Return of the drumhead to a passenger train!
Photo report by Dennis Lytton

The Coast Starlight relaunch ceremony took place at Los Angeles Union Station on June 10, 2008.

The band played on the patio.

Photographer Lytton (left) and NARP President George Chilson pose beside a rebuilt Pacific Parlour Car.

Speaker is joined by Amtrak’s Jonathan Hutchison (right)

On the platform Coach passengers are boarding the Coast Starlight. Notice the celebration poster.

Inside the rebuilt Pacific Parlour Car and passengers are told more about it in the theater end, with big screen TV behind speakers.

The Parlour Car menu.

Mr. Lytton and Mr. Chilson enjoying the trip to Santa Barbara from their table in the Parlour Car.

The dedication cake was eaten with pleasure by riders.

Train 14 departs Santa Barbara enroute to San Luis Obispo, traveling along the scenic Central Coast and then on to the Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest. The shiny new 50 pound drumhead recalling the early days of train travel.

Part of the large crowd that turned out at Santa Barbara to see the inaugural Starlight. Notice the banner on the station wall.

OTHER PHOTOS WILL BE POSTED SOON.