77 replies to this topic

[the_traveler]

I just noticed this on the NTD site:

Enjoy exciting interactive events in the nation's most iconic train stations:

• New York City Grand Central Terminal

Bew York's NTD WILL NOT be at NYP - but NYG instead! I haven't been to NYG in years - I'm thinking of maybe changiing sites!

[pennyk]

I just noticed this on the NTD site:

Enjoy exciting interactive events in the nation's most iconic train stations:

• New York City Grand Central Terminal

Bew York's NTD WILL NOT be at NYP - but NYG instead! I haven't been to NYG in years - I'm thinking of maybe changiing sites!

If you go to New York, does that mean you will be standing me up in PHL?



Will you still be taking 97 south?

[the_traveler]

Well Penny, you stood me up in WAS last NTD, arriving the day after! I had to stay overnight in DC! (And the Penthouse Suite was booked at ever hotel, so I was forced to stay in a regular room!)

[jis]

As posted on another thread, the 40th Anniversary Train will be at Grand Central Terminal in New York on NTD. So I am changing over from Philly to Grand Central. However, there is no way I can find to change my vote.

[The Davy Crockett]

As posted on another thread, the 40th Anniversary Train will be at Grand Central Terminal in New York on NTD. So I am changing over from Philly to Grand Central. However, there is no way I can find to change my vote.

I know the feeling. Things have evolved since the poll was first posted. I voted for Washington, but after realizing WAS seemed low key this year, I decided to go to PHL. New York City is not even on the list. Is it time for a new poll?

Edited by The Davy Crockett, 12 March 2012 - 07:50 AM.

[Air Force Tim]

I'm currently stationed overseas in Turkey. I'll be on the Turkish national TCDD train from Adana, Turkey to Mersin, Turkey. One hour train ride for $2.50 I spend two hours (RT) on the train for five bucks.

[Shanghai]

I'm currently stationed overseas in Turkey. I'll be on the Turkish national TCDD train from Adana, Turkey to Mersin, Turkey. One hour train ride for $2.50 I spend two hours (RT) on the train for five bucks.

How do the trains in Turkey compare to Amtrak trains?
I have been on trains in France, Germany, England, Sweden
Denmark, Austria, Czech Republic & Hungary and I didn't notice
much difference from the Amtrak fleet.

Welcome to AU.

[Ryan]

Having only passed through NYG briefly, and never been inside of NYP, going all the way to New York for NTD sounds pretty enticing.

[NJCoastExp]

NTD in NYG.

[the_traveler]

For those planning on WAS, this is from the NTD website:

*For all those trainiacs who are wondering why we won't be in Washington, DC Union Station this year, the station is undergoing an extensive restoration effort to repair ceiling damage caused by last fall's earthquake, which is why we are unable to host an event there. We invite you to join us at the Philadelphia event and to keep checking other city locations in April.

[Ryan]

That makes sense, I was just through there and the place is still a mess - there's a large amount of construction activity in the Great Hall and in the area between the Great Hall and the Amtrak ticket counters (surrounding the stairs down to the food court).

[the_traveler]

Vote again in the revised poll - as they say in Chicago, "Vote early and often!

[dlagrua]

NTD is two days after we get back on the Autotrain but I am still planning on going to the one at PHL. What is surprising is that Amtrak is not giving out preregistered admission tickets for the train exhibits this year. There is also only a general description of the exhibits listed on the NTD website and no specifics. As the date gets closer, hopefully this will change.

[Devil's Advocate]

What is surprising is that Amtrak is not giving out preregistered admission tickets for the train exhibits this year.

What's surprising about it? Last year the admission tickets didn't seem to serve any purpose whatsoever, mainly because the Amtrak staff simply ignored them altogether. Or at least that's how it worked when we were at WAS.

[the_traveler]

What is surprising is that Amtrak is not giving out preregistered admission tickets for the train exhibits this year.

What's surprising about it? Last year the admission tickets didn't seem to serve any purpose whatsoever, mainly because the Amtrak staff simply ignored them altogether. Or at least that's how it worked when we were at WAS.

Agreed!

Even if you had timed reservations for (say) noon, and you tried to get in line at 11:45, you had to go to the end of the general line until it progressed far enough that you came to the point where it separated to "those with timed tickets" and "those without timed tickets". Beyond that, there were 2 lines!

The thing is both lines moved at the same speed! So what was the point of timed tickets in WAS last year?

We had to move our scheduled lunch get together twice, and still missed part of the exhibits!

[AlanB]

Amtrak badly underestimated the number of people who would show up last year and they also oversold the "express tickets", creating a huge nightmare. I also think that they figured that people would move through the equipment displays faster than they actually did.

The year before in Philly, the tickets worked as promised and intended. The line for those without was huge and easily an hour or more wait, while those of us with tickets waited maybe 5 to 10 minutes at most in a line, before being let down to platform level.

[afigg]

For those planning on WAS, this is from the NTD website:

*For all those trainiacs who are wondering why we won't be in Washington, DC Union Station this year, the station is undergoing an extensive restoration effort to repair ceiling damage caused by last fall's earthquake, which is why we are unable to host an event there. We invite you to join us at the Philadelphia event and to keep checking other city locations in April.

I was wondering why WAS was not included on the list, even though I was at the station a week and a half ago and should have realized it. There is extensive scaffolding for ceiling repair from the earthquake damage. I think there is also some construction for access to the lower level. Would be a real mess handling the large crowds for NTD. Did the problems at DC Union Station cause Amtrak to switch and scramble to use NYG?

[The Davy Crockett]

I was wondering why WAS was not included on the list, even though I was at the station a week and a half ago and should have realized it. There is extensive scaffolding for ceiling repair from the earthquake damage. I think there is also some construction for access to the lower level. Would be a real mess handling the large crowds for NTD.

I was thinking the same thing myself. I should have put two and two together.

On the same note, I believe the access to the lower level will go into the old movie theater space and will be used for more restaurants and retail. In front of the station, Columbus Circle is being rehabbed as well.