The Coast Line today
It is possible to enjoy riding the route of the Daylight today.
Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train runs between Los Angeles and
Seattle via San Jose, Oakland, and Portland daily. Passengers for
San Francisco change to a motor coach at Oakland. Caltrain has
frequent local train service between San Jose and San Francisco.
For a system map of Caltrain and more information, please click
on the link:
The Noon Daylight
From its inception in 1937, the frequent demand for more seat-
ing on the Coast Daylight required a better solution than run-
ning additional sections.
Beginning in 1940, the train was relieved with a Noon
Daylight, #96 and #97 between San Francisco and Los Angeles,
departing at midday with evening arrivals. Most of the train’s
cars were from the original 1937 Daylight consist, making up a
train with all the features of the morning schedule. A business
traveler could put in a half day’s work before the noon depar-
ture, and the Noon Daylight occasionally required second sec-
tions to be run.
The train was discontinued in 1942 because of World War
II government restrictions on duplicate services. The Noon
Daylight was reinstated in 1946 when restrictions were lifted.
The train gradually lost ridership after World War II due to com-
petition from the airlines and improved highways. In 1949 the
Noon Daylight was discontinued permanently.
PART 1 – SP PASSENGER TRAINS |
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