Missouri River Runner

[Guest]

By the way, the Zoo is free admission!

Attraction Fees

Admission to the Zoo is FREE although there are fees for some attractions.

 

• Children's Zoo is $4 per person. Free admission the first hour the Zoo is open. Children under 2 are free.
  
• Conservation Carousel is $3 per person. All proceeds support the Saint Louis Zoo's conservation programs. The Carousel is free the first hour the Zoo is open.
  
• Zooline Railroad is $5 per person, per round trip ticket. You may leave the train, visit exhibits and re-board. Children under 2 are free.
  
• Motion Simulator is $3 per person.
  
• 3-D Movie is $3 per person.
  
• Stingrays at Caribbean Cove is $3 per person. Free admission the first hour the Zoo is open. Children under 2 are free.
  

Link

Must be taking lessons from the airlines, hope Amtrak doesnt get this bright idea! :angry:

 

[RailFanLNK]

Wow...lots to do in STL!!!! I knew there would be. I just know when I start to "sell" this idea, (I'm known to have alot of Woo....Winning Others Over) I want my ducks in a row. I'm going to book this AGR on Monday. Now, with AGR will I automatically get BC or do I have to request it? Might as well go in style! Thanks everyone!

 

[mucomix]

Off the top of my head BC is 1500 points (only 14-15 seats on the train) and coach is 1000 points on the MORR. Yes there is a lot to do in St Louis. We get the daily light rail/bus pass 7-8 bucks a piece. We think it is a good deal I’m getting better at figuring out how to use the bus. We like to stay at the Durry Inn just west of the Union Station complex. Not a bad little walk from Amtrak if the weather is good if not it less than a $10 cab ride.

 

[AlanB]

Al,

If you're using points for the sleeper out of St. Louis, then BC from Kansas City is included. But you should make sure that the agent books you into BC, since as I mentioned before, the official policy is to book coach unless the customer asks for BC. So be sure to ask. And make sure that they make one reward reservation, you don't need extra points for the River Runner.

 

[Guest]

Al,
If you're using points for the sleeper out of St. Louis, then BC from Kansas City is included. But you should make sure that the agent books you into BC, since as I mentioned before, the official policy is to book coach unless the customer asks for BC. So be sure to ask. And make sure that they make one reward reservation, you don't need extra points for the River Runner

Does it work in reverse also. sleeper to STL, BC to KCY, also sleeper from KCY to LAX on the SWC?

 

[PaulM]

We have always used BC. Just to avoid the “Rail Bus” bunch but on about every trip on the MORR .The attendant has to chase someone out of dicking around in BC.
The long and short of it is we do like using the train. But I do have the $$ we do not have to ride the rail bus. In many ways that summarizes a lot of Amtrak’s problems as to level of service.

Could you run that by me one more time. I'm not following you.

 

[AlanB]

Al,
If you're using points for the sleeper out of St. Louis, then BC from Kansas City is included. But you should make sure that the agent books you into BC, since as I mentioned before, the official policy is to book coach unless the customer asks for BC. So be sure to ask. And make sure that they make one reward reservation, you don't need extra points for the River Runner

Does it work in reverse also. sleeper to STL, BC to KCY, also sleeper from KCY to LAX on the SWC?

Yes, it would work, but since you're going to LAX, that would make it a two zone sleeper award.

 

[RailFanLNK]

I'm beginning to think of taking a quick hop on this train some day. So park at the Hyatt on a Sunday morning and the take the MORR to STL and back and I wouldn't have to pay for any parking correct?

 

[mucomix]

We have always used BC. Just to avoid the “Rail Bus” bunch but on about every trip on the MORR .The attendant has to chase someone out of dicking around in BC.
The long and short of it is we do like using the train. But I do have the $$ we do not have to ride the rail bus. In many ways that summarizes a lot of Amtrak’s problems as to level of service.

Could you run that by me one more time. I'm not following you.

If one is going to take the MORR between KC and St Louis in coach. Some thought should be given to the question “would I enjoy this trip on a Greyhound bus?” If the answer is yes the trip in coach will meet you expectations.

