Rockville to Rockville (with a stop in CHI) to Rockville to Rockville

[the_traveler]

This will only be a short report on a long journey.

First, let me start be explaining the thread's title - somewhat. I live in a town in the middle of nowhere named Rockville. But not the (in)famous cousin in Maryland.

Rockville to Rockville

Sunday 10/13

I got a ride from my apartment in Rockville to the Kingston station. Because of my need to get a ride, I chose to get an earlier train and ride to Boston. (As I said, Rockville is in the middle of nowhere, and I do not have a car.) I got a 6:xx pm train to BOS.

I waited there to take #67 south to WAS. 2 things interesting about BOS. #1) There were no Red Caps visible. The luggage carts they use were behind the door of the CA. And #2) The LSL (#448) was scheduled to arrive at 9:10 pm. When I looked at the board about 8:40, it showed "arrived"!

I finally saw a Red Cap shortly before 9 pm, and engaged him to help my out to #67. (And early boarding didn't hurt to grab one of those single seats on the 2x1 ex-Metroliner Club Car!) So around 9:05 we head out to the train for the 9:30 departure. The only thing was BC was on the rear of the train. Usually, it's on the front.

Departure was right on time at 9:30. The trip down to WAS was uneventful.

Monday 10/14

After leaving my bags in the CA, I hopped a Red Line Metro out to that other Rockville (MD) to catch the CL back to WAS. I was the 2nd person on the 2 zone award of a certain person, so it did not cost anything. But the unnamed Texan ignored me again, so I had to ride in steerage for the short trip.

Rockville to Rockville (with a stop in Chicago for some reason)

We finally met in the CA. We also met 2 other AU members in the CA how were headed west. We of course being normal headed south to get to CHI.

On the SS, we met at least one other AU member at a "(cough, cough) fresh air stop".

Tuesday 10/15

When we got to ORL, we were met by Penny. I told the cart driver that no hitch hikers were allowed to ride, but he didn't listen. He drove us right to Penny's Limo.

When backing out, it took 2 agents to guide her out. I think they didn't want her to dent the bus behind us. (They didn't care about the car!) Then she drove us to Wendy's. When we got there, I tried to jump out of the car quickly, but she locked us in!

I felt safer riding in a NASCAR then in the Penny Limo!

We got back to the station, and I kissed the ground. I was glad that "ride" was over!

One more thing I want to point out, she only wore 1 coat because "it was cold"! The the temp - "only" 70°!

We headed north after only a few hours. (She was going to take us on a drive.) On the SM was Dick (Shanghai), so all 4 of us headed north. The ride was uneventful, except for this crazy woman who tried to break into our H-Room to do yoga, because there was no room in the Roomette.

Wednesday 10/16

We arrived in NYP to meet 3 others going to the Gathering (Nina - Penny's sister, Alan and his mother Grace). We also met AU member Pitor there. It was the first time I met Nina, but I'm convinced one had to be adopted ! Her & Penny could not be more opposite!

More to follow as I get around to it.

 

[the_traveler]

(Continuation of 10/16)

We were ready to board the LSL, but found out it was "delayed". Thru "inside information" (Alan and his scanner), we knew that due to signaling problems, the LSL could not depart Sunnyside yard. When it did finally arrive, most walked to the train. The special ones used a Red Cap.

This was my first time in the NJT concourse. This is where the elevator to track #8 is located. After boarding, I found a strange Texan sitting in my H-room. I think he was looking for a free ride to CHI!

While loading baggage onto the LSL, an over eager baggage loader threw a bag from the open door on the track 9 side of the car and out the open door onto track 10! It took some time to retrieve that bag, which further delayed our departure. At the same time, a "very hefty" woman on a motorized scooter tried to get into coach.

First, the scooter did not fit, so they offered to load it in the baggage car. Then the woman would not fit thru the coach doors. My understanding was they had to remove the door from the frame, load her and then replace the door. This further delayed us!

