds available. Our 78 year old bodies do not do upper berths anymore! And our pocketbooks don't do two roomettes.
they
@@paulsomers6048 The family bedrooms and suites have 2 lower berths.
When you think Trevor is flying away when he zooms in on the airplane at bob hope station.
The one long distance Amtrak trip I’ve taken was extremely cold the entire time, but I only had a seat and not a sleeper of any kind. It was the Cardinal between New York City and Indianapolis (continues to Chicago). That said, I think Amtrak is a great way to travel long distances if you have the time and the cost makes sense (even if it’s a little more expensive than flying). Great video!
Paul, great work as always.
Thanks also for mentioning how Amtrak is under bureaucratic assault. While that's been something of a constant since Amtrak's creation in 1971, it's particularly the case today. Specifically at risk are the long-distance trains like the Starlight and Empire Builder, both in terms of the accommodations/experience as well as their very existence. (Traditional dining car service has been largely removed on trains running primarily east of the Mississippi.)
Go as soon as you can.
Bureaucratic assault.? Amtrak loses money. Lots of it. Always has. The airlines put the trains out of business on any route over a couple of hundred miles, so of course the US government bought them, because politics. Unlike Europe, we have a low population density and hundreds of miles between population centers. Outside of the Boston to Baltimore and San Diego to Santa Barbara corridors, it cannot be made profitable, despite any subsidy. Yes, I would probably enjoy such a journey myself, strictly from a tourist perspective, but I don't expect the government to keep dumping money down the hole just for my entertainment.
There are only a handful of routes Amtrak can run without incurring huge losses. The long distance routes are the biggest money losers and these are only around because of political reasons.
JOHN BERNTSON Amtrak has to decide whether it’s a business or a public service in this day and age, it can’t be both, Washington has to realize that too.
Nowadays they might be able to insure more travelers by having dedicated smoking areas.
@@johnberntson1669 The trouble with Amtrak is that freight trains have priority. I used to pick a friend of mine up at the station -- his train could come in an hour late, or three hours late... I never went to the station without checking first. If the thing were reliable it could carry more than just tourists with time to kill. As for European trains, many lose money. But money isn't everything -- the social goods and the 90% less pollution relative to planes are also important.
I took this train, transferred from the Texas Eagle from Little Rock Arkansas to L.A., then the coast Starlight to Pasa Robles when I was 14 with my grandmother when I was 14. God that was 20 years ago. Best memory I have wirh my grandmother that has now passed on
The Cascade is a beautiful train journey, a must do. The coast starlight is on my bucket list- great video Paul
Have done a couple of trips on AMTRAK....longest was Chicago to Sacramento. I was a bit concerned about the length of the trip but I found it utterly enjoyable. I had just finished a series of competitions in the US...and the train trip was, in effect, the relaxation portion of the holiday. Once onboard there were only two questions to be answered... "What time do I want to eat" and "Do I want another drink" lol The food isn't fancy, sure...but its perfectly fine. As an old Navy man the bunks were also perfectly alright... but I imagine for a larger person that might not be the case.
Love the journey and welcome back to Canada. The Coast Starlight is one of my dream journeys. I made the short trip from Seattle to Vancouver - love the Talgo cars.
Fascinating video to watch one of the best train videos I’ve seen in ages
This was posted as I was riding the Coast Starlight to Seattle. Crazy timing!
K
Fantastic trip and report Paul thanks for this! Never really noticed before how much the silver red and blue livery on some of those carriages is like the old classic AA livery that I loved so much
Love, love, love the train! Each time I've taken it (once from Eugene Oregon to Miami Florida - another from Portland to Chicago) - don't know if it holds true any longer, but both times I had purchased a coach seat and a couple of hours in to the trip asked the Conductor if there were any sleepers vacant/available - she sold a roomette to me for a substantial discount than what I would have paid by purchasing ahead of time. This may be an outdated practice, but it never hurts to ask.
I am disabled and might try that. I need to go next month from Texas to Missouri 21 hours, but who knows if there is a disabled sleeper for that long.
Unfortunately they stopped that. Now you have to pay the full difference. I used to do that on every trip and could get the upgrade for $50. No more, unfortunately. Rather shortsighted on Amtrak's part. They'd rather have the room go empty than take a discount.
