I rode in the ATSF Tolani on the way up to Portola on Friday. Was disappointed that 1983 wasn't there (rumored screwup was the involved parties forgot to turn the engine) and Tioga Pass didn't make it from southern California (Definitely an Amtrak screwup).

Staff was really good, consisting on mostly WPRM members. No complaints there.

We stopped without explanation right before James. I didn't bring my scanner - someone near me said the detector went off on us saying we had a hot axle. After 10-15 minutes of the crew checking, it turns out to be a false, thankfully.

I was nice and comfortable inside Tolani with the AC blasting though people in some of the domes were roasting in the sun. I don't know which cars were having the non functional A/C and if they ever fixed it.

The train was booked solid though I was able to romp around between Emeryville and Sacramento just fine because the majority of people boarded in Sacramento. Glad that I drove down there instead of just boarding here.