Ever travel in a private rail car? You can travel in the private rail car "Overland Trail" round-trip from Los Angeles to San Diego or round-trip from San Diego to Los Angeles (or any other regular Amtrak stops in between)! The Overland Trail is a 39 seat Club Lounge built in 1949 for the Southern Pacific. Originally numbered S.P.2981, the car was specifically ordered for the "San Francisco Overland", a premier Chicago-Oakland train jointly operated by S.P., Union Pacific and C&NW RY.
The cost? Only $110 for the round trip! For people that have never traveled in a private railcar, this is a very inexpensive way to experience and learn about the luxury of private railcar travel! For those that have experienced such travel, this is a very economical way of reliving the experience of a private rail excursion without having to charter the entire car.
The route travels by the Amtrak Redondo Roundhouse and then through the heart of Orange County stopping at most of the stations along the route of the Amtrak San Diegans. South of San Juan Capistrano, the route travels for several miles right on the beaches of southern Orange County providing a beautiful view of the surf and beach activities during daylight!
The Overland Trail private rail car is placed on one of the regular Amtrak San Diegans trainsets and travels with the train. The Overland Trail private rail car will make two round trips during the day. The first will start from Los Angeles at 7:20 AM on train #568 (arrives in San Diego at 10:05 AM) and return from San Diego at 10:30 AM on train #577 (arrives in Los Angeles at 1:15 PM). The second will start from Los Angeles at 4:05 PM on train #590 (arrives in San Diego at 6:50 PM) and return from San Diego at 8:50 PM on train #599 (arrives in Los Angeles at 11:35 PM). This arrangement makes four different round-trip excursions possible as indicated below:
Round-Trip Round-Trip Round-Trip |
Los Angeles #1 #2 #3 | San Diego Round-Trip
Origination All Day Morning Turn Evening Turn | Origination #4
-------------- ---------- ------------ ------------ | -------------- ----------
Train #568 Train #568 Train #590 | Train #577
Lv Los Angeles: 07:20 AM 07:20 AM 04:05 PM | Lv San Diego: 10:30 AM
Ar San Diego: 10:05 AM 10:05 AM 06:50 PM | Ar Los Angeles: 01:15 PM
|
Train #599 Train #577 Train #599 | Train #590
Lv San Diego: 08:50 PM 10:30 AM 08:50 PM | Lv Los Angels: 04:05 PM
Ar Los Angeles: 11:35 PM 01:15 PM 11:35 PM | Ar San Diego: 06:50 PM
If you take Round-Trip #1, you will be able to spend the day in San Diego! If you take Round-Trip #2 and the train runs on time, you should have a few minutes to step off the train in San Diego to get a view of the inside of the historic San Diego Santa Fe Depot. During Round-Trip #3, there should be about 2 hours layover in San Diego which should give you time to explore a little by the waterfront which is only a block from the depot! (Note: San Diego is the only stop where you will have time to step off the train).
For those originating from San Diego, Round-Trip #4 will provide almost a 3 hour layover in Los Angeles which will give you time to explore the historic Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) and the shops and restaurants of Olvera Street across from the station!
It is also possible to start or end your journey from any other regular station stop of the Amtrak San Diegans of the train numbers listed above. The price would still be $110, but call or send e-mail to check for availability and details.
In the style and service of the great trains of yesterday, a barber will be on board some of the trips providing haircuts for $5 in the on board barber chair!
CLICK HERE to send e-mail to overlandtrail@trainweb.com to make your reservation or to obtain further information! Or, you can call Bill or Debbie Hatrick at 1-800-KEY-RAIL (800-539-7245) or 714-546-6923 (or fax 714-546-6923)!
Be sure to mention that you found out about this excursion from TrainWeb!
Los Angeles to San Diego excursions are planned for the following Saturdays:
April 10, April 24, May 8, and June 5, 1999.
Additional Information added Sunday, February 7, 1999:
The Overland Trail, a former Southern Pacific club lounge with barbershop, will be receiving passengers for our monthly SAN DIEGAN EXPRESS. Join us on board the 40's era Overland Trail for a nostalgic rail trip into yesteryear. You'll enjoy the car's ambiance, resplendent after a historically accurate refurbishment, as well as, the camaraderie of like minded travelers as we speed along in our "Streamliner"!
The car is historically significant as it contains the only operating rail car barbershop on the continent! It also features a stunning 39 seat Art Deco main lounge where you'll enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks while viewing the passing countryside from the car's large picture windows. The Overland Trail will be entrained in regularly scheduled Amtrak trains for the day. We hope you'll find this excursion both entertraining and reminiscent of rail travel from a glorious bygone era!
FOUR DIFFERENT TRIPS ARE POSSIBLE:
From Los Angeles:
#1 "All day" in San Diego...Down on Train #568, return on #599
#2 "Morning turn"...........Down on Train #568, return on #577
#3 "Evening turn"...........Down on Train #590, return on #599
From San Diego:
#4 "Los Angeles turn".......Up on Train #577, return on #590
(Board at any regular Amtrak station)
FARE: Adult- $110.00 round-trip, Children 12 and under- $75.00
(Children 3 and under, not occupying a seat, no charge)
Space is limited, reserve early! For more information, please contact Bill or Debbie Hatrick. For tickets, please send a check for the appropriate amount (made out to Debbie Hatrick) to the address below.
Click here for future excursion dates!
Be ready for a clip by our barber extraordinaire, Mr. Earl Nickels
(regular haircut, $5.00) who is schedule to be onboard on some of these trips.
Bill or Debbie Hatrick
1-800-KEY-RAIL (800-539-7245)
2054 S. Halladay Street
Santa Ana, CA 92707-2904
E-mail: overlandtrail@trainweb.com
Be sure to mention that you found out about this excursion from TrainWeb!
Note: The "Overland Trail" private car is also available for
stationary or live charter behind Amtrak trains.
Click here
for more information about the Overland Trail private rail car including photographs and video clips!
