10 replies to this topic

[chertling]

Rather than ride two round trips on the MORR for the Gathering (KC-STL to get there, then a round trip as part of the gathering, then STL-KC to get home) I am considering returning to KC via Chicago on Sunday. Continuing on the Texas Eagle when everyone else turns around at BNL, then trying to connect to the Southwest Chief in Chicago. With an 87 minute layover between two long distance trains, it would not be considered a guaranteed connection (but would be awfully close to being one!) I haven't been following the TE lately, does anyone know if that connection would be risky??

I have already put some thought into backup plans....

If I take this option... I would make three separate reservations:
1. STL-BNL - Texas Eagle - for the portion of the trip that is part of the agenda for the Gathering
2. BNL-CHI - Texas Eagle
3. CHI-KCY - Southwest Chief

Sunday morning, I would print the tickets for Segment #1... and if it looked like the Texas Eagle was on track to arrive on-time in CHI, I would print segment #2.

I wouldn't print Segment #3 until arrival in Chicago.

If things go wrong before we even leave STL, I can get full refunds on the BNL-CHI and CHI-KCY tickets... and purchase/print tickets from BNL or Springfield back to KC on the Lincoln Service & MORR.

If things go wrong between STL and Springfield, I will be able to get a 100% Service Credit for the unused, but printed BNL-CHI tickets via mail or at the ticket counter (right?) and get a full refund for the unprinted SW Chief tickets... I can get online and purchase tickets back to KCY via the Lincoln Service and MORR... printing them at the quiktrak in Springfield.

The only area I don't have a good backup for is if something goes wrong after the Texas Eagle leaves Springfield... there are no quiktraks at Carlinville or Lincoln... and if we are late enough to jeopardize my connection in Chicago, we would already be arriving in Bloomington-Normal well after #303 leaves (which is the last SB Lincoln that connects to the MORR)

Sorry for the rambling message... but I am hoping for feedback on my plans... Am I over analyzing this (I often do that!) or do I have a legitimate concern?

Edited by chertling, 23 April 2010 - 01:58 PM.

[jimhudson]

Rather than ride two round trips on the MORR for the Gathering (KC-STL to get there, then a round trip as part of the gathering, then STL-KC to get home) I am considering returning to KC via Chicago on Sunday. Continuing on the Texas Eagle when everyone else turns around at BNL, then trying to connect to the Southwest Chief in Chicago. With an 87 minute layover between two long distance trains, it would not be considered a guaranteed connection (but would be awfully close to being one!) I haven't been following the TE lately, does anyone know if that connection would be risky??

I have already put some thought into backup plans....

If I take this option... I would make three separate reservations:
1. STL-BNL - Texas Eagle - for the portion of the trip that is part of the agenda for the Gathering
2. BNL-CHI - Texas Eagle
3. CHI-KCY - Southwest Chief

Sunday morning, I would print the tickets for Segment #1... and if it looked like the Texas Eagle was on track to arrive on-time in CHI, I would print segment #2.

I wouldn't print Segment #3 until arrival in Chicago.

If things go wrong before we even leave STL, I can get full refunds on the BNL-CHI and CHI-KCY tickets... and purchase/print tickets from BNL or Springfield back to KC on the Lincoln Service & MORR.

If things go wrong between STL and Springfield, I will be able to get a 100% Service Credit for the unused, but printed BNL-CHI tickets via mail or at the ticket counter (right?) and get a full refund for the unprinted SW Chief tickets... I can get online and purchase tickets back to KCY via the Lincoln Service and MORR... printing them at the quiktrak in Springfield.

The only area I don't have a good backup for is if something goes wrong after the Texas Eagle leaves Springfield... there are no quiktraks at Carlinville or Lincoln... and if we are late enough to jeopardize my connection in Chicago, we would already be arriving in Bloomington-Normal well after #303 leaves (which is the last SB Lincoln that connects to the MORR)

Sorry for the rambling message... but I am hoping for feedback on my plans... Am I over analyzing this (I often do that!) or do I have a legitimate concern?

IINM the moderators mentioned not to make rez for the segments we will ride during the Gathering since group rates/maybe even our own car can be arranged? Also the schedule change will be in effect, the Eagle and the LS and the MORR,even the SWC may be different! I wouldnt worry too much so far in advance, you do have the fallback of riding the other trains if the STL-CHI connections dont work out! I understand the concern and the anziety about connections, think we all have a little of this but remember the unofficial motto of this forum: "It's not just a train ride, it's an adventure!"

[chertling]

IINM the moderators mentioned not to make rez for the segments we will ride during the Gathering since group rates/maybe even our own car can be arranged? Also the schedule change will be in effect, the Eagle and the LS and the MORR,even the SWC may be different! I wouldnt worry too much so far in advance, you do have the fallback of riding the other trains if the STL-CHI connections dont work out! I understand the concern and the anziety about connections, think we all have a little of this but remember the unofficial motto of this forum: "It's not just a train ride, it's an adventure!"

Yes, I did see that the moderators have indicated we should wait to make reservations, especially since we may be able to get a group rate. In the meantime though I wanted to at least get a plan in place.

[jis]

IINM the moderators mentioned not to make rez for the segments we will ride during the Gathering since group rates/maybe even our own car can be arranged?

The way I see it, if something turns up in the way of a group ticket or our own car or whatever, then the previously reserved accommodation can always be returned without any loss, specially on the MRR segments. Of course for those of us heading back to the east coast on the Sunday, specially using AGR points, it does make sense for us to get the STL - CHI reservation independent of the group just to avoid the hassle of traveling all the way to Chicago by Coach and then spending a two zone award on sleeper, instead of just making the whole thing an award ride using a 2 zone award from STL to east coast.

[the_traveler]

#303 leaves (which is the last SB Lincoln that connects to the MORR)

BTW - #303 becomes #313 in STL!

[jis]

#303 leaves (which is the last SB Lincoln that connects to the MORR)

BTW - #303 becomes #313 in STL!

Yup. As I understand it, if 303 gets delayed so does 313.

[Shanghai]

I've been away for three weeks, so has a decision been made on the MORR and TE group events?
Should we wait or made reservations?

[MrFSS]

I've been away for three weeks, so has a decision been made on the MORR and TE group events?
Should we wait or made reservations?

The Saturday run to KC and back is still being looked at for a group sale. Hang in there and we'll let you know ASAP.

I think everyone will be on their own for the Sunday TE event as some are making a turn and others going to CHI to connect to another train for home.

So, I think you would be safe to make that reservation if you like.

[AlanB]

I've been away for three weeks, so has a decision been made on the MORR and TE group events?
Should we wait or made reservations?

The Saturday run to KC and back is still being looked at for a group sale. Hang in there and we'll let you know ASAP.

I think everyone will be on their own for the Sunday TE event as some are making a turn and others going to CHI to connect to another train for home.

So, I think you would be safe to make that reservation if you like.

I'll get the discussion started soon regarding group sales for those who have already registered for the Gathering.

As for Sunday, if you're taking off on Sunday to Chicago and not returning with the group back to St. Louis, then by all means book your ticket(s). If you're returning with the group to St. Louis, then hold off on the buying those tickets until we see if we have enough people to get a group rate.

[the_traveler]

As for Sunday, if you're taking off on Sunday

Hopefully, a train won't "take off" like a plane! (I like to keep the wheels on the ground! )

[GG-1]

As for Sunday, if you're taking off on Sunday

Hopefully, a train won't "take off" like a plane! (I like to keep the wheels on the ground! )

Well maybe on the RAILS

Aloha