I feel that I should start with a brief of my love-hate relationship with Amtrak. In the beginning days of riding the train, I strongly believed that it was the trains fault for us being late, I soon realized that a little rule that the US Government never enforces and refuses to do so out of corporate fossil based fuel company greed and political lobbying payouts, could have stopped the delays by stopping the freight and giving priority to passengers - as the rule was originally made and agreed to. Basically, all freight companies must pull over, or wait until Amtrak passes to prevent delays and then continue. Unfortunately, the way it works in real life is that freight companies illegally make Amtrak stop and wait. To prevent any backup (again illegal) they do not allow ANY Amtrak trains through the Tehachapi Loop, which would give non-bus service from Los Angeles to the Bay Area though the San Joaquin Valley, connecting Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield with service in Los Angeles, Vegas, Diego and points further, much more easily. Nope, the freight companies wont allow this, except one train, and with prior notice, The Coast Starlight, to date, the only agreement of right-of-way freight honors in the entire Amtrak system.
Knowing what I know, I no longer can fault Amtrak or San Joaquin trains for their expected-unexpected delay between Emeryville and Stockton. In fact, I sometimes look forward to it now depending on where the delay is. Hint - It is usually 15 minutes west of Stockton, in the middle of the Delta, north of Discovery Bay (just look on a rail map, you'll see where it is). Usually I tell my family I will be in at the normal 9:15AM time, but they know better, that I really arrive 9:30AM. So while I sit on my train, I like to do 2 things.
1. ALWAYS no matter what..ALWAYS get a Three Cheese Panini. Not sure what it is about them, but I seem to really love eating them on the train. I never eat in the cafe car, always at my seat. I like the cross of airline travel of the past type seat and tray dining, but also like to keep an eye on my stuff since there are so many stops that you really don't have time to eat, and leave your belongings before someone, mostly a shady character, one step up from a Greyhound passenger, would take your stuff and get off the train. They do not allow personal bags or food in the cafe car either, and often, I bring a soda, a snack and water with me as a back up - cause you never know if you dont want to eat what they got on board after they tell you that they do not have the panini you desire.
2. WATCH THE SCENERY - Okay, I am a native Californian, I was born when cities were expanding, Silicon Valley got its name at this time of my birth, and farmland surrounded Altamont, Stockton, and places like Discovery Bay weren't anything more than fields and creeks, places like Antioch and Pittsburg were sleepy outlying quiet communities before suburban housing came into play and built up the city. I remember when scenery was desolate and isolated. Unfortunately California is not like this anymore, and all of the trip has some city view of some sort, or housing view, with a small exception near the Delta, just before Stockton - thats where I travel most, and so for me, I love taking photos out the window. Ive only sat on the southside of the train, the right side, but next time Ill sit on the left, and look out over the water instead.
Service is meh, not the best, not unfriendly. Most conductors do not have time to talk, too many stops, so many tickets to check, no fault there. They do smile as they come to stops but while walking the cars no, they are just normal. The cafe car is hit and miss. Depends on the day I think and where the train came from and how long they worked it I think. Sometimes they are super on top of things, and multitasking multiple customers and "got it" and other times, they seem really spaced out and frustrated that there is 2 people in the entire cafe car.
The trains vary. On this route, sometimes you get a Superliner California, which is the double decker trains, not completely unlike the regular long-haul Superliners, but they lack sleeping type accommodations, have no dining car, and no lounge, viewing, etc type cars. All coach and cafe, and POSSIBLY baggage if lucky. You sit on two decks, upper for all guests, and lower for elderly and immobile ONLY.
The second type of train you may get is the Comet car trains, from literally the 1950s. They are the romantic single level ones with steps that you gotta climb up or down to get into the car. I find it kinda inconvenient compared to the Superliner - but these coaches have by far more leg room, large seats, big windows, and while only single level, tend to be modern, have WiFi, electric outlets, and feel wider, more spacious than the Superliner. Only downside, less seats per car = more people to sit next to you on your journey. read more
