chuljin
Lead Service Attendant
Background
I live about 2 miles northeast of GDL, and work about 1/2 mile west of the (LA) Metro 7th/Metro Center station. At first because it was an opportunity to take a train, any train, every day, and now that combined with the price of gas, I commute as follows:
As a creature of habit, I always ride in the cafe car on 785, near the top of the stairs. In recent memory, it's been in seat 33.
In theory, 785 arrives at GDL at 7:13pm; I always hang out a few minutes to see 798 (which in theory arrives at 7:18) pass by, looking for any variations in that train's already-unique consist. Hopefully I shall someday see 10031, as I understand happens (or used to) from time to time.
It is worth mentioning (since my first post on this topic, which I'm now writing, has variations) is that 785 arrives at 6:45pm on track 9B, and leaves at 7pm. Across the platform at 10B is a Surfliner trainset, standing unused, which I guess [i've never been at LAX that late] later goes to SAN as train 592.
My idea
Obviously, at 6 miles and 10-15 minutes, none of these trips merits its own thread-level isolated trip report, especially as most are mundane and I barely have time even to get a satisfying sneeze.
However, as often as twice a week, something strangely noteworthy or noteworthily strange happens, ranging from 'I bet some folks on AU would find that mildly interesting' to real zingers that I itch to share.
My idea, therefore: when/if such things happen, would it be in order to put brief notes about them here, not as new threads, but additional posts on this present thread? I wonder if it might even be forbidden as a special case of Excessive posting of that which lacks substance. :|
Some examples of things that happened just in the past two weeks (not all on the same day, of course) that I'd have shared if I thought of this earlier:
Just an idea; do let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Chris
I live about 2 miles northeast of GDL, and work about 1/2 mile west of the (LA) Metro 7th/Metro Center station. At first because it was an opportunity to take a train, any train, every day, and now that combined with the price of gas, I commute as follows:
- Drive to GDL
- One of the many many Metrolink trains that serve GDL (usually 206) to LAX (unfortunately, the earliest Surfliner is far too late for my commute)
- Metro Red/Purple Line (either will do) to 7th/Metro
- The first bus that comes along (usually DASH E or Metro 51) to my office
- Work
- Walk to 7th/Metro (I seldom take a bus this direction because the schedule is not ideal, and I'm also less pressed for time)
- Metro Red/Purple Line (either will do) to LAX
- Amtrak 785 (if the scheduling stars align, otherwise occasionally Metrolink 221 or 119) to GDL
- Drive home
As a creature of habit, I always ride in the cafe car on 785, near the top of the stairs. In recent memory, it's been in seat 33.
In theory, 785 arrives at GDL at 7:13pm; I always hang out a few minutes to see 798 (which in theory arrives at 7:18) pass by, looking for any variations in that train's already-unique consist. Hopefully I shall someday see 10031, as I understand happens (or used to) from time to time.
It is worth mentioning (since my first post on this topic, which I'm now writing, has variations) is that 785 arrives at 6:45pm on track 9B, and leaves at 7pm. Across the platform at 10B is a Surfliner trainset, standing unused, which I guess [i've never been at LAX that late] later goes to SAN as train 592.
My idea
Obviously, at 6 miles and 10-15 minutes, none of these trips merits its own thread-level isolated trip report, especially as most are mundane and I barely have time even to get a satisfying sneeze.
However, as often as twice a week, something strangely noteworthy or noteworthily strange happens, ranging from 'I bet some folks on AU would find that mildly interesting' to real zingers that I itch to share.
My idea, therefore: when/if such things happen, would it be in order to put brief notes about them here, not as new threads, but additional posts on this present thread? I wonder if it might even be forbidden as a special case of Excessive posting of that which lacks substance. :|
Some examples of things that happened just in the past two weeks (not all on the same day, of course) that I'd have shared if I thought of this earlier:
- The cafe attendant who gave herself the peace and quiet to restock (as they all deserve, of course) not by just closing the door between the service and seating area, or by blocking the entrance to the seating area by putting the two trash cans between the restroom and wall, but by putting the trash cans at the bottom of the stairs, blocking that car's only exit;
- As the train pulls into LAX, I stand to the side of the cafe door, let the people stream out, then board. Last week, train arrived, doors opened, no stream of people. I looked in and saw the cafe attendant and an assistant conductor furiously mopping up the results of a backed-up restroom;
- Waiting for 785 with me on platform 9 at LAX were a Metrolink conductor and two LA County Sheriff's Deputies, into whose custody an Amtrak passenger from the south was delivered (anecdotally, it sounds like he'd been smoking on the train).
Just an idea; do let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Chris
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