RAILforum: A long little trip..

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Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :

http://tickets.amtrak.com/Amtrak/sid=24F6811F60B70E3D21659E33 499A8F40/pricing?storefront=1003&pageID=availability

L K AT THE LINK ABOVE^^

--I want to go to Colfax California to go gold panning etc. So I foud the AMTRAK Station...BUt I have soem questions since I am not aware of the Northern CA terrttory or the San Joaquins Train.

1) Is Colfax safe?...I'd be getting there around 10pm

2) Is there any kind of TAXI service?

3) Can I bring a bike on a THRUWAY bus or the San JOaquin?

4) OFF TOPIC......IS there any GoLd in COlfax?

5) Is there any possible way I could get there a but quicker?...Four transfers is just awful..AND NOT BUSES, I want a train not a Moto coach!

I would appreciate any help, on this weird trip..

-Anton
pillsbury09@excite.com
AIM: pillsburymn

[This message has been edited by CoastStarlight99 (edited 12-23-2003).]

Posted by JONATHON (Member # 2899) on :

IM: jonathonjb3
This is my IM.

------------------
JONATHON D. ORTIZ

Posted by ladylawyer (Member # 2653) on :

Can only answer the first two:
Colfax is a quaint little foothill town...I expect everyone, even the bad guys, will be in bed by 10:00.
I doubt that there are any cabs...and where on earth would you go in one?

Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :

To add to ladylawyer's reply, the current Amtrak System Timetable says all San Joaquin trains are equipped with a limited number of bike racks. It also says unboxed bikes may be put in the bin under Thruway motorcoaches. But hauling a bike between four transfers seems like a hassle. And if there is no bike space available on one of these connections, it could ruin your trip. I'd ditch the bike idea on this particular travel plan.

There is gold in the Colfax area. But knowing where to go (without trespassing) would be a problem. And since you're 13 (right?), I assume your ability to rent a car and get to streams out of town would be somewhat limited.

To get your rail-fix and get a taste of Northern California, have you considered Sacramento? Within an easy walk of the Amtrak station is the State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento. It's also walkable to the State Capitol, Raley Field (if you're a baseball fan), and the downtown area. You could take side rail trips on the Capitol or Zephyr. Hotels near the Amtrak station can be found at: www.railhotels.com

Your trip idea does bring back memories of a similar trip I took when I was about your age. A buddy and I rode our bikes from Sacramento to the foothills (ladylawyer may have heard of Michigan Bar above Sloughouse on Highway 16) to pan for gold. But we had the advantage of knowing the area, and we had permission to camp on private land. My friend and I have kept in touch over the years, and we still talk about that bike trip.

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

I gather you're taking a Thruway bus to Colfax. Is there any way you can schedule our trip to connect with the CZ? That train actually stops there midday without needing a bus.

[This message has been edited by Mr. Toy (edited 12-23-2003).]

Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :

TO ZEPHYR: I have parents, that can drive, oart of my holiday gifts is a medium lenght Amtrak trip + an Xbox.

TO MR. TOY: THat might work but I think the Zephyr leaves earlier than I can get up there from Los Angeles.

TO Ladylawyer: Is any kind of motel in walking range of the Train station?

-Anton