Riding Coast Starlight & Calif. Zephyr.. tips?

[MarcInIllinois]

Going to be coming back to Chicago from LA via the Coast Starlight and California Zephyr. About 60hrs on Amtrak so I think I might have a little time to listen in perhaps.

Never so much as heard a train on a scanner that I can recall, I have a 396T, any tips on what I might hear or anything to program other than the 100 channels I've read about in the 160 range?

thanks!

 

[railfanjjf]

Riding Coast Starlite

Damn Dirty Ape-Sounds like a wonderful trip. Amtrak uses the radio frequencies of the host railroad. For a real pleasant surprise go to www.on-track-on-line.com---click on "scanner" in the left margin-then click on your train name. All radio frequencies that Amtrak will use for your train are here all in order. Makes for a nice trip to follow along the route. Have a safe trip.---------railfanjjf in Nokesville, va. The Crescent to New Orleans and the Cardinal to Chicago come thru our town.

 

[MarcInIllinois]

This will be in early June and I have bookmarked that site for when I get home. Thank you. Looks very informative. As long as the Zephyr doesn't get stuck like it did a little ways back, but I doubt it since it will be warmer.

Wonder if we would be high enough at any point to see snow along the tracks?

 

[Utah_Viper]

Took that exact trip last year to Salt Lake. It is a great ride!

As to radio, You will want to set a bank for all the rail frequencies. Also there are a few Amtrak frequencies you can add. (You will have to look all this up)

One thing you will want to check is your layover time in Sacramento. I was there for 14 hours and it was over night. They dont leave the depot open so you have to hang out where ever you can outside (at least should be warmer for you) Consider adding any Sac. frequencies and systems for the stay there.

Have fun!!

 

[icom1020]

Don't forget to check out the California Rail Museum a few blocks away in Old Town. It is one of the best in the country

 

[MarcInIllinois]

Took that exact trip last year to Salt Lake. It is a great ride!

As to radio, You will want to set a bank for all the rail frequencies. Also there are a few Amtrak frequencies you can add. (You will have to look all this up)

One thing you will want to check is your layover time in Sacramento. I was there for 14 hours and it was over night. They dont leave the depot open so you have to hang out where ever you can outside (at least should be warmer for you) Consider adding any Sac. frequencies and systems for the stay there.

Have fun!!

I'm seeing an arrival of the coast starlight at 1159pm and a departure of the zephyr at 10:20am. 10 hours. Hadn't thought about the station not being open.

 

[MarcInIllinois]

Don't forget to check out the California Rail Museum a few blocks away in Old Town. It is one of the best in the country

Sounds nice, but we'll be getting in at midnight and the zephyr departs at 10:20 am so probably can't make it this time.. thanks for the tip though!

 

[icom1020]

okay, probably not enough time. The Starlate even loses time between LAX and SAC. I was gonna take it to LA soon but the tracks are still closed south of Eugene so maybe another time. If you need access to AC, check some of the seats near the stairs, if you're riding coach, they usually have them. Otherwise just bring extra batteries.

 

[icom1020]

duplicate

 

[MarcInIllinois]

okay, probably not enough time. The Starlate even loses time between LAX and SAC. I was gonna take it to LA soon but the tracks are still closed south of Eugene so maybe another time. If you need access to AC, check some of the seats near the stairs, if you're riding coach, they usually have them. Otherwise just bring extra batteries.

I'm good on batteries (4 sets). We're getting a sleeper room on the zephyr so I know there is an outlet there for the laptop and charging batteries if need be. GPS too. Jeez I'm a gadget hound.

We're flying out and seeing LA/SanD area for 8 days then coming back train..

Can't wait

 

[firebus29]

Coast Starlight

I was riding the Coast Starlight a number of years ago and the train was stopped near Santa Barbara for safety purposes while the Air Force launched a rocket from Vandenburg Air Force base. We were allowed to de-train and watch. We were far enough away that all I could see was the vapor trail rising and hear the roar...but even that was so exciting to me. It is something I will never forget. Perhaps you could get lucky and see something that spectacular. Vandenberg has a web site ( http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/ ) which will tell you of upcoming launches. Their next scheduled one is:

Date: Feb. 29
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V
Pad: Space Launch Complex-3
Launch Period: TBD

Speaking of Santa Barbara, there is a nude beach south of the city. It can be seen from the left side of the train (the drivers side???) . You may wish to pack your binoculars in with all your electronic goodies.

There is a nice breakfast joint just across the street from the Sacramento depot. It sure beats the slop served at the train station. Of course, once you are on board the east-bound...the costs of all your meals in the train dining car is included with your roomette fare.

Have a great trip!

 

[icom1020]

Oh yeah, Bates Beach.

I've only stopped once during a launch, probably in the early 90's. We didn't detrain, just stopped some distance away probably before the siding of Surf. There are a few hotels around the station, the Vagabond is across the busy (during the day) street. Bring a outlet strip to plug in, the room outlets do not like wall warts but if you're bringing a laptop, you probably already know that.