Good idea keeping the curtains open,I remember riding the Sydney to Melbourne xpt overnight train and watching the southern Cross moving about the sky with the trains motions.
I remember "The Southern Cross" train!
Thanks for visiting the Pacific Northwest, Paul. I live in Tacoma, WA
I did this journey in 1980, in reverse. We travelled from Northern Ireland to Portland Oregon to stay with family. We left from Eugene Oregon to Los Angeles. A wonderful trip as a nine year old.
I took a trip from Seattle to San Diego using Amtrak, and I did it in a seat rather than a sleeper. All I can say about that is that it was an experience. I will most definitely get a roomette if I do the trip again.
@Bobby Brady It wasn't my trip. I was tagging along with someone and they paid. It was hella fun, but not doing that again.
I was just searching some info about these amtrak trains and i already started to plan my trip with that kind of train. I just didn't find any informativw videos of these trains. Thank you for this vid.
You did the Amtrak justice with this video I have been on this train a many a day , as well as all the trains out of L. A. Union station I was a food specialist for Amtrak in the 90s I really enjoyed the video gd work 👌🏾
Awesome video, Paul! I took this route with a friend back in 2014 and we loved it, so it's great to see how it compares years later. And for those considering taking this train route, I recommend roomettes on the lower lever because they avoid the upstairs foot traffic, allowing for a very peaceful experience.
I'm taking this exact trip on New Year's Eve!
Austin Clark
So how was it??????
Thanks Paul. I really like the way you present these trips. Just the right balance of music, commentary and just passing scenery. All the best.
I was one of those fools that did this whole trip in a seat, 20 years ago in the opposite direction. The good news is the seats are massive (compared to planes) and have all the leg room you could ask for.
troglodyte01
Wow! If it’s not crowded are you allowed to lay down????
@@mistybuttercup110 The seats actually recline pretty well and aren't half bad to sleep in, but there were some people that opted to sleep on the floor of the mostly-empty last car. There might have been some hanky-panky going on as well.
This is a reverse (well, a leg of it) of the last trip I took with my parents. We flew to Toronto, took the train to Vancouver, the bus to Seattle, the train to Los Angeles, and the train to New Orleans where we stayed a couple of days before flying back to Florida. We did enjoy this section of the trip, but I really think the highlight was the Canada portion. I REALLY liked that train despite (or perhaps because) of how old the cars were. Plus the scenery was spectacular. I do hope you're taking the train to Toronto once you get to Vancouver. It is SO worth it!
"Bring plenty of $1s and $2s to tip" haha, two dollar bills are pretty rare (you have to specially request them from a bank), so it'd be more like $1s and $5s
I have like 40 of them
Aloha e Paul from Hawai'i! I enjoyed this report so much, I watched it 3 times. Unfortunately, no views this time inside Portland Union, my favorite station in the USA (and I've seen plenty in the past 65 years). Last summer, I once again traveled to WA/OR to torment relatives (we had a great time!). I really appreciate your mentioning the bad as well as the good, which might help some of your viewers. When I traveled south from Tacoma to Portland, my son refused to pick me up at Portland Union because the area around the station has become so dangerous due to drug trafficking and massive homeless encampments. He made me go one stop south to Oregon City, so I missed visiting my beloved Portland Union. That's okay. That stop actually is easier for him to access from his home. Your reports have become more and more professional. I'm glad that I am one of your patrons (though you might not know it because of my email address).
One of THE most beautiful rides we’ve ever had. And as you said: “Epic.” Little guy loved it. The shots we got we insane!
Agreed! We took this same trip Thanksgiving week 2019. The trees and route through Oregon were all snow covered. It was gorgeous. 🚉☃❄ We took business class, which is not as expensive as a room, but much more roomy and quite than coach. I highly recommend this trip.
Hello Paul.... I LOVE watching your train travels and I LOVE the Coast Starlight!! I’ve been on her many times going to Portland from Tacoma Wa!! I’ve never taken a Long trip though and have longed to do so. Being disabled holds me back. I appreciated you showing a disabled sleeper car!!’ Happy travels and take care of you!
Kathy
Washington State
USA is so beautiful!
Ikr 😅
Great work again Paul! Really appreciating you for bringing this spectacular trip report.
Paul, thank you for all your flight and travel videos in 2019. They are very interesting, informative and compulsive to watch. Please don't stop. Best wishes for the New Year. Glen in England.
