P&SR, That sounds a great trip!
Thanks for your interest. Yes, the Trip was memorable and truly outstanding.
It all came together in a remarkably short time. My wonderful Moonlight Express suggested that it was a good season for another cross-country Rail Adventure. Since she had to work, she encouraged a solo adventure so I could then tell her all about it. Since I was just recovering from a serious illness and had just wrapped up some very demanding family business, she advised that getting away to celebrate would be a good idea. And, as always, she was so right!
Planning began on August 17th, and came to completion that same day. (Being both quick and decisive really helps here.)
I purchased the Pass on-line the next day, August 18th for Travel to begin August 31st (13 days later). I knew the Pass could be refunded before the Travel Date in case I could not make satisfactory Reservations.
That same day (August 18th) I telephoned Amtrak to make all of my Reservations, with a good itinerary exactly mapped out to minimize any uncertainties while on the phone. Fortunately, every Segment I asked for had availability for the Pass. (I think everything except the highest Coach Bucket qualifies.) So it was all confirmed right that same day.
Then I had to go and pick up my Pass in person, not wishing to trust to timely delivery through the U.S.Mail. So on August 20th I made on-line Reservations for a Preliminary Trip to be made on August 24th for exactly that purpose. Catching the morning Amtrak Bus from my home-town in the North Bay, I arrived at the Martinez Station, rode to Oakland Coliseum, transferred to BART, and arrived downtown in San Francisco. Heading out on foot, I found the new Temporary Trans-Bay Terminal (Bus Services), which includes a (Temporary) Full-Service Amtrak Station (but no Tracks or Trains). So I picked up my Pass right there, and continued the day riding Cable Cars, Heritage Street Cars, Light Rail, and the CalTrain to San Jose, where I caught Amtrak back to Martinez for the last bus home to the North Bay. Very fine indeed.
On Travel Day, August 31st, I caught the early Commuter Bus into San Francisco, walked to CalTrain, and rode to San Jose to catch the South-Bound Coast Starlight as the first segment of my Trip. Spent that night in Los Angeles, then continued as per the routings listed above.
Summary: Triple-overnight run in Coach from Los Angeles to the East Coast (South-West Chief plus Cardinal).
Four-night continuous run in Coach from Montreal back to the Bay Area (via Schenectady, Chicago, and Portland).
So seven Night on the Train, and five Night in Hotels as stated (Los Angeles, New York coming and going, Charlotte North Carolina, and Montreal.)
Total of 12 nights making 13 days of Travel.
Hotel Choices were as follows:
Metro-Plaza in Los Angeles (close to Union Station).
Hampton Inn Manhattan Soho (close to direct Subway Line to Penn Station, and Times Square).
Super-8 Downtown in Charlotte NC (economical, and convenient by Taxi).
Hotel St-Denis in the University Quarter of Montreal (great old-time Atmosphere, lively location, and walkable to the Station when it isn't pouring Rain).
All Coach, because this is my substitute for "Camping Out". I'd much rather "Camp In" with a roof over my head. Bring a Blanket. Great scenery with tremendous variety. The usual combination of joy and misery, confidence and uncertainty, bubbling energy and dragging exhaustion... as all of us know so well who have ever undertaken a similar Adventure. Lots of great food, and some mediocre. All in all, a Fine Experience, to be enjoyed again whenever opportunity permits!
Best regards for your own Trip Planning. I do find that the 12-Segment Pass offers far greater Flexibility... especially for those who want to see or do anything on their Trip besides just Riding the Rails!
