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I leave today, the 19th, for my 7000 mile North America rail journey. I will start out in Toronto on the General Brock to Niagara Falls Ont. then a car transfer to Buffalo's Depew station for the midnight Lake Shore to Chicago. For the past week train 49 has been everything from late to somewhat late to very late. I hope the train gods are smiling today as I do not want to spend any more time then necesary at the dreary Depew station. I decided to take a chance and ride the Texas Eagle again after a five year absence. In 2000 I ran into an ice storm in Arkansas that caused a 12 hour delay and its annulment in Dallas. I will eventually connect in Los Angeles with #14 for Seattle, overnight there, and the next morning I board the Cascade for Vancouver BC and The Canadian back home to Toronto. I have a bedroom on all the trains with sleepers except the Lake Shore where I have a roomette. I'm looking forward to having a great trip, however, considering past experiences I am prepared for anything.
Posts: 524 | From: Toronto Ont. Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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Enjoy your trip. I can't wait to read your trip report. Wow, 7,000 miles is quite an adventure but it gives the rail industry your business so lets hope Amtrak stays in business(:.
GOod luck. Happy holidays.
Posts: 259 | Registered: Jan 2005
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With all the horror stories abounding, I am 'reassessing' my previous intended Amtrak use on my annual Florida trip, which involves a connection @ WAS. I might even play 'Into the air, Junior Birdmen'; more likely navigating "voiture noir' over I-57, 24, and 75. (57 is preferred; there are fewer 18 wheelers, no Indy or Louisville congestion, no need to navigate perpetual highway construction on I-80 to access 65, and is the recommended AAA routing).
"I just don't need it".
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Enjoy !!! Will cross my fingers for you and pray the "Train Gods" smile on you !! However it works out --- have a good time and enjoy every minute. Even the bumps in the road -- (or should that be track?). Looking forward to the trip report.
Dee ---- who is more than a little green with envy.
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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Yes, good luck and God speed. I am looking forward to the report. What is wrong with Buffalo DePew? If one were doing the same trip in summer, could one try that Rochester ferry/Rochester station to better effect?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Sojouner --- Buffalo- Depew station is a kind of blah station (think bus station). It is located out in the middle of nothing. When last I was there, I walked to the nearby bus stop and took the bus into Buffalo. If memory serves me there are no nearby stores, eating establishments or such. The time of the trains going through is not the best --- at least westbound on the Lakeshore (11:57 pm). Also just as the world wakes on the eastbound Lakeshore.(7:05 am). The Maple Leaf arrives and departs at civilized afternoon hours. But alas it goes only eastbound to NYC ---- and goes only a short distance westbound to Toronto.
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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Thanks, Dee. I've been through on the Lakeshore but it's not very memorable, I think I was just waking up. Rochester and esp Syracuse looked nicer, that is true. So is Buffalo De Pew the best place to change for the Lakeshore?
Of course you could also take the VIA to Montreal, the Adirondack to Albany, and change THERE for the Lakeshore. Much longer trip though. But it's the prettiest Amtrak east of the Mississippi so they say (I have never been on teh Cardinal, which I hear is nice too).
Or what about train to Windsor, taxi to Detroit? or train to Sarnia, taxi to Port Huron? If that is still running?
It's so inane that here's no train Toronto to Chicago
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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