June the Coach Rider
OBS Chief
I tried to check the fair for the Adirondack for next June and Amtrak.com says they do not have trains running from NYP to PRK on that date. Is the Adirondack being discontinued before next summer?
Ferries, Ferries, and still more Ferries
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The Port Kent stop is seasonal and coordinates with the ferry service. It is possible that Amtrak has not confirmed the dates for next summer's ferry operation and has not loaded the Port Kent stop into the system. If you check service to Plattsburgh, you'll see that the train is operating.
June the Coach Rider
OBS Chief
OK, thanks I will just wait and plan it later. I may even add the Plattsburg-Grand Isle ferry to my November trip. I would love to travel on the lake in the cold weather. Yes I am crazy.
G
guest
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And all free!
Nope. Three are toll, and four are free. To answer a previous question, three cross rivers, three connect the Outer Banks to the mainland, and one connects the Outer Banks.
rrdude
Engineer
Any fan of ferries shud DEF have the S.S. Badger on their "bucket list"
1) Still COAL-FIRED
2) RR heritage
3) 4+ hour trip X a great lake (can't see shore for hous)
4) Great crew
5) Historic boat
6) Pretty nice lakeshore ports of origin (Michigan nicer of the two)
7) Can camp out on lounge chair on bow
8) Cabins ava for night trips (flat bed still nice, or if you have little kids)
9) Food & Bev ava on board
9-A) JUST DO IT!
Well, considering Lewes is about 2-2-1/2 hrs from me and I haven't done that one in the 40+ years I've lived on DE, The Badger will just have to wait. :giggle:
Swadian Hardcore
Engineer
I think that ferry does not run in the winter. The lake freezes up and the ferry would get stuck.
If you're really cary about the cold, maybe VIA Rail's Hudson Bay up to Churchill will give you a thrill.
Thanks. It would have been pretty foolish to run a 2.5 hour ferry with no fares. I bet a lot of people ride that one for fun more than actual transport.
Do it before it's gone! I haven't done it yet!
As an alternate to I-95 returning from South Florida a few years ago, we took the "Ocean Highway".....we were on two ferries to cross the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We then took the Lewes-Cape May Ferry from Delaware to NJ. The boat we were on was an old steamer from the Little Creek-Cape Charles run that was eliminated by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel we had driven. All in all, a refreshing respite from the monotony of the Interstate....
Prince Edward Island is now connected to New Brunswick by the Confederation Bridge. We took the overnite Marine Atlantic ferry "Joseph and Clara Smallwood" from North Sydney N.S. to Channel-Port Aux Basque, Newfoundland. She was brand new at the time (1989), and when I just looked her up on Wiki was surprised to see she was scrapped in 2011--a rather short life IMHO.......
We have also sailed on Washington State Ferries, British Columbia ferries, and the Clipper from Victoria to Seattle. I have been on the Badger when she was still run by the C&O Ry. from Milwaukee to Ludington. Have been on the SF Bay ferries as well.
The opposite in value of the Staten Island Ferry must be the ripoff, (IMHO), Shelter Island (NY) ferries....$10. for a car for the short ride to get onto the island, and another $10. to get off on the other end.
I believe it is done to discourage people from going that way. I think island residents get a large discount....
Other interesting ferries go to Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. Another freebie is the Governor's Island Ferry where you can take a tour of Fort Jay and the historic parts of the island, with spectacular views of lower Manhattan and New York Harbor.
Hmmm. I keep thinking of more....there is the Quebec City to Levis ferry....
TAFN
Prince Edward Island is now connected to New Brunswick by the Confederation Bridge. We took the overnite Marine Atlantic ferry "Joseph and Clara Smallwood" from North Sydney N.S. to Channel-Port Aux Basque, Newfoundland. She was brand new at the time (1989), and when I just looked her up on Wiki was surprised to see she was scrapped in 2011--a rather short life IMHO.......
