Acela150
Super Buff
Acela150 had the extreme pleasure of joining the AU Members in Washington, DC for National Train Day! And I was able to join the gang on less then a weeks notice!
I woke up at 5AM sharp took a shower and got ready to head out. At 645 the bus to the train station in Chestnut Hill arrived and picked me up. While waiting for the bus showers came and went. When I arrived at Chestnut Hill West I was about 10 feet away from the Canopy on the platform when a downpour set in. Boarded the Local train to the city and arrived in time to jump in line for train 131 to DC. While in line I saw a railfan buddy from the area. Boarding was called and I made my way to the lower level of 30th Street Station.
Train 131 PHL-WAS
Northeast Regional 131 arrived at PHL a few minutes off the advertised time of 810am with AEM-7DC 931 in the lead. I rode BC to earn extra points, which is what I usually do. As I boarded I walked into the BC car and to my dismay about 15 passengers were in BC. As the train pulled out of PHL the conductor quickly scanned my eTicket on my iPhone. Soon after that I made my way to the Cafe Car and got two EggMcAmtrak's and received two bottles of water. The LSA who was in the cafe was very nice. As the train pulled into WIL I saw AmtrakBlue waiting on the platform. After exchanging text messages with AmtrakBlue I walked back to her seat and had a nice conversation with her. The train stopped in Newark, DE, Aberdeen, MD, Baltimore, MD, BWI Airport, MD, New Carrolton, MD, and Washington, DC.
National Train Day Washington Union Station, DC
After Train 131 arrived into DC I went to grab a soda and a candy bar at the news stand across from Gate A. I then proceeded to the area where the AU Gang was set to meet. Met up with AmtrakBlue and around 11am Alan, Grace, Penny, Kirk, and John came out of the lounge. Soon after Dennis and Dick met up with us. Anthony met up with the gang outside the lounge. We quickly set off to see the equipment that was on display and some Norfolk Southern volunteers were signing Railfans up for some goofy promo. As we went through the equipment of course we made a Wrong Turn thanks to someone who wasn't Penny. After the equipment tour we went off to the lounge and chatted for a bit. The 2 Joe's met up with us there. Penny made the choice for Potbelly Sandwiches for lunch. So we went off for lunch. IIRC the 2 Joe's went off to see the equipment. When done with lunch I went to see what displays were around. Amtrak had a store set up, NARP had a table, along with Pullman and Amtrak's K9's. Soon after I met up with Alan and a few others. As we made our way back towards the lounge I caught Dick to get into the lounge. Soon after the rest of the gang joined up in the lounge. We had some great conversations. Around 340 several members boarded the 4PM Acela to New York. Soon after Penny and Her sister and myself set off to have some adult beverages. After drinks I set off to find some dinner in the Food Court. I ended up getting some Japanese food. Soon after I headed back to the lounge to catch the train to Boston. I walked in and went to surrender my coupon and the attendant didn't take it. He let me in without surrendering the coupon and I sat down and checked out AU with Penny. Anthony joined us later. As train 97 was called for boarding Penny set off along with Anthony who escorted Penny to the platform. After that I was the only person in the lounge for most of the 2 hours that I waited. At 915pm my Red Cap came and got me. We all got on the go cart and since it was pouring rain he took us through the Baggage Room to the platform. BC on 66 was the last car for a change. After grabbing a seat I headed up to the head end to watch the Engine Change.
Train 66 WAS-BOS
As the engines were coupled up. I noticed it was a AEM-7AC 942 and a P42DC 106 coupled together. I walked back to BC grabbed my seat and relaxed. At 945 the passengers came down from the station. Most of which headed for the coach section of the train. Their were some coach passengers that tried to cut through BC and the cafe to get to coach. They were quickly turned back by a closed door and then the conductor. One of which wasn't about to listen to "BC only". Soon before the train departed WAS a conductor came through scanned tickets and placed seat checks. Soon after we departed the LSA walked back and stated if we wanted something from the cafe come get it before they open to the rest of the train. I decided to get a Panini. Which was pretty good. Soon after Baltimore I called Amtrak to Upgrade my Acela Reservation from BC to FC. I got one of the last 5 seats. As the train got to Trenton I decided I should get something else. I picked a Hot Dog. Pretty good. The train made it's way up the NEC and I was almost asleep when we pulled into NYP. I figured I'd get some sleep. But a few young children got on and ruined that. So sadly I ended up going 40 some hours without sleep. The train stopped outside of Sunnyside and the Diesel was fired up and the pantograph lowered. The train made its way North. The train arrived into Boston South Station 15 minutes early.
