RailPAC NOTE: A Partial WIN for rail advocates!
PHOTO ADDED 2/8. Return of full service for trains 11/14 will not be until March 3 or beyond!!!!

The “mini” COAST STARLIGHT re-started on February 6th. Here is train 14 arriving at Van Nuys. Photo by Noel Braymer

AMTRAK PRESS RELEASE
February 1, 2008
Service available between Los Angeles and Sacramento
OAKLAND – Amtrak is restoring service on a portion of the route of the Coast Starlight, beginning Wednesday, February 6. Following discussions with the Union Pacific Railroad, service on the route was suspended between Los Angeles and Seattle on January 19, due to massive mudslides over the railroad north of Chemult, Ore. All railroad traffic through that area has been suspended and is not expected to resume for many weeks.

The first northbound departure of this version of the Coast Starlight, Train 14, will leave Los Angeles on February 6 at 10:15 a.m., making all regularly-scheduled stops and arriving in Sacramento later that night at 11:59 p.m. The first day of service in both directions will be Thursday, February 7, when the southbound Coast Starlight, Train 11, will depart Sacramento at 6:35 a.m., making all regularly-scheduled stops and arriving in Los Angeles at 9:00 p.m.

There will be no Amtrak train service north of Sacramento, but related Amtrak Thruway Motorcoaches in Northern California and Amtrak Cascades trains between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., via Portland and Seattle, are operating.

During this partial service restoration, only Coach class will be offered. No sleeping car accommodations will be available. Food and beverage service will be available in a lounge car. The more formal dining service usually offered on the regular Coast Starlight will be suspended until the resumption of full route between Los Angeles and Seattle. The Coast Starlight will continue to operate as an all-reserved train and passengers will be able to check bags at stations that normally offer that service.