The Trouble with Amtrak

The Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (aka LA Union Station) opened in May 1939 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Here’s how it looked in January 1964.



Oh, to know where that Gruen clock ended up!



Union Station is still there, still looking good — even though the world around it has changed quite a bit.



Last weekend for my trip to the Hollywood Heritage Museum, I decided to skip the traffic and the headache of driving and travel by train instead. Unfortunately, I can’t say that Amtrak was worth the switch. A round trip from San Diego to LA is $70; even with the price of gas these days, traveling by train is more expensive than driving. But wait…there’s more. 



While taking pretty photos of Union Station was a definite plus for traveling by train, my trip cost had to factor in another $70 for round trip via Lyft from Union Station to the Heritage Museum in Hollywood.



Who knew that sustainability was so much more expensive?



To make matters worse, my train from San Diego to Los Angeles ended up being almost an hour late that day, which cut into my already short amount of time to spend at the museum. AND my time to take photos. You know it’s a bad day when I only take five photos of an architectural treasure!



At least the train home was on schedule, allowing me to make my San Diego photo shoot on time.



What I was able to trade in stress for traffic was replaced by the stress as to whether Amtrak would pull through on time, making the stress factor a wash. Another negative about traveling by Amtrak is the train schedule itself, with trains running approximately every 2 hours. Yes, I understand they are trying to minimize their costs by not having empty trains, but it sure does not add a convenience factor for those trying to avoid twiddling their thumbs in between trains. On the day I traveled, they ended up canceling a few of their scheduled routes, which does not instill confidence that Amtrak is going to perform when they say they are. Although Amtrak’s text to passengers said that they can make up for the lost time, my train did not. Leading to another mystery…how is it that cars in traffic (visible from the train window) are able to go faster than a train that has the track to itself?

C’mon Amtrak; help a brother out! I want to ditch the car but you don’t make it easy.

See more L.A. Union Station photos at my main website.

Union Station 1950: PST

This shot of Union Station in Los Angeles hails from May 19, 1950. I am assuming the couple waving goodbye knew the photographer that took this image that just happens to have one of the coolest vintage autos parked next to them!



As a courtesy to those travelers from other time zones, the clock tower made it clear that they should set their watches to Pacific Standard Time:



Today, with cell phones and everything being done for us automatically, that notification is now gone.



“You mean you had to actually set the time on your clock/watch, Grandpa?!? Wow, things were tough back in the day!”



Oh to have brains again…

See more Los Angeles Union Station photos at my main website.

Union Station in LA

It had been almost five years since my last visit to Union Station in Los Angeles. A camera change and hopefully some wisdom along the way helped create some better photos this time around!



It opened in May 1939, and as far as I'm concerned, it's still an architectural wow!







Here are three of the reasons I love visiting this place. Vintage tile:



Cool light fixtures:



An art deco clock:



Last one for today is a view of Union Station shot from the Avila Adobe on Olvera Street:



See more Los Angeles Union Station photos at my main website.

Vintage Union Station

A few vintage shots of Los Angeles' Union Station, which opened back in 1939. It was so impressive that it caused fender-benders, as seen in this 1951 image.

Things appear to be much calmer in this November 1961 shot:



I was hoping to find something exciting when I zoomed in, but alas…it wasn't to be.



This architectural beauty is still around, looking just as spectacular as it did back in 1939.



Next time you are in town, make sure you check out the interiors; they are even more jaw-dropping!



Hop on aboard to my main website and see more photos of Los Angeles Union Station.

L.A. Trek, Pt. 1

In my younger days, it was always a thrill to head out west, get in the car, and zip down the freeway. Driving at speeds not possible in a small town was a huge thrill. As the years have gone by, the freeways are more congested and my tolerance for traffic has greatly decreased. Traveling by train has suddenly become very appealing. On a recent trek to Los Angeles, I boarded the Amtrak Train at the San Diego Santa Fe Train Station.



I couldn't keep myself from pulling the camera out early to capture a few architectural details as I was walking to the station.



The train takes a little over two hours to get to L.A.; on a really good day, I could probably drive it in about 90 minutes. However, the chance of getting a good day and not getting stuck in traffic gets more and more difficult.



Union Station opened in May 1939 as the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal.



It became known as "Last of the Great Railway Stations" built in the United States and was deservedly placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.



The massive interiors make quite an impression.



The smaller details, like this piece of vintage tile, also play an integral part in the beauty of this building.



Love the deco lettering.



Traxx Restaurant, which was originally the telephone room. One of these days I want to take the time to eat here. Even though it's only been around since 1997, it captures the feel of a bygone era.





Original light fixtures:



Comfy vintage seating:



It's easy to feel like you just stepped out of a Film Noir classic.



See more vintage & current Union Station photos on my Union Station web page.