Weds Oct 19: 2:15 pm: Coast Starlight

Leg 11: Portland -> San Luis Obispo

I find that I have ceased thinking about these train legs in terms of hours, but rather, I think of them in terms of how many meals I will be served. This is a four meal leg, because even though we didn't board until after 2 pm, they saved space for us in the dining car.

Lunch was nice. I tried this salad for the first time and it was pretty filling, with bacon added to it.

My roomette this time is in the oldest version of this type of car. It was probably built in the 1970s. Instead of a tiny closet, there is a little space against the wall you can hang things and narrow open bin you store other loose items. You can even see where the arm rests originally had ashtrays, although those have been sealed up.

Most of the times I have ridden in the train cars that date to the 1990s. They are supposedly rolling out new versions this year, but I haven't seen one yet. Fingers crossed for the next trip!Read more