We have also sailed on Washington State Ferries, British Columbia ferries, and the Clipper from Victoria to Seattle. I have been on the Badger when she was still run by the C&O Ry. from Milwaukee to Ludington. Have been on the SF Bay ferries as well.
The opposite in value of the Staten Island Ferry must be the ripoff, (IMHO), Shelter Island (NY) ferries....$10. for a car for the short ride to get onto the island, and another $10. to get off on the other end.
I believe it is done to discourage people from going that way. I think island residents get a large discount....
Other interesting ferries go to Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. Another freebie is the Governor's Island Ferry where you can take a tour of Fort Jay and the historic parts of the island, with spectacular views of lower Manhattan and New York Harbor.
Hmmm. I keep thinking of more....there is the Quebec City to Levis ferry....
TAFN
NW cannonball
Conductor
Lots of good info has been posted here for ferry fans. Thanks all.
In Wisconsin, WIS DOT lists the Lake Michigan Ferries (I rode the "Ludington Ferry" about 50 years back and remember watching (from the fantail) the boxcars being loaded) Do ride the Badger if you have opportunity.
There's also in Wisconsin the Merrimac (free) ferry (cable) across the Wisconsin River between Madison and the Wisconsin Dells and Devils Lake vacation areas. (rode it several times in automobile and once with bicycle)
There's a few more - see their website - two to islands in the north, one the Cassville - never heard of it before - crosses from Cassville WI to Turkey Creek IA.
Does anyone know of other unexpected inland ferries?
I've used the Washington State ferries many times, the Staten Island ferry a few times, and a few times on the NC system at Currituck and Hatteras-Okracoke (Okracoke is a barrier island south from Hatteras -- not a weird soft drink with slippery mouthfeel)
My bucket list includes Cape May, the Maritimes, Alaska, and Holyhead-Dublin.
In Wisconsin, WIS DOT lists the Lake Michigan Ferries (I rode the "Ludington Ferry" about 50 years back and remember watching (from the fantail) the boxcars being loaded) Do ride the Badger if you have opportunity.
There's also in Wisconsin the Merrimac (free) ferry (cable) across the Wisconsin River between Madison and the Wisconsin Dells and Devils Lake vacation areas. (rode it several times in automobile and once with bicycle)
There's a few more - see their website - two to islands in the north, one the Cassville - never heard of it before - crosses from Cassville WI to Turkey Creek IA.
Does anyone know of other unexpected inland ferries?
I've used the Washington State ferries many times, the Staten Island ferry a few times, and a few times on the NC system at Currituck and Hatteras-Okracoke (Okracoke is a barrier island south from Hatteras -- not a weird soft drink with slippery mouthfeel)
My bucket list includes Cape May, the Maritimes, Alaska, and Holyhead-Dublin.
NS VIA Fan
Conductor
Heres the ferries between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
The day crossing takes 5 hours:
The day crossing takes 5 hours:
NS VIA Fan
Conductor
.......and the overnight crossing takes 7 hours:
NS VIA Fan
Conductor
Until the 1980’s, the ferries were operated by CN and also carried rail-cars.
NS VIA Fan
Conductor
The Ferry between Maine and Nova Scotia will probably be back in summer 2014 but it won’t be a “Cat” It couldn’t accommodate the trucks required to make the service feasible and had limited room for RV’s.
The new ferry they are proposing will have bars, casino, entertainment and buffet dining......a mini-cruise.
Here’s the Cat in summer 2008 at Yarmouth.....just arriving from Maine.
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NS VIA Fan
Conductor
Here’s the "Chi-Cheemaun" or: “The Big Canoe” in Ojibwe.
It crosses a portion of Lake Huron between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island, Ontario.
It crosses a portion of Lake Huron between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island, Ontario.
The Keller Ferry in eastern Washington state is not well known, but it's not too hard to get to.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Eastern/KellerFerry/
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Eastern/KellerFerry/
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jis
Permanent Way Inspector
Staff member
Administator
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Gathering Team Member
The ultimate in ferry service that I have had the good fortune of riding is the Coastal Steamer Service in Norway which runs from Bergen to Kirkenes (way north of the Arctic Circle). I have ridden a short portion of it from Bodo to Stamsund (both north of the Arctic Circle) and back, in the middle of the night with bright sunshine! The views and the service are both memorable. You can actually get sleeper compartments to travel the entire length which takes a couple of days.