It's great seeing Los Angeles when you recognize a spot from a movie.
Yes, my favorite amtrak route!
my Favorite USED to be Fremont - Foster City via Drawbridge.
Mark just stop
You are an inhuman monster
That breakfast was only missing bacon, btw. And I've taken part of that journey twice: once by motorbike, the other time by Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle. Both times the scenery (and service) was wonderful. Good idea, Paul, to mention tipping as it's part of the culture there.
So if you look in the comments below, under anything praising the overall Amtrak experience, you will find one name: Mark Plott. He's gone to nearly every comment and replied something negative about Amtrak, how apparently the system is "outdated" (apparently because we don't waste our money building a high speed line between San Francisco and Seattle nobody will use) and then he boasts about how this one Shinkansen line is so great, even though it was built under completely different circumstances.
People, don't be like Mark. Don't try to force your opinion on to other people by replying the same message to dozens of comments. It's not nice, and it makes you look like an incoherent jackass.
Paul, thanks for the great video. You did a nice job outlining the service provided on such an amazing route. It truly is an experience to be had.
did the shinkansen people hire mark to say all great things about them and bad things about amtrak? lol
ItsLiamOBrien a guy is a nut..
@@itsliamobrien3094 The Japanese are way too polite to support such a incompetent maniac like him.
Well,look at Europe,They did spend nicely on High Speed trains,Nowadays Everybody (almost) Prefers high Speed,you can also take a train from/to other countries,I Once did a Trip With ÖBB (Austrian railways) From Verona,Italy to Munich,Germany,and it wasn’t the fastest way to go,but The It was so Scenic At least Amtrak Is Scenic
@@crashcast_e6339 ahh i see
I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak merged private Railroad Company for over 52 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because trains travel is a blast with a wonderful socially different people from all over the world and a beauty by looking a view passing to different areas too.
Terrific report, must have taken some editing. Really enjoyed this and felt part of the journey. Keep the good work up!!
As someone who lives in (and has lived in for my whole life) one of the cities this line stops in (Oxnard, CA), I never tire of seeing the trains pass by as I drive down the coast to Santa Barbara. The view of the beach along the 101 never seems to get old.
Took this as part of our 2 wk. Amtrak vacation. Crescent, Sunset, Starlight, Empire, Capitol Ltd., NEC back to Wilmington, DL. We did it for our 50th Anniversary! The beds are too hard for our taste, but food is excellent and the views first rate!
Wow 50' congratulations we are coming up on our 44' and was thinking of maybe a week train trip would be a wonderful dream trip for us.. 😊
@@janlovesmany6058 We did 2 weeks: Wilmington DL to NOLA, a full day there, out to LA on Sunset, immediately on to Starlight to Seattle (we dislike LA), a day in Seattle, Empire ti Izaak Walton Inn, day there in Glacier Park, then back on Empire to Chicago, Capitol Ltd. to DC, and NEC back up to Wilmington. We live an hour SE in Down Jersey near the Delaware Bay.
Thanks for showing us Americans what we are missing... before it’s gone. Though I’ve not done a roomette and gone hard (4 days to Texas) in a seat it must be noted; seating on a train is a FAR more pleasurable experience than a plane or bus. They have far more legroom, recline farther back, and the ability to walk around at one’s discretion cannot be overstated. Flying these days is a bus with wings- short term misery to get to a destination, rail travel is part of the journey, and when you account for the cost of hotel rooms these days as an inclusive part of the ticket, rail travel is on par- given one has the time of course.
Lived in CA most of my life and never done this? That’s gotta change! Thanks for opening my mind.
I've done the Amtrak from Seattle to Portland and return, I wish some one from the British Rail companies would do the same to see how rail travel should be done.
I don't know. It looks like it sucks a bit. It isn't electrified either.
@@thomasscottmilburn7985 It's not the speed, it's the cleanliness of the train and the station too. I had an allocated seat which reclined. I rarely travel by rail in the UK, very expensive for what you get, if the train turns up.
My wife and I chose to visit Seattle for ten days for our 20th anniversary in early July '13.
Zero rain that time of year and lots of blue skies and sun.
We flew in and used only public transportation.
We pretty much saw and loved it all!
We took the Amtrak Cascades train from the glorious just recently completed restoration of the King Street Station and rode along the soothing and scenic Puget Sound coast north to Bellevue.
