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It's National Train Day and I'm taking the train to Fort Worth in about an hour. I had one of those "missing the train 'cause I can't get there" dreams last night, so I don't know.....
Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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There were a variety of activities scheduled at LAUS today; I'm sure it was a big success; perfect weather and all. People really seem to like the wonderful old Union Station; I think it has good "feng shui," maybe? Well, it is only a few blocks from Chinatown...gets that wonderful western exposure as the sun sets.
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I attended the event at the 30th St. Amtrak Station in Philadelphia. The station itself is a treat for me. I rode SEPTA Rail to the event. Acela and Regional equipment was on display. Meals were displayed in the first class Acela Exp. and the cafe cars. In the Regional consist the private Pullman dining car Epicurius was displayed. Needless to say that was best of the displays for me. But the crews staffing the very clean and spiffy Amtrak equipment were very nice, friendly, and willing to explain train travel. I questioned one Amtrak employee about business class. I thought the regionals only had business class in the cafe cars. The answer was the Regionals use the whole Amfleet car for business class. The B/C in cafe cars was for travel beyond, or outside the Regional system. I also questioned him about shortage of seats between Wash.D.C.and Boston.The answer was that it happens only when there are backups, train cancellations, etc. I did enjoy the outing today. Chefs, conductors, attendants,were available for "meet and greet" or whatever.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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I think LAUPT had much more to see in terms of equipment and displays/events. That's the way to attract a crowd. Also I don't think Philadelphia had much in the way of advertising for it. But the crowd was substantial.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Bill Butterworth and Mid-America Railcar did an overnight of PV METIS and SILVER QUAIL from St Louis to Kansas City and return.
Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Attended LAUPT with two grandsons. All of us had a great time. Lots going on for all ages. Youngest grandson (age 6) was really impressed with the Superliner sleeper. He's looking forward to sleeping in an upper.
It was a well planned, well executed event in LA.
-------------------- Railrev Escondido, CA Posts: 99 | From: Escondido, California | Registered: Jul 2003
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Winter Park (FL) had NOTHING for National Train Day this year. Last year at least they had a table set up by the front door to the station with AMTRAK timetables, cardboard "engineers hats" for the kids, AMTRAK Vacations information, and other miscellaneous stuff, plus an agent there to answer any questions. There was NOTHING out this year.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Don't feel bad, RRRICH, the only things at Ocala (FL) had to do with bus schedules and Shuttleliner car service to MCO (Orlando International Airport).
Moving orange juice is more important than moving people through Florida.
With the defeat of SunRail, and the prospect of $6 a gallon gas not far in the future, the Sunshine State clearly hasn't got a clue when it comes to public transportation.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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Looking forward to that $6.00 gas......uh huh.
My carpool partner is retiring after one more school year and I'll be bearing the full brunt after that time.
At least I'll be accumulating AGR points faster!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Actually there was a pretty big deal in FTW when I got there. First thing I saw was an Amtrak loco (#203) that you could go into and look around, etc. There were also 3 UP locos of different types you could clamber over and go into. There were lots of tables and displays and local advocacy groups for different types of rail transport, there was a live band, there was a drawing for a free trip on the Eagle or Flyer.
The trip itself was very nice, lovely green TX countryside with LOTS of wildflowers. The only delay was southbound just south of Temple where you y off the BNSF onto UP. We were hung up there for half an hour for an unannounced unperceivable reason. Arrived in Austin 10 minutes late. It was interesting to see that lots of people board in AUS and get off in FTW - a whole coach. That must be a function of the favorable hours and the atrocious driving circumstances.
Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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