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I just spent the weekend riding a train and nothing else. Amtrak has these rail sale fares that are pretty impressive. I rode from Altoona,PA to Chicago andback for $22.80. It was on Trains 43 and 44 amd all I had was a weekend, so I left late Saturday morning, got to Chicago around Midnight, spent the overnight at the station(they lock their doors from 1 to 5 am) and took the return train at 6am and back in Altoona by 7:15pm.
I suppose you have to be a real train buff or out of your mind but I foundthe weekend relaxing, got to read a great book,listen to some of my favorite music, listen to some decent radio in Chicago and enjoy the passing scenery. I ve taken advantage of the rail sale fares over the last couple of years and I m always looking foward to my next trip..whether its cross conuntry or a few hours.
Has anybody done this..just ride for thesake of riding? Hey at $22.80 for a round trip to Chicago...I say why not?
Eric Member # 674
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Glad to hear you took a trip like this. I wish more people would do the same! It's a good way to spend the weekend, and get your mind off things. I took a trip from Flagstaff to Albuquerque last August because the train was there, and I wanted to ride it!
[This message has been edited by Eric (edited 12-10-2001).]
reggierail Member # 26
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A few weeks ago I got a bad case of cabin fever & decided a rail trip would be just the thing to do. It was a Thursday night that I made the reservation, Friday morning I ran the tickets & Saturday evening I was on the Southwest chief bound for Chicago. I spent a few hours in Chicago & then boarded the Capitol Ltd. for DC. I only got to spend about an hour in DC before I returned to Chicago again on the Capitol Ltd. I then rode the Cal Zephyr to Martinez & the San Joaquin to Bakersfield about 150 hours after leaving Bakersfield on the bus to LA. I spent all six nights on the train & only about 8 hours on the ground. I loved every minute of the trip & look forward to doing it again as soon as possible. How's that for a spur of the minute trip? Reggie
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Etna Member # 1221
posted
Anyone been able to use a service guarantee cert with a Rail Sale fare. I'm guessing no, because of the Web requirement, but maybe you could upgrade accommodations using them ??
I have a SG cert, but find I can only use it on higher fare basis (bases ?).
[This message has been edited by Etna (edited 12-11-2001).]
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
posted
Can I claim the longest journey to *get* to a holiday like that? Fly from London (UK) to LAX, train to San Antonio, stay for 3 nights, train to Dallas/FW, stay for 3 nights, train to Chicago and then New York, stay for 1 night, train to Boston, stay for 3 nights, fly home!
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