Took advantage of the historic and charming city of Fairhaven/Bellevue.
Lots of boutique shops, restaurants, cafe's, bakeries, ethnic cuisine etc. and the beautiful campus of Western Washington University.
If we'd known that we could have gone all the way to Vancouver, if we had had passports, we would have planned for that.
Very interesting, entertaining and enjoyable!
Pretty cool. Thanks for showing us what it's like. I'm not sure if I'd enjoy such a long journey. But it's an experience worth considering :)
For me personally, one night on the train at a time is enough. I do want to travel by train a lot, but I will break it up with hotel stays in between two-day runs.
My fiance and I went for the holidays to Oregon. It was very nice and relaxing. Seeing the scenery rush by. The food was also amazing. I would reccomend waiting till covid restrictions ease up because they only have "airline" style meals and no free coffee outside the roomettes
@@angelicacrites7653 🙍🏾♂️ I'm so over this covid
@@angelicacrites7653 Yeah the food is only airline style right now.. but it was actually amazing for what it is.. I was impressed. I did not have high expectations for the food at all.
This really isn't that long. I did Oakland-L.A-Chicago-NYC! Almost 3 days with getting stuck on the snowed in tracks for hours! But, it REALLY flies by! Unless you have a sharp deadline, it's hours of stress-free beauty and if you want, meeting nice people.
I've done the LAX --> SEA Coast Starlight 4 times in the roomette and love it every time. The first two times were with my husband and mother in law (she had her own roomette) and we shared one. We booked roomettes across from each other which was great for being able to see out both sides of the train at once and also for being able to have 4 seats for 3 people. The more recent trips were: once with my 7 year old daughter (one roomette) and then with my daughter, husband and his brother - again with 2 roomettes across from each other. Having meals included and showers and luggage space downstairs was very helpful. The crew onboard are always really helpful and kind. The one thing I miss very much is the Parlor Car! There used to be a car with a lounge and small serving area upstairs and MOVIE THEATER below! The Parlor was a place with big booth type seats where you could sit and relax, look out extra big windows. There were wine tastings on the first day's afternoon and you could get modified meals there too. Sad that budget issues have made this car obsolete. Will it ever come back?
Are you going to take The Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto next :D?
You NEED too!!
They would be another trip report I would definitely watch
take the Shinkansen GRAN Class from Tokyo to Kyoto, mind Changing.
@@markplott4820 Agreed!
Vancouver to Toronto? I'd take that trip!!!
People in the UK do complain about the trains but it’s a pretty good system all things considered. Growing up there, I took the bus or train pretty much every day and always used the tube when I lived in London. I’ve taken one train trip in 37 years in the US. In Florida you basically have to drive or you don’t go anywhere. A great public transport system is a blessing.
Awesome video! I enjoy riding Amtrak, so it's great to see others as well!
whenever I ride the Shinkansen I always bring a bottle of 25 year Japanese Whisky with me , I can get FREE ice cubes from the Cute CART girl.
though in GRAN class they give FREE Champaine.
Mark Plott ok weeb
@@markplott4820 ok boomer
With respect Go fuck your self Mark Plott
You weeb
I can not wait until the borders open up again to do an Amtrak Journey.
As a lone traveler, I like the idea of not sharing sleeping quarters, and LOVE the idea of sitting with different people at meal times.
Get to learn where people are from, hear their stories, make some new friends.
Great video.
Great scenery
Yummy looking food !
Awesome video Paul! I've been following your airline and European train videos for a while and it's nice to see a European perspective on Amtrak (I know you've done at least one previous Amtrak video). Here in the USA, Amtrak is the under-appreciated stepchild to commercial aviation (and the interstate highway network), with constant threats of budgetary cutbacks and even elimination of routes. My wish is that federal funding (and public appreciation) for Amtrak increases so that service can be upgraded to a level considered marginally acceptable by Europe's standards. Almost embarrassing as an American to see how you're navigating the whole experience (although Amtrak and their employees do an admirable job under the circumstances). Most of those rail cars you rode were most recently built in the early 1980s and pretty much at the end of their designed service life.
Your spot on Michael, it is a shame we have few great routes here in the U.S.. I live in Las Vegas, over 2 million people and no train service. I don't know the answer, it is tough to see how we can feasibly put more routes in service with air travel so inexpensive. But, I hope to experience some of our great routes while I can. I have done the Eurostar and spent 2 months on trains in Europe, and loved it.