By the time we departed NYP, we were already over 1 1/2 hours down!

After boarding, I attempted to stow my walker under the seat in the H-Room. As soon as the SCA (Sharon) saw my doing this, she came running and TOLD me I could not do that. "It has to be stored either behind the door or in the bathroom." (I do not use it while on board, as I have either the walls or seat backs to use as support. Besides, it does not fit in the aisle,)

When I tried to explain that the previous 2 SCA's (Larry and Antoinette) did not have a problem! her response was (and I quote) "This is MY car and it's how I do things"! I looked on the side of the car and the painted name said "Amtrak", not "Sharon"!

With that exception the rest of the trip to CHI was uneventful. We had some rain on the way that we passed thru, but while in CHI, nothing major.

To be continued!

 

[SarahZ]

That Texan sounds mighty suspicious...

 

[Bob Dylan]

Sounds Familiar, almost like I was there! ^_^ (And it's not my Fault that your Old I-Phone doesn't work in the Wilds of Western Maryland! Disclaimer:I used to Live in Rockville when it was much Smaller! :giggle: )

 

[Acela150]

The special ones used a Red Cap.

Ha! Special! I guess the AU'ers are special then...

 

[the_traveler]

Thursday to Sunday 10/17-20

I stopped in CHI for some reason. I don't recall what it was!

Since many others are reporting on the events of the weekend, I will not repeat them here. But it was great to see and meet many friends, both returning and new! I'll just say a few of the more interesting things, not directly related to the Gathering.

The "official" (listed on the map) station on the Blue Line to/from O'Hare for Union Station is Clinton. Yes, it is only 2 blocks from CUS, but there is no elevator - just a long stairway followed by a long escalator to the platform. I could be wrong, but I think most people either flying or taking a train would have at least 1 if not 2 bags. If it were not for Jim and Alan helping to carry my bags down the stairs, I could not use that station!

IMO, a better station on the Blue Line to use is Jackson. Yes it is a longer walk (6 blocks or so), but there are elevators at street level (near Jackson and State) and also down to the platform.

Another non-related item is when I reserved back in April, a "special" rate of (I thought) $49 per night was offered at the HGI out by O'Hare. It was wondered if it was a "bait-and-switch rate", and it turns out it was. They would not honor it, until I pulled up the reservation on my iPad. However, the listed rate was now $54 per night. I was not going to fight for $5, when the "regular rate" was $130+ a night!

Three of us staying at the HGI (Jim, "normal" Betty and I) decided to go to the Rivers Casino (2 buildings away) to eat dinner at the buffet. We got a shock! The price of the buffet was $27 PER PERSON!

On Saturday night, Jim & I rode the Blue Line back to the HGI. Since it was cold and raining by the time we got near Rosemont, we decided to continue to O'Hare to catch the shuttle. (We could also wait inside the terminal, instead of out in the cold.)

When we arrived at the airport, we called the hotel. The desk clerk said the shuttle will be there "in 10-15 minutes". About 45 minutes later, no shuttle, so we again called the hotel and were told "It will be there soon". About 15 minutes later, still no shuttle so we called again. This time the desk clerk took the time to radio the shuttle driver. We were then told that he was stuck in heavy traffic and will be there in a few minutes.

When he arrived, we saw the reason. There was an Eagles concert just down the road. 20,000 people were clogging the road just before 8 pm to get to an 8 pm concert! Now I do not fault the shuttle driver at all. I just wish the hotel would have been straight forward during the 3 calls made during the past hour!

Next, the LONG ride home!

 

[Acela150]

Eagles Concert.. Man wish I was there. At least the Eagles of music don't bomb like the Eagles of Football.

 

[the_traveler]

Sunday 10/20

I chose not to attend the Sunday events. There's only so much that you can take of these AU'ers, Besides, I had to do laundry for my week long return journey home. While doing the laundry, I discovered that I left my PAID ticket from CHI-WPT at home!

