This blog post has a dual distinction. Los Angeles serves as both an origin point and a destination for private railcar travel; one of several such points on the Amtrak system.

From Los Angeles, Amtrak offers rail passengers service to a number of points. Long-distance trains departing from here include the Coast Starlight heading to Seattle; the Sunset Limited heading to New Orleans; and the Southwest Chief heading to Chicago. Tri-weekly, there is also a connection from Los Angeles with the Texas Eagle from San Antonio to Chicago via the Sunset Limited. Amtrak also offers service in the Pacific Surfliner corridor between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. Regrettably, Amtrak has placed limits on private railcar operations on this corridor with no service to San Luis Obispo and limited train operation options to San Diego. This may change at some point. As both were very popular destinations for private railcar operations, the resumption of operations would be welcomed.

The station here in Los Angeles is a very historic location. On May 3, 1939, the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal opened as a central hub for rail passenger travel in downtown. Trains from the Southern Pacific, the Santa Fe, and the Union Pacific all served the terminal. It is considered the last great railroad station built in the US. With the growth of Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner corridor, Metrolink commuter rail as well as Metro light rail service, LAUPT is busier than ever before.

The interior of the station has seen a fair share of changes over the years. Most recently, the former Harvey House restaurant has reopened as a gastropub with rave reviews.

Los Angeles makes a great starting point as well as a destination for private railcar travel.