Spirit of California

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Spirit of California
Overview
Service type Inter-city rail
Status Discontinued
Locale California, United States
First service October 25, 1981
Last service September 30, 1983
Former operator(s) Amtrak
Route
Start Los Angeles, California
No. of intermediate stops 11
End Sacramento, California
Distance travelled 552 miles (888 km)
Average journey time 12 hours 50 minutes
Service frequency Daily
Train number(s) 15, 18
On-board services
Seating arrangements Reserved coach
Sleeping arrangements Bedrooms and roomettes
Catering facilities On-board cafe
Technical
Rolling stock
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Track owner(s) SP

Amtrak's Spirit of California was created by California Governor Jerry Brown as a state supported Section 403(b) passenger train. Inaugurated on October 25, 1981, it ran from Los Angeles, California, to Sacramento, California, via the Southern Pacific's Coast Line (via San Luis Obispo).[1][2] The train operated as on overnight-only train, leaving one terminus at approximately 8 PM and arriving at the other at approximately 8AM the next morning. It was one of the few "state-supported" Amtrak trains that had sleeper service.

The Spirit of California's usual consist was:

  • EMD F40PH
  • Heritage Fleet Baggage Car
  • Heritage Fleet 10-6 Sleeper
  • Amfleet I Café
  • Amfleet I Coach
  • Amfleet I Coach
  • Amfleet I Coach
  • Amfleet I Coach

Governor George Deukmejian cut funding for the train. Amtrak supporters scrambled to find additional funding. It was proposed that the state of Nevada fund the train for service to Reno, but this proposal was never passed by the Nevada legislature. The Spirit of California was discontinued in 1983, running for the final time on the night of September 30–October 1, 1983.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Amtrak on the Property" (May 1986). Passenger Train Journal, p. 27. PTJ Publishing.
  2. ^ Schafer, Mike, Bob Johnston, and Kevin McKinney. All aboard Amtrak. Piscataway NJ: Railpace Company, Inc., 1991
  • Chris Guenzler and Robert J. Hallanger

[edit] External links

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