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After months of waiting and anticipation, my first LD train trip is almost here! My daughter and I leave Saturday from LAP bound for FLG on the SWC! I think I've got everything I need (per everyone's suggestions) gathered up -- duct tape, headphones, DVD player, extra blanket, etc.
We're traveling in a roommette. Since the train is due in to LAP at roughly 8 pm, I'm assuming the bed will not be down yet. Although that's about bedtime for my daughter (not quite 2 y/o), I'm pretty sure that she won't be going to bed very early Saturday night <g>. She's VERY excited about getting to ride the "choo-choo."
Anyone have any other last minute advice? I'll definitely post a travel report when we get back!
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Have a great trip! The only last-minute thing I can think of is to tell you to make sure you check the ETA on your train in case it's late. You don't want to show up at LAP and just sit there for hours in case there was something between Chicago and LAP that delayed it. You can call 1-800-USA-RAIL and ask "Julie" (Amtrak's automated agent) for the ETA of your train.
By the way, once you get to LAP, go inside the station (it is opened up by volunteers). Look at the pictures and stories on the wall that show how the community restored the depot from when it was falling apart into disrepair. It looks pretty good now! Also, there is at least one volunteer (a local) who is sitting back in the old ticket area of the station. When you walk in the front door, you would turn left and head down the hallway. He is usually sitting there watching train videos. If you have any train questions, Amtrak questions, etc, he will probably have your answers. Very friendly.
Have fun!
DeeCT Member # 3241
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If you have a smidge of room left in your luggage, pack a "sense of adventure" and "a sense of humor". Both will make the trip more enjoyable.
Your daughter will enjoy her ride on the "Choo Choo". She will remember the fun of it long into the future. (I have a grandaughter, now a Mom, who stills recalls fondly her train trips to visit cousins and train vacations we took when she was young. I am looking forward to G Grandaughters first ride on the "Choo Choo")
Have Fun !!
Dee
notelvis Member # 3071
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Please post how your trip went when you return. I'm particularly eager to hear how things did or did not work for your daughter. My wife and I have a daughter turning three this fall and we're ready to take the plunge.....maybe next summer.....with a long-distance train trip.
My daughter loves trains so far and has ridden several short tourist railroads.......trips up to 22 miles in length.....with great success. It's the overnighter we're worried about.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Caitenji -- have a great trip!!!! I assume all the flooding issues in MO and KS have been resolved by now (they weren't 4 weeks ago when we rode the SWC!), so you "should" have a fairly smooth and on-time trip. Looking forward to your trip report when your return!!
Caitenji Member # 7061
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Thanks everyone! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!
Smitty, I'm pretty sure the volunteer you're talking about is Darrell. I've never met him but he's my babysitter's husband's brother <g>. I guess that's all part of living in a small town, lol.
I'll definitely remember the sense of humor. Otherwise, I think it would be a very loooong 27+ hours. I'm hoping I've thought of enough "surprises" to help keep my daughter entertained on the trip. I've got a couple new books, coloring books, fun snacks and a new, never before seen Disney DVD that I hope will buy me at least an hour and a half of peace .
RRRICH, it looks like most of the flooding is behind us (fingers crossed). We had another 5 or so inches last Thursday and some severe storms Friday that delayed the Chief (in fact there were tornado warnings in the area around the time it was due into LAP -- eek!). But weather reports are DRY and hot (90's) for the next 4 or 5 days!
sojourner Member # 3134
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I don't know that you'll need an extra blanket if you are traveling in a sleeperette--usually you can get one from the sleeper attendant--but I bow to others' better knowledge. What I do pack, in case the A/C is very high, is a pair of warm socks and pajama bottoms or thermal bottoms. Occasionally this time of year in the SW, however, the sleeperette can get too warm when you close the door (because the higher A/C is in the hall or something). If that happens, just keep the door open when you sleep and close the curtain. But this has only happened to me twice in all my travels, so don't worry about it. You might want to bring some ear plugs, just in case--they weigh nothing and are cheap and easy to obtain in a drug store.
I like to bring my Walkman and CDs because I can listen to music while I look out the window--reading or using a DVD player, you cannot see the sights (though I do read after dark).
Enjoy your trip--and be sure to report on it when you get back!
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