NTD in PHL via Florida and Maine!! (AUS-AUS)

[Bob Dylan]

Part I:

AUS-CHI/TE #22/ Roomette 8/Car #2230 No Sightseer Lounge in Consist/CCC substituted! Sleeper was a Superliner I that hadnt been rehabbed and was so old Abe Lincoln had ridden in it! <_<

Average SCA, did his job! Train ran pretty much on time, "New" Menu in Diner (CCC), LSA said CHI was shorting them on the Cuban Sandwiches, Steaks and Deserts. New Healthy Choice item for Dinner, Pork Loin with Spinach and Rice, absolutely delicious!! :wub: Train pretty much ran on time, first day of Regular Route between STL and CHI after track work so #322 Coach was picked up in STL! Train was full, High Bucket Prices, seems to be the Eagles SOP this year!

Metro Lounge dragons were very friendly and accomidating,(must have been a butt chewing in CHI by the Suits due to so many Metro Lounge Compalaints!! )

CHI-WAS CL#30/ Upgrade to Roomette #18/TransDorm

CL had been SOLDOUT for months, did see a Bedroom open up the day I left for $866!!! ,too rich for my blood! Upon checking in the Metro Lounge I found that 2 Roomettes were available, one was $468, the other was $198!!! Guess which one I picked?? (The desk dragon told me "But you'll have to ride in the TransDorm with the Crew!Please dont throw me in the Briar Patch!! :lol: )Left on time, good steak in the Diner, average SCA and dinning crew, ran pretty much on time into WAS, only had a late brunch, not both Meals that are available on this Train but that arent announced!! Arrived into WAS on time, found out upon arrival that the_traveler had boarded in Rockville,MD but my Phone hadnt been turned on! We checked into the Metro Lounge and went to eat in "the basement" food court in Union Station, waited for our Regional to BWI, used a Redcap that took us via the "Long Way" to the Platform since the Elevators and the Escelators werent working in Union Station! Lots of Braces, netting etc, in the front of Union Station which needs repair due to the earthquake that hit WAS and damaged the Washington Monument also! Since it was Friday afternoon the Station was a Zoo, hope the Poster that is offended by the use of RedCaps to skip the Lines isnt upset!

WAS-BWI Quick run on NER#136 in Coach to BWI, called shuttle and was picked up and taken to the Embassy Suites @BWI (much cheaper than PHL hotels and Bonus Points!!! ) where we spent the night in a "Penthouse Suite" due to the _travelers connections! :giggle:

END of Part I!!

 

[Bob Dylan]

PART II:

Sat 5/12: NTDand Triple Points in PHL :wub: !! After a good Free Breakfast @ the Embassy Suites, the Shuttle took us to BWI to catch the NER#152 in Coach to PHL to meet the AU Gang! Large contingent of Folks traveling to PHL since WAS wasnt having NTD activities due to Union Station Damage! Arrived @ 1030AM, checked into the Metro Lounge where we met PennyK, saxman and a couple of others that beat us to PHL! After snacks we took the Elevator down to the Main Hall, met the AU Gang @ "THe Statue"! (even Penny could find it! :lol: )We went to the Food Court and had a Light Lunch, then went over to the Lines for the Equipment Displays that were down on the Platforms, Loooooong Lines for the Regular Folks, we AGR MC holders were all waived through with only about a minute delay, toured the Acela Set, various Inspection/Survey Cars (covered in another Trip Report) and a couple of PVs that were nice but not nice as Hickory Creek or others we had seen in the past! (Much smoother and better organized than in previous years!)Tried to buy a NTD Polo Shirt @ the Amtrak "Store" but was told they were only for "Staff"! After this a few went to the Club Acela to rest until we caught the Keystone to Paoli for a Triple Points Turn! )

I went to a Pub in the food court with an AU friend that twisted my arm and "Forced" me to consume Adult Beverages!! (no names but you know who you are Mike! :lol: ) Some people caught their various Trains/Commnuters etc home and Bill Haithcoat had to catch the Crescent, the rest of us rode a Keystone to Paoli and Back for Triple Points, then went to the CA to wait for the Meteor to Florida!

