1st trip since becoming AU Member

[pennyk]

Friday 9/11, I am scheduled to take my first Amtrak trip since becoming an AU member.

Although I have been traveling on Amtrak for years, I only recently discovered AU (when doing research for my anticipated 2010 cross country trip). I am taking the Silver Star from ORL to WAS (in a roomette) then spending a day with my Maryland sister driving to New Jersey for a family gathering, then taking the Silver Star on Monday 9/14 back from WAS to ORL (in a bedroom).

Although I have taken the Silver Meteor many times, I have not ridden the Silver Star in years since its schedule has changed, and I am very much looking forward to a little different scenery and some of the same scenery as the Meteor, but in daylight rather than darkness.

Most of my friends and relatives think I am crazy to travel by train (taking more time and spending more money than traveling by plane). My only relative who was interested in hearing about my train trips was my father, who was rather shy. He was amazed that I would eat meals with “strangers” and engage in conversation with people who I had never met before and would never see again. My father died in early 2008 and I miss sharing my stories with him. I look forward to posting a trip report after (or during) my upcoming trip and sharing my experiences with people who are interested (I hope).

In the past couple of months I have learned a great deal from this forum and I know my next trip will be more comfortable and entertaining as a result. Because of this forum, I have purchased a Uniden scanner and a Targus power strip and have added duct tape, scissors and pins to my packing list.

Thanks to all of you who have provided me with a wealth of information.

 

[MrFSS]

Friday 9/11, I am scheduled to take my first Amtrak trip since becoming an AU member. Although I have been traveling on Amtrak for years, I only recently discovered AU (when doing research for my anticipated 2010 cross country trip). I am taking the Silver Star from ORL to WAS (in a roomette) then spending a day with my Maryland sister driving to New Jersey for a family gathering, then taking the Silver Star on Monday 9/14 back from WAS to ORL (in a bedroom).

Although I have taken the Silver Meteor many times, I have not ridden the Silver Star in years since its schedule has changed, and I am very much looking forward to a little different scenery and some of the same scenery as the Meteor, but in daylight rather than darkness.

Most of my friends and relatives think I am crazy to travel by train (taking more time and spending more money than traveling by plane). My only relative who was interested in hearing about my train trips was my father, who was rather shy. He was amazed that I would eat meals with "strangers" and engage in conversation with people who I had never met before and would never see again. My father died in early 2008 and I miss sharing my stories with him. I look forward to posting a trip report after (or during) my upcoming trip and sharing my experiences with people who are interested (I hope).

In the past couple of months I have learned a great deal from this forum and I know my next trip will be more comfortable and entertaining as a result. Because of this forum, I have purchased a Uniden scanner and a Targus power strip and have added duct tape, scissors and pins to my packing list.

Thanks to all of you who have provided me with a wealth of information.

Bon Voyage!

 

[Rail Freak]

Friday 9/11, I am scheduled to take my first Amtrak trip since becoming an AU member. Although I have been traveling on Amtrak for years, I only recently discovered AU (when doing research for my anticipated 2010 cross country trip). I am taking the Silver Star from ORL to WAS (in a roomette) then spending a day with my Maryland sister driving to New Jersey for a family gathering, then taking the Silver Star on Monday 9/14 back from WAS to ORL (in a bedroom).

Although I have taken the Silver Meteor many times, I have not ridden the Silver Star in years since its schedule has changed, and I am very much looking forward to a little different scenery and some of the same scenery as the Meteor, but in daylight rather than darkness.

Most of my friends and relatives think I am crazy to travel by train (taking more time and spending more money than traveling by plane). My only relative who was interested in hearing about my train trips was my father, who was rather shy. He was amazed that I would eat meals with "strangers" and engage in conversation with people who I had never met before and would never see again. My father died in early 2008 and I miss sharing my stories with him. I look forward to posting a trip report after (or during) my upcoming trip and sharing my experiences with people who are interested (I hope).

In the past couple of months I have learned a great deal from this forum and I know my next trip will be more comfortable and entertaining as a result. Because of this forum, I have purchased a Uniden scanner and a Targus power strip and have added duct tape, scissors and pins to my packing list.

Thanks to all of you who have provided me with a wealth of information.

Bon Voyage!

:lol:

I've gotta buy stock in Duct Tape!

Enjoy!!!

