This train trip took a nose dive

It is difficult for me to place any credibility in Karl Zimmermann’s story on cross-country train travel [“Make Tracks,” June 20] based on my experience.

Zimmermann says the Coast Starlight is one of the best trains in the Amtrack system. Here’s a slice of reality: My wife and I rode the Starlight roundtrip between Los Angeles and Seattle for several years to visit our son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Things were fine for a while. Then they started to go downhill fast.

On the last four legs we traveled — two northbound and two southbound — the train was never less than seven hours late in arriving. When we first began these journeys, the menus in the dining car were varied and ample, and the food quality was reasonably good. That, too, deteriorated as time went by. We no longer travel to Seattle and back by train. My wife, who hates flying, would rather put up with it than the Coast Starlight

The real story — the one Zimmermann missed — about train travel in the U.S. is that, as a nation, we have no commitment to rail transportation.

Larry Levine

Van Nuys

‘Racing’ mind-set is way off track

Regarding James McCommons’ “From Berlin to Britain” [June 20]: The trains and connections are fantastic, but what a pathetic trip. Talk about ugly Americans who think the point of travel is a race! I found the article very upsetting.

Bernie Schaeffer

Goleta

Taking issue with ‘nobody’s fault’

In “Growing Fees” [On the Spot, June 20], Catharine Hamm says, “The only thing that doesn’t make sense is how big a bite taxes and fees can take out of a traveler’s pocket, and that’s nobody’s fault.”

Nobody’s fault? I’m sure the politicians in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., wish more Americans felt that sense of helplessness.

Oh, wait — they do.

That’s how government has been able to tax travel to the point that a $79 fare comes to $179.40, as mentioned in her article.

Jon Caplan

Los Angeles

Dear Darby, you’ve got mail

I really enjoyed the article about Darby’s travels with Rosemary McClure [“Enjoying the Dog Days of Summer, June 13]. It was nice to read about such a variety of activities to share with a pet. I look forward to their next adventure.

E.J. Panzer

Claremont

I was sad to learn that one of Darby’s pleasures is chasing “errant seagulls.” Please let Darby know it’s not OK. The seagulls aren’t “errant”; they are just trying to survive in a human environment. Shorebirds use up a lot of energy when they have to flee people and dogs. I’m sure Darby’s mom loves animals and would be willing to give seabirds a break.

Susan Belloni

Santa Barbara