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It may be going out with a bang but a couple new trips will be offered this fall. This was according to their rep they had at the Spencer show. Around thanksgiving they will offer a trip to NYC from Chicago on the Cardinal. Around Christmas they'll have a couple trips on the LSL. One catch- got to buy a RT ticket (at least initially - I guess until they see how it sells.) He said it was on web site but I couldn't find it.
And supposedly next year it will be done a regular basis. We'll see.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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If it is not too late, order a solid state hard drive (SSD) for your computer. Blazing fast startup and opening all programs!
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Mr. Smith, I simply ordered from Dell what my CIO neighbor, who has offered to come over and install it, what he said to. He took the time to wade through the Dell order form and check what I needed - and ignore what I did not.
I can't believe how inexpensive these things have become over the years. This System is $1738; albeit with no audio or printer. My first computer, an IBM I got during 1983, was something like $3500.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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My two latest computers (MacBook Pro and iMac) both have solid state hard drives. They are absolutely blazingly fast. Loving this new technology!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Well, Gil -- I have Windows 8.1 on this new laptop, and I HATE IT!!!!!! Why does Microsoft have to ruin a good thing like XP? So what if it's old?
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Also, another 'ha-ha; bonus' of the 'upgrade', Lotus 123 is no longer published, so I will have to get Office (preloaded; all you need do is click and pay up). I'm sure I can learn it, but why when Lotus does everything I want.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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We did sort of get away from the PRJ topic. Just to pull it back, I took #58 earlier this week which had the 2 PRJ cars on the back. Looked like about 6-8 passengers for them. Our side of the train was packed! Tom
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Thank you Mr. Black for returning this topic to its roots. As an aside, sorry I missed a meetup; I was out of town myself this past weekend.
Good grief, it appears that the passenger count was exceeded by the staff. Who knows how many of those were farepayers???? Did you note if the Obs was round ended (Ponchartrain Club) or Butt-ended (Allegheny Club)?
Finally, I must give Mr. Ellis credit for going out in style (how can this be sustained as a going business enterprise?); so far, he has not resorted to a downgrade of the produjct by cutting the consist to one car and offering catered food service.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Gilbert, It was the Ponchartrain Club. I suppose, with the reduction in fare, I could have taken the PRJ to Chicago. But the risk is that there isn't anyone on it with you, and, therefore, no one to talk to. On Amtrak there's always some one with an interesting story! Tom
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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As of today, I have a new Dell desktop up and running; I am now able to access the PRJ website.
Thank you very much, Marshall.
It seems as if the moment Microsoft ceased to support XP, things fell like dominoes. My frequently visited sites such as New York Times clearly said they no longer supported IE7, which was becoming an annoyance as much of the site that I pay for was suddenly unavailable. Wall Street Journal (also pay) was at best 'cranky' and often crashed.
And hold your hat for this; with the trip to Salzburg now two weeks away, I decided it was time for a SMART phone. So I now have a Samsung Galaxy S5. I even have learned how to use the Google maps and have located the Hauptbahnhof, my Crowne Plaza hotel, and the Festspielhaus. Also, I downloaded on my own a German-English translator app.
My LG 'Dumbphone' is now deactivated but it can still reach 9-1-1. I know of a battered women's shelter that can put it to use and that is where it will be donated.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Well, Gil -- I have Windows 8.1 on this new laptop, and I HATE IT!!!!!! Why does Microsoft have to ruin a good thing like XP? So what if it's old?
Rich, now being an 8.1 'veteran' of about twelve hours standing, I have no issues with 8.1 (would, just like you, wished Microsoft continued to support XP - even if pay); just be sure to set it for Desktop and the landscape will look far more familiar.
