In September 2008 a group of friends, mostly retired SP folk, had our annual "railroad party" at the Isaak Walton Inn, taking the train both ways from Emeryville. While in general I consider Amtrak service to be mediocre at best, the Pacific Parlor Car on the Coast Starlate made the legs to Seattle and back from Portland very enjoyable. It was great to have an uncrowded lounge, and the alternative dining was a huge improvement over the dining car. The Pacific Parlor Car attendants got high marks (and good tips) in both directions, despite being hopelessly overworked. The Starlate legs were a pleasant contrast to the Empire Builder legs where there was no lounge out of Seattle and the bag "breakfast" into Portland on the return leg made a McDonalds look really really good.

JBWX