In short, it was the best trip to Seattle we have ever made. Very relaxing, outstanding scenery, great train staff and facilities, fine dining, and fascinating traveling companions (more than just "fellow passengers").
Carl, my wife and I were on the same trip from LAX to SEA, and I believe we chatted in the Parlour Car somewhere around Olympia, WA. I was the other wanabee foamer who charted daily Starlight performance for 3 months prior to our trip. I agree with everything you said about the trip; it was pretty smooth, the scenery was beautiful, and everyone was very nice. We were lucky, because the Starlight has become a schedule nightmare in the last month. Over 10 hours late and annulment in Portland is not unusual anymore.
Our sleeping car attendant, Camille, was excellent. She was new to this crew, #6, and said it was a good group to work with. She had come off the extra board for dining car to get a permanent assignment.
She told us that we were very lucky to have our chef, Victor, for the trip. He was from the extra board, as were most of the dining car crew for that trip. (That might explain the confusion in the diner.) Victor was fairly new to Amtrak and his cooking far exceeded the norm. Although the menu was standard, he embellished the vegetables and added his own signature cooked tomato, which was not standard. We became aware of the difference in chefs on the return trip (July 3-4), when my wife had to return her chicken, which was so dry she couldn't eat it. She had thoroughly enjoyed to same dish on the northbound trip.
Our only complaint was that our Superliner II sleeping car, Kansas, was badly in need of renovation. The upholstery was torn and it smelled like a septic tank. By the way, this car had been restored after having been part of the fatal Auto Train wreck in Crescent City, FL in 4/02.
On the trip home we lucked into a newly refurbished Superliner I (32050), and it was a pleasure.
By the way, for those who like to keep track of consists:
Train 14, 6/28-6/29: Engines 19 & 117; Baggage 1708, Transition 39022, Sleepers 32088 (Maryland), 32019, 32084 (Kansas), Parlour 39973, Diner 38040, Sightseer Lounge 33049, Coaches 34105, 34504 (Kiddie), 34033, 34037.
Hope to catch you on the next trip (to Portland?) - Fred
Edited by ElCap59, 05 August 2005 - 07:51 PM.