Thus when I arrived at CUS, I went to the customer services offices for assistance. The agent on duty asked if I went to the ticket counter. I said no, and she said to go there. So I did, and when I got to the ticket agent, she asked for my ID - and printed out a new ticket! No problem. And remember that this was a PAID ticket!

We boarded #7 to WPT. The reason I paid was that the remainder of the trip were AGR awards, and WPT is the zone boundary. Also WPT-ELP is only 1 zone, so I had to "force" myself to go out of the way via PDX and LAX! (The agony! )

When we boarded #7, we met our SCA - Anthony! I guess the budget cuts at Amtrak go all the way up! (No it wasn't out Anthony!)

This was also my first real experience with a lower level Roomette. it wasn't too bad, but I personally still prefer an upper level room.

Monday 10/21

We were scheduled to switch from #7 to #27 in WPT, but Anthony (after talking to the other SCA and conductor) said we could stay in that room and do the switch in Whitefish instead! In ND it was snowing hard enough to see but not long enough to cover the ground. Also it was in the low 20's!

Due to the weather, cold, congestion and construction, #7 was running hours late. So we made the switch at Shelby instead.

Tuesday 10/22

Now on #27, we rumbled down the Columbia River Gorge to PDX. By arrival, we were only 30 minutes late.

Next, the CS!

 

[the_traveler]

Tuesday 10/22 (continued)

While visiting PDX (aka Chez Traveler West ), my friend who I haven't seen in over 3 years offered to come to the station (since I'd be there less than 4 hours). We kept in contact by text, but the CS arrived before he did, so I had to board. But since the scheduled stop was an hour, I got to see him.

But they called last call for lunch, so I HAD to go. I was starving. After all, it must have been almost 5 hours since my last taste of Amfood!

After lunch, I proceeded quickly to the PPC to sink into one of those swivel chairs! Boy did it feel good. I was thinking of becoming a PPC Lizard for a while, but I only stayed all day.

We both ate dinner in the PPC. We chose a semi-early time to beat the crowds. What crowds? Only 4 dinners were served all night! Most sleeper passengers chose the regular Dining Car. Part of the reason I eat in the PPC is for variety.

I decided to sleep in my Roomette that night.

Wednesday 10/23

Awoke around SAC and after 7 am went for breakfast in the PPC. Not many others did though. Even that Texan guy ate in the Dining Car. Soon after, thick fog rolled in and you could barely see the water. I hoped to see the Boneyard ships, but they were lost in a fog.

I remained in the PPC all day long, also having lunch and dinner there. Unlike many others. I'm worried that Amtrak may pull them, for not being well patronized. For the 4 meals I saw, I'd guess less than 25 meals were served - and we had 1/3 of that total! Except for those passing thru, I'd guess less than 70 used it during the 1 1/2 days I was there, and most of that total was for the wine & cheese tastings.

Our arrival into LAX was on time or early. So we got a chance to visit the new ML. It is nice, but well hidden. If it wasn't for the Red Cap, I'd have no idea it was there.

2 observations: It's too small, especially if it's also for BC passengers, and the route to the Red Caps from the ML to the train is inconvenient at best!

Soon after departure, it was time for sleep.

Next: the SL/TE.

 

[the_traveler]

Thursday 10/24

My first overnight in the trans-dorm. I've ridden in one before, but never overnight. Overall, I'd rate it quite well. The SCA on the other hand, not so well. When we boarded, we asked a question and the reply was, "It's not my car, I have nothing to do with it!" In speaking with the Conductor we were told that he did. The SCA must have had a "discussion" with the Conductor because later he did have something to do with the trans-dorm!

For the next day, we passed thru the deserts of AZ and NM. Need I say more? And this comes from someone who lived in the AZ/NV desert for 6 years!

We changed from #2 to #422 in ELP. We then proceeded thru that Texan's hometown of Alpine. Soon after, I fell asleep.