Whilst there are the aviation.road transport, petroleum and rail freight lobbyists in Washington DC plus the orange one who thinks he is president, passenger rail travel in the USA will always by the under-appreciated stepchild.
@@rick081956 I an remember when Las Vegas had one train each way per day. It split off from the Zephyr at Salt Lake City and went to LA. I thought it was stupid to kill that service.
Chris McKellar Until he either gets impeached or voted out, he is the president and it isn’t some unfounded claim.
The details you include are really helpful. A friend will be making this trip soon, and it was so nice to be able to see so many of the things that may be unknown to a new traveler. Cheers!
Those Genesis locomotives are the very image of Amtrak
Always anticipated train trip vlogs like this, Paul. A very nice video indeed. In my opinion, long distance trips by train is the best way to travel because you will get a good feel of how long it is to travel long distance and of course, the magnificent sceneries that you will get along the way.
Ever since watching The Goonies as a kid I've had this fascination with going to Portland Oregon
You'd want to visit Astoria, Oregon then. Enjoy!
The movie was filmed on the coast, in Seaside and Astoria.
Do yourself a favor and drive from Portland to Astoria (in the upper-left bump of Oregon.) Beautiful drive.
Unlike other vlog by other people I really enjoy yours. Your trip reviews seem to be always positive. I happy enjoyed Amtrak. It’s fun to take the train, you don’t have to deal with the stress of the airport and the train is always very relaxing.
Been looking forward to an LD Amtrak review since you started your new style, and I'm glad to see you had a good time! Interesting to hear the opinion of a frequent traveler on the Amtrak beds too, since I've never flown long-haul business class I always only compared them to proper beds. I guess you can't really get a proper bed on a vehicle after all, but I definitely agree that sleeper is a bargain compared to coach on LD trains for the amenities alone.
Also, a word of caution regarding the Cascades. As the result of a couple accidents, WSDOT doesn't have enough Talgo sets to run every service with them right now. Information on which sets are using conventional Amfleet cars instead is spotty at best, but they're very different from the Talgos.
Awesome ride on Amtrak Coast Starlight #14. I am dying to do the Amtrak Coast Starlight route roundtrip between Seattle & Los Angeles for YEARS. I can't wait to do a roundtrip soon. Keep up the amazing work.
You should do the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago
A great video, Paul. One of the best I have seen of any of the Amtrak systems. Look forward to another one soon.
$406, thank you always want to know the price of these rides. Awesome movie
You can't find that info online.
@@CDRiley 1500
Hi Paul, This might be a bit strange but just want to say thank you for your videos. I watch them religiously while i study for my University course and help me get through my revision. Happy travelling :) !
so... i wonder if anyone has ordered a pizza from a train... you know.. 10 mins before you hit the smokebreak stop... order up a pizza and have it delivered to the train... lol
It's possible. I did see one person on the Texas Eagle order Grubhub delivered to the station while we were laying over in Dallas, but that was a nearly hour-long layover so they had plenty of time. I've also had several Amtrak crews do this (oftentimes for the whole train, not just sleeper passengers) if they're running late-enough to warrant serving an extra meal.
Done it. Cardinal at Indianapolis
Much more interesting than an aircraft review. Theres only so much you can do in a metal tube in the air. These train videos are exceptional.
When you are in the cabin and the door is closed and locked, can you hear the other passengers talking in their cabins? I heard talking when you where in your bed at night?
It's definitely not soundproof, but normally not an issue, plus the train itself makes some noise that I find comforting and drowns out distractions.
Voices yes.. but not from other rooms.. usually only at stops when there are people by the doors. Upstairs obviously is more quiet than down. You will hear if someone moves the bunk in a cabin though.. its loud.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip on the full length of the Coast Starlight’s route! The Starlight is by far my favorite long distance train and I have ridden it many times. The Cascades is actually the only train service currently in North America to operate Talgo equipment, though there are plans to make the Hiawatha (Chicago to Milwaukee) use Talgo equipment.
We did a roomette from Chicago to Sparks, me, my gf and our 6 month old baby.
