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Well, wouldn't you know it. My bag disappeared on the San Joaquins between Fresno and Bakersfield today. The entire luggage rack was empty when I went to grab my bag. The station agent in Bakersfield admitted that it was probably stolen. I'll give it a couple of days before I write to the...

Based on my limited experience... Best: 1) LAUS (LAX) - for all the reasons already mentioned 2) Flagstaff (FLG) - Great location right in the middle of a lively downtown. SWC arrival/departure times are pretty good for weekend trips to and from LA. 3) Bakersfield (BFD) - A bit of a dark...

I can't speak from personal experience, but the Missouri River Runner appears to be more scenic than the CONO-SWC route. Then again, there's going to be more to see and do during layovers in Memphis/Chicago than in St. Louis. For my money, an afternoon/evening ride on a day train with views of...

I don't know how the economics work out, but the Kids 'n' Trains program in California appears to be fairly popular. Perhaps the biggest problem is the lack of major attractions at most stops along the line (I'm thinking of the San Joaquins specifically). At any rate, it's a great way to expose...

I've generally found the Amtrak California crews to be more attentive and helpful than those on the national trains, and most Amtrak passengers would probably kill to be "only" 14 minutes late (here's to lowered expectations!). Additionally, most delays are beyond Amtrak's control (freight...

There are some nice views of the San Francisco/San Pablo Bay between Oakland and Martinez. Between Martinez and Stockton, the train rides high above the low-lying Delta region. South of Stockton, it's all farmland punctuated by some decidedly unscenic Valley towns. If visibility is good, you may...

I've always felt a little nervous leaving my carry-ons downstairs and out of sight on the San Joaquins. Carry-on is the only option if you're traveling between stations without checked baggage service, and storage on the upper level is very limited (the overhead storage bins are too small for...