posted
Every year we go to an event called WARR (World Airline Road Race). It's a 5 and 10K race for airline folks, their families and friends. This year it's in Ottawa hosted by ZOOM.
I'm trying to figure out a good way to get there. We could non-rev on several airlines but it's getting more and more difficult to do that.
I was thinking of using a pass to Newark and then taking the train to either Montreal or Toronto. From there I'm assuming we could use VIA to get to Ottawa. Any preferences or experiences with the Adirondack or Maple Leaf? We would probably only do this one way and then standby on the return when we don't have the pressure of being in YOW on September 3.
Thanks in advance,
Frank in overcast SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
the Adirondack beats the Maple Leaf for scenery. However you would have to spend the night in Montreal (not such a bad thing) before finding VIA transit to Ottawa.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Take the Adirondack.....very scenic route! Stay overnight in Montreal which is a great city to visit and catch one of several VIA trains to Ottawa the next day. Train 635 at 1250pm usually runs with the “Renaissance” cars. Other trains will use the LRC equipment.
Once off the main Montreal > Toronto route at Coteau-du-Lac, about 40 miles from Montreal, your train will be on VIA owned track for most of the remaining 70 miles to Ottawa. Speeds are in the 95>100 mph range.
In Ottawa, take a ride on OC Transpo’s “O-Train” . A diesel Light-Rail train which operates on a former CPR branch line.
posted
The Adirondack is more gorgeous and quite a bit cheaper, Frank. In my opinion it's the prettiest US train ride east of the Mississippi, except perhaps for the Cardinal at certain times of year? But note that it's a train with a smallish observation car generally, alas, so to appreciate the scenery from your seat, you will want to be on the left side facing forward from NYC to Albany (about 2 1/2 hrs) on the northbound trip, but after Saratoga from about Fort Edward to Plattsburgh it is absolutely SPECTACULAR on the right side, along the Upper Hudson and Lake Champlain with Vermont Green Mountains across the way, view of Ticonderoga Fort, etc etc . . . so you have to judge how busy the train is to make sure you'll be able to get to that right side (a fair amount of people often do get off in Rhinecliff, Hudson, and Albany, so you may be able to change seats as you come into Albany, where there is about 20 minutes when they change engines, you can go out and see it, and perhaps the new station too, but just make sure you get those right side seats by then, even if you must kill some other passengers). In NYC (Penn Station) you can have a Red Cap put you on the train early (just tip him and have him carry your luggage) so you can pick your seat. When we take the train, we just sit on the right, because we see the Albany to NYC all the time . . . The train can be busy in NYC, depends on the day and time of year; also, esp southbound, they love to shove all the NY travelers into some cars and leave one less crowded for people who get on and off further north, so you if you have some seat trouble, look for an emptier car. Southbound, I hope you won't be taking it on a Sunday, because Premiere Moisson is closed that day; you should buy your food for the train there (there's one right in the Montreal train station, fantastic bread for sandwiches, I get pate, and pastries, don't tell the border crossing you are bringing in meat but with sandwiches they have never cared before)
The train is almost always late getting in to Montreal, though, once in a while excruciatingly late, so be prepared (Maple LEaf can be too, btw). If you don't have Canadian dollars and the exchange is closed, a taxi at the gare will take American (and the difference now is pretty minimal I gather). If you stay in the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth right upstairs from the train station, that is easiest, esp as I presume you will be leaving fairly early the next morning? And you can sometimes get a better rate there if you join the Fairmont Presidents Club. BUT on your return from Ottawa, be sure to catch an early train Ottawa to Montreal so you have most of the day there. You will again need to overnight in Montreal to catch the Adirondack south.
If you are just going to do the train one way, I think I'd probably recommend that you fly to Ottawa, catch VIA Rail to Montreal, and take the Adirondack southbound. Then be sure to sit on the left side facing forward; get there a bit early to line up so you can pick your seat (if it's busy) (or maybe you can use porters there too, I don't know, we never have). Going this way, you can get into Montreal something like when you expect (the Ottawa to Montreal route is heavily used, generally reliable, and only about 1-1/2 hours) and have the whole day there to do stuff. You would not need to stay in Queen Elizabeth then, up to you. If you need other recs, let me know. . . also on things to do in Montreal etc . . . Southbound, after Albany, you want to shift to the right side . . . but one thing to beware is that the setting sun can spoil the views on the Hudson River then, depending on time of year . . . so bring a little slouch hat or visor thingie, that would help.
Oh, I just realized, if you go southbound, you would have to overnight in NYC to catch your flight home. Expensive, of course. Well, you know, to save money, you could overnight in Albany--Hampton Inn downtown has pretty good rates, esp weekends; you will need to take a taxi, though (Albany train station is actually in rensselaer, just across the River from downtown ). You could then catch the LSL all the way home next day, you know (but then you'd miss NYC to Albany on the train if you went only 1 way)! OR you could catch a very early morning train from Albany (Albany-Rensselaer is the real name) station down to Penn Station and get to Newark for a flight. Trains from Albany that start in Albany are usually pretty reliable (notwithstanding my recent problem, but that was very unusual). You could also fly home from Albany, changing planes someplace. . . It costs more for flights but with your airline perks maybe that would be a saving. . . .
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
Thanks for all of the great information! I'm going to print it out and save it for another time. We've decided to take our chances and fly as non-revs LAX-EWR, spend the night at the Marriott at EWR at the airline rate, and then hope for seats on the first EWR-YOW flight in the morning.
We are in the midst of a remodel and, as these things do, we are running over budget (if there ever was one). I feel like I'm living "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" (A favorite movie!) or "The Money Pit". So, we figure we can economize by not spending anything for the air travel.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry you won't be making the trip now, Frank, though the house sounds cool too. . . . I have no idea what EWR means! Surely not Ottawa? But good luck on your flights.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
Amtrak uses the same code -- EWR -- for the Newark Airport Station. I've never used that station but people have told me that it is ONLY accesible from the airport and the only access is by using the airport's tram system. Does anyone know if there is any other public access?
Frank in sunny and cooling SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm pretty sure some NJ Transit trains and even some Amtrak Regional trains stop there. What is the point of having it otherwise? Are you asking if there is other local ground transportation there to the airport? That I don't know--the only time I ever used Newark Airport was aeons ago, when I shared a cab there from NYC.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
Yep, what I meant was that I'd been told that there was no way to access the station using local ground transport (car, bus, cab, walking). A friend was trying to get there from a nearby hotel and was told that he had to be dropped at the airport and would then have to ride the monorail which would involve going through security.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I found the answer to my own question on, you guessed it, amtrak.com .
Newark - Airport, NJ (EWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport AirTrain from main airport terminal Newark, NJ 07114
A monorail connects Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station to airport terminals. Monorail fare is included in Amtrak tickets to and from the Newark Airport Rail Station.
To use this monorail, Amtrak passengers must present to the station gate agent their Amtrak ticket receipt showing Newark Airport as the destination or boarding point. Passengers without tickets showing Newark Airport must purchase $5.00 monorail tickets from the NJT ticket vending machines located at the transfer station.
Passengers must have Amtrak tickets before boarding Amtrak trains from this station.
There is no direct access to this station by road, only by train or the monorail. Parking and other facilities are available at the airport.
Frank in sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
The Maple Leaf requires an overnight in Toronto so you may as well ride the Adirondack when going to Ottawa. Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal is a bit cheaper than the Queen Elizabeth and is about 2 blocks from the station. Ottawa is a real nice city- you'll enjoy it there.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
