Last Monday I caught Amtrak in LA on my way to Seattle for a boat show. My car was the last one. Attached to the end of the train was a private car, "Tioga Pass", www.ridemytrain.com , with a bunch of railfans on it.


I walked back to check out the ex-CN business car, owned and restored by Norm Orfall. Norm gave me a tour of the car and said they were on their way to Oakland to connect to Amtrak for a trip through the old Western Pacific Feather River canyon route. It was being used by Amtrak for a few days because of work on the Donner Summit line. This route is one of the most beautiful in the world and has been closed to passenger traffic for over 30 years.

Norm invited me to go along. It took me somewhat less than a nanosecond to say yes. An absolutely wonderful trip with great company and food.

I was able to catch a plane to Seattle from Salt Lake City. I was impressed with the Frontier trains at SLC station. Everyone was packed with passengers.

According to Norm there is a Steam Powered private car train from LA to San Diego planed for September 21st. If you are interested in going along contact Norm on aroncolc@aol.com , Tel: (760) 955 6079; cell (760) 953 9620 . If "Tioga Pass" is full Norm may know of vacancies on other cars.

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