Riding the Coast Starlight

22-23 July 2009

After completing my move from Bremerton, I was faced with the problem of how to get back to San Diego. I decided to take Amtrak, as a way of doing a little sight-seeing and getting a chance to relax. The Coast Starlight runs between Seattle and Los Angeles on a 35 hour schedule, which seemed just perfect for getting a little reading done. Here is a selection of the pictures I took during my trip!

 

This is Seattle's King Street Station. It's upper floors have been derelict for some time now, but a major remodeling and restoration project is now in progress.

 

One of the former F40PH NPCU's painted for use with the Cascades talgo-equipped trains. Note the fluted skirting between the trucks!

Since I was riding all the way down to Los Angeles, I was seated in the last car of the train, coach #34084.

One nice thing about being seated in the rear car is that you have easy access to the rear vestibule...best seat in the house, next to the cab of the locomotive!

 

 

Here we see Cascade and Sounder commuter equipment mingling in the small coach yard situated south of King Street.

 

The train passes directly underneath the two Tacoma Narrows bridge spans. I've been across those bridges numerous times; how curious it was to see them from a different perspective!

 

The tide is definitely out in this picture! That is supposed to be a private boat channel in the foreground, if you were wondering.

Ahh...picturesque southern Puget Sound.

 

 

This impressive lift bridge is located just north of Portland, OR.

Portland was the first major stop, where passengers could get out for a leg-stretch and maybe a quick smoke if they were so inclined. I took the opportunity to walk our consist!

 

Here is the Portland depot, with another Cascade in the foreground.

Our train was being handled by 3 locomtives that day. First up was # 64

 

Next up was #55, looking a bit worse for the wear.

This is a shot of #55's nose...ouch! This engine has been through the mill!

 

"That will buff right out, I swear!"

Up front was #63, which was in pretty good shape overall.

Another shot of #63, with the Portland depot in the background. This angle would have worked much better in the afternoon due to the sun...

 

This tower guarded the approach to the station tracks.

One of the F59PHI's used on the Cascade service.

Also present was the Portland section of the Empire Builder, headed up by #159.

 

South of Portland, the scenery got very pretty as we passed through the mountains.

We ended the day with sights such as these.

The next morning, we made a brief stop in Sacramento, and then continued south, passing over the San Francisco bay in the process.

Towards that afternoon, we finally sighted the Pacific Ocean. California dreamin'!

The final shot I have here is one of our last rest stops before pulling into LA. I came to really enjoy these stops, as they were a great way to get some fresh air (as long as you stood upwind!).