RF

 

[battalion51]

It's been a little over a year since I've done a long distance rail journey, but you'll love it. The crews on Silver Service are a generally a pretty good group, so you should be just fine. Make sure you take advantage of Club Acela in WAS, but most importantly, enjoy the scenery and the friends you make.

 

[pennyk]

It's been a little over a year since I've done a long distance rail journey, but you'll love it. The crews on Silver Service are a generally a pretty good group, so you should be just fine. Make sure you take advantage of Club Acela in WAS, but most importantly, enjoy the scenery and the friends you make.

Thank you. I notice that you mention FSU. My sister who currently lives in Columbia, Maryland graduated from FSU, a while ago, but she is still a big fan. (I am a Gator).

 

[Bob Dylan]

It's been a little over a year since I've done a long distance rail journey, but you'll love it. The crews on Silver Service are a generally a pretty good group, so you should be just fine. Make sure you take advantage of Club Acela in WAS, but most importantly, enjoy the scenery and the friends you make.

Thank you. I notice that you mention FSU. My sister who currently lives in Columbia, Maryland graduated from FSU, a while ago, but she is still a big fan. (I am a Gator).

Hope you have a great trip!I wonder since its going to be 9/11 if the security will be tighter around the stations,especially WAS?Look forward to your trip report,its always great to see people still excited about train trips!!

Saw that your Gators and my Horns won big tonight,on track to meet for THE BIG PRIZE! HOOK "EM HORNS!!!

 

[pennyk]

It's been a little over a year since I've done a long distance rail journey, but you'll love it. The crews on Silver Service are a generally a pretty good group, so you should be just fine. Make sure you take advantage of Club Acela in WAS, but most importantly, enjoy the scenery and the friends you make.

Thank you. I notice that you mention FSU. My sister who currently lives in Columbia, Maryland graduated from FSU, a while ago, but she is still a big fan. (I am a Gator).

Hope you have a great trip!I wonder since its going to be 9/11 if the security will be tighter around the stations,especially WAS?Look forward to your trip report,its always great to see people still excited about train trips!!

Saw that your Gators and my Horns won big tonight,on track to meet for THE BIG PRIZE! HOOK "EM HORNS!!!

I am not looking forward to traveling on 9/11, but because of timing, I will have to. I will be leaving Orlando on 9/11 and arriving in WAS on 9/12, so that makes me feel a bit better. Thank you for your kind words.

 

[sky12065]

Friday 9/11, I am scheduled to take my first Amtrak trip since becoming an AU member. Although I have been traveling on Amtrak for years, I only recently discovered AU (when doing research for my anticipated 2010 cross country trip). I am taking the Silver Star from ORL to WAS (in a roomette) then spending a day with my Maryland sister driving to New Jersey for a family gathering, then taking the Silver Star on Monday 9/14 back from WAS to ORL (in a bedroom).

Although I have taken the Silver Meteor many times, I have not ridden the Silver Star in years since its schedule has changed, and I am very much looking forward to a little different scenery and some of the same scenery as the Meteor, but in daylight rather than darkness.

Most of my friends and relatives think I am crazy to travel by train (taking more time and spending more money than traveling by plane). My only relative who was interested in hearing about my train trips was my father, who was rather shy. He was amazed that I would eat meals with "strangers" and engage in conversation with people who I had never met before and would never see again. My father died in early 2008 and I miss sharing my stories with him. I look forward to posting a trip report after (or during) my upcoming trip and sharing my experiences with people who are interested (I hope).

In the past couple of months I have learned a great deal from this forum and I know my next trip will be more comfortable and entertaining as a result. Because of this forum, I have purchased a Uniden scanner and a Targus power strip and have added duct tape, scissors and pins to my packing list.

Thanks to all of you who have provided me with a wealth of information.

Bon Voyage!

:lol:

I've gotta buy stock in Duct Tape!

Enjoy!!!

RF

Sorry pal, I bought the last of the available shares last week! So I guess your STUCK without any!

 

[battalion51]

It's been a little over a year since I've done a long distance rail journey, but you'll love it. The crews on Silver Service are a generally a pretty good group, so you should be just fine. Make sure you take advantage of Club Acela in WAS, but most importantly, enjoy the scenery and the friends you make.

Thank you. I notice that you mention FSU. My sister who currently lives in Columbia, Maryland graduated from FSU, a while ago, but she is still a big fan. (I am a Gator).

Florida State's a great place. Just try not to wander too much in Columbia at night, they have terrible signage and lighting in that town.