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I have a Florida trip upcoming, with stops in Columbia SC and Richmond on the return. I will be taking the Meteor down and Star back up to Columbia with sleepers (the Star is due in at an ungodly early hour but my guess is, it will be a little late!); then after an overnight in Columbia (and a very very early trip to the train station), I'll take the Silver Star coach to Richmond, then after 2 overnights there, I'll take a Regional back north to catch my Empire Service train home. (I'm sorry to say that I decided not to visit Tallahassee on the trip down, as I'd considered--given the economy, I decided the hotels downtown there were too high for me, (I'd have to overnight in Orlando area too, so 3 more hotel nights), and besides, that seemed a good place to drop because it involved buses. So . . . maybe next year!
Thanks again the advice of people here on Richmond hotels etc. (I did consider staying in Ashland but it would involve too much moving around for just 2 nights, and I am there to see Richmond/Capitol etc. Hope it isn't too snowy in January!) Any other input on Columbia & Richmond, i.e., sites to see, train staitons, etc, will be appreciated.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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There are two stations in Richmond -- downtown and Staples Mill. I think only one train (don't know which it is) stops at downtown. The busy station is the Staples Mill station. It has a sandwich emporium inside. The environs are quite safe but a ways from downtown Richmond. I'd choose a hotel/motel near Staples Mill that has a courtesy bus to the station.
That's all I know -- I visited a relative in Richmond last month, taking a Regional down from Alexandria. Nice, clean train, quick on-time trip. Train was quite full, too.
Sinclair Member # 5155
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The Silver Star will arrive in at Staples Mill station. It is a nice modern station with all the facilities you would expect from a station of that size. You can see a picture of it at http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/richmondva.htm. If you are getting a regional train from Richmond, they all leave from the Main Street Station. I would recommend doing that also because it means you get to see Richmond's historic old station. It is a beautiful old building and has recently been restored. You will see from the track map on the link I quoted why they use different stations, they are on separate lines. Hope you enjoy your trip!
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Some of the Regionals stop at both Main Street and Staples Mill stations
rresor Member # 128
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Actually, Richmond has *two* "historic old stations". By all means take a regional from Main Street Station if you can. If nothing else, it will spare you the long trip out to Staples Mill Road (further from downtown than the airport). But also try to go see the Richmond Science Museum, which is in the former Broad Street Station (the former ACL/RF&P station). They have a platform-level display of some rail equipment.
Other things not to miss in Richmond: the Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson. The "White House of the Confederacy", Jefferson Davis' home that is now a quirky Civil War Museum, and the historic district called "The Fan". Also check out the Shockoe Slip entertainment district, which is adjacent to Main Street Station, as is the famous "triple crossing".
It's a great city. Enjoy the Capital of the Confederacy!
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thank you all for the tips! Any info on Columbia SC would also be mucho appreciated! Do you think 4AM arrival in Columbia will be OK from a safety point of view?
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