PHL-FTL #97 H Room/Car 9710 After saying goodbye to both Old AU friends and Ones newly met, four of us Boarded #97 and had Dinner in the Diner! (Antnohny/pennyk/the_traveler and me!)Nice dinner I had the Steak, it was great!!!) and company, Anthony got off in Baltimore ,we continued on to WAS where we changed engines,(layover was about 30 minutes), then rolled out on time heading South through Beautiful Virginia! He were fortunate to have a person for our SCA that has been mentioned by many on this forum, Leo, hes definitely HoF Caliber,Community Relations will definitely hear from me!)First time in a Viewliner H Room, it's definitely the Biggest and Best on Amtrak!! ) Ran on timne to Savanah, Ga, had a good Breakfast in the Diner (very Good Crew and Food!!), then rolled into Jacksonville where we took a walk into the very Crowded Station!Had an Early "Last" Lunch with penny who was getting off in Orlando. We took a Break in Orlando (large crowd boarding and deboarding)then rolled down through the Orange Groves of Central Florida (surprised to see that they still exist, not True in "Orange County" California! :lol: )We had changed our Hotel from Deerfield Beach to Boca Raton (better Price and Points! ^_^ ) so Leo arranged for us to ride to Fort Lauderdale, deboarded and caught the Tri-Rail back to Boca Raton! (there'sonly $5 Day Passses on Weekends, no Single Ride Tickets!!)The Station had been moved from it used to be right by the Embassy Suites, so we called the SHotel Shuttle and they picked us up, it wasnt far but across a busy Freeway and across a River!!Checked into the Hotel,we were too Late for the Managers Free Evening reception but a Shower and a Good Night Sleep hit the spot! :wub:

 

[Bob Dylan]

PartIII:

Mon 5/13 FTL-WAS #92 H Bedroom/Car 9211

After another filling Free breakfast @ the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton, caught the Shuttle to the tr-Rail, bought a Single trip Ticket for $2.50 (Armed Fare Inspectors did scan the tickets!!)Deboarded @ FTL even though we were scheduled for Deerfield Beach (better Station to wait plus it killed time by riding the Tri-Rail). Ran into the only Negative on the Whole trip, the "Baggage" Handler in the FTL Station was a real Jerk, hassled the _traveler and me about our tickets/that we werent on 'His" manifest etc. Regulars waiting told us the staff in this Station are always like this, must be from New York!! :lol: :lol: :lol: ) The Star rolled in on time, large crowd boarded, we rolled out, our SCA was Sonny, he was OK but didnt see him much during the trip but he did his job!Interesting to experience the "Back-Up move into the TPA Station through a not too good area of town!) Good Food and Folks on the trip, Train was Full!Large crowd boarded in Orlando, waived to penny who was @ her workout! :lol: ) We met a couple of Brits that had come over on the Queen Mary and were riding all over on the trains, interesting folks! They got a really good deal on the Cruise to NYC!! Due to Track Work in NC we did a Reroute around Raliegh and stopped at the impressive Old Station in Rocky Mount where pax had been bustituted from Raliegh! Nice old Southern Business car on Display and a really Big, well restored Historic Station!! Rolled into WAS on time, went to the Club Acela to wait for tonights #66 to BOS, had Dinner in the Food Court (it was raining outside and I lived in WAS for over 20 years os no sight seeing! :giggle: )

 

[the_traveler]

And, And? I wish I was there!

