Woke up about 2 AM by the announcement of the upcoming stop at NYP and the change in crews who would be checking ticket stubs after departure. This is done on every Regional, except 66/67! I would not like to be made to wake up at 3 AM to have my ticket stub checked!
I fell asleep prior to NYP, so I do not know if it was done. However it was not done in BC as far as I know!
One more thing about this conductor is that he sounded just like the one on the Surfliner when the AU gang returned to LAX during Gathering II, for those who remember who I mean! " Four seats, four seats, four seats, ..."!
I woke up about 6:45 AM, just as we prepared to stop at PVD! That meant I slept thru KIN! (How could that happen?)
I turned at BBY due to the short layover at BOS. (Get off one train and walk over to the other boarding and ready to depart!)
My impressions of #66 and the 2X1 BC are it's more comfortable for sleeping. However, due to the cafe counter being right behind BC separated by only a curtain and open throughout the trip, it may at times be noisy! Personally, I may prefer the Quiet Car in coach - the car right behind! Although it is an Amfleet I, it is quiet (no cell phones allowed) and no loud talking from the cafe behind the curtain.
The return trip on #95 from BBY was a normal Regional ride.
Monday, January 16, 2012
1/15/12
Awoke "on time" at 6 AM (both me via cell alarm and #92) around Rockingham, NC. We remained on time until just before RVR. We lost time due to freight traffic and the need to get around some of the traffic by running thru the yard at the yard speed limit - 5 MPH!
This caused us to lose some time, but under 30 minutes. However, due to all stations north of RVR being "D" stations, arrival at WAS was only 14 minutes late.
At WAS, I went to the CA to charge my phone and to wait for the 10 PM departure of #66. I wanted to experience the ex-Metroliner Club with 2X1 BC seating before they disappear for good.
Had dinner in the food court of Union Station. Too cold to go out!
Boarded #66 from the CA (with a Red Cap ride) to BC. It was a ex-Metroliner BC/cafe with 18 BC seats. Departed WAS on time with 8 occupied!
Announcements were made for station stops, which is surprising. My other trips on 66/67 did not have any!
More to follow.
This caused us to lose some time, but under 30 minutes. However, due to all stations north of RVR being "D" stations, arrival at WAS was only 14 minutes late.
At WAS, I went to the CA to charge my phone and to wait for the 10 PM departure of #66. I wanted to experience the ex-Metroliner Club with 2X1 BC seating before they disappear for good.
Had dinner in the food court of Union Station. Too cold to go out!
Boarded #66 from the CA (with a Red Cap ride) to BC. It was a ex-Metroliner BC/cafe with 18 BC seats. Departed WAS on time with 8 occupied!
Announcements were made for station stops, which is surprising. My other trips on 66/67 did not have any!
More to follow.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
1/14/12
Overslept due to cell running out of power. Awoke at 7:45 instead of 6! Went for breakfast - omlette, potatos and sausage.
After breakfast, joined others in group (Bill, Jishnu and Alan) for an AU group meeting in the H-Room!
Due to 97 being late, it was decided to have lunch on the train. Thru texting, we discovered that 91 was even later, despite leaving NYP over 3 hours earlier.
After arriving at WPK about 1 PM, the gang had to wait about 1 hour for 91 to arrive, so we waited at the station. While waiting, 98 (northbound) arrived first!
When 91 finally arrived about 2:45, it was decided that we would take a boat tour at 3 PM. (This was perviously scheduled, but was cancelled due to the late trains!) Because we had 3 cars, we could make the 4 blocks to the dock!
We easily made it to the dock for the 3 PM tour. This was the 1st time I took this boat tour in 25-30 years or more! The ride was good, but not in 50 degree weather. (Our resident Floridian - Penny - had 2 shirts, a vest, a scarf, a coat, a hat and gloves and boots on. The "real" people - from the north - wore a thin coat or a sweater!)
After the ride, we drove back and spent a couple of hours at the Eola Wine Bar to "warm up"! Then we went the 1 block or so to the station. 4 of the AU gang were returning north that night on #92. (Except for the 3 Floridians, the other "northerners" were spending another day or more in FL.)
#92 arrived on time, and my day in FL was over! I traveled both directions on the Silvers in the H-room. (They are the biggest room on the Viewliners, and for AGR awards are the same "cost" as a roomette if you qualify!)
Dinner was Salmon, rice and the cheesecake.
More to follow.
After breakfast, joined others in group (Bill, Jishnu and Alan) for an AU group meeting in the H-Room!
Due to 97 being late, it was decided to have lunch on the train. Thru texting, we discovered that 91 was even later, despite leaving NYP over 3 hours earlier.
After arriving at WPK about 1 PM, the gang had to wait about 1 hour for 91 to arrive, so we waited at the station. While waiting, 98 (northbound) arrived first!
When 91 finally arrived about 2:45, it was decided that we would take a boat tour at 3 PM. (This was perviously scheduled, but was cancelled due to the late trains!) Because we had 3 cars, we could make the 4 blocks to the dock!
We easily made it to the dock for the 3 PM tour. This was the 1st time I took this boat tour in 25-30 years or more! The ride was good, but not in 50 degree weather. (Our resident Floridian - Penny - had 2 shirts, a vest, a scarf, a coat, a hat and gloves and boots on. The "real" people - from the north - wore a thin coat or a sweater!)
After the ride, we drove back and spent a couple of hours at the Eola Wine Bar to "warm up"! Then we went the 1 block or so to the station. 4 of the AU gang were returning north that night on #92. (Except for the 3 Floridians, the other "northerners" were spending another day or more in FL.)
#92 arrived on time, and my day in FL was over! I traveled both directions on the Silvers in the H-room. (They are the biggest room on the Viewliners, and for AGR awards are the same "cost" as a roomette if you qualify!)
Dinner was Salmon, rice and the cheesecake.
More to follow.
Friday, January 13, 2012
1/13/12
Finally after 7 months, I'm back on a train! "I'm headed to Florida to get some sand in my shoes ..."
Train #83 departed KIN on time at 10:37 AM. Arrival in NLC on time at 11:17 AM. So far so good.
Train #83 is still on time at STM. It looks to be an on time arrival into NYP!
Just crossed Hell's Gate Bridge at 1:35 PM. Wouldn't you know it - my power at my seat does not work and I need a charge!
Boarded 97 about 2:50, and THEN they realized the baggage car (on the rear) was off the platform and they could not load bags! So they had to move 97 up further on track 15!
Remaining on time or early thru PHL.
Dinner from before WIL to BAL. I had the steak - not flat iron but good enough. Desert was Florida Orange Cheesecake - kind of like an orange Popsicle. Saw Bill who boarded at BAL.
Arrived in WAS early. Must wait 30 minutes and switch locomotives.
Departed WAS and ALX on time.
More to follow!
Train #83 departed KIN on time at 10:37 AM. Arrival in NLC on time at 11:17 AM. So far so good.
Train #83 is still on time at STM. It looks to be an on time arrival into NYP!
Just crossed Hell's Gate Bridge at 1:35 PM. Wouldn't you know it - my power at my seat does not work and I need a charge!
Boarded 97 about 2:50, and THEN they realized the baggage car (on the rear) was off the platform and they could not load bags! So they had to move 97 up further on track 15!
Remaining on time or early thru PHL.
Dinner from before WIL to BAL. I had the steak - not flat iron but good enough. Desert was Florida Orange Cheesecake - kind of like an orange Popsicle. Saw Bill who boarded at BAL.
Arrived in WAS early. Must wait 30 minutes and switch locomotives.
Departed WAS and ALX on time.
More to follow!
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