First thing, for the non-metric: 19,000kms is about 12,000 miles.
PHL to WAS - Wednesday 25 April (ANZAC Day in Oz and NZ).
The most complex and involved travel usually starts in a more prosiac fashion. That task was performed by Pennsylvanias SEPTA, which I boarded at Croydons modest suburban station for Phillys grand and spacious 30th Street icon.
Id convinced my kind cousin, who had hosted me for a few days after arriving from Oz, that getting to my 30th Street 0935h NE Regional to Washington would be more easily and less stressfully done by train than car. Like many who were not users of rail, it hadnt figured in her calculations, but she and her spouse agreed to give it a go.
As we awaited the trundler to take us in, a couple of NERs went by, one north and one south. So too did an Acela, but a wee bit faster.
I think they saw the benefits of taking the train over battling the I95 morning city-bound traffic. I know I did, having had a couple of experiences of that road over the few days I was there.
Suburban trains are suburban trains around the world - unglamourous but sturdy and faithful workhorses. This one did everything it should, accommodated scads of passengers as it made its way to town, and had on-board ticket-sellers. The one we dealt with was bright, helpful, and cheery. Good on her, and a good start to the day.
We arrived in good time to allow us to look around at the stations main hall. I reckon it was the first time theyd seen it despite being long-time residents of the area, and remarked how special it looked. They were right, and the renovations will make it look even spiffier.
We parted in sufficient time for me to have a quick check-in at the Acela Lounge, and then get the lift down to the platform from there, rather than stand around in a queue by the escalators in the main hall.
The lounge attendant was good value as well, so a double good start to the train day.
My attempt at arranging connectivity for the trip proved to be unsuccessful, and the AT&T SIM card Id had recommended to me by a helpful CSO in Philly was not driving my mobile wifi, and so I couldnt use my tablet as a locator. Id already calculated Id be unable to use any of the devices Id organised: a GPS and a radio receiver. I was in a two and two seater rather than a roomette for the first Amtrak ride, and it was long odds Id be on a window, so I prepared myself to go old school and just look through the glass and amuse myself in other ways.
I saw I was right upon boarding, with all the window seats occupied. As I neared a rather less densely-settled part of the carriage, my way was blocked by a big bloke who told me the rear part of the car was all booked. I had a quick glance about and saw they were all Masters of the Universe types, with a couple in uniform, so I made an appropriate tactical retreat. No point in having my visa revoked just three days in, eh?
I sat on the aisle seat next to a woman was was in full business mode - making an importamt telephone call to arrange an appointment, then pulling out a laptop and working away at what looked like - I wasnt spying, honestly, its just I have very active peripherals - a policy document about engaging migrant workers on fair employment provisions.
Good on her, I thought: my mate Karl and his mate Friedrich would be well pleased.
Across the aisle was another woman, similarly engaged in business - making many calls, and keyboard-bashing, sometimes simultaneously. Above her head was a stuck-on sign advising that she was in an Amtrak Crew reserved seat. I never feel I shouldnt listen in to a loudly-conducted telephone conversation in a public space right next to me, so I got the view that she was doing middle-management budget stuff, and negotiating with colleagues about responsibility demarcations.
My goodness, Im glad Im out of that sort of caper.
But I also thought: where can I get such a sign? It could be a handy addition to the travel kit.
Meanwhile, the MOTU crew behind me, all crisply dressed and short hair-cutted, continued rebuffing hopeful new boards, at the same time as having conversations about whether Breeze was better than Brady, and whether the best of the Manning brothers was Cooper.
Amtrak woman must earlier have been advised that it was the Secreet Service which was the particular cadre the MOTU bunch was from as she turned to one of them to ask him questions on behalf of her son who was hoping for a summer internship. She said her son had been advised he was a possibility of getting a gig in the Los Angeles office, but hadnt had any official word, and hed much prefer New York anyway.
Some response was offered by one of the MOTU, but in the manner of someone who wants to neither be held accountable for the advice, nor for the conversation to continue much longer.
To take my mind off in-carriage matters, I sought to direct myself to matters outside. For example, I got a good look at the real life sets from The Wire as we passed through Baltimore, and remembered what a fab show that was.
All too soon we were in Washington around 1130h and then It was time to see if I could have a bit of a look around the nations capital before catching Train 29 at 1605h.
