Spirit of California

Amtrak's Spirit of California was created by California Governor Jerry Brown as a state supported Section 401(b) passenger train. It ran from Los Angeles, California, to Sacramento, California, via the Southern Pacific's Coast Line (via San Luis Obispo). The train was an overnight train featuring baggage service, Amfleet coaches and heritage fleet sleeper cars. It was the only overnight train connecting Northern and Southern California system.

Governor George Deukmejian cut funding for the train. Amtrak supporters scrambled to find additional funding. It was proposed that The state of Nevada fund the train for service to Reno, but this proposal was never passed by the Nevada legislature. The Spirit of California was discontinued on September 30 1983.

References

• Chris Guenzler and Robert J. Hallanger

External links

• A Railfan's Memory of the Last Run of the Spirit of California
• Picture of The Spirit of California at Sacramento, California