It is almost like a bus. You walk on board and arrive at a little ticket window, where you purchase a ticket to wherever you are going, and are then directed to the part of the ship that is open to you for the kind of ticket you bought. You settle down there for the journey. At the end of the journey you get off the boat like you were getting off a bus. If you happen to have a car, you can load that up to carry with you too!
It is almost like a bus. You walk on board and arrive at a little ticket window, where you purchase a ticket to wherever you are going, and are then directed to the part of the ship that is open to you for the kind of ticket you bought. You settle down there for the journey. At the end of the journey you get off the boat like you were getting off a bus. If you happen to have a car, you can load that up to carry with you too!
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Thanks, NS VIA Fan for providing those stunning photo's! Especially enjoyed the shot of the cabin....too bad Amtrak doesn't have one like that for four passengers....
Another service I have been on is the Maine State Ferries....I rode one of them out of Portland a few years back.
As for more inland ferries....there used to be one at the appropriately named Dingman's Ferry, Pa. across the scenic upper Delaware river to New Jersey. It has long been replaced by a privately owned toll bridge, one of only three in the entire United States. Anyone know the other two? I'll answer that later if no replies....
Another ferry that I have ridden across, aboard a Greyhound bus in the sixties, was the Jamestown Ferry on the shortcut route from New York to Newport, R.I. It was replaced by a bridge at the end of that decade.
There has been in the past, and there are proposals for new ferry service across the gorgeous Lake Tahoe. Must be the 'highest' ferry.....
In searching the 'net, I came across this interesting site for inland B.C. ferries that I was never aware existed...http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/marine/ferry_schedules.htm
and here I found a site with a compendium of all known 'thru' inland US auto ferries...http://b389.webspawner.com/
TAFN....
Another service I have been on is the Maine State Ferries....I rode one of them out of Portland a few years back.
As for more inland ferries....there used to be one at the appropriately named Dingman's Ferry, Pa. across the scenic upper Delaware river to New Jersey. It has long been replaced by a privately owned toll bridge, one of only three in the entire United States. Anyone know the other two? I'll answer that later if no replies....
Another ferry that I have ridden across, aboard a Greyhound bus in the sixties, was the Jamestown Ferry on the shortcut route from New York to Newport, R.I. It was replaced by a bridge at the end of that decade.
There has been in the past, and there are proposals for new ferry service across the gorgeous Lake Tahoe. Must be the 'highest' ferry.....
In searching the 'net, I came across this interesting site for inland B.C. ferries that I was never aware existed...http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/marine/ferry_schedules.htm
and here I found a site with a compendium of all known 'thru' inland US auto ferries...http://b389.webspawner.com/
TAFN....
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June the Coach Rider
OBS Chief
This would be fun, but... are there train stations near either of the ports? I would love to travel train to and from for AGR points and then the beautiful ferry trip, stay over night at one of the ports then take the ferry back to catch the train again. Also, does anyone know which ferries besides those in Seattle and Port Kent are within walking distance of an Amtrak Station? Next year, maybe that will be my adventures, train to ferry and back.
edited to add last question.
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>>>> North Carolina has the second largest state-owned ferry system in the country.
>>>> 24 vessels for the 7 regular routes. Longest one-way run is 2.5 hours.
>>> And all free!
>> Nope. Three are toll, and four are free. To answer a previous question, three cross
>> rivers, three connect the Outer Banks to the mainland, and one connects the
>> Outer Banks.
> Thanks. It would have been pretty foolish to run a 2.5 hour ferry with no fares.
> I bet a lot of people ride that one for fun more than actual transport.