(NER Train 185 on 25 April was pulled by loco #629)
PHL to WAS - Wednesday 25 April (ANZAC Day in Oz and NZ).
The most complex and involved travel usually starts in a more prosiac fashion. That task was performed by Pennsylvanias SEPTA, which I boarded at Croydons modest suburban station for Phillys grand and spacious 30th Street icon.
Id convinced my kind cousin, who had hosted me for a few days after arriving from Oz, that getting to my 30th Street 0935h NE Regional to Washington would be more easily and less stressfully done by train than car. Like many who were not users of rail, it hadnt figured in her calculations, but she and her spouse agreed to give it a go.
As we awaited the trundler to take us in, a couple of NERs went by, one north and one south. So too did an Acela, but a wee bit faster.
I think they saw the benefits of taking the train over battling the I95 morning city-bound traffic. I know I did, having had a couple of experiences of that road over the few days I was there.
Suburban trains are suburban trains around the world - unglamourous but sturdy and faithful workhorses. This one did everything it should, accommodated scads of passengers as it made its way to town, and had on-board ticket-sellers. The one we dealt with was bright, helpful, and cheery. Good on her, and a good start to the day.
We arrived in good time to allow us to look around at the stations main hall. I reckon it was the first time theyd seen it despite being long-time residents of the area, and remarked how special it looked. They were right, and the renovations will make it look even spiffier.
We parted in sufficient time for me to have a quick check-in at the Acela Lounge, and then get the lift down to the platform from there, rather than stand around in a queue by the escalators in the main hall.
The lounge attendant was good value as well, so a double good start to the train day.
My attempt at arranging connectivity for the trip proved to be unsuccessful, and the AT&T SIM card Id had recommended to me by a helpful CSO in Philly was not driving my mobile wifi, and so I couldnt use my tablet as a locator. Id already calculated Id be unable to use any of the devices Id organised: a GPS and a radio receiver. I was in a two and two seater rather than a roomette for the first Amtrak ride, and it was long odds Id be on a window, so I prepared myself to go old school and just look through the glass and amuse myself in other ways.
I saw I was right upon boarding, with all the window seats occupied. As I neared a rather less densely-settled part of the carriage, my way was blocked by a big bloke who told me the rear part of the car was all booked. I had a quick glance about and saw they were all Masters of the Universe types, with a couple in uniform, so I made an appropriate tactical retreat. No point in having my visa revoked just three days in, eh?
I sat on the aisle seat next to a woman was was in full business mode - making an importamt telephone call to arrange an appointment, then pulling out a laptop and working away at what looked like - I wasnt spying, honestly, its just I have very active peripherals - a policy document about engaging migrant workers on fair employment provisions.
Good on her, I thought: my mate Karl and his mate Friedrich would be well pleased.
Across the aisle was another woman, similarly engaged in business - making many calls, and keyboard-bashing, sometimes simultaneously. Above her head was a stuck-on sign advising that she was in an Amtrak Crew reserved seat. I never feel I shouldnt listen in to a loudly-conducted telephone conversation in a public space right next to me, so I got the view that she was doing middle-management budget stuff, and negotiating with colleagues about responsibility demarcations.
My goodness, Im glad Im out of that sort of caper.
But I also thought: where can I get such a sign? It could be a handy addition to the travel kit.
Meanwhile, the MOTU crew behind me, all crisply dressed and short hair-cutted, continued rebuffing hopeful new boards, at the same time as having conversations about whether Breeze was better than Brady, and whether the best of the Manning brothers was Cooper.
Amtrak woman must earlier have been advised that it was the Secreet Service which was the particular cadre the MOTU bunch was from as she turned to one of them to ask him questions on behalf of her son who was hoping for a summer internship. She said her son had been advised he was a possibility of getting a gig in the Los Angeles office, but hadnt had any official word, and hed much prefer New York anyway.
Some response was offered by one of the MOTU, but in the manner of someone who wants to neither be held accountable for the advice, nor for the conversation to continue much longer.
To take my mind off in-carriage matters, I sought to direct myself to matters outside. For example, I got a good look at the real life sets from The Wire as we passed through Baltimore, and remembered what a fab show that was.
All too soon we were in Washington around 1130h and then It was time to see if I could have a bit of a look around the nations capital before catching Train 29 at 1605h.
(NER Train 185 on 25 April was pulled by loco #629)