The seating in business class (15 seats in the back of the café car) is very adequate for the trip some cars are in better repair than others. One we were on needs to go to the shop bad. We used the MORR 3 times this summer and all three times on the evening leg some half fired-up derelict will find his way back to the BC section. On trip the attendant was on break some guy comes back sits down across the way to wait for the attendant to come back for café service. That is ok I’m not out anything. But then he starts going on about his broken up hopeless life. This goes on for about 8-10 min before he gets ran off. If this is going on in BC I don’t even want to know what’s going on in coach on this run.

 

[RailFanLNK]

Thanks for the heads up on this train. Sometimes I feel like I'm an idiot magnet wherever I go, if there's an idiot he/she finds me! :lol: I'm thinking of a trip on the MORR to STL and I just booked a $1.50 ticket on Mega Bus from STL to KCY. I figure if I don't take this trip so far I would be out $1.50. That would make this trip a tad more $$$$ feasable. Also, does the MORR that leaves KCY at 7:30am also the same one that leaves STL at 4pm? Same train and crew? I just want to have my cards in a row if there's delays. Thanks!

 

[mucomix]

Thanks for the heads up on this train. Sometimes I feel like I'm an idiot magnet wherever I go, if there's an idiot he/she finds me! :lol: I'm thinking of a trip on the MORR to STL and I just booked a $1.50 ticket on Mega Bus from STL to KCY. I figure if I don't take this trip so far I would be out $1.50. That would make this trip a tad more $$$$ feasable. Also, does the MORR that leaves KCY at 7:30am also the same one that leaves STL at 4pm? Same train and crew? I just want to have my cards in a row if there's delays. Thanks!

I don’t for sure how fast the service crew turns around those I have visited with a little are all out of Chicago. Next time I will ask how fast they turn around.

The MORR is really a Chicago to KC run. The 4PM from STL starts out as the #303 out of CHI at 925 AM. Then becomes the #313 out of STL at 4PM. I would assume the 730AM from KCY is the same rolling stock that came in the night before.

 

[dart330]

I have not taken the MORR or Illinois service into STL, but I was under the impression they were using the equipment exclusive to the run in Missouri because of the horrible OTP they were experiencing in 2008.

The train from KCY was so late into STL it was really screwing up things in Illinois, so they stopped running the train all the way from CHI to KCY and vice versa, and now just turn it around in STL.

Plus you have an 1:50 wait in STL to continue on to CHI, or an hour wait to continue on to KCY when coming from CHI, seems like a really long time for the people to be waiting on the train.

But I could be totally wrong.....

 

[chertling]

I have not taken the MORR or Illinois service into STL, but I was under the impression they were using the equipment exclusive to the run in Missouri because of the horrible OTP they were experiencing in 2008.
The train from KCY was so late into STL it was really screwing up things in Illinois, so they stopped running the train all the way from CHI to KCY and vice versa, and now just turn it around in STL.

Plus you have an hour wait in STL to continue on to CHI, or an 1:50 wait to continue on to KCY when coming from CHI.

But I could be totally wrong.

The MO River Runner morning departure from KC does in fact continue to Chicago (under the "Lincoln Service" name) Additionally, the afternoon departure from St. Louis for KC is in fact a same-train (different name) continuation of a Lincoln Service train. I was ticketed on the latter this past spring (Chicago-Kirkwood, via St. Louis) and we were allowed to remain on the train / platform during the one hour layover between arrival in St. Louis and departure for Kirkwood (and on to KC) This particular train used to be called the Ann Rutledge for the entire KC-STL-CHI run, prior to the re-branding of state-sponsored trains in Illinois and Missouri.

I would assume (but am not certain) that the afternoon eastbound MORR train is turned in St. Louis and returns to KC the following day as the morning westbound MORR.

 

[dart330]

The MO River Runner morning departure from KC does in fact continue to Chicago (under the \\\"Lincoln Service\\\" name) Additionally, the afternoon departure from St. Louis for KC is in fact a same-train (different name) continuation of a Lincoln Service train. I was ticketed on the latter this past spring (Chicago-Kirkwood, via St. Louis) and we were allowed to remain on the train / platform during the one hour layover between arrival in St. Louis and departure for Kirkwood (and on to KC) This particular train used to be called the Ann Rutledge for the entire KC-STL-CHI run, prior to the re-branding of state-sponsored trains in Illinois and Missouri.
I would assume (but am not certain) that the afternoon eastbound MORR train is turned in St. Louis and returns to KC the following day as the morning westbound MORR.