I used the Cascades service in Aug 2019 from Seattle to Vancouver and honestly it was so much more civilised compared to a flight. You get from the heart of one city to another in about 4 hours. No stress of typical airports with check-in, security screening, boarding and queues at every stage!
I spent 5 whole days on a train from Orlando FL to Seattle Washington sleeping in an aisle birth (no room)
I've done the Empire Builder full length in a roomette with two people and it was fine... just think of it vs. sitting in a coach seat. You still have more room in a roomette, plus privacy, plus a bed and (communal) shower. I've also done that same trip in coach, and while that was fine at the time, I wouldn't do it again now that I'm a little older. Anyway, I'm always amazed at how well Amtrak maintains these 40+ year old cars; whenever I see videos on channels like yours that mix coverage of European and American trains, I don't feel so bad about our rail system. Amtrak has a lot of good things to recommend it. It just doesn't have high speed on its long distance lines.
Paul, what was the most interesting mealtime conversation of the trip? And welcome to Seattle (albeit briefly)!
I would think the Lysteria and NovoVirus in Amtrack kitchens would be the MAIN conversation.
@@markplott4820 As shown in the video, Amtrak takes great pride in the preparation of their food on West Coast routes. You should try it sometime, I guarantee it's disease free!
@@crashcast_e6339 - Novovirus and E Coli are common in Amtrak kitchens and inside Cabins.
as for their MENU no thanks, I'm much Safer with a Overpriced Ramen noodles .
I can bring homemade Rice Balls with Salmon and it will be Better.
too bad your Stations don't Prepare Hot Lunch kits with Local Cusine, it would be a Great way to Promote Train travel.
the Problem with Amtrak as a whole is its Crappy user Expierence, from the Check in to the RIDE of the Train to the Attendant service to the Train Noise level and Vibration, this is BS.
@@markplott4820 Is your caps key broken and what's with the Japanese (but Anglicised) obsession?
@@markplott4820 You are actually making up false information at this point. There is absolutely no credible sources that state that Amtrak has issues with Norovirus and E-Coli because they don't have issues with those diseases. The passenger experience on Amtrak is good, and it's evident if you ask anyone who rides it. For the final time I will tell you this:
America is it's own country. We have our own people, our own geography and our own culture. The people who ride Amtrak far and wide don't car about the little minute vibration given by the train trundling down the tracks, they enjoy the fresh meals prepared on trains like the Coast Starlight, and they enjoy the atmosphere of the ride. Along the way, car attendants (as seen in the video) are provided for each sleeping car and execute their job gracefully. They don't want your "rice balls with salmon" or your station-side cuisine. That wouldn't improve the passenger experience any better for the passengers and would only create a needless cost for Amtrak.
So for one last time I will tell you, in all captials which seems to be something you understand yourself: AMERICA IS NOT JAPAN.
Thank you for this video. It helped bring back wonderful memories of my favorite childhood trip with my father and sister. We took this train from Richmond Ca to Seattle in coach. Keep up all the excellent work
Great stuff......your airline vids are great but the really good stuff is the train reviews:) More please!
I grew up near Burbank Airport. As a kid, watched and later flew dozens of times on PSA, Hughes Airwest, Continental and others. All gone, sorry to say. Enjoyed your presentation. Well done...
40 mph average? Welcome to the 19th century! :) It all looks so ancient on that train. But not the good kind of ancient like in those legacy trains such as the The Ghan or the Indian Pacific. But what a stunning landscape.
The train system here is fundamentally different versus the UK. With few exceptions, rail is really all about freight in the US and most Amtrak trains (including this one) run on the freight railroads' tracks.
There's A LOT more on why things here are the way they are, but I'll spare you the full rabbit hole.
Note: I've been to the UK. Love it and your rail system - flawed as it also is.
@Liam Doyle Right...and what a bucket list item either of them would be!
I had assumed that xBris was from the UK...so perhaps there's my Sunday reminder of what happens when one assumes.
The Spirit of Queensland and the Overland is quicker and better than the Indian Pacific.
@Liam Doyle - I haven't traveled on the Spirit of the Outback, so wouldn't what the average speed is.
@Liam Doyle - When I traveled on the Overland, it appeared to be fast, compared to the XPT. The Spirit of Queensland appeared to be faster than the XPT and Indian Pacific. I would say the XPT between Melbourne and Sydney had an average of 67kmh, it there seem to be alot lot of speed restriction on the day I travel on it.