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Beau Blanchard

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I'm going to band camp this summer, and taking the EB from DLK to RUG due to the lack of bus service. It's not an ideal schedule, but my parents are unable to drive due to work, etc. Neither of the locations offers checked luggage, but I need to bring a pillow, sleeping bag, laptop, as well as about a week and a half worth of clothes and an alto saxophone, about 24x10x8. Does anyone have any tips on packing? Is it possible to pay extra for an exception for the 2 bags rule? I'll most likely be in coach, because a total of about $650 is a bit too much for 10 hours on the train. I've only ever taken Amtrak in a family sleeper or roomettes, so what is the coach like? Also, what are the dining hours (my outgoing train leaves at 3:00 AM and arrives a bit after 7, and the return leaves about 10:30 and arrives after 3)? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
The "official" rule is 2 carry-on items, but I've never seen it strictly enforced - especially at or between stations without checked baggage service. Also, there are many excluded items from that limit that do not count. These include:

  • Coats
  • Sweaters
  • Purses
  • Computers
  • Baby strollers
  • Car Seats
  • etc... etc...

Breakfast starts at 6 AM. If you get there first thing, you should have time to eat. On the return, the Diner will be closed, but the cafe is open until midnight.
 
How is the cafe food? Is it the standard microwaved pizza?
 
10 hours in coach is a piece of cake. Plan to enjoy yourself.

Others' comments about luggage seem correct.

The cafe food is edible, more or less - but for a single day coach trip I'd bring a couple of sandwiches, a bottle of water, and a couple of apples.

Be sure to bring your iPod, or have some good recordings of Charlie Parker and Paul Desmond on your laptop! Nothing like some sweet alto to make the miles go by. (I particularly like an album by Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan - I think Ron Carter is on bass...)
 
Beau Blanchard said:
Is it possible to pay extra for an exception for the 2 bags rule?
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As mentioned, they don't seem to enforce the 2 bag rule. As long as you can carry everything on-board, you'll be OK. I would suggest you try this at home. Pick up everything, and see if you can walk into your bathroom, turn around, and walk back out, without dropping/banging/smashing/scraping anything. If you can, you're fine.
 
When are you going out?

I took a quick peek for July, and it was $50 to $70 a person.

As other said, if you can carry it, you are fine.
 
Could you ship anything ahead to band camp? Ship your pillow/sleeping bag and most of your clothes? Then just carry on your sax, laptop and a change of clothes (just in case).
 
IowaGirl said:
Could you ship anything ahead to band camp? Ship your pillow/sleeping bag and most of your clothes? Then just carry on your sax, laptop and a change of clothes (just in case).
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We've shipped things ahead of time via UPS for a few trips and its worked out okay. It may be less of a hassle overall.

BTW, I never took a train to band camp. I think Amtrak might frown on me bringing my sousaphone on board. :giggle:
 
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I'm leaving July 17 and coming back the 23rd. I can't really ship ahead, as the camp is located in the International Peace Garden north of Dunseith,ND in the no-man's-land between Canada and the US. I don't actually know how to ship there, only that the mail service can take 2 days to clear customs on a bad day. I need to pack heavier than normal, due to the 60s to 90s temps and heavy rain or extreme dry sun we received last year.
 
Did you get your tickets already?

I enter in the time/location, and I am coming back $161 round trip.... Shocked to see the $650 cost!
 
TraneMan said:
Did you get your tickets already?

I enter in the time/location, and I am coming back $161 round trip.... Shocked to see the $650 cost!
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No, but that price was for a roomette. I get a student discount as well, which brings it to about $130-140.
 
Pastor Dave said:
BTW, I never took a train to band camp. I think Amtrak might frown on me bringing my sousaphone on board. :giggle:
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Aloha

I have a "sick" :help: mind, I can imagine someone on a train with a Sousaphone. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Beau Blanchard said:
I'm going to band camp this summer, and taking the EB from DLK to RUG due to the lack of bus service. It's not an ideal schedule, but my parents are unable to drive due to work, etc. Neither of the locations offers checked luggage, but I need to bring a pillow, sleeping bag, laptop, as well as about a week and a half worth of clothes and an alto saxophone, about 24x10x8. Does anyone have any tips on packing? Is it possible to pay extra for an exception for the 2 bags rule? I'll most likely be in coach, because a total of about $650 is a bit too much for 10 hours on the train. I've only ever taken Amtrak in a family sleeper or roomettes, so what is the coach like? Also, what are the dining hours (my outgoing train leaves at 3:00 AM and arrives a bit after 7, and the return leaves about 10:30 and arrives after 3)? Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Beau,

Welcome to the board. Here are some ideas for you. Get several "Space Bags", put everything that will fit into them. They compress quite well, so you should be able to get all your clothes & probably your pillow in there too. If your pillow & or sleeping bag still will not fit in your suitcases, you can strap them to the outside of your bag(s) with a bungee cord. I would make sure they are in stuff bags to protect them. There are also 'bag stackers' that you could connect your two bags together & maybe even strap your Sax on too. Your laptop can go into a regular laptop bag, just like purses, does not count against the two bag rule. You could also check with the stations to see if they have baggage carts, in case you need one. Have a great trip!
 
I would take a larger (25-inch) wheeled bag, plus a carry-on-sized backpack. Ebags.com has their own brand of luggage and my favorite item is the TLS Motherlode Weekender Convertible. That bag has hideable backpack straps AND an integrated laptop compartment. Pull the wheeled bag, wear the backpack, carry the band instrument in the free hand. I cannot conceive that you wouldn't be able to pack for a one-week trip in those two bags. I just did a 5-week trip all over the country in mid-winter with a similar configuration.
 
Pastor Dave said:
GG-1 said:
Pastor Dave said:
BTW, I never took a train to band camp. I think Amtrak might frown on me bringing my sousaphone on board. :giggle:
Click to expand...
Aloha

I have a "sick" :help: mind, I can imagine someone on a train with a Sousaphone. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Click to expand...
Everyone can't play the flute :giggle:
Click to expand...

The only thing I'm good at playing music on is the radio (I haven't mastered those dang MP3 players yet)!

:eek:hboy: :help: :giggle:
 
Have you considered bringing fewer clothes and doing laundry? I'm of the opinion that, regardless of the length of trip, one never needs more than 3 days or so worth of clothing. If there are no laundry facilities on site, an inexpensive travel clothesline and a ziploc bag full of powdered detergent can make one magically appear in any convenient sink.

I endorse and follow the recommendations promulgated by OneBag.com, with the exception that I travel with a really, really cheap discount store duffel bag.
 
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