Updated 4 P.M. 'Surfliner Stories' - New San Diego-Los Angeles express AMTRAK PACIFIC SURFLINER service began Tuesday...
I often ride Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner train between San Diego and Los Angeles. I find that the train windows offer a unique perspective on life if you take the time to look outside, so I started writing occasional reflections and vignettes about my ride and posting them on my diary at Daily Kos. With this blog, I collect them in one place and add some more. This is a non-political blog and I post irregularly.
-- SURFLINER STORIES
New SD-LA express service starts Tuesday Feb. 15
Amtrak on Tuesday, Feb. 15 replaced train number 565 with train number 563 on weekdays. This new train , which leaves San Diego at 7.05 and Solana Beach at 7.39, will make fewer stops in Orange County, scheduled into LA nearly 20 minutes sooner.
If it manages to deliver on time arrival (more on which later), that makes the new 563 a viable alternative to 763 for me a few mornings a week, meaning I could sleep in for an extra hour. I'll let you know!
Where's my train?
VIDEO
Cars versus trains: the power commute
I needed to move some things out of my office so I commuted by car instead of by train. Because of the residue of the holiday, traffic was light in the morning and I breezed up to LA in 1h40m, significantly faster than my normal travel time. The train ride is only 2h10m, but driving or taking the shuttle to and from the station involves a built-in cushion of waiting time, so my door-to-door travel time by Amtrak is about 3hours each way.
But even with the fast drive to LA, I still missed the train ride. Driving is hard work, requires constant focus, and most significantly prevents doing anything else. Without my morning train time, I didn't have a chance to read my email, scan the news, or get going on work (or write a blogpost! ;-). I arrived at my office feeling behind. While at work, I loaded a bunch of work things to read on my computer for the ride home--only to realize that I wouldn't be able to read them. The drive back was over 2h, with traffic heavy in parts. I arrived home tired, stiff, my back sore, and again, feeling behind. I felt a lot less productive than on a train day, even though I "gained" a couple of hours.
So, the comparison:
Car Train Winner cost $35 RT(tank of gas ) + wear plus parking ~$35, RT based on a 10 ride, free shuttle to work Draw time average 2h door to door each way av 3h door to door each way car Productivity nil 2 hours uninterrupted office work each way train PHysical stiff, stress roomy, can move around train Environment greenhouse gas 2-300 people sharing train
Now, if only there were a regular evening Amtrak leaving LA between the 5.10 and the 8.30, I'd be all set….
NEW! SD to LA Express Introducing the new San Diego to Los Angeles Express! With less stopping and more going, Amtrak California’s new Pacific Surfliner San Diego to Los Angeles Express (SD to LA) service will help make your commute a little easier to take.
The new SD to LA Express Train (563) begins pulling out of the station on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, and will operate Monday through Friday.
Express Train 563 replaces weekday Train 565 with fewer stops along the corridor. The Express Train departs San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot at 7:05 a.m. with stops in Solana Beach, Oceanside, Irvine, and Anaheim, before arriving at Los Angeles Union Station at 9:33 a.m.
Please note: Unlike Train 565, the new Express Train will no longer stop in San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel-Mission Viejo, Santa Ana, Orange and Fullerton. Train 565 will continue to operate on Saturdays and Sundays (only) with no change in service.
In addition, Metrolink Orange County Line Train 687 will depart Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo at 8:33 a.m. instead of 8:20 a.m., arriving at Los Angeles Union Station at 9:55 a.m.
The SD to LA Express service is a regional cooperative pilot project between Caltrans, Amtrak, and local transportation agencies along the Pacific Surfliner corridor. Aligned with the strategic goals set forth by the Los Angeles - San Diego Rail Corridor, a Joint Powers Authority operating in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, the SD to LA Express Train represents the beginning of many new enhancements to be implemented along the Pacific Surfliner rail corrirdor.
For Amtrak California station information click here .
For more information regarding Metrolink trains click here .
Check out all the brand new homes in San Diego at www.allnewsandiegohomes.com
Mike