Shadowmeboy's Star studded Christmas Mexican Riviera review!

[ncklhaus]

The train looks like a lot of fun and has terrific views. Is that why you chose not to fly and instead take a 33 hour train ride? I'm also really curious as to what the sleeper car and roomettes look like. Is there a bathroom in there or is it communal?

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

Traveling through the snow!

 

[shadowmeboy]

The train looks like a lot of fun and has terrific views. Is that why you chose not to fly and instead take a 33 hour train ride? I'm also really curious as to what the sleeper car and roomettes look like. Is there a bathroom in there or is it communal?

 

The plane would have been quicker, but it was more expensive post-Christmas/pre New Years. The train was a little less even with the roomette. We have always wanted to do the Coast Starlight either down to LA or back from it. We had the time to do it.

 

Roomettes had two seats facing each other. The seats become the lower bed. The upper bunk is latched up, and comes down at night. I couldn't get a good picture of the beds down. There are family bedrooms and other bedrooms that have a private restroom. The roomettes use the communal bathrooms. One upstairs and 3 downstairs. There is also a changing room and show downstairs. This is on the Superliner equipment that Amtrak uses on its routes from Chicago westward and in the West. In the east, some of the tunnels aren't as high, so they have to use different equipment.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

There were a ton of tunnels in this stretch of track.

 

 

 

very curvy track

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

a photo in the tunnel.

 

 

 

 

The Cascade Mountains of Oregon are very beautiful.

[ncklhaus]

The plane would have been quicker, but it was more expensive post-Christmas/pre New Years. The train was a little less even with the roomette. We have always wanted to do the Coast Starlight either down to LA or back from it. We had the time to do it.

 

Roomettes had two seats facing each other. The seats become the lower bed. The upper bunk is latched up, and comes down at night. I couldn't get a good picture of the beds down. There are family bedrooms and other bedrooms that have a private restroom. The roomettes use the communal bathrooms. One upstairs and 3 downstairs. There is also a changing room and show downstairs. This is on the Superliner equipment that Amtrak uses on its routes from Chicago westward and in the West. In the east, some of the tunnels aren't as high, so they have to use different equipment.

Thank you for your answer. I've always wanted to try a train trip.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

Lunch time finally rolled around.

 

 

drink menu - all food and non alcoholic drinks are included with the room

 

 

dessert menu

[shadowmeboy]

Thank you for your answer. I've always wanted to try a train trip.

 

We had previously gone from Seattle to Chicago on the Empire Builder. That was a 46 hour train trip that turned into 50. We also traveled in a roomette on that trip. They work for two people.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Another shot of the dining car.

 

 

the center of the car is a dumbwaiter and the service area. The kitchen is on the bottom level of the car.

 

 

salad to start

 

 

We were just to the east of Eugene, OR along the Willamette River.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan got an Angus Burger

[shadowmeboy]

 

I also got a Burger.

 

 

A wood mill in Springfield, OR

 

 

Susan got a Chocolate Torte and I got a cheesecake.

 

 

Arriving into Eugene, OR

 

 

 

Oregon's Willamette Valley

 

I am going to pause here for the evening.

[paiagirl]

Thank you very much for your review of your train ride. Am enjoying seeing the photos and comments. Have gone only to Oakland on Amtrak and now you gave me the idea to do all the way to Vancouver and return by ship to California. During your duration, how many meals came with the roomatte? Where there passengers that slept on their chairs overnight all the way from LA Union Station to Seattle? Did you book the train tickets yourself?

 

Paiagirl

Edited January 20, 2018 by paiagirl
forgot to put my name

[shadowmeboy]

Thank you very much for your review of your train ride. Am enjoying seeing the photos and comments. Have gone only to Oakland on Amtrak and now you gave me the idea to do all the way to Vancouver and return by ship to California. During your duration, how many meals came with the roomatte? Where there passengers that slept on their chairs overnight all the way from LA Union Station to Seattle? Did you book the train tickets yourself?

 

 

 

Paiagirl

 

 

 

The Coast Starlight will take you as far as Seattle. You will then have to take the Amtrak Cascades into Vancouver or other transportation. From LA, you will get Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

 

We saw a few people getting on the train in LA that we saw again in Seattle. We did not venture into Coach, so I am not sure exactly how many went all the way in coach. I wouldn’t.

 

Yes, bought our own tickets.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

Interstate 5 near Albany, Oregon.

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Hood in the distance

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

We finally arrived in Salem, Oregon's Capitol.

 

 

 

 

They are growing sod for people's lawns.

 

 

 

 

Christmas trees are a major agricultural commodity in Oregon, especially in Clackamas County. These trees are a little past prime Christmas tree size!

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Running through Hubbard, OR.

 

 

Nut trees - lots of hazelnut trees in this area.

 

 

 

 

Passing through Aurora, OR. Aurora is known for its antique shops.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

I know this area well because I graduated High School in the area. This area was home for almost 10 years.

 

 

The Pudding River

 

 

 

Susan had crossed over the hall to another roomette that was going to be empty and our car attendant said we could take pictures from.

 

 

Pudding River from her side.

 

 

Running alongside Oregon 99E towards Barlow and Canby.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Crossing Barlow Road (M)

 

 

The City of Barlow and Barlow Road (S)

 

 

 

 

Climbing the grade up into Canby, OR (M) - you are looking at Canby Ford.

 

 

Susan and I sat on opposite sides of the train for a little bit to get pictures of Canby and Oregon City area. I graduated from Canby, so we go back from time to time. It's also really cool to see it from the train.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Molalla River (S)

 

 

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[shadowmeboy]

 

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Coming into the main part of town now. (M)

 

 

That used to be a really good restaurant, so sad to see it run down. (S)

 

 

The train tracks and 99E divide Canby in half. I am looking south on my side.(M)

 

 

Start of downtown Canby (S)

 

 

(M)

[shadowmeboy]

 

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[shadowmeboy]

 

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Cutsforth Thriftway - a longtime Canby business (S)

 

 

(M)

 

 

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Across the empty parking lot is the Clackamas County Fairgrounds (S)

[shadowmeboy]

 

(M)

 

 

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Canby's old station and current Museum (S)

 

 

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After leaving Canby, the train runs along the Willamette River and 99E.

 

 

Susan is on the river side and I am on the highway side.

[shadowmeboy]

 

her view

 

 

my view