 

[Bob Dylan]

PartIV:

Tue 5/15/Wed 5/16 WAS-BOS NER#66 Biz Class/ BON-POR Downeaster #681/Biz Class

Took a Red Cap to the Platforms from the CA, were able to Board at 8:45PM and get the Single Seats in the 2X1 Biz Class/Cafe car! Train filled up in Biz and Coach!! Only negative was no Curtains on the windows, but the comfortable Leather Seats from the old MetroLiners was great for Sleeping! (and the Conductor announced EveryStop! all the way to NYP @ 2AM! After that slept till the_traveler woke me up to see the KIN Station (if you blinked you missed it!!)Rolled into BackBay on time, transfered to the Orange Line to BON, very crowded due to Rush Hour! Glad the _traveler was with me, its not as easy as some cities, confusing signs, must think they're Austin! :lol: )Had to walk a block from the subway stop to TD Garden and BON but arrived on time, walked out on the platform and waited on the Train to board, no Gate attendants to hassle you! Boarded the Biz Class Car, (full Train), rolled out on time, got our "Free Beverage" and Paper and enjoyed the Beautiful Scenery North of Boston on the way to POR, a first for me! :wub: Little foggy when we hit the Coast @ Old Orchard beach, but rolled into POR right on time, called for the Hotel Shuttle (La Quinta, good Rate, 750 Bonus Points!! )were able to check in early, took a shower etc.Due to the fact we were tired and the weather (it was Cool and Damp ) ate Chinese and McDonalds (no Seafood! ) a block from the Hotel!)Watched the NBA games on TV, slept good and never made it to the Port, will save it for the next trip when it's Warmer and Clear!! ^_^ It sounds very cool and an AU member recommended a pub and restutrants! :lol: )40s @ night, Frost in the morning! Not Summer yet in Maine!!! :excl: :excl: :excl:

 

[Bob Dylan]

Part V;South and West Towards Home!!

Thur 5/17 POR-BON DE#682/Biz Class Large Crowd in POR Station including scads of School Kids, Shuttle dropped off @ 7:45/B oarded @ 8:00AM, Full Train! Had Double Seat in Nice Leather Metroliner Seats, enjoyed Free beverage and Newspaper, watched the Beautiful Woods and the Old Mill Towns roll by heading to BON on time!!Arrived into BON, caught the Orange and Red Line to BOS, the_travelers NER to KIN was loading, said Goodbye @ the gate, and headed to the CA to wait for #449 to ALB. Nice Lounge, small Crowd, woman @ Desk reminded me of the Dragons in CHI, she wasnt the Friendliest person and she couldnt speak English, she's from Boston!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

#449 BOS-ALB HBedroom/Car 4920 Boarded on time, large Group using RedCap but walked down the Platform to the Car! Was greeted by the SCA, David, he seemed friendlky enough but only saw him twice between BOS and ALB. Had lunch on a FullTrain in the cafe Car, choice of a Salad and a Veggie Sandwich or else any of the Regular Cafe Menu!Really nice Attendnat doing double duty like on the Cardinal but much better organized!Ate with an Aussie Couple that were touring the Country via Amtrak and they were Loving it! Beautiful Scenry was we rolled through Western Mass, had no idea it was so Pretty and so Many Woods and so much Water!

Rolled into ALB on time, deboarded and went into the Station to waif for the NYP Section #48 to arrive and the switching. Ill switch to #48 here when the Train boards! Large crowd in the Station, Empire Service Trains come and Go as we wait! Finally #48 Rolls in 1 hour down, the Swirching takes place and we board! Im in the H Room/Car 4911 about 10 feet from the Prototype Diner, 8400!!!! :wub: The SCA, Bob Heath, who will turn out to be another HoF SCA, has made me a 700PM Dinner rex but since its 8PM when we leave, I go to the Diner and the crew is first rate, the Diner is beautiful (and frezzing Cold!! )and the Food is Outstanding! (had the Salmon!!)rolled on up the line to the old and dying NY Towns, large groups board in Utica , go to sleep as it gets dark, wake up for the SYR/ROC/BUF stops, then sleep again to Toledo where we arrive about 2 hours down!! I have Breakfast as we roll up towards SOB, then go back to "rest", fall asleep and Bob Awakes me in Gary telling me 30 minutes to CHI, weve made up the time and roll into Union Station right on time! The walk down the Platform is Looooooooong, head for the Metro Lounge through throngs and the heaviest "Security" Ive ever seen in Union Station! Sunny warm day in CHI, time for a walk, some lunch and a look around CHI town before boarding the Eagle for home!!

