The delays continue… I was hoping to make the 22:28 northbound Caltrain at San Jose. Then the Amtrak train had to wait near Tamien for about 15 min, so I then hoped to get the 22:58 train. We got into San Jose at 22:40 or so, but the 22:58 Caltrain was cancelled, probably because of major delays in the southbound direction. So, I had to wait until 23:30 for the very last northbound Caltrain of the day.
Two hours ago in Salinas, the train hit a person who was on the track, in this case nowhere near a grade crossing. We were probably 30 seconds from getting to the station, but we’re still stopped waiting for an investigation to happen
Actually, as I was about to hit send, the train started moving again. We were stopped for 2 hours 5 minutes.
After a quick trip on the A, I’m on the Amtrak Coast Starlight heading north.
Later last night, I walked over to the area where the railroads used to go through downtown LA, before industry moved elsewhere and all passenger trains were moved to Union Station in 1939. I found a few bits of track, but the old stations were all demolished decades ago and there’s little sign of anything left.
I rode the E back downtown, and it didn’t have any issue passing through the Expo/Vermont area.
I got off at La Cienega/Jefferson and went to Baldwin Hills, because nice views, and I find it fascinating that it’s possible to go to a park and see oil extraction right there.
I got on the E at Pico heading west, and at Expo/Vermont they made everyone get off on the eastbound platform, cross the road, and get on another train on the westbound platform. Hundreds of people were crossing the tracks diagonally as they crossed Vermont Ave, which had a green light, and people in cars were honking as they inched toward the mass of people.
Finally rode Angels Flight, one of the few remaining funicular railways in the United States. I made sure to ride both cars.
Angels flight is not wheelchair-accessible. It requires riders to walk up or down steps through the whole car to access seats and exit at the other end.
Now I’m on the LA Metro B line heading back toward downtown LA.
To get to the bus I had to walk over I-5.