The 2 hour 30 minute ride is Ocracoke (on the Outer Banks) to Swan Quarter. That's mainly for locals. The next-longest ride, 2 h 15 min, is Ocracoke to Cedar Island on the mainland. It's full of tourists, except in winter.
>>>> 24 vessels for the 7 regular routes. Longest one-way run is 2.5 hours.
>>> And all free!
>> Nope. Three are toll, and four are free. To answer a previous question, three cross
>> rivers, three connect the Outer Banks to the mainland, and one connects the
>> Outer Banks.
> Thanks. It would have been pretty foolish to run a 2.5 hour ferry with no fares.
> I bet a lot of people ride that one for fun more than actual transport.
The 2 hour 30 minute ride is Ocracoke (on the Outer Banks) to Swan Quarter. That's mainly for locals. The next-longest ride, 2 h 15 min, is Ocracoke to Cedar Island on the mainland. It's full of tourists, except in winter.
RRUserious
OBS Chief
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I can see with Hilton Head and other islands, there'd be a bunch. Same in Puget Sound. The one I'd like to try is the one that goes from Wisconsin to Michigan across the lake. Seems like it would save a lot of gas to go that way rather than driving down to Indiana and then back up through Michigan.
Swadian Hardcore
Engineer
Thanks, NS VIA Fan. The Chi-Cheemaun has a very interesting open-up nose, liek a Galaxy airlifter.
Oh no, messed up with the quote.....
That sound's like another great trip. Plenty of good ferry trips around, but obviously it won't be very easy for me to ride the best. Is that Norwegian ferry expensive? Norwegian trains and hotels are both very expensive, IMO.
Not that I know of, except maybe Grand Rapids. Indian Trails goes up there.
Which Ocean Highway is this? Is it the US 17 or the very small road right on top of the Outer Banks? The US 17 is a pretty good US Highway, dual-carriageway for most of its length and speeds close to the Interstate.Hmmm. I keep thinking of more....there is the Quebec City to Levis ferry....TAFN
Oh no, messed up with the quote.....
RRUserious
OBS Chief
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2011
- Messages
- 505
That ride up the Norwegian coast could be interesting. One of my mother's ancestors lived on Sognefjord.
Pretty much this one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Highway ....I followed Florida A1A all the way, then US 17 and diverted thru the Outer Banks, then the Bridge-Tunnel then up US 13, then over to the Lewes-Cape May ferry, then up US 9 and the Garden State Parkway to the Outerbridge Crossing into Staten Island then over the Verrazano Bridge to the Belt Parkway to the Van Wyck and local streets to home. Whew!........Close by the coast the whole way......Thanks, NS VIA Fan. The Chi-Cheemaun has a very interesting open-up nose, liek a Galaxy airlifter.
That sound's like another great trip. Plenty of good ferry trips around, but obviously it won't be very easy for me to ride the best. Is that Norwegian ferry expensive? Norwegian trains and hotels are both very expensive, IMO.
Not that I know of, except maybe Grand Rapids. Indian Trails goes up there.
Which Ocean Highway is this? Is it the US 17 or the very small road right on top of the Outer Banks? The US 17 is a pretty good US Highway, dual-carriageway for most of its length and speeds close to the Interstate.Hmmm. I keep thinking of more....there is the Quebec City to Levis ferry....TAFN
Oh no, messed up with the quote.....
NS VIA Fan
Conductor
The Coastal Boats in Labrador offer a very similar service (but certainly not as far north as they go in Norway!......this part of Labrador is about equal latitude to Scotland or Denmark)
http://www.labradorferry.ca/
Here’s the Sir Robert Bond at Goose Bay.
I was in this part of Labrador a couple of years ago and will be going back again this September to work for a week at the Innu First Nation (Aboriginal) Community of Natuashish. We flew into Natuashish but the costal boat also provides service. The only road begins at the wharf and runs inland 6 miles to the airport. There are no roads along the coast and besides the coastal boat; each community has a small airport with scheduled service.
(Swadian……here’s another Trip Report for you…..my trip up the coast on an Air Labrador Twin Otter)
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/180211
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