Friday 10/25

I awoke while we were still stopped in SAS. In fact, the SL was still beside us. Then it left, so I had to head back to CHI. Soon we rolled into AUS. Jim got off, but to my dismay, he re boarded!

Soon the detour routing began. If you can read Texan English :giggle: , Jim covered that. At Longview, I finally got rid of Jim. So begins the quiet run!

Somewhere in AR, I fell asleep.

Saturday 10/26

I awoke just south of STL, still on a train. Soon we stopped at JOL. I said to myself, "Self, this place looks just like it did 7 days ago"! I then continued up to CHI. After a few hours layover, I boarded the CL for WAS.

Being on a train, spending time in CHI (for the 2nd Saturday in a row) and being on another train - the best birthday a railfan could hope for!

Next: A long 2 days!

 

[GG-1]

Three of us staying at the HGI (Jim, "normal" Betty and I) decided to go to the Rivers Casino (2 buildings away) to eat dinner at the buffet. We got a shock! The price of the buffet was $27 PER PERSON!

Aloha

Better stay out of the Seafood Buffet at the RIO, and the new Buffet at Caesars. Both about $50 a person without drinks included.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Three of us staying at the HGI (Jim, "normal" Betty and I) decided to go to the Rivers Casino (2 buildings away) to eat dinner at the buffet. We got a shock! The price of the buffet was $27 PER PERSON!

Aloha

Better stay out of the Seafood Buffet at the RIO, and the new Buffet at Caesars. Both about $50 a person without drinks included.

But with your Connections in Vegas Eric, we would all be "Comped", Right?? :lol:

 

[the_traveler]

Sunday 10/27

I woke up on the CL at about 5:40 while it sat at the PGH station during it's layover. I did not fall back asleep, somewhat by choice. The remainder of the trip was uneventful. After we stopped in Rockville, MD. (Thus the 3rd Rockville!) the CL proceeded to WAS.

I had made a choice to take #66 back. If I had taken the next regional, it would not arrive into KIN until about 11 pm. I still had to get a ride home to the real Rockville. This would mean I would not arrive home until after 11:30 pm, and my ride would not return home until well after midnight. Thus, out respect for my ride, I chose to come in the next morning.

The wait in the CA was great. They had the NFL (no not Niagara Falls ) Network on. Thus I could keep track of my Patriots beetling up on those fish from Florida!

About 9 pm, the Red Cap came for me to take my to #66. We went thru the bowels of Union Station (thru the baggage room) again, and out to find #66 waiting for me. I also saw tacked on the end was Navy 116 (the car, not the AU member )!

Then the fun began! Normally BC on #66 is the first car of the train, it is still the 2x1 ex-Metroliner Club Car. Normally the seats face forward, with the café (which is open all night) behind BC and separated by a curtain. However, on this trip, BC was in the last car, the seats still faced forward (towards the café) - but there was NO curtain! There was not even a space or rod where the curtain would have been!

This meant all night, I was subjected to the VERY BRIGHT lights of the café counter shining in my eyes. To make it worse, they did not dim the car lights at all. And worst oh all, the WAS-NYP conductors insist on naming over the PA EVERY station. Not just once, not twice but three times! ("In 5 minutes is BWI", "Now arriving BWI" and "Last call for BWI"!)

Now I would not mind that, but not between 10 pm and 2 am! They don't think people may want to sleep during the night. (BTW: The NYP-BOS Conductors keep quiet - a very welcome relief.)

Monday 10/28

Due to the above, I did not doze off until around the NY/CT border, but I was awake at NHV. So I may have been asleep for an hour or so. I was awake the rest of the trip.

Arrival was about 30 minutes late.

The trip back was uneventful, but then again I was very tired.

By the time I returned to the real Rockville, I had maybe 1 hour of dozing off in the last 30 hours or so.

----------------------

Thus my train travels have ended for 2013. I hope to do better in 2014! I "only" had 20K+ in Amtrak miles in 2013.