Antelope Valley Metrolink Madness - Saturday Sept 15th

[F59PHI450]

Metrolink Trip on Sept. 15

Joseph and I have been talking about doing a Metrolink trip up the Antelope Valley line. The entative plan is to board train #263 which departs Los Angeles at noon and arrives in Palmdale at 1:44PM. The return trip would be on train #268 departing Palmdale at 3:39PM and returning to Los Angeles at 5:25PM. We'll have to pack our lunches on this trip because it looks like the nearest food to the Metrolink station is about 1.5 miles away. For WCRF members on the Orange County line, there is a great connection going northbound that arrives in Los Angeles at 11:50AM. I know it sounds pretty tight but Metrolink does a good job at holding trains for late connections. Returning home the connections are not so good, so you will have to use Amtrak or wait for the 8:45PM departure from Los Angeles. So that's the plan for now. We look forward to hearing input from everyone so we can finalize these plans and go for a ride.

-F59PHI450


Update: Round trip fare from Los Angeles to Palmdale is estimated to be $14.75.

Edit by Chris: Removed "Proposed and other date as that has been established. cw.

[chris_wlkr]

Where would one park at the station these days if taking a train out of LA?

Chris

[davidcurlee]

Here's anotheritinerary that would work, but onlyon Saturdays:

Train 653
Depart Fullerton at 7:39am
Arrive Los Angeles at 8:20am

Train 261
Depart Los Angeles at 9:00am
Arrive Lancaster at 10:55am

Train 266
Depart Lancaster at 1:10pm
Arrive Los Angeles at 3:05pm

Train 658
Depart Los Angeles at 4:30pm
Arrive Fullerton at 5:03pm

Estimated Cost: $17.00

Another thing,a valid Metrolink ticket gives you a free all-day pass on Metro light rail. In the afternoon, you could ride the Gold Line before going home on train 658.

Edit: I put Lancaster instead of Palmdale, but the times are similar. In Lancaster, there is a Carl's Jr. near the station, about 10 minutes away on foot.

[jeff]

I think there is a parking structure on the east side of the station. Not sure of the cost, but I would expect it will be ten bucks or so. There is also parking on the Union Station side, not sure of the rate tho...

[user=1]chris_wlkr[/user] wrote:

Quote:Where would one park at the station these days if taking a train out of LA?

Chris

[F59PHI450]

In the parking lot would be my guess. The Metrolink website says parking is available for $6 a day at Union Station. In the past it would have been reasonable to assume that the lots would be fairly empty on a weekend, however recent travel trends indicate that may not be the case. I plan to ride out of the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station where the parking lot is usually 1/2 empty. I'm going to get a Los Angeles to Fullerton Amtrak ticket for the ride backand I'll wait for the 9:15PM departure there. I've attached a link to the Metrolink information page for LA Union Station below. I hope that helps.

-F59PHI450

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/stations/...php?id=131

[jeff]

A three hour wait at Union Station isn't ideal... I guess we could have dinner at Phillippe's ??

http://www.philippes.com/restaurant/

I have eaten there several times, and it meets minimum standards, with a good selection of sandwiches and baked goods. Their berry pies are awesome. It is a across the street from Union Station, and a block or two north. Phillippe's also has several railroad related displays and photographs.

~ ~ ~

What do you guys think about David's itinerary ??

Too early of a start ??

~ jeff

[chris_wlkr]

I like the earlier schedule better honestly.

3 hours at LA Union is a lot of time which is why I was looking at driving to LA Union for departure - Fullerton would be opportune.

Dinner at Phillppe's is a good way to pass the time however. I have also eaten there. I thought the food was rather good. Did not gaze at the display's other than the ones on the wall in the eating area.

Chris

[Glendale Hauler]

I would be boarding from Glendale, which is easier that traveling to LA

[mphill66]

davidcurlee Wrote:Here's anotheritinerary that would work, but onlyon Saturdays:

Train 653
Depart Fullerton at 7:39am
Arrive Los Angeles at 8:20am

Train 261
Depart Los Angeles at 9:00am
Arrive Lancaster at 10:55am

...................

Edit: I put Lancaster instead of Palmdale, but the times are similar. In Lancaster, there is a Carl's Jr. near the station, about 10 minutes away on foot.

I like this schedule much better... Thank goodness the 15th and 22nd are Saturdays. Plenty of FREE parking at Fullerton

[BNSFTrainHouse]

The trip sounds like fun to me. I have been planning on doing this out to Lancaster for quite some time and having lunch at Carl's. I always thought I would do it in Novemeber, though, when the walk to get the food would be cooler.

If we dogo, the earlier schedule is superior because we get all of our train riding in daylight hours with plenty of time to have fun at the station later.