Thursday, October 11, 2012
10/8/12
Prior to my return train, I decided to get in a cheap 2x point run PHL-PAO-PHL. Then after spending some time in the CA, I boarded my Regional home!
10/5/12
We arrived at the Airport Marriott around midnight. Thus we could join the gang for all the Friday activities.
10/3/12
Upon our arrival, I gave our SCA her tip. It was her 1st solo trip as an SCA after training. When she received her tip, she hugged me! I have never been hugged by my SCA. I didn't mind, as she was young, blond and cute! It also helped that I assisted her at times.
The ride into CHI was again almost on time. We again went to the Lounge to leave our bags. We met up with other AUers there.
Due to no rooms left on the Cardinal or CL, Jim & I had to take the LSL to NYP. I got a great AGR agent who found us a room on a sold out train. We had to take 448 to SDY and then change to 48.
The ride into CHI was again almost on time. We again went to the Lounge to leave our bags. We met up with other AUers there.
Due to no rooms left on the Cardinal or CL, Jim & I had to take the LSL to NYP. I got a great AGR agent who found us a room on a sold out train. We had to take 448 to SDY and then change to 48.
10/2/12
We met 2 very cute Aussie 20-something girls! Enough said.
The ride over Raton Pass may be the last trip for us, if the SWC switches to the trans-con.
The ride over Raton Pass may be the last trip for us, if the SWC switches to the trans-con.
10/1/12
The SL/TE is scheduled for a 5:35 am arrival. But (as usual) it arrived EARLY! Another 4:30 am arrival into LAX! After a short rest, Jim walked over to Phillipe's for some food, while I stayed at the station with the bags.
After we ate, we decided to do a 2x point run to VNC and back. Instead of carrying the bags on the train (and not paying the $4 per bag for day checking them), we checked them to VNC. Upon our arrival, because we had over 1 hour to wait, we checked them to LAX. At LAX, we did not retrieve the bags until shortly before 4 departed. Thus we did not have to deal with the bags during the layover or pay to day check them!
During the afternoon, things went really downhill. Eric arrived by bus from LV!
We all boarded 4 to CHI about 6:30 pm.
Jim & I had been assigned room 3 from LAX to ABQ and room 7 from ABQ to CHI. After explaining this to our SCA, Lorna, she allowed us to remain in room 3 thru out the trip.
After we ate, we decided to do a 2x point run to VNC and back. Instead of carrying the bags on the train (and not paying the $4 per bag for day checking them), we checked them to VNC. Upon our arrival, because we had over 1 hour to wait, we checked them to LAX. At LAX, we did not retrieve the bags until shortly before 4 departed. Thus we did not have to deal with the bags during the layover or pay to day check them!
During the afternoon, things went really downhill. Eric arrived by bus from LV!
We all boarded 4 to CHI about 6:30 pm.
Jim & I had been assigned room 3 from LAX to ABQ and room 7 from ABQ to CHI. After explaining this to our SCA, Lorna, she allowed us to remain in room 3 thru out the trip.
10/4/12
Because our new room on 48 was available in SYR, we were allowed to switch early.
Our arrival into NYP was a little late, but spending time in the CA made up for it!
The departure was something else. Due to signal problems in NJ, the Regional departed about 30 minutes late. I was hoping not too late to PHL to make the last train out to the airport and hotel.
We made the SEPTA train with about 15 minutes to spare!
Our arrival into NYP was a little late, but spending time in the CA made up for it!
The departure was something else. Due to signal problems in NJ, the Regional departed about 30 minutes late. I was hoping not too late to PHL to make the last train out to the airport and hotel.
We made the SEPTA train with about 15 minutes to spare!
9/30/12
At SAS, as usual, 421 is combined with 1 for the trip west. Jim & I had a Roomette on 421 to ELP and then a Roomette on 1 from ELP to LAX. We had hoped to switch rooms during the day prior to ELP. Jim talked to the Conductor and SCA in SAS. They informed him that our room on 1 was not sold, and that we could occupy it right out of SAS!
Thus, Jim woke me up about midnight after the 2 were connected. (Either I was very tired or they were gentle, because I didn't feel a thing during the switching.)
The main thing about switching early is that the 421 sleeper is the last car on the train, and the Dining Car and sleepers from 1 are at the front of the train.
Just past the ELP station, #1 passes within 30 feet of the Mexican border.
Desert scenery in NM, AZ and CA - enough said!
Thus, Jim woke me up about midnight after the 2 were connected. (Either I was very tired or they were gentle, because I didn't feel a thing during the switching.)
The main thing about switching early is that the 421 sleeper is the last car on the train, and the Dining Car and sleepers from 1 are at the front of the train.
Just past the ELP station, #1 passes within 30 feet of the Mexican border.
Desert scenery in NM, AZ and CA - enough said!
9/29/12
The morning got somewhat "exciting"! There was a medical emergency on the train. (Possible stress or heart problem - I never heard.) 421 met the EMTs at a grade crossing (a dirt road) out in the middle of nowhere.
The EMTs first stabilized the passenger before taking her to the ambulance. As I was in the Dining Car on the side where the ambulance was, I saw the woman was alert when put into the ambulance!
This (necessary) delay put 421 back about 1 hour. This occurred prior to Longview, but due to padding and being given green signals, 421 pulled into FTW right on time!
Then it went downhill when we stopped in AUS. Jim Hudson got on board for the remainder of the trip!
The EMTs first stabilized the passenger before taking her to the ambulance. As I was in the Dining Car on the side where the ambulance was, I saw the woman was alert when put into the ambulance!
This (necessary) delay put 421 back about 1 hour. This occurred prior to Longview, but due to padding and being given green signals, 421 pulled into FTW right on time!
Then it went downhill when we stopped in AUS. Jim Hudson got on board for the remainder of the trip!
9/28/12
49 was almost on time arriving CHI, not late enough to even mention. I then went to the Metropolitan Lounge to check in and stash my bags. Then I walked over to CVS to pick up some items I forgot to pack.
Upon my return, I grabbed a drink and enjoyed a few hours of rest before the departure of the TE/SL 421.
I enjoyed my final night alone!
Upon my return, I grabbed a drink and enjoyed a few hours of rest before the departure of the TE/SL 421.
I enjoyed my final night alone!
9/27/12
Finally back on the rails again! I planned to go from KIN to CHI via BOS, however due to track work between BOS and ALB I would be bustituted. I instead went via NYP. I figured 2 hours in the Club Acela was better than 3 hours in a bus on the Mass Turnpike and the NY Thruway. Growing up in that area, I have seen both too many times to count!
As an added bonus of taking 49 out of NYP, I got to enjoy Dining Car 8400 sooner. And because I had the H-Room in Car 4911, 8400 was less than 10 feet from my door!
8400 is a beautiful car - I wish all Dining Cars were that nice!
As an added bonus of taking 49 out of NYP, I got to enjoy Dining Car 8400 sooner. And because I had the H-Room in Car 4911, 8400 was less than 10 feet from my door!
8400 is a beautiful car - I wish all Dining Cars were that nice!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)