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Sauve850

OBS Chief
Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Messages
703
Location
West Palm Beach, Florida
Rode the CS on Fri-Sat from Tacoma. Have done many LD trips but this was first time on this route. I am ultimately heading all the way back to West Palm Beach on different trains with a three day break in Chicago.

The train started out 45 minutes late as they were waiting for a Vancouver bus. Also had 5 private cars on the rear. I was the only one of a large group of passengers boarding a sleeper. I chose bedroom A as I sometimes get tired of neighbor noise with the other bedrooms. Was in the 1130 car next to our lounge car. Even though A is next to the door I don't notice it. Alfred was the sca and was fine for my needs. He made beds up in a timely manner and got me ice as needed. The dining car was run by Maureen and she and her crew were outstanding. Everything was on time. Drinks and meals were up in no time. She checked in with passengers at each table and helped out in serving. All the crews should be this good. Alas no real Parlour car just a lounge car. Waited years to take this trip so was disappointed as was the attendant who was complaining to another employee who was just along for the ride. I had a salad for lunch which wasn't much but the chocolate mousse type dessert was excellent. Defeated the purpose of just having a salad. I also had a breakfast sandwich one morning and the pork shanks for dinner. Both were good.

Scenery was spectacular in many spots. Rivers, lakes, dense forests, mountains and of course the Pacific coast part along the ocean was great.

We kept losing hep each time train stopped in Oregon first night. Couple of guys went out and jiggled all the connections on the private cars and found the problem. We got two hours down but with the serious padding in this schedule we arrived about on time. I will do this trip again soon from LA to Seattle as the ocean views will be a better view with earlier sun.

Every employee was friendly, the train clean, we ran out of nothing and my room had very little in the rattle department. I didn't like not having control over the speaker sound in the room. I'm currently on the SW Chief and can control the volume from my room.

Ray
 
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