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Gathering VI

Started by AlanB , Feb 07 2012 09:22 PM

85 replies to this topic

#41 AmtrakBlue

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 02:26 PM


Boo Hiss, a big hardware weekend (computer changes) where I work, including working the holiday. Curse you, _______ _______ Bank! :angry2:

Making you work on the Canadian Thanksgiving?Posted Image How dare they!Posted Image

Sorry you can't make it to PHL!


Yeah, IT depts love long weekends...for major upgrades. Glad I'm not in that part of IT.

2011: Jun: WIL=>WAS=>WIL (NER) // Nov: WIL=>WAS=>CHI=>PRO (NER=>CL=>CZ)
2012: Apr: WIL=>WAS=>WIL (NER) // May: WIL=>PHL=>WIL (NER) / PHL=>PAO=>PHL (Keystone) // Aug: WIL=>WAS (NER) / BWI=>WIL (NER) // Oct: PHL=>WIL (NER) / PHL=>HAR=>PHL (Keystone) / SEPTA, NJT, PATCO, River Line, Princeton Dinky

2013: NTD: WIL=>WAS=>WIL (NER)    Hope to do's:  WIL=>BOS day trip // Gathering

#42 PRR 60

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 08:59 PM

Hello All,
Just got off the phone with Hampton Inn City Center and was able to book a room for the four nights Oct 4-8. The desk booking agent said it is a convention of the National Dietetic Association filling up all the rooms downtown very quickly. But there were still a few rooms with two beds left as of 11:30am.
We wanted rooms downtown so that Mrs RRB can ride the Purple Phlash trolley around the city. :giggle:

Since all of these dieticians will be in town, I would suppose the Philly Cheesesteak people may be hurting :D :D

It's the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, which runs from October 6 through the 9th. 10,000 attendees are expected. Conference lodging is not open for booking, but all the large Philadelphia downtown hotels are contracted to provide rooms for the event.

#43 The Davy Crockett

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 09:27 PM

In making my return reservation to the DC area I noticed that some of the NERs (the 3:33, 4:33 & 5:33 departures specifically) have already sold out of the lower fares. Book early!
I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train.

#44 bbecker258

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Posted 11 February 2012 - 02:26 AM

I know I must be crazy not making G5 in my backyard, I wd love some tips abt access on septra and plan to fly ob and AMTK on my return to SEA. Any thots on rtg? Thanks.

#45 rrdude

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Posted 11 February 2012 - 09:15 AM

In making my return reservation to the DC area I noticed that some of the NERs (the 3:33, 4:33 & 5:33 departures specifically) have already sold out of the lower fares. Book early!


Ticketed for Saturday, up from BWI on # 162, return the same nite to BWI on # 165. Ryan? $32 each way.

(Michigan v. Purdue that day,& OSU v. Nebraska! THAT game will be of interest to a few AU-ers)

TRAVELED / WORKED: (Red = THIS year) MORR, Texas Eagle, Hiawatha Service, Palmetto, Carolinian, Maple Leaf, Adirondack, Cardinal, Auto-Train, Acela, Keystone Service, Surfliners, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, NE Regionals, Capital Limited, City of New Orleans, Downeaster, Wolverine, Pere Marquete, Broadway Limited, Lake Shore Limited, North Coast Hiawatha, Illini, Dubuque Service, Super Chief, Cali Zephyr, Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Pioneer, Sunset Limited, San Diegans, Inter-American, Vermonter (to Amherst), Michigan Executive, Twilight Limited, Lake Cities, Niagara Rainbow, Crescent, Alaska RR, Ferromex: Laredo-Mexico City, Metro North, METRA, BART, LIRR, Boston's T, NYC Subway, Chicago's "L", DC Metro, SF Cable Cars-Trolleys, NJ Transit to AC, NOLA Street Cars, Ann Arbor RR Cross-Lake Ferry, Former C&O S.S. Badger Cross-Lake Ferry, Baltimore Light Rail, Via:The Ocean, Algoma Central...... TRAINS Over-Slept & MISSED: D&RGW, Southern Crescent (both Pre-Amtrak, Dammit!)

