This Group's Main Purpose is to discuss both changes involving the Amtrak Coast Starlight and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services. Discussions of various regional rail services, within the West Coast coverage area, are allowed.

Amtrak P32-8BWH #509 has become a regular performer in the ever-increasing mixed bag of Locomotive Assignments. As it has become what seems a regular assignment on one trainset or the other in the past three months due to various engine issues and other equipment shortages. In this picture, it is seen on a sunny morning under a brisk breeze at San Juan Capistrano, and today's assignment sees it powering train 763(27JAN12) to Goleta. With the somewhat regular operation of this unit on the south half of the Surfliner Route, the newfound regularity of assignment has seen the novelty of these units being exotic assignments between Los Angeles and downtown San Diego vanish.

The Dash 8 has been a somewhat regularly occurring engine powering the classical San Diegan Service (Amfleet) consist between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo on what was once known as trains 798/792 and 799 (now trains 761/790). Picture by Peter W January 26,2012