Train Fest 2023

We planned a big car-free day using multimodal transit with the goal of attending Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival 2023 in downtown LA. Our secondary goal was to visit CityWalk at Universal Studios to see how to get there on the Metro 240 bus which we can take from our house.

We arrived 25 minutes before our train was scheduled to arrive to pack our stroller, gather our bags, and buy our tickets. The ticket vending machines were updated and we were able to do contactless (tap) payment with our visa card. We bought 3 weekend passes for $10 each (mom, dad, kid), even though kids ride free on Metrolink. We were planning to catch Amtrak 770 which allows ticketed Metrolink passengers to ride using the codeshare program. One child under the age of two (2) may ride free with a paying adult. Registration is not required for those very young children. At this time, the Metrolink Kids Ride Free on Weekends promotion is not valid on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains.

We planned for these rules and made our way onto the Amtrak with no issues. We boarded the car with the wrap for the X-games and it was the cafe car. Upstairs we sat right near the restroom at a table marked Crew Seats, but the conductor allowed us to sit there. There was a luggage rack right there for our folded stroller. We ate peanut M&Ms and drank milk and coffee purchased on the train for $6. There were water cups and a trash can nearby, too. It was a fun train to ride because many people were on their way to Train Fest and wearing all their best train t-shirts.

We arrived downtown and saw that the line to view Railroad Equipment Tours & Displays was already very long, with a greater than 90-minute wait. So we went to the South Patio to check out the booths. The first thing we got in line for was our Metro Train Festival 2023 Commemorative TAP Card. What I didn't know was that they were asking a trivia question! I got nervous when I realized that I had not yet learned all the colors of the Metro rail and their alphabet letters. We visited with Metrolink, Amtrak, and the California High-Speed Rail Authority. We bought a collectible Amtrak train for half-price. I met a nice man who had just taken the Amtrak Southwest Chief, a train I myself had taken a few summers ago.

Then we went inside to get a look at the model trains but again the line was so long. We ended up getting a free poster and buying a toy Metro bus. Our kiddo was delighted and after an hour downtown, we decided that it was time to get moving. Morales Fresh Fruit was vending on the South Patio and we got a fresh fruit cup for $9. We got Wetzel pretzel bitz with cheese dip for $9. We got bananas and candy from the bodega called Tremania for $4. We used the restrooms there at Union Station before heading down to the B line (red) subway.

We had a smooth ride on the B line. We didn't even fold up our stroller. If you're not sure how to navigate the labyrinth of escalators with a stroller or bicycle, look for the handicap (wheelchair) logo and follow the arrows to the elevator(s). Light rail train platforms are at the same elevation as the rail car itself so you can roll right on. The train was well-used but not overcrowded. 2022 ridership was 20% above average compared to 2020 (pandemic) ridership which was 45% below average. Every row had at least one or two people in seats.

We got off the B line at Universal City/Studio City. Pay attention to which escalator you go up or down. We got off on the correct side of the street (light rail side) to take the elevator up to the covered walkway to Universal Studios. It was actually so cool and convenient. There is a shuttle to take you up the hill which is free. But you have to fold your stroller to ride it.

A great thing about CityWalk is that they maintain air-conditioned restrooms with changing tables. The upper patio of City Eats was nearly deserted so we had a stress-free spot to eat lunch with a view of Hogwarts Castle. Even though it was a hot day, we felt a breeze and we were in the shade. 

There are vending machines near the restrooms, but unfortunately, a 20 oz bottle of Powerade is $4 and a bag of M&Ms is $2. The shuttle stop is not well-signed but you can see the shuttle parked there so we were able to locate it easily. The restrooms are well-marked with wayfinding signs to lead you there. 

We retraced our steps to return to the Metro Bus Depot. It was a little confusing because there were numerous bus bays and since it was the end of the 240 line, it seemed like the bus drivers were taking their breaks parking in the back, and then pulling up to pick us up after their break. There was a digital information sign but it wasn't totally accurate. It might have been frustrating for someone who was new to the bus system. Some bays were labeled dropoff only. There were trees for shade and it looked like it would be well-lit at night with these cute street lamps. 

It was a long (~1 hour) bus ride home with a lot of starting and stopping. We got off at Reseda / Parthenia but the stop closest to our house is Reseda / Superior, which is almost the end of the line. It was neat to go along Ventura Blvd. We noticed lots of shops in Sherman Oaks which we had not seen zooming through that neighborhood in a car. It was great though because it was air-conditioned and we got to ride for free by showing our train pass. We got home around 7.5 hours after we left home. But we came back with new experiences, transit-themed toys, and a greater appreciation for life in Los Angeles.

#TrainFestival2023 at @unionstationla in partnership with @metrolosangeles @amtrak and @metrolink