I have learned that MSFT is selling continued XP support to commercial users such as banks where the ATM system runs with XP.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Gil -- with the W 8.1 laptop on my train trip, I inserted my RR map discs into the CD drive, but I could never figure out how to open them with the Windows 8.1 "file explorer," and at one time I couldn't even get the computer turned on after I tried to use the wi-fi at Hotel Indigo in Santa Barbara, so I ended up paying $50 ($25 each way) for a taxicab from LAUPT to Best Buy (Geek Squad) in Glendale, only to have them tell me to "hard start" my computer by holding the "on" key down for 30 seconds + (why couldn't the Geek Squad guy have told me that on the phone when I first called him from the LAUPT Metropolitan lounge?)
Also, my typing is so bad that every time I tried to post a Train Web message from W 8.1, I would hit "wrong keys" every second or two and get all kinds of weird pop-ups which I never got with XP, in spite of my lousy typing.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Rich, neither of us do this stuff every day, and, with hindsight the new computer should have been ordered with a bit more lead time prior to starting your trip. However, I have my own issues to deal with at present regarding the new computer. It seems that I ordered an unneded monitor as I did not know that the monitor and the 'box' are now all in one. When my friend Marshall, CIO for a regional brokerage firm, came over to install it for me yesterday, he first said what is that extra carton? I said 'I ordered a monitor'. He said 'you didn't need to do that; it is all in one'. When he pulled it out of the carton, I said 'Where's my box?'. So right this very minute I am 'listening to the music' with Dell to return the monitor ($250). Now I just heard from somebody over in India who says within 24 hours they will email me return labels for either UPS or Fedex.
No wonder I simply NEVER order tangible goods over the internet. This time I made an exception as Marshall took his time to select what I needed - and didn't need. He sent it to me on line and that is how I ended up ordering it such. Had I ordered it by phone as I had two pevious Dells, the Sales Rep surely would have explained to me all in one means both box snd monitor together.
Oh well, at least Dell includes Sales Tax so I need not file a separate Use Tax Return.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Update; shipping documents showed up from Dell; after my morning "hopscotching around India for help", it was almost anticlimactic to have the e-mail show up authorizing the monitor's return.
I took it down to a UPS facility (somewhat West of Cass on 63rd, Rich), and it is their job to get it back to Dell.
Oh, and the shipment was Prepaid by Dell.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I guess he wants to see how many packages get sold before offering rail only passage.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I received an email from PRJ today offering 50% off the $3500 or whatever for the "Fun in the Sun" tour package.
I'd guess bookings are not where they expected them to be. Willing to bet that "rail only " will be quite available lest anyone be interested.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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GBN, I hope you will treat yourself to a Christmas present courtesy of PRJ. They might even give you a deal of a one way fare, then United home. It might not be the City of Miami but will be a big improvement over Amtrak.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Tempting; but I think it will be a late February junket to Miami and two Cleveland Orchestra concerts for which I booked the hotel (Marriott Biscayne Bay; catty corner to the Arsht Center) some ten months ago. Auto Train could be part of the deal; so might a meet up with Ocala Mike.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Sounds doable, Gil. Also, I was contacted through Twitter by an old college pal who had a long career with Electric Boat in New London, CT who may be visiting one of his relatives in Sarasota early April or so. Slight detour off I-75, and might get together with him. He's also a bit of an Amtrak aficianado.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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I'm curious that there have not been any posts regarding the loss of the contract with Amtrak. Does this mean that those of you in the know realize that the service is gone forever, or will further negotiations lead to a better outcome?
I'm not one who would ever likely ride this train, but I have admired the effort - especially the early video of the long string of IC Pullman cars on an early run.
Posts: 3 | From: New York | Registered: Apr 2013
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quote:Finally, I guess Ellis is out of business "for the duration".
I had no knowledge whatever until Mr. Railfan's immediate posting that PRJ was out of the "scheduled of sorts" CHI-NOL business. A quick review of their webpage suggests that they are now another "private car for hire" business.
Apparently, their next adventure will be some kind of CHI-Louisville journey for the Kentucky Derby. However PRJ will be remembered by me for my "one click away" escapade.
"Have car, will travel"
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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