Here is a price comparo for Roomettes on "one night out' joyrides originating Chicago on Wednesday June 16, 2010 and from which you could board a return train the same day.
First, the disclaimer
The following is the result of queries made by this author to www.amtrak.com on May 13 2010 at or about 630P CT. Any reader, especially those who do not actively participate at this Forum, should be aware that fares for future Amtrak travel are governed by demand pricing. This means that a fare returned upon a particular query may well not be available for any subsequent queries. Any fare appearing within this posting is for information only and in no way constitutes an offer by Amtrak or agent for a transportation contract such as a return to a query at their website or a quote by an authorized employee or agent does.
Now with that having been said, here are the results of my search;
ONE WAY Roomette accommodation charge only (rail fare additional) for trips originating Chicago June 16--
Albuquerque #3(16) $545 Denver #5(16) $420 Wolf Point #7(16) $372 Dallas #21(16) $208 Cumberland #30(16) $330 Albany #48(16) $338 Jackson #59(16) $177
It should be evident if you are simply looking to take a joyride, Jackson or Dallas is where to go.
Posted by Room Service (Member # 2405) on :
$354 PLUS Rail Fare. Joy?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I don't think that CHI-JAN-CHI (177 x 2 = 354 + rail) is all that out of line; if one expects, as I do, to pay not less than $100/ni + tax and chow (Breakfast at any full service major chain is $15) for a hotel. However, I guess if one measures lodging by youth hostel rates (and Bkfst from the Dollar Menu @ MickeyD), such could be considered steep.
Posted by Room Service (Member # 2405) on :
Also, how is it a 'one night out' if you return on the same day?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
One night out in each direction for an all rail journey, or if you choose to fly in one direction, then it is "one night out' - period.
Posted by Room Service (Member # 2405) on :
Oh, so $354 PLUS Rail Fare is for 2 nights, round trip?
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
This information is why I generally travel in the sleeper when I am cashing in Guest Reward points these days.
FACT - In July I am flying to Colorado to visit the narrow guages. My roundtrip airfare is cheaper than all of these accomodation fares with the exception of Jackson and Dallas.
Posted by yukon11 (Member # 2997) on :
From Mr. Norman's list, the furthest city from Chicago is Albuquerque (about 1335 miles). Next is Wolf Point, Montana (1130 miles). Considering Wolf Point is the second furthest distance, but only $372 for the roomette, it seems to me that Wolf Point would be the most economical destination for a trip out of Chicago.
Now, what exciting things can you do in Wolf Point, Montana? Well....there's the John Deere Tractor Museum:
"WOLF POINT station, 320 Front Street. Elevation approximately 2000. Wolf Point is primarily an agricultural town; however, it is also the home of Honeyland, Inc., which is a honey company which operates more than 4000 colonies of bees in the area, and produces half a million pounds of honey every year. The town was named after a party of wolf trappers who captured several hundred wolves one cold winter day and piled them up at their camp, which faced the Missouri River.
Each July, Wolf Point is the home of the Wild Horse Stampede, which features rodeo performers by local Assiniboine and Sioux Indians. The Wild Horse Stampede has taken place ever since before the town was incorporated in the early 20th century. One of the better known performers was Monte Montana, the son of E.O. Mickel, who made the Wild Horse Stampede into a rodeo. Monte appeared in many western films, and later was featured in the 1993 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Monte was raised in Wolf Point"
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Hey Rich,
Thanks for the 'buzz' on Wolf Point!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Ah, Wolfpoint...you won't have to worry about this type of weather in the Summer!
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Nice idea, but I think I prefer trips that have some goal at the end, however obscure. For that reason I'd pick your Denver excursion with an all day layover in that fine city. Plenty of time for a couple meals in LoDo, and an afternoon baseball game. I don't think the John Deere Museum in Wolf Point makes the cut, but the Stampede might.
Which one are you going to take, GBN?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Although I have not been on any Amtrak train this year (I never went to Fla), there remains some possibility that I'll be able to do so to actually get somewhere I have reason to go.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
I've been itching to get back on an Amtak train for over 4 years now. Dont think its going to happen this year, or next, and not for the lack of trying to or wanting to. Being this isolated with Pittsburgh (2hrs away) being the closest station just makes it difficult. I have mentally been planning a trip to Chicago or New York City but right now its just an obscure pipe dream...
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Possibly I was errant with my use of the term "one night out' joyrides. Likely that means to ride outward to a destination, then board an overnight train for the return. This means in order for such to work, there must be multiple frequencies - and how many of those are there within the LD system?
If one is willing to ride Coach, then I guess such could be done in the Corridor and along the Atlantic Coast, The Palmetto Southward to Charleston, or Yemassee if you are daring, with a return on the Meteor is a "doable".
But that's it.
During the Amtrak era, a few LD routes have had multiple frequencies such as Chi-Mpls. There was a window about thirty years ago when a journey of Builder in one direction North Star return would work, but 'that was then".
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
There was also the summer of 1972, when Amtrak brought back ATSF Trains 19-20, the Chief, for a season.
IIRC they ran 10 earlier than the Supers' timecard.
Posted by HillsideStation (Member # 6386) on :
Mr. Norman; me thinks you have too much time on your hands. An interesting discovery, but one, one would not normally ascribe to a man of your mien. Best regards...always Rodger