#46 The Davy Crockett

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Posted 11 February 2012 - 10:12 AM


In making my return reservation to the DC area I noticed that some of the NERs (the 3:33, 4:33 & 5:33 departures specifically) have already sold out of the lower fares. Book early!


Ticketed for Saturday, up from BWI on # 162, return the same nite to BWI on # 165. Ryan? $32 each way.

(Michigan v. Purdue that day,& OSU v. Nebraska! THAT game will be of interest to a few AU-ers)


My rides:

10/5/12 #86 Dep. ALX @ 7:47am Arr. PHL @ 10:31am $38.00
10/7/12 #159 Dep. PHL @ 6:33pm Arr. WAS @ 8:30pm $35.00
I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train.

#47 Railroad Bill

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Posted 11 February 2012 - 01:46 PM


In making my return reservation to the DC area I noticed that some of the NERs (the 3:33, 4:33 & 5:33 departures specifically) have already sold out of the lower fares. Book early!


Ticketed for Saturday, up from BWI on # 162, return the same nite to BWI on # 165. Ryan? $32 each way.

(Michigan v. Purdue that day,&

OSU v. Nebraska! THAT game will be of interest to a few AU-ers)


Oh No! Does that mean RailFanLnk and I will need to have a arm wrestling match to determine the winner. :giggle: Go Bucks!!

Trains Ridden So Far:
Lake Shore Ltd, Capitol Ltd, Pennsylvanian, NE Corridors, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Hoosier, SW Chief, Surfliners, California Capitol Corridors, Coast Starlight, Cascades. Texas Eagle, San Joaquins, Missouri River Runner,Cardinal, Downeaster, Silver Meteor, Keystones, Auto Train -- 50,822  Amtrak miles & counting

#48 benjibear

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Posted 11 February 2012 - 10:50 PM

Depending what kind of activities are schedules I may come for some. I live in central PA so taking the train from either Lancaster or Elizabethtown would be fun. To bad Strasburg wasn't more accessible from Amtrak.


#49 Ozark Southern

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Posted 12 February 2012 - 04:38 PM

Once again, getting to the Gathering is going to be cost-prohibitive (about $1000RT for us--but that beats out AA's $1600!). We had great fun when it took us $20 in gas to meet up with y'all. We're planning to be there next year--MSP or DAL/FTW would be very feasible for us.
Amtrak trains taken: Missouri River Runner (11/1), Lincoln Service (3/2), Texas Eagle (1)
Other trains taken: Berlin-Warsaw Express (Deutsch Bahn), Branson Scenic Railway (tourist route)
Commuter rail taken: Berlin U-Bahn, Boston 'T', Caracas Metro, Chicago CTA, Minneapolis LRT, Paris Metro, Paris RER, St. Louis Metrolink, Washington Metro

Blue indicates full length of the route.

#50 bbecker258

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 10:16 PM

hi gang mr. Bill here, I have made a res at emb suites airport which is on the R1 line to PHL. $118 SUN NITE INCL 10/04 10/08. 2 RM SUITE, BREAKFAST. I wd appreciate suggestions on best rtg back to SEA, I LOVE CHEESESTAKES, BUT KINDA HARD TO DO "the haunch" frm a wheelchair. Lol. Cheers

#51 Acela150

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 11:22 PM

hi gang mr. Bill here, I have made a res at emb suites airport which is on the R1 line to PHL. $118 SUN NITE INCL 10/04 10/08. 2 RM SUITE, BREAKFAST. I wd appreciate suggestions on best rtg back to SEA, I LOVE CHEESESTAKES, BUT KINDA HARD TO DO "the haunch" frm a wheelchair. Lol. Cheers


Philly Cheesesteaks are easy to do no matter what your situation!!

As far as getting back to Seattle. Head to DC on a Regional or Acela then connect to the Cap. That will take you to Chicago. Then connect to the Empire Builder. Or if you really want a trip take the CZ to SAC, MTZ, or EMY then hop the northbound Starlight. I suggest the second.
These posts are my views and opinions.

Frequent Acela Express,Northeast Regional and Keystone Service rider.

