6 replies to this topic

[rodmabn294]

Seattle - nRichmond July 23 Richmond - Los Angeles July 25 2012 Note the 4 LA Rails PV's tacked on the rear.. These same cars came into Seattle on the 21st on the Empire Builder in reverse order. Most of the Video taken with a Sony HDR FX-1000. (The camera is misaligned and will be sent back to the repair shop for repair--Note the blue dots bleeding thru the hightights--Just paid $400.00 to repair lens !) Miisc trackside shots in Fullerton Ca attached to end of video

[Rail Freak]

Thanx,
Felt as though I was back on the train. One of my favorite routes!!!
RF

[WhoozOn1st]

Felt as though I was back on the train.

Did they play loud, lousy elevator Muzak when you rode the Coast Starlight? I recall a Starlight ride on which at the beginning there was loud, lame elevator Muzak being played in the Pacific Parlour Car at a volume almost as annoying as the obnoxious crap in that video. I asked for it to be turned down, and it was. The attendant said he didn't like it either, but that he'd been told by a supervisor to play the music more and louder. YUCK!! Several other passengers were also thankful the Muzak had been killed. That was a close one, and I'm glad there hasn't been any recurrence.

[jimhudson]

Felt as though I was back on the train.

Did they play loud, lousy elevator Muzak when you rode the Coast Starlight? I recall a Starlight ride on which at the beginning there was loud, lame elevator Muzak being played in the Pacific Parlour Car at a volume almost as annoying as the obnoxious crap in that video. I asked for it to be turned down, and it was. The attendant said he didn't like it either, but that he'd been told by a supervisor to play the music more and louder. YUCK!! Several other passengers were also thankful the Muzak had been killed. That was a close one, and I'm glad there hasn't been any recurrence.

Patrik: They had it again in August (bad 50s Muzak!!!) when we were in the PPC from LAX-SBA, same Story and result when Passengers complained to the LSA!

[WhoozOn1st]

Patrik: They had it again in August (bad 50s Muzak!!!) when we were in the PPC from LAX-SBA, same Story and result when Passengers complained to the LSA!

Good for the passengers who spoke up. But it makes you wonder whooz bright idea it is to try to turn a first class rail journey into the audio equivalent of shopping at the mall. Just plain nuts to inflict that sort of general lameness on paying customers! Let people listen to their iPods if they find it necessary tune out the world. It's not Amtrak's place to enforce sonic uniformity.

Also makes you wonder how many passengers are so sheepified that they just put up with it without protest. Maybe a substantial number, since Amtrak apparently hasn't gotten word to cease and desist. Then again, there are probably those who actually LIKE the junk (enough to put it in a video, for example).

Aboard our Starlight it wasn't 50s sounds, but grating, sugar-coated folk rock kinda swill.

[winterskigirl]

I rode the CS in early Nov 2012 from SEA to SBA and was spared any "elevator" Muzak.  Maybe they got the message? 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I personally enjoy the music in the PPC, especially when it is smooth Mid Century jazz and even wish it was available in the Diner, as in Fashion Show which plays in the NYC Diner scene on North by Northwest.  I always like to relax in the PPC after the Attendant goes off duty and on more than one occasion he or she said feel free to change the station or kill the music if you wish.