posted
I am desperate to get to NY for parents 50th. I usually take Crescent from NOL to NYC. But a sleeper now just one way is 600 bucks. Any suggestions? Any private rail cars for that kind of money? I am in Houston, but drive to NOL as Sunset is to unreliable. Thanks for any help! I am trying to go weekedn of June 13th.
-------------------- I am in no hurry, so I take the train. Posts: 168 | From: Spring TX USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
I haven't seen any public ads for a private railcar taking that route on that date. Even if there was, I don't think it would cost $600 (it would be more).
My only suggestion is to keep checking at Amtrak.com to see if the fare changes. Amtrak uses a bucket system of pricing, and the price could change significantly. I booked a trip on the California Zephyr yesterday for a trip on Tuesday. The original fare was $239, and I was about to book it but my phone rang. By the time I finished with the phone call and checked the fare again about 30 minutes later, the fare was now $177.
The only other suggestion is to book a coach ticket during the daytime hours, and book a sleeper ticket for the nighttime travel. This will cut down significantly on your cost.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
As smitty has suggested, keep checking the .com...prices can fluctuate quite a bit.
As for the Sunset, train #2 has been doing a nice job on getting into Houston over the past 3 weeks...and a reasonable job into NOL, certainly a lot better than what it was like in the old days.
Arrival Houston for the past 3 weeks:
2008-06-01: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 6:06 am Delay: 21 minutes
2008-05-30: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 5:45 am Delay: 0 minutes
2008-05-27: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 6:26 am Delay: 41 minutes
2008-05-25: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 5:32 am Delay: -13 minutes
2008-05-23: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 7:07 am Delay: 82 minutes
2008-05-20: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 6:05 am Delay: 20 minutes
2008-05-18: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 5:45 am Delay: 0 minutes
2008-05-16: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 6:09 am Delay: 24 minutes
2008-05-13: Scheduled: 5:45 am Actual: 5:37 am Delay: -8 minutes
posted
How about flying Southwest from Houston to Chicago or Jacksonville - with fares around $140 (before taxes)for Jax and about $25 more to Chicago - not a whole lot more than a couple tanks of gas/meals. Then you have a choice of trains from there.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
From Marriott Fairfield Fredericksburg VA--
Mr/s. Kaz--
As pointed out, you are simply the "victim" of supply and demand. It is becoming evident that the near prospect of $5/ga (my last fill up on this trip by auto was $4.229 at Bedford PA) is impacting travel decisions and Amtrak - even LD Amtrak = is a beneficiary of such.
Review this lead article in McPaper I stumbled over leaving my room earlier.
No doubt our Coach riders will weigh in saying try out life on their side of the Diner. My suggestion is make your way to HOU or IAH and put up with the crap and hassle - it will be all over in about five hours.
Certainly your Mother and Father's 50th anniversary is far more important than any train ride.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Thanks everyone. I sadly did not make it. I should have been more clear. I have not flown since about 1996 or so. I have huge phobia about planes. I have rode the Sunset so much and was just scarred by it being so late( one time we did not get into NOL till 4AM from Houston). So the hassle and price kept me home. Plus I am scared fo all the crime in NOL.So I am sort of phobia rich and lonely I guess.Ani sounded like it was great and I can't look back.
-------------------- I am in no hurry, so I take the train. Posts: 168 | From: Spring TX USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Mr/s Kaz (your writing style suggests Ms.), even if air travel is not one of them (can't say I enjoy being up close and personal with 150 of my closest and dearest friends in a space maybe large enough for 75), I too have my phobias. Since I presume long distance auto travel was not an option (as is the case with many here), all I can say is I note your "gumption' for even considering the journey.
I too have a similar problem which I'm prepared to share at this Forum. My immediate family of Sister and her three children have all been expats (UK) in the past; and I'm of thought that "once an expat, always an expat". They could just as easily reside overseas as they presently do in NY or area. On that point, my Niece is married to an Australian national and could well soon be "on the move'. Even though I could well afford the $$$ for such a journey, my "inner self' could hardly afford such (Business Class might make it slightly more tolerable, but what will that do to alleviate a week of disrupted body rhythms? - last time I went overseas during 1990, I was zombied through the entire 10 day journey). Likely considering my age, I would never see her again.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Even though I could well afford the $$$ for such a journey, my "inner self' could hardly afford such (Business Class might make it slightly more tolerable, but what will that do to alleviate a week of disrupted body rhythms? - last time I went overseas during 1990, I was zombied through the entire 10 day journey). Likely considering my age, I would never see her again.
Mr. Norman: I hate to be a bearer of bad news, although it appears academic as far as you are concerned, but "jet lag" lasts longer as you get older. Having done the trans-Pacific shuffle between one and three times a year between 1990 and last year, I can say my recovery was a lot quicker at age 45 than at age 62, and that a teenager can get over it in about two days. It usually took me about a week the first few years, but the last couple of times it was a little better than two weeks back to coherence. In the early years, these trips were also done coach. Trans-Pacific in coach is like riding a greyhound with wings. Our client on my first job was a little tight fisted. I think the contract said "lowest cost economy class air fare" at least three times just to make sure we got the message. The last job allowed us Eva Airlines "Deluxe" which is above econcomy and below business, but it is enough above economy to make a real difference in comfort. However, 13 hours inside a plane is still 13 hours inside a plane regardless of what the seat is like. You know it is a long trip when you are in LAX facing another 3.5 hour flight and say out loud, "we are almost home."
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
How correct, Mr. Harris; the folk I feel most sorry for are those who "make a perfectly good $$" but whose work schedules preclude anything such as a vacation beyond a long weekend - if even that!
McDonalds regularly advises their incoming franchisees before they sign on the dotted line that "the next time you will have anything resembling a vacation is when you retire".
While of course a Mickey D franchise owner stands to make "heap big wampum" over a career, they are quickly made aware of what they were told when they "signed their life away to Ronald'. Now they have sold the franchise for even more wampum, i.e. M's of it, and now it is time to take that ten day cruise through the Orient sailing from Singapore.
When I learn of such a tale (I have first hand), and knowing the outcome before it happens, all I can say is that I thank my lucky stars I was able to travel, such as pre-A-Day rail travel, while I was young enough to enjoy it.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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