Public Excursions ... and you're invited!
Where else can you ride frequently scheduled vintage rail equipment on a very scenic (and busy) commuter corridor at speeds of up to 90 mph? Why ... on the incomparable ... Overland Trail! (This is NOT your 10 mph museum "choo choo train ride". Our cars operate behind regularly scheduled Amtrak trains at full track speed ... just as they were designed to do!)
Of course, we also operate special trips and "Pullman style long hauls" all over the Amtrak system ... where would you like to go? (Please see below for our long hauls)
Scroll and click on the trip icons to the right, or use these handy links: (all trips originate in Los Angeles)
The Pacific Northwest in style! Four Car Consist! May 17 - 24
Flag Day Troop Train - June 14th, LA/San Diego and San Diego/LA
Enjoy a day at the Races - The Del Mar Racer July 26, 2008
Santa Fe Trail - Indian Market Express. August 21 - 25
Santa Train on November 29-08, LA to San Diego. The kids will love it!
Pearl Harbor Day Troop Train - December 6-08, LA to San Diego
Valentine's Day Special - February 14-15th 2009 LA to San Diego
Los Angeles / San Diego Service
The Overland Trail (and a companion car), operates several times a year between Los Angeles and San Diego, thrilling those in her charge with a nostalgic rail trip to "yesteryear". Departing from the recently restored Los Angeles Union Station (built in 1939!), the vintage railway cars are entrained within Amtrak's state of the art, high speed passenger trains, the PACIFIC SURFLINERS as they speed to San Diego.
A typical San Diego trip starts out thus:
"Upon departure, our passengers enjoy fresh coffee and continental breakfast, while following right-of-way through some wonderfully industrial backsides of LA and Orange County businesses. Our "pocket streamliner" then makes it first stop at Fullerton (our passengers are able to board/detrain at any regular Amtrak station stop). We casually speed through the heart of Orange County, stopping next at Anaheim, then Santa Ana. We encounter our first bit of 90 mph track and race into Irvine, followed by San Juan Capistrano. Shortly after departing San Juan Cap, we reach the mighty Pacific Ocean and enjoy miles of seaside vistas with sunbathers and surfers right outside our windows! Soon, we're at Oceanside, then Solana Beach. We climb the steep and curvy Marimar Hill, then skirt Mission Bay just before coasting into San Diego. What adventure!"
The experience will overload your senses!
For the discriminating adventurer, yesterday's pleasures of railway travel are still at hand. Treat yourself, your significant other, family or friends to California's beauty by rail as we journey along Santa Fe's famed surf line between Los Angeles and San Diego. Our on board service will delight your taste buds -- your fare includes freshly prepared hors d'oeuvres and beverages (while we don't serve alcohol on these public excursions, you are free to bring your own wine ... no corkage fee). While on board, traditionally attired porters will serve you at your seat, recorded big band music sets the mood and seaside vistas fill our large picture windows ... everything for a wonderful trip aboard the time machine known as ... the Overland Trail!
There are several southbound options possible (and a delightful San Diego Northbound trip that allows for a quick lunch at Olvera Street for our San Diego customers). For times and all station stops, view the schedule.
We usually schedule a couple trips north of LA as well ... Los Angeles to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo ... please see the individual "trip pages" for more information (click on links above, or icons to the right).
The 10 and 6 Pullman Sleeper, Pacific Sands and the Diner/lounge, Overland Trail attached to an Amtrak passenger train on their way to Santa Fe, NM.
Overnight "PULLMAN" trips
For those who love rail travel (and who doesn't ... I could LIVE on a moving train for the rest of my life!), we have a few Long Hauls scheduled in cooperation with LA RAIL. Our expanded consist often includes the 1950 built, ex Union Pacific sleeping car, Pacific Sands and the 1954 built, ex Boston and Maine sleeping car, Salisbury Beach and finally, the 1959 built, ex CN business car, Tioga Pass.
We offer real "Pullman sleeping car" space on these trips. The rooms are ingeniously designed - compact, but equipped with everything one might need away from home. Depending upon the accommodation: there is one or two beds, sink, toilet, vanity, excellent lighting, closet, heating/air conditioning, room fan and picture window. The rooms are very comfortable ... but you'll probably spend most of your time in the diner- lounge enjoying great food with railroad inspired recipes, wonderful conversation with like minded travelling companions and of course, ever changing vistas from our extra large picture windows in the Overland Trail.
Our next "long haul" will be the Pacific Northwest Passage ... please see link above.
We realize there are so many opportunities to spend your vacation dollars ... That's why we truly appreciate every patron and strive to give them value for their dollar. Our rail trips are designed to be fun and educational, but above all, a time of rejuvenation and relaxation. Another aspect we like to brag about ... on our long hauls (unless otherwise specified), we have rooms for less then 40 passengers, yet we have four cars in our consist ... that averages 10 people per car!. We are talking about a small, intimate number of like minded adventurers ... friendships will be developed that will last a life time!
We are pleased to announce a long haul rail trip operated in conjunction and cooperation with the Pacific Railroad Society. If you truly appreciate vintage streamliner era rail equipment, we strongly encourage membership is this outstanding organization. Ninety percent of their equipment never saw Amtrak service and is therefore in original "pre-Amtrak" condition. The trip below will feature (besides the Overland Trail), PRS's incredibly ORIGINAL, ex UP sleeper, National Forum.
Rail fan trip to Galesburg and or Chicago in June 2009-To Be Announced
