Since we're now just 3 weeks away from NTD, I guess that it's time for this.
First, I'd like very much to get together an accurate list of who is going to be there. As you saw, I failed miserably when I rattled off a bunch of names earlier, missing several people. While I don't expect to take attendance and won't necessarily delay things to look for someone, I'd still like to know just who we should be looking for so as to try to ensure that we all do get together.
So to that end, I'd like for each person attending to just send me an email to let me know that they will be in DC for at least some portion of the day and looking for the group. Please let me know how you’re arriving, Amtrak & train #, Metro, other, etc and approximately what time if you’re not on an Amtrak train. If you don't have tickets for the 12PM tour or are coming in later than that, please include that info in your email, otherwise I’ll assume that you’re ticketed for the 12 PM tour.
Please also let me know if you plan to join us for the group lunch. I’m thinking to make the reservation for 1:30 PM, so as to give us enough time to get through all the train car exhibits. I’m going to give everyone a week before trying to make a reservation, so you’ve got until Monday April 25th to let me know if you’re joining us for lunch. After that, I’ll try to add anyone, but I cannot promise that we can add you.
I’ll acknowledge your email by sending you my cell phone number, such that you can call/text me to let me know if your train is running late or if you’re having trouble finding the group. At your option, if you also include your cell phone number I’ll be able to send you a text message should plans change, like finding that the planned meeting point isn’t going to work. I’ll be heading down to DC on Friday, so I should be there early on Saturday morning before the first Acela arrives.
For those that tweet, I’ve decided to join the modern era and setup an account. Don’t expect much from me, except maybe during Gatherings and get together’s like NTD, as I’m not overly interested in the idea. But if you do tweet, that will save me having to send out separate text messages to everyone should plans change. So if you wish to follow me you can either find my by my user name of “ahblid” or by email addy of Alanb at this website’s address. Please let me know if you’re going to follow me, such that I don’t need to text you directly should any plans change.
Finally, to the meeting place. While it is possible that a few of us may come and wait by the arrival gate for the 2 major trains coming in, the bulk of the group will meet in the hall by the Amtrak Customer Service office. I think that this is a safe place, since we'll be clear of the lines for the exhibits and not in an area where they generally setup booths to sell things and/or provide information.
If you're arriving by Amtrak, after exiting through the doors the waiting area for Gate G is on your right. Turn right and walk down the long hall in front of the various waiting areas. You'll pass one hall on your left, the baggage claim area, the Club Acela and the info booth. At the second hall, about opposite gate B, turn left. The Amtrak CS office is on the left side. We may stand on that side or on the opposite side of the hall; I'll make that decision on Saturday as I see what conditions are like.
If you're coming off the DC Metro, if you take the exit at the head end of the train, when you get upstairs and walk into the station, the Post Office Annex is on your left and a book store is on the right. Turn left down the long hall leading to the gates and walk past a liquor store & Sabaros on the left. At the first hall on your right, turn right and look for the CS office and the group.
If you come off the DC Metro via the middle exit you'll be entering more in the great hall. Turn left and walk past all the stores & exhibits/tables. Just before you get to the Amtrak ticket windows, turn left into the hallway for the CS office.
The alternative meeting point, just in case something stops us from meeting at the above point, will be near the escalators that take you down to the food court, which are located in front of the Amtrak ticket windows.
First, I'd like very much to get together an accurate list of who is going to be there. As you saw, I failed miserably when I rattled off a bunch of names earlier, missing several people. While I don't expect to take attendance and won't necessarily delay things to look for someone, I'd still like to know just who we should be looking for so as to try to ensure that we all do get together.
So to that end, I'd like for each person attending to just send me an email to let me know that they will be in DC for at least some portion of the day and looking for the group. Please let me know how you’re arriving, Amtrak & train #, Metro, other, etc and approximately what time if you’re not on an Amtrak train. If you don't have tickets for the 12PM tour or are coming in later than that, please include that info in your email, otherwise I’ll assume that you’re ticketed for the 12 PM tour.
Please also let me know if you plan to join us for the group lunch. I’m thinking to make the reservation for 1:30 PM, so as to give us enough time to get through all the train car exhibits. I’m going to give everyone a week before trying to make a reservation, so you’ve got until Monday April 25th to let me know if you’re joining us for lunch. After that, I’ll try to add anyone, but I cannot promise that we can add you.
I’ll acknowledge your email by sending you my cell phone number, such that you can call/text me to let me know if your train is running late or if you’re having trouble finding the group. At your option, if you also include your cell phone number I’ll be able to send you a text message should plans change, like finding that the planned meeting point isn’t going to work. I’ll be heading down to DC on Friday, so I should be there early on Saturday morning before the first Acela arrives.
For those that tweet, I’ve decided to join the modern era and setup an account. Don’t expect much from me, except maybe during Gatherings and get together’s like NTD, as I’m not overly interested in the idea. But if you do tweet, that will save me having to send out separate text messages to everyone should plans change. So if you wish to follow me you can either find my by my user name of “ahblid” or by email addy of Alanb at this website’s address. Please let me know if you’re going to follow me, such that I don’t need to text you directly should any plans change.
Finally, to the meeting place. While it is possible that a few of us may come and wait by the arrival gate for the 2 major trains coming in, the bulk of the group will meet in the hall by the Amtrak Customer Service office. I think that this is a safe place, since we'll be clear of the lines for the exhibits and not in an area where they generally setup booths to sell things and/or provide information.
If you're arriving by Amtrak, after exiting through the doors the waiting area for Gate G is on your right. Turn right and walk down the long hall in front of the various waiting areas. You'll pass one hall on your left, the baggage claim area, the Club Acela and the info booth. At the second hall, about opposite gate B, turn left. The Amtrak CS office is on the left side. We may stand on that side or on the opposite side of the hall; I'll make that decision on Saturday as I see what conditions are like.
If you're coming off the DC Metro, if you take the exit at the head end of the train, when you get upstairs and walk into the station, the Post Office Annex is on your left and a book store is on the right. Turn left down the long hall leading to the gates and walk past a liquor store & Sabaros on the left. At the first hall on your right, turn right and look for the CS office and the group.
If you come off the DC Metro via the middle exit you'll be entering more in the great hall. Turn left and walk past all the stores & exhibits/tables. Just before you get to the Amtrak ticket windows, turn left into the hallway for the CS office.
The alternative meeting point, just in case something stops us from meeting at the above point, will be near the escalators that take you down to the food court, which are located in front of the Amtrak ticket windows.
