31 replies to this topic

[AlanB]

Now that we have a significant number of people registered, it's time to start thinking and talking about possible group reservations for Amtrak while we're in St. Louis, as well for the visit to the St. Louis Arch on Friday morning. One advantage of booking these activities as a group, aside from the discounts we'll get, is that we'll also get to stay together. We'll occupy one car on Amtrak, or at least part of one car depending on just how many ultimately register, and at the Arch we'll all be in the same one or two trains to the top of the arch.

So to gage interest, I'm starting the following polls. I'm asking each person who has registered to vote accordingly for the choices that work best for you, and any guests that you might be bringing with you. If for some reason you're going want t join with the group, but have a guest that doesn't, then either contact me via PM to discuss this or make a post here. Once I see if there is indeed enough interest, then I'll start getting more info and prices on things.

Thanks!

[the_traveler]

at the Arch we'll all be in the same one or two trains to the top of the arch.

It's been years since I've been to the Arch, but aren't the cars 4 passenger cars? I'd hate to stuff 30 people into a 4 passenger car! Or did you mean all cars as one train? Will it be pulled by a P-42 or an HHP-8?

[AlanB]

at the Arch we'll all be in the same one or two trains to the top of the arch.

It's been years since I've been to the Arch, but aren't the cars 4 passenger cars? I'd hate to stuff 30 people into a 4 passenger car! Or did you mean all cars as one train? Will it be pulled by a P-42 or an HHP-8?

The passenger cars hold 5 and there are 8 pods, as they're called, per train.

[Shanghai]

I was at the Arch two years ago and the trams held 5 people - very tightly!!
But, for the+Traveler, there are several trams!!

[had8ley]

Alan;
Not to slight your poll but I've done the Arch and I'm going to use my Amtrak pass and hope I don't get left !!!

[jis]

I would be very happy to be part of a group rate on everything except the trip on Sunday. On that day I will be taking the TE all the way to Chicago in Sleeper as part of my return trip to the east coast.

BTW, I already have a fully refundable reservation for the River Runner which I will get rid of if the group thing comes through.

[Rafi]

FWIW, I'd be interested in a one-way group rate to KCY.

My plan is to overnight in KCY on Saturday and take the Chief back to Chicago on Sunday. I realize I'll be deviating from the group, but I had such a blast in KCY last week, and I left so much to do there, that I decided that it's worth my while to take the River Runner with the group to KCY, hang out until you guys head back, and then "go to town," as it were.

Rafi

[jimhudson]

Alan: Could be mistaken but isnt there a promo for discount or really cheap tickets for the MORR??Dont know how long it runs or the details but remember seein g it somewhere?Also Seniors get 15% off all Amtrak rates, would a group rate beat this discount? And if enough members sign up for the MORR would we perhaps get our own car, Amtrak seems to have plenty of Horizon coaches sitting around STL and CHI, I know biz class is too small for AU! (Nice 2X1 fake leather seats in the cafe car on this route!)

Edited by jimhudson, 07 June 2010 - 05:47 PM.

[the_traveler]

Alan: Could be mistaken but isnt there a promo for discount or really cheap tickets for the MORR??Dont know how long it runs or the details but remember seeing it somewhere?

The code is V328 - and gives 20% off each way! And it's good for October 9! (That's better than the old fogey rate! )

[MrFSS]

(That's better than the old fogey rate! )

I resemble that remark!

[AlanB]

Alan: Could be mistaken but isnt there a promo for discount or really cheap tickets for the MORR??Dont know how long it runs or the details but remember seein g it somewhere?Also Seniors get 15% off all Amtrak rates, would a group rate beat this discount? And if enough members sign up for the MORR would we perhaps get our own car, Amtrak seems to have plenty of Horizon coaches sitting around STL and CHI, I know biz class is too small for AU! (Nice 2X1 fake leather seats in the cafe car on this route!)

Jim, as noted by the_traveler, that special discount is cheaper than the Senior rate. I believe that the group rate is also 20%, although I'm not positive. However, one advantage of the group rate is that if we get close enough in numbers, then we essentially get our own car. Right now I beleive that we've got something like 30 people who would be in the group, so we're getting close.

And yes, the Club-Dinette BC seating won't hold all of us. We're already way beyond that, as a Club-Dinette only seats 14, 15, or 18 people depending on which type of car is assigned to that train.

[the_traveler]

You can add one more for the group rate, jackal! Although he gas not signed on to AU, I'm going to FORCE him to go!

[GG-1]

You can add one more for the group rate, jackal! Although he gas not signed on to AU, I'm going to FORCE him to go!

Aloha from another old fogey, didn't know fun required arm twisting.

[ALC_Rail_Writer]

Dumb question: will we get AGR points on group tickets?

[the_traveler]

I believe we should. As long as we each get our own tickets, not just 1 for 20-30 people!

[jimhudson]

I believe we should. As long as we each get our own tickets, not just 1 for 20-30 people!

If so Dave I have first dubs on the points, you have more than anyone alive!

[the_traveler]

I believe we should. As long as we each get our own tickets, not just 1 for 20-30 people!

If so Dave I have first dubs on the points, you have more than anyone alive!

But I'm a VIP!

[the_traveler]

You can add one more for the group rate, jackal! Although he gas not signed on to AU, I'm going to FORCE him to go!

Aloha from another old fogey, didn't know fun required arm twisting.

It is to get someone to come from Alaska! What other dummy would come from so far?

[GG-1]

You can add one more for the group rate, jackal! Although he gas not signed on to AU, I'm going to FORCE him to go!

Aloha from another old fogey, didn't know fun required arm twisting.

It is to get someone to come from Alaska! What other dummy would come from so far?

Aloha

But He will be going from cold to warmer I will be going from Warmer to Colder But that doesnt include the people they are HOT, and we will all be "TOASTED"

[had8ley]

Alan: Could be mistaken but isnt there a promo for discount or really cheap tickets for the MORR??Dont know how long it runs or the details but remember seeing it somewhere?

The code is V328 - and gives 20% off each way! And it's good for October 9! (That's better than the old fogey rate! )

My rate is 100% off~ IF there is a seat