Train Jam CZ Feb 23

[Triley]

One think that group sales does not have to wait for the 11 month out rule. Block it now, and no worry.

In fact it would make far more sense to do so, if you know you're taking up so much capacity.

 

[chakk]

And if you want to ride it, you will have to watch the TrainJam social media sites for the date and time that tickets go on sale. Based on past years' experiences, the train will sell out in minutes!

 

[RSG]

Okay kids, mark your calendars: Train Jam 2018 will happen March 15-17, 2018. "Tickets will go on sale later this year!"

 

[JoeBas]

Assuming that there's an Amtrak to ride, by then, of course.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Train Jam 2018 is booking the CZ leave Chicago on March 15th.

Mark your calendars. Train Jam will return March 15-17, 2018. Tickets will go on sale Later this year!

Now this how you do it. Book the train before the tickets go on sale to the general public. If someone want to travel on March 15 they get a "Sold Out" message.

I don't know why this popped into my head, but you're correct. There is a complete block and the website shows sold out. Perhaps the group can lobby for more sleepers.

 

[chakk]

And since there will appear numerous posts to the AU forum later in the year wondering why the CZ departing Chicago 15 March 2018 is already sold out, perhaps the webmaster could post a sticky note on the home page mentioning that the train is sold out and why.

Just wonderin' .....

 

[Lonestar648]

Do you think Amtrak has the inventory to add cars, especially if there is a high probability of the cars being sold out?

 

[chakk]

Amtrak did add a second SSL to the 2017 train. They probably could add a few more sleepers or coaches to the 2018 train, if demand warranted.

But then, the management might resist doing that unless it involved moving some midwest cars to the west coast that would be needed there anyway for other reasons.

 

[Lonestar648]

If they could do it as part of west coast rotations in/out of Beech Grove, then maybe would work.

 

[Thirdrail7]

There is still the problem of Denver. Although things have gotten better, it is still restricted to a total of 14 pieces (up from 12.) That doesn't leave much for additional equipment, particularly if you have to add another diesel.

 

[chakk]

If the train is sold out and all of the Train Jam passengers are boarding in Chicago, there is really no reason to stop in Denver, other than for crew change, watering cars, and the fresh-air break. So perhaps the 12-car limit could be stretched.

 

[neroden]

If the train is sold out and all of the Train Jam passengers are boarding in Chicago, there is really no reason to stop in Denver, other than for crew change, watering cars, and the fresh-air break. So perhaps the 12-car limit could be stretched.

Crew change can be done anywhere, the fresh-air break can be cancelled, but... adding water and removing sewage is kinda necessary. :-( And that requires actually entering the platform at Denver. Not only that, it requires *spotting the cars on the platform*.

I suppose they could split the train and spot half of the cars on the Ski Train platform for watering. That would raise the limit to maybe 24 cars... it would prevent RTD from doing any switching between the "west" and "east" halves of their commuter rail system during this time, but that's probably OK.

The extra time taken would probably be cancelled out by all the station stops being skipped.

 

[CCC1007]

If the train is sold out and all of the Train Jam passengers are boarding in Chicago, there is really no reason to stop in Denver, other than for crew change, watering cars, and the fresh-air break. So perhaps the 12-car limit could be stretched.

There is one big reason, fuel, which happens on an integrated fuel pad in the station complex... the black "matting" under the locomotives in this photo.