Shadowmeboy's Star studded Christmas Mexican Riviera review!

[shadowmeboy]

 

The lounge had comfortable seats and snacks. We got some Orange Juice, pastries, coffee, and even a Pepsi. We were eagerly awaiting the 10:10 am departure.

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

Our departure time came and went. Finally, they called the #14 Coast Starlight for boarding.

 

 

 

We walked to the track via the underground tunnel.

 

 

We were departing on Track 10.

 

 

The Coast Starlight being backed into Union Station.

 

 

an old Milwaukee Road private car was on the end.

 

 

just in front of it was an old Santa Fe private car. These cars traveled with us till Oakland.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Amtrak's Coast Starlight is known for its picturesque views. It also is the only Amtrak train that has a car for sleeper car passengers only, the Pacific Parlour Car. Train 14 had the Sonoma Valley Parlour Car in its set today.

 

 

We were in Sleeper Car 1432 and our car attendant was Steven.

 

 

Susan all situated in her seat to start the journey. 33 hours to go!

 

 

Here I am contemplating the journey.

 

 

 

Pulling out of Union Station.

[shadowmeboy]

 

So we were in Sleeper 1432. The train from the back was set up this way. 2 private cars, 3 coach cars, the observation car, the business class car, then the dining car, the Pacific Parlour Car, then sleeper 1430, sleeper 1431, then us, sleeper 1433 in front of us, a crew sleeper, the baggage car, and two engines. The above picture shows from the back of the train to the Parlour Car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

one of our first stops, this stop only picks up passengers.

[purpleally]

A train back home! What fun!!!

[shadowmeboy]

 

Burbank, CA

 

 

Bob Hope Burbank Airport

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

You can see the fire remains in the hills

 

 

The fire literally got down next to the tracks.

[shadowmeboy]

 

the view out the other side of the train.

 

 

 

traveling along the Pacific

 

 

 

Fire damage on one side, the Pacific on the other.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

the fire carnage reminds me of the fire damage that went through the area around our town a few years earlier.

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

We arrived into Santa Barbara.

 

 

 

Lunchtime! Since we were in a sleeper, our meals on the train were included.The Lunch Menu.

 

 

sitting in the dining car.

 

 

[Juvesgirl]

Your welcome! I love how we both look good together in blue, especially on a dark background.

 

Las Caletas was fun. I liked the food and included drinks. The crew on the boat did an excellent job of keeping everyone entertained. It was a good experience overall.

 

I cannot tell you when CAS boarded in LA. We were supposed to board before others, but Monica the concierge was late getting to the room, so they starting boarding groups even before the Suite/VIP area had gone.

 

Thanks so much for getting back to me! That is a bummer that you didn't get the VIP early boarding perk - that is probably the most important perk for me (if I were lucky enough to get VIP!). We usually sail the bigger ships and really like the Vibe, and those passes are hard to come by!

 

Thanks again so much!

[shadowmeboy]

Thanks so much for getting back to me! That is a bummer that you didn't get the VIP early boarding perk - that is probably the most important perk for me (if I were lucky enough to get VIP!). We usually sail the bigger ships and really like the Vibe, and those passes are hard to come by!

 

Thanks again so much!

 

It honestly wasn’t that big of a deal.

 

Glad to be of assistance!

[shadowmeboy]

 

The Dining Car

 

 

 

 

Susan got bored waiting for lunch to arrive.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

I got the Angus Burger with bacon and cheese.

 

 

Susan got the Baked Chilaquiles

 

 

plus a side salad.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Running along the California coastline is very beautiful

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the inside of the Pacific Parlour Car.

[shadowmeboy]

 

looking the other way

 

 

 

The glass inside the Pacific Parlour Car

 

 

the front of the train

 

 

 

We arrived in to San Luis Obispo, CA

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

We started climbing up the hills.

 

 

 

looking down on the tracks we had just traveled.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

What a pretty sunset

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

US 101

 

 

 

 

My beautiful wife!

 

[shadowmeboy]

Dinner finally rolled around.

 

 

Dinner menu

 

 

We both got a side salad to start.

 

 

Susan got the Land and Sea with Rice.

 

Meals in the Dining Car are communal, so we shared a table with another couple.

 

 

She got the Griddle Seared Norwegian Salmon

 

 

He got the Thyme Roasted Chicken Breast

 

 

I got the Land and Sea with a baked potato.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Susan got a Pecan Torte for Dessert.

 

 

I got the Cheesecake

 

Afterwards, we returned to our roomette and watched the lights go by. I couldn't really get any pictures as it was too dark.

 

We arrived into Oakland and the power cut off in the train. I later found out that was them uncoupling the private cars on the end of the train. After we traveled the short distance to Emeryville, CA, it was about midnight. We decided it was time for bed and Steven our car attendant made the beds for the evening. We climbed in our bunks and drifted off to sleep.

 

I awoke at about 630 am and Susan shortly after. We headed down to the dining car for breakfast.

 

 

Breakfast menu

 

We looked out the window of the dining car and saw.

 

 

Fog.

 

We were climbing the Mountains of Northern California by now.

 

 

a still sleepy Susan

 

 

Here I am!

[shadowmeboy]

 

We finally climbed above the fog.

 

 

Mount Shasta came into view.

 

 

 

We had a lady join us after we ordered. She orders her breakfast.

 

 

Her breakfast comes and we are still waiting. The dining car attendant searches high and low for our ticket. Can't find it anywhere, so we have to reorder. An hour after sitting down in the dining car, our breakfast finally comes.

 

 

Cheese Quesadillas, Eggs, and Tomatillo Sause with bacon.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Susan got the Three Egg Omelet.

 

 

Since it took so long, we were really hungry and shared some pancakes.

 

 

Final picture in California

 

We stopped in Klamath Falls, Oregon. It was cold out. I decided not to get off the train for a minute.

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

beautiful start to the day.

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

this is the hallway out side our roomette.

 

 

looking the other way