Layover in BOS
I set off to grab some breakfast across the street at a little place called Susan's Place. But it was closed. So I ended up grabbing Mickey D's. They know how to rip off people for OJ a breakfast sandwhich and a hash brown. 6 Bucks... After breakfast I set off to the lounge to exchange my ticket from BC to FC. I then went to the restroom to change my clothes. It felt good to have clothes that weren't gross on me. At 1040am a Red Cap came up and got me and a few others to head to the FC car.
Train 2253 BOS-PHL
As I boarded I grabbed a seat and it started to rain. The LSA informed me that as I was sitting at a table for two, that someone would be joining me as FC was sold out. Soon after the train departed BOS I was offered a nut mix and a bottle of water. The seat across from me was quickly grabbed at BBY. By the time the train was rolling through the 150MPH zones lunch orders were taken. I got a pork dish that was pretty good. As the train rolled on when we passed through New Haven the Vermonter was finishing it's boarding call and departed as we did. The train arrived into NYP 10 minutes early. I joked with the Attendants that I should by lottery tickets since the train was 10 mins early. As we departed NYP a nice man from Finland joined me. He and some others were headed to DC for some type of political thing. He was very intrigued by the scenery and was very interesting to talk to. As we conversed we were offered dinner and I again chose the pork. When the train arrived into PHL the train was a few minutes late. But nothing to cry about. I then set off to buy Mom some flowers for Mothers Day. After buying flowers I went off to the lounge. I then headed to the Septa Level and hoped on the Local to Chestnut Hill West. Hoped on the bus home and then walked the half a mile from the Bus Stop to my house. When I got home I was sweaty and beat. I then gave my Mom her flowers and took a shower.
Overall I gained 2796 points including my Select bonus and the double points promo. I even retained Select Membership until 2015! It was a long trip but a nice one.
Steve
I woke up at 5AM sharp took a shower and got ready to head out. At 645 the bus to the train station in Chestnut Hill arrived and picked me up. While waiting for the bus showers came and went. When I arrived at Chestnut Hill West I was about 10 feet away from the Canopy on the platform when a downpour set in. Boarded the Local train to the city and arrived in time to jump in line for train 131 to DC. While in line I saw a railfan buddy from the area. Boarding was called and I made my way to the lower level of 30th Street Station.
Train 131 PHL-WAS
Northeast Regional 131 arrived at PHL a few minutes off the advertised time of 810am with AEM-7DC 931 in the lead. I rode BC to earn extra points, which is what I usually do. As I boarded I walked into the BC car and to my dismay about 15 passengers were in BC. As the train pulled out of PHL the conductor quickly scanned my eTicket on my iPhone. Soon after that I made my way to the Cafe Car and got two EggMcAmtrak's and received two bottles of water. The LSA who was in the cafe was very nice. As the train pulled into WIL I saw AmtrakBlue waiting on the platform. After exchanging text messages with AmtrakBlue I walked back to her seat and had a nice conversation with her. The train stopped in Newark, DE, Aberdeen, MD, Baltimore, MD, BWI Airport, MD, New Carrolton, MD, and Washington, DC.