Ok, that makes sense and would explain why one of the MORR has an extra passenger car on it. I would assume that is the train coming and going all the way from Chicago? And it does sound like two of the four trains are used exclusively in MO. The morning train out of STL to KCY and the afternoon train from KCY to STL.

I have only taken the MORR from JEF to HEM and back for winery trips and it was never really crowded at all, surprised at people comparing it and the passengers to Greyhound.

 

[RailFanLNK]

Ok, I just booked a trip in AGR using the MORR next summer. I also contacted a friend in KCY who said they would gladly let me park at thier house in Platte City (on my way there) and drop me off at the station. So, my question is this: On my return from SAS and detraining in KCY, how long can my car be parked in the KCUS parking lot that is free before its a problem? I've thought of bringing a spare set of keys for my friend to just drop off the vehicle since he works in KC, and if that works for him, that is what I will do. Just trying to save $70 parking fees. Thanks!

 

[the_traveler]

I don't know, as I've never been there (except passing thru on the SWC :lol: ), but the way I look at it is this: Even if it costs $5 or $10, it's still better than paying $70!

 

[chertling]

So, my question is this: On my return from SAS and detraining in KCY, how long can my car be parked in the KCUS parking lot that is free before its a problem? I've thought of bringing a spare set of keys for my friend to just drop off the vehicle since he works in KC, and if that works for him, that is what I will do. Just trying to save $70 parking fees. Thanks!

Parking Garage:

First 3 hours are free, after that it’s $1 every half hour with a maximum of $10 a day.

Front Parking Lot (overnight parking isn't allowed):

6 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Free

After 9 a.m. - $1 for 0-2 hours

$2 for 2 to 4 hours

$10 for more than 4 hours

 

[Neil_M]

Sights in STL:
1. Union Station

2. Old Court House

3. Union Station

4. Eads Bridge

5. Union Station

6. Cathedral (St. Louis)

and maybe the Museum of westward Expansion below the Arch, the hassle to get to the observation level of the arch is a waste of time.

I'm sorry but in a view of global and technological history the most important sight of Saint Louis are the leftovers of what was once the largest passenger terminal in the world.

Al, A few other sites in St. Louis

7. City Museum - different and fun

8. The Arch - I like the observation deck but it is a long wait.

9. Ride on Metrolink and you'll get a good luck at the city.

10. Hike or rent a bike and ride on the North Riverfront Trail - 10 miles next to the Mississippi River

11. Forest Park - a big city park with a great zoo, a great history museum and a pretty good Art Museum. A short Metrolink ride from Gateway Transportation Center.

When I was in St Louis last November I had 2 trips up the arch and the waiting time was a matter of a few minutes, certainly no longer than 10.

Certainly well worth the trip if the queues are managable, top views of the city and rail lines from there.

http://50031.fotopic.net/c1612772_49.html

(The podules you use to get to the top of the arch are 'interesting' to say the least!!

 

[MrFSS]

(The podules you use to get to the top of the arch are 'interesting' to say the least!!

You should have seen them many years ago. About half as fast as they are today and they bumped around much more.

Nice pictures!

 

[Bob Dylan]

(The podules you use to get to the top of the arch are 'interesting' to say the least!!

You should have seen them many years ago. About half as fast as they are today and they bumped around much more.

Nice pictures!

Does anyone count this ride as a train ride or is it in the catagory of an amusement park? :lol: Not for the claustaphobic for sure!

 

[the_traveler]

(The podules you use to get to the top of the arch are 'interesting' to say the least!!

You should have seen them many years ago. About half as fast as they are today and they bumped around much more.

Nice pictures!

Does anyone count this ride as a train ride or is it in the catagory of an amusement park? :lol: Not for the claustaphobic for sure!

I do!

Sure you go up and end up in the same place as you began a short time later - but how is that any different then most of my other rides? :huh:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[mucomix]

http://www.modot.org/othertransportation/rail/passenger.htm

 

[DET63]

The new train names (what's a River Runner?) don't have the same, well, kick, that the old train names, St. Louis and Kansas City Mules, had.

 

[RTOlson]

I'm not sure what a river runner is. However, I can easily see it alluding to the practice of running a river, which is another way of describing the act of traveling down a waterway in a watercraft. Also, a river run is typically used to refer to a trip or route down a river.

I personally voted for Truman Service when the route name was put up for a vote, but alas.