Donate your spare time! Be a Volunteer Firefighter!

#52 bbecker258

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 11:50 PM

Yeah I'm blessed to have no concerns regarding consumption :-) thks for the return rtg! I agree coming home WAS CHI SAC SEA IS A GREAT IDEA.

#53 Acela150

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Posted 16 February 2012 - 03:35 AM

Check on connection Info.. I'm not really sure of the schedules.
These posts are my views and opinions.

Frequent Acela Express,Northeast Regional and Keystone Service rider.

Donate your spare time! Be a Volunteer Firefighter!

#54 the_traveler

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Posted 16 February 2012 - 09:21 AM

Check on connection Info.. I'm not really sure of the schedules.

I is!Posted Image

The connection time from the CZ to the CS in SAC is from mid-afternoon until midnight. I personally would book to connect in EMY, where you board the CS about 9 PM. (You can also connect in MTZ or DAV.) But to get any if these connection points besides SAC, you must call and speak to an agent. Online it only gives SAC as a choice.

The agent may say no at first, but if so ask to speak to a supervisor. These are all guaranteed connections! And if they still say no, politely hang up and call again and get a different agent!Posted Image

A training I will go ... !

#55 Railroad Bill

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Posted 16 February 2012 - 10:59 AM

You could also consider taking the Lake Shore Ltd from New York City to Chicago.

A quick ride from PHL to NYP on a regional and then a nice ride up the Hudson River in October. :P Fall leaves :cool:

We are heading back to CLE from the Gathering on that route.

Both Capitol Ltd and Lake Shore arrive in Chicago about an hour apart with guaranteed connections to your California Zephyr ride.

Trains Ridden So Far:
Lake Shore Ltd, Capitol Ltd, Pennsylvanian, NE Corridors, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Hoosier, SW Chief, Surfliners, California Capitol Corridors, Coast Starlight, Cascades. Texas Eagle, San Joaquins, Missouri River Runner,Cardinal, Downeaster, Silver Meteor, Keystones, Auto Train -- 50,822  Amtrak miles & counting

#56 the_traveler

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Posted 17 February 2012 - 05:37 PM

I have made a res at emb suites airport which is on the R1 line to PHL. $118 SUN NITE INCL 10/04 10/08. 2 RM SUITE, BREAKFAST.

How did you find that rate?Posted Image The lowest at the EB I found was like $134 a night!Posted Image

Unless you went thru like Priceline, Hotwire, Etc... - but you realize you will not get either hotel or AGR points?Posted Image They specifically exclude them!Posted Image I'd rather have points.

A training I will go ... !

#57 bbecker258

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Posted 18 February 2012 - 01:38 PM

Traveller I just checked via ES SITE that the Sunday nite incl is still available at $118 per night. Happy hunting

#58 the_traveler

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Posted 18 February 2012 - 08:15 PM

Traveller I just checked via ES SITE that the Sunday nite incl is still available at $118 per night. Happy hunting

Found it! However, you must stay Sunday night to get the $118 rate per night, otherwise it is $135-145 a night.Posted Image I am leaving on #97 in Sunday afternoon!

A training I will go ... !

#59 bbecker258

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Posted 19 February 2012 - 12:03 AM

You could also consider taking the Lake Shore Ltd from New York City to Chicago.

A quick ride from PHL to NYP on a regional and then a nice ride up the Hudson River in October. :P Fall leaves :cool:

We are heading back to CLE from the Gathering on that route.

Both Capitol Ltd and Lake Shore arrive in Chicago about an hour apart with guaranteed connections to your California Zephyr ride.


I. had thot of that rtg as well, aargh too many choices :-) I was tempted to go was and take the cap to chi. I think I'll do the lsl rtg as I've not been that way thento cz/cs to home. Now the eb has a wine bar ;-) mr bill

#60 City of Miami

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Posted 23 February 2012 - 01:07 PM

- but you realize you will not get either hotel or AGR points?Posted Image They specifically exclude them!Posted Image


Why do you say that, Traveler? PL is an AGR 'Partner'. I did my most recent PL booking through the AGR site link. The points haven't posted yet, I admit, but I'm expecting them!
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