trainfanmom
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2009
- Messages
- 83
Hi All,
I have never posted on this site but have been reading for a few weeks in preparation for an upcoming trip. I have ridden Amtrak in the past but just from Los Angeles to San Diego or Santa Barbara (and those trips were over 12 years ago). This upcoming trip will be my first longer trip. We will be going from Los Angeles to San Jose on the Coast Starlight. My 6-year old son loves trains and since this is his first trip on Amtrak, we decided to go all out and booked the Family Bedroom so that we can enjoy the Sleeper Car experience and hopefully get to enjoy the Pacific Parlor car as well. There will be 4 of us total (my Mom and my daughter are also going with us). If this experience goes well, we hope to book the full round trip to Seattle next year.
I have been reading a lot of back posts for information but there were still a couple of questions that I was hoping you could help me with.
1) What time do they usually board the train in Los Angeles (departure time is 10:15)?
2) Prior to boarding, will we be able to walk to the tracks to see other trains? My son has dreams of standing on a platform watching a train arrive. Even if it is not ours, I would like for him to get to see other trains coming and going, if possible. But I worry about being too far away from our luggage (and my Mom who will be watching it) at boarding time if I take him and my daughter to the platform. Is there any other viewing area at Union Station?
3) Will we be able to go straight to the Pacific Parlor car, or other areas, to explore after putting our stuff in our room or will we have to wait until the train departs?
4) Is there any place in Union Station or onboard to purchase Coast Starlight (or even just Amtrak) souvenirs?
5) At what stops between Los Angeles and San Jose are we allowed to get off the train (even if just for a minute…again so my son can see the whole train from outside)?
Thank you so much in advance. Any other tips or hints for getting the most out of our Coast Starlight daytrip would be appreciated.
I have never posted on this site but have been reading for a few weeks in preparation for an upcoming trip. I have ridden Amtrak in the past but just from Los Angeles to San Diego or Santa Barbara (and those trips were over 12 years ago). This upcoming trip will be my first longer trip. We will be going from Los Angeles to San Jose on the Coast Starlight. My 6-year old son loves trains and since this is his first trip on Amtrak, we decided to go all out and booked the Family Bedroom so that we can enjoy the Sleeper Car experience and hopefully get to enjoy the Pacific Parlor car as well. There will be 4 of us total (my Mom and my daughter are also going with us). If this experience goes well, we hope to book the full round trip to Seattle next year.
I have been reading a lot of back posts for information but there were still a couple of questions that I was hoping you could help me with.
1) What time do they usually board the train in Los Angeles (departure time is 10:15)?
2) Prior to boarding, will we be able to walk to the tracks to see other trains? My son has dreams of standing on a platform watching a train arrive. Even if it is not ours, I would like for him to get to see other trains coming and going, if possible. But I worry about being too far away from our luggage (and my Mom who will be watching it) at boarding time if I take him and my daughter to the platform. Is there any other viewing area at Union Station?
3) Will we be able to go straight to the Pacific Parlor car, or other areas, to explore after putting our stuff in our room or will we have to wait until the train departs?
4) Is there any place in Union Station or onboard to purchase Coast Starlight (or even just Amtrak) souvenirs?
5) At what stops between Los Angeles and San Jose are we allowed to get off the train (even if just for a minute…again so my son can see the whole train from outside)?
Thank you so much in advance. Any other tips or hints for getting the most out of our Coast Starlight daytrip would be appreciated.