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[Sloan]

Last week I headed for California on family business. Departure point was Reagan Airport in Washington, DC. Going through security, I witnessed a woman and her elderly mother endure some frustrations as one had a steel implant hip replacement and the other was carrying a tiny pooch. The pooch, a Yorkshire terrier I believe, got loose and darted through metal detectors twice before recapture. Bravo to TSA crew who remained courteous and professional throughout the entire comedic event.

Using frequent flyer miles, I boarded First Class on an American Airlines 737. Shortly before scheduled pushback, the pilot announced that the “Mach computer” which regulates aircraft speed had failed. Fortunately, a replacement was nearby. After techies installed the new unit, the pilot shut down all systems to allow for re-boot. Forty minutes later, we were in a taxi queue waiting for tower clearance which came within five minutes.

I kept busy during the smooth flight with crossword puzzles, interrupted by dinner served with metal utensils and on china.

On the approach into Los Angeles, a stewardess asked everybody to stay in their seats so a GI on his way home on leave could exit first to make a tight connection. Instantly, one guy in first class gave up his seat so the GI could sit right next to the door. Applause from the passengers.

After a couple of days in the City of Angeles, I put my carry-on bags into a cab to head for Union Station. No metro yet. Darn it! Cabs cannot drop you off at the front entrance but at a point some sixty or so feet away. Inside this beautifully restored 1939 building with its mission-style architecture, I bought some snacks to chase away lunch hour hunger. I plopped down on one of the cushioned benches in the head house and waited for my 12:25 Surfliner to Santa Barabara. After periodic checks of an annunciator behind me, I discovered the train, originating in San Diego, would be twenty minutes late.

A Red Cap came by to ask me and others if we would like to ride in an electric cart to track nine. I declined, but others piled on board. The brisk walk down a below-grade concourse and then up a ramp to track nine felt good. Weather was pleasant and I enjoyed watching Metrolink commuter trains come and go as well as LACMTA Silver Line light rail operate on the far side of station trackage.

A six seat electric cart appeared and the Red Cap driver said the train would leave from track eleven. Anybody want a ride? This time I accepted, and bounce bounce we went over a grade crossing. Our train, # 769, consisted of one diesel, business class, coach-cafe car, two coaches, and coach-baggage , all bi-level.

I settled at a table on the lower of the Business Class car. The ride was smooth, even over switches. Our train passed private varnish on an industrial siding that included a handsome smooth-sided Pennsylvania Railroad car in Tuscan red,

The Surfliner moved along at a good clip, and the hogger kept a heavy hand on the whistle as there were numerous grade crossings. Shortly after the pleasant lady conductor scanned e-ticket, a Cafe Car attendant came downstairs to offer free wine/soda and snacks. It was evident the guy enjoyed his work.

There were frequent stops as Amtrak seems to cover Metrolink stops for the off-peak. Two stations, Burbank and Oxnard, have impressive internodal facilities. The former offers a walkable link to the Bob Hope Airport, and the latter has a major bus transfer set-up.

Ventura, with its Metrolink layover yard, is the end of commuter territory. The line becomes single track and hugs a coastline offering a spectacular view of sandy beaches and blue ocean.

With a hiss of air brakes, #769 came to a halt at Santa Barbara’s restored Southern Pacific station.



A sizable group poured off the train in a scramble to board two waiting Thruway buses. The motorcoaches will head up highway 101, making local stops until terminating in Emeryville (Bay Area). My train wil tie up in Goleta where there is a layover yard. No turning facilities there, so southbound trains will run in push mode with engineer in a cab car.

California and Amtrak deserve shout-outs for paying for smooth trackage and modern equipment and for cheerful attentive crews respectively.

My bed & breakfast was not convenient to transit, so I hopped in a cab. The next day I rode a center-entrance open air battery powered rubber tired trolley. The trolley runs the length of State Street, the city’s main drag.



Family members transported me, several days later to the Bay Area. Soon I was at San Francisco Airport for an early morning flight back to Washington. Back in first class, I had breakfast, and later on a sandwich and fruit, The flight was smooth except for some mild bumpiness two hours from touchdown due to thunderstorm activity. Kudos to American Airlines for keeping passengers informed regularly. All in all, a nice trip, but I’m glad to be home.