I was riding the Coast Starlight a number of years ago and the train was stopped near Santa Barbara for safety purposes while the Air Force launched a rocket from Vandenburg Air Force base. We were allowed to de-train and watch. We were far enough away that all I could see was the vapor trail rising and hear the roar...but even that was so exciting to me. It is something I will never forget. Perhaps you could get lucky and see something that spectacular. Vandenberg has a web site ( http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/ ) which will tell you of upcoming launches. Their next scheduled one is:

Date: Feb. 29
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V
Pad: Space Launch Complex-3
Launch Period: TBD

Speaking of Santa Barbara, there is a nude beach south of the city. It can be seen from the left side of the train (the drivers side???) . You may wish to pack your binoculars in with all your electronic goodies.

There is a nice breakfast joint just across the street from the Sacramento depot. It sure beats the slop served at the train station. Of course, once you are on board the east-bound...the costs of all your meals in the train dining car is included with your roomette fare.

Have a great trip!

 

[firebus29]

Amtrack freq's

Hi again---Check out this website ( http://www.on-track-on-line.com/amtfreq-star.shtml ) for radio frequencies on all of the Amtrack routes...it is really informative. Also, I have found the conductors are more than happy answer radio questions. The only thing they have asked of me is to keep the audio down, which is no problem as I use an earpiece.

I am envious of you as I really love rail travel. Do you realize that you will be going right down the middle of a main street in downtown Reno. Are you going to bring a camera? Lots of beautiful scenery on your routes.

 

[firebus29]

Oops

Correction...use this website ( http://www.on-track-on-line.com/amtrak-freqs.shtml ) for all the Amtrack routes. The previous URL was just for the Coast Starlight. Sorry.

 

[MarcInIllinois]

Hi again---Check out this website ( http://www.on-track-on-line.com/amtfreq-star.shtml ) for radio frequencies on all of the Amtrack routes...it is really informative. Also, I have found the conductors are more than happy answer radio questions. The only thing they have asked of me is to keep the audio down, which is no problem as I use an earpiece.

I am envious of you as I really love rail travel. Do you realize that you will be going right down the middle of a main street in downtown Reno. Are you going to bring a camera? Lots of beautiful scenery on your routes.

Actually I was not aware of the Reno track. This will be my first actual 'train' ride. I've done the light rail in St. Louis (electric) and that's pretty much it. I'm very much looking forward to the rides. We were going to come back by plane but looked and found two people could do the la-sanfran->chicago->st louis trip for only $200 more than flying back. That sealed it. Yea it will take 3 days but I understand it is something that can't be forgotten. I like those kind of memories

I plan on taking a camera for sure and maybe an hdd-based camcorder, not sure about that part yet. Big memory cards though.

I can't wait! Going to a local amtrak station today to buy the tickets for us around lunchtime.

 

[MarcInIllinois]

Hi again---Check out this website ( http://www.on-track-on-line.com/amtfreq-star.shtml ) for radio frequencies on all of the Amtrack routes...it is really informative. Also, I have found the conductors are more than happy answer radio questions. The only thing they have asked of me is to keep the audio down, which is no problem as I use an earpiece.

I am envious of you as I really love rail travel. Do you realize that you will be going right down the middle of a main street in downtown Reno. Are you going to bring a camera? Lots of beautiful scenery on your routes.

I plan on using an earpiece, should be interesting --- do you think the 396t + stock antenna is up to the task, since it's primarily geared towards digital?

 

[MarcInIllinois]

I'll bet that was something to see (the launch)! We almost saw a shuttle launch back in the early 90's but it was stopped at 10 seconds and we were left standing on a street corner in titusville I think it was going 'wtf?' This was after rushing over from Tampa after getting word that it was going up.

I was riding the Coast Starlight a number of years ago and the train was stopped near Santa Barbara for safety purposes while the Air Force launched a rocket from Vandenburg Air Force base. We were allowed to de-train and watch. We were far enough away that all I could see was the vapor trail rising and hear the roar...but even that was so exciting to me. It is something I will never forget. Perhaps you could get lucky and see something that spectacular. Vandenberg has a web site ( http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/ ) which will tell you of upcoming launches. Their next scheduled one is:

Date: Feb. 29
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V
Pad: Space Launch Complex-3
Launch Period: TBD

Speaking of Santa Barbara, there is a nude beach south of the city. It can be seen from the left side of the train (the drivers side???) . You may wish to pack your binoculars in with all your electronic goodies.

There is a nice breakfast joint just across the street from the Sacramento depot. It sure beats the slop served at the train station. Of course, once you are on board the east-bound...the costs of all your meals in the train dining car is included with your roomette fare.

Have a great trip!

 

[Sownman]

I plan on using an earpiece, should be interesting --- do you think the 396t + stock antenna is up to the task, since it's primarily geared towards digital?

I did not give it great review, but it is an improvement over stock RD antenna. I use it daily riding Metrolink.

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96366