 

[pennyk]

Great report Jim. You sure did a lot of traveling to get to PHL for NTD.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Part VI:

Fri 5/18 CHI-AUS TE#421/Roomette#10/Car 2130

After hitting Walgreens for supplies and eating a GoldCoast Dog :wub: , walked around Downtown! Huge throngs of tourists @ the Wills Tower (ex Sears), riding Busses, walking, River Boats etc. Beautiful Sunny 80 day in CHI. Security everywhere due to Summit of Govt leaders! Dogs, Machine Guns, TSA, HLS, Private Rent-a-Cops, CPD etc. on the streets and in Union Station. Returned to a jammed Metro lounge (the Western Trains are running Late and Full!!)The Desk Dragons in the Lounge are still friendly! The Conductor Pulls the tickets, they announce the Eagle, the Old Folks Load up with the Red Caps ()and the rest of us walk the walk to the Train with our Leader! My Sleeper, on the front of the Train is a Superliner II, in pretty good shape! The SCA is Tony, another Outstanding Amtrak Old Timer (how did I ever miss him??) who also joins the HOF for OBS, CR will get another call from me! The Re-Route has resumed due to Track work between CHI and STL so we roll out through the yards of CHI, slow going due to man Freights, Stop and Slow orders etc.By the time we get passed South CHI were an Hour down, then finally get rolling through the Corn Fields and the Large and Small Farms of Central/Southern Illinois! The Surprise is the Huge Amish Farms through here and watching them farming with Horses, the Buggies, no Electricity to the Houses etc. Really neat!!

Have an Wxcellent early Dinner in the CC, outstandiong Diner Crew, best I ever had on the Eagle! :wub: (Ive ridden probably 200 times on this Train!!) Roll into STL from the East through depressing looking East St. Louis, the Arch looks nice all lighted up across the river! After a 30 minute stop, we roll out into the night, I take a shower and go to bed! Rough tracks like always though the hills of Missouri and Arkansas, dont even wake up @ Little Rock stop, wake up in Hope, Arkansas (Bill Clintons hometown!/soon to be a regular stop on the Eagles!)Have a shower, eat breakfast after the Texarkana Stop (Texas next to the Prison!! :lol: )Roll into Marshall for a crew change, then into Longview where a Large crowd boards.deboards! SOLD OUT Train to LAX they announce! Then they call Lunch before DAL, were about an Hour Down but only stop in DAL about ten minutes, then on to FTW. Only a 20 minute stop after we pull into the SAtation, watch 22 Back out heading north, then we Highball out heading South only 30 minutes down! UP must be expiditing the Eagles today, we are really rolling and only do quick stops in CBR and MGR, then roll into TPL right on time! I have the Healthy Choice Pork Dinner @ the 5 setting, get me stiuff ready as we make anothr Quickie stop in Taylor, then roll down MOPAC into Austin Right on Time! End of the Line!, Good to be Home! Time to Plan the next Adventure, I hear the West Coadt calling since the Long Hot Summer has already begun down here! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[stntylr]

Thanks for the report, Jim.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Part V;South and West Towards Home!!

woman @ Desk reminded me of the Dragons in CHI, she wasnt the Friendliest person and she couldnt speak English, she's from Boston!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I resemble that! People are always saying I sound like I'm from either England or Boston. :blink: I was born in GA and spent the 1st 11-1/2 years of my life there, and the rest here in DE. Never been to Boston, keep saying I need to go to hear what I sound like. Just told a guy last night that I sould do it soon before I lose the rest of my hearing.

 

[the_traveler]

As much as I hate to correct you (NOT

), I must. To get from BON to BOS, it's the Orange Line to the Red Line.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Really enjoyed your trip reports, Jim. Sorry we missed you in PHL but Toledo NTD was much closer :giggle: an closer for us.

Hope to see you in October in PHL.