Originally Posted by
Points Scrounger
Still open seating in business (LAX and SAN)? I'm used to the Cascades with mandatory check-in with station agent (SEA and PDX).
Amenities roughly the same as Up North?
Yes. No check-in, no seat assignments. You can look forward to a snack station in the car which has juice, coffee, tea, and newspapers, plus carb-loaded pastries in the morning. Attendants regularly ride (but not always, IIRC) and they should distribute snack packs in the afternoon and evening. If they're absent, snacks will be self-serve. You may also go to the cafe and redeem for a free beverage, including wine. There is no coupon for other items as you would get on the Cascades.
Most trains have 2-2 seating in both classes. On train 799 LAX-SLO (and train 798 v.v), which uses single-level Horizon equipment, Business Class is the wonderful 1-2 configured Club seating, probably similar in dimensions to the Talgo equipment. When I rode last month, we had an attendant who provided at-seat service throughout the trip, including unlimited beverages (at least the non-alcoholic kind). I
almost thought I was in Acela F! ^