National Train Day Washington Union Station, DC
After Train 131 arrived into DC I went to grab a soda and a candy bar at the news stand across from Gate A. I then proceeded to the area where the AU Gang was set to meet. Met up with AmtrakBlue and around 11am Alan, Grace, Penny, Kirk, and John came out of the lounge. Soon after Dennis and Dick met up with us. Anthony met up with the gang outside the lounge. We quickly set off to see the equipment that was on display and some Norfolk Southern volunteers were signing Railfans up for some goofy promo. As we went through the equipment of course we made a Wrong Turn thanks to someone who wasn't Penny. After the equipment tour we went off to the lounge and chatted for a bit. The 2 Joe's met up with us there. Penny made the choice for Potbelly Sandwiches for lunch. So we went off for lunch. IIRC the 2 Joe's went off to see the equipment. When done with lunch I went to see what displays were around. Amtrak had a store set up, NARP had a table, along with Pullman and Amtrak's K9's. Soon after I met up with Alan and a few others. As we made our way back towards the lounge I caught Dick to get into the lounge. Soon after the rest of the gang joined up in the lounge. We had some great conversations. Around 340 several members boarded the 4PM Acela to New York. Soon after Penny and Her sister and myself set off to have some adult beverages. After drinks I set off to find some dinner in the Food Court. I ended up getting some Japanese food. Soon after I headed back to the lounge to catch the train to Boston. I walked in and went to surrender my coupon and the attendant didn't take it. He let me in without surrendering the coupon and I sat down and checked out AU with Penny. Anthony joined us later. As train 97 was called for boarding Penny set off along with Anthony who escorted Penny to the platform. After that I was the only person in the lounge for most of the 2 hours that I waited. At 915pm my Red Cap came and got me. We all got on the go cart and since it was pouring rain he took us through the Baggage Room to the platform. BC on 66 was the last car for a change. After grabbing a seat I headed up to the head end to watch the Engine Change.
Train 66 WAS-BOS
As the engines were coupled up. I noticed it was a AEM-7AC 942 and a P42DC 106 coupled together. I walked back to BC grabbed my seat and relaxed. At 945 the passengers came down from the station. Most of which headed for the coach section of the train. Their were some coach passengers that tried to cut through BC and the cafe to get to coach. They were quickly turned back by a closed door and then the conductor. One of which wasn't about to listen to "BC only". Soon before the train departed WAS a conductor came through scanned tickets and placed seat checks. Soon after we departed the LSA walked back and stated if we wanted something from the cafe come get it before they open to the rest of the train. I decided to get a Panini. Which was pretty good. Soon after Baltimore I called Amtrak to Upgrade my Acela Reservation from BC to FC. I got one of the last 5 seats. As the train got to Trenton I decided I should get something else. I picked a Hot Dog. Pretty good. The train made it's way up the NEC and I was almost asleep when we pulled into NYP. I figured I'd get some sleep. But a few young children got on and ruined that. So sadly I ended up going 40 some hours without sleep. The train stopped outside of Sunnyside and the Diesel was fired up and the pantograph lowered. The train made its way North. The train arrived into Boston South Station 15 minutes early.
Layover in BOS
I set off to grab some breakfast across the street at a little place called Susan's Place. But it was closed. So I ended up grabbing Mickey D's. They know how to rip off people for OJ a breakfast sandwhich and a hash brown. 6 Bucks... After breakfast I set off to the lounge to exchange my ticket from BC to FC. I then went to the restroom to change my clothes. It felt good to have clothes that weren't gross on me. At 1040am a Red Cap came up and got me and a few others to head to the FC car.
Train 2253 BOS-PHL
As I boarded I grabbed a seat and it started to rain. The LSA informed me that as I was sitting at a table for two, that someone would be joining me as FC was sold out. Soon after the train departed BOS I was offered a nut mix and a bottle of water. The seat across from me was quickly grabbed at BBY. By the time the train was rolling through the 150MPH zones lunch orders were taken. I got a pork dish that was pretty good. As the train rolled on when we passed through New Haven the Vermonter was finishing it's boarding call and departed as we did. The train arrived into NYP 10 minutes early. I joked with the Attendants that I should by lottery tickets since the train was 10 mins early. As we departed NYP a nice man from Finland joined me. He and some others were headed to DC for some type of political thing. He was very intrigued by the scenery and was very interesting to talk to. As we conversed we were offered dinner and I again chose the pork. When the train arrived into PHL the train was a few minutes late. But nothing to cry about. I then set off to buy Mom some flowers for Mothers Day. After buying flowers I went off to the lounge. I then headed to the Septa Level and hoped on the Local to Chestnut Hill West. Hoped on the bus home and then walked the half a mile from the Bus Stop to my house. When I got home I was sweaty and beat. I then gave my Mom her flowers and took a shower.
Overall I gained 2796 points including my Select bonus and the double points promo. I even retained Select Membership until 2015! It was a long trip but a nice one.
Steve
