It’s official. In a cold one-sentence statement, Amtrak says that in two weeks the Pacific Parlour Cars will no longer be part of the Coast Starlight experience. Yes, I’m upset. But what I find so discouraging is the passive acceptance coming from so many of the same people who have enjoyed experiencing these vintage…
PORTLAND–The last of my eight train rides–Seattle to Portland today–was to be the frosting on the cake: a relaxing five-hour ride in the Coast Starlight’s parlor car. Alas, it was not to be. In fact, it was a complete flop. Because of a bridge failure, the Coast Starlight with its Pacific Parlour Car is temporarily…
We’ve just left Grand Junction, Colorado, and Glenwood Springs is about two hours up ahead. The first part of this great ride was yesterday–crossing the Sierra Nevada range by way of Donner Pass. The climb up the western side of the range begins not long after leaving Sacramento. This part of the ride–about 130 miles–is…
A chill ran up my spine when this email from Amtrak was forwarded to me: “We are contacting you today to inform you that starting January 6 through March 1, 2016, the Pacific Parlour car will be removed from the Coast Starlight trains for maintenance. During this period, the dining car and Sightseer Lounge…