My summer vacation is winding down and will be officially over when the alarm clock sounds at 5:30am tomorrow. Beyond that I have two and a half weeks of working 10 hour days alone in an office which is normally populated by 6 people. My colleagues return August 19th.
August is always brutal but the past few months have really illustrated that it is best to be tough and appreciate still having a job. There are plenty of well-qualified people without jobs that would be happy to have mine.
Bottom Line - I'll likely survive but there won't be much recreational internet time for a month or so. Write good things and look for greater input from me in September!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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RR Bob - Not sure fun is the right word for David. Those of us who are retired certainly feel some sympathy and admiration for those who continue to battle the 9 to 5 or maybe, in David's case, the 7 to 5.
David- glad you had a oouple of good trips this summer. Hope you have a chance to take the Asheville excursion this fall.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I am sorry your workload will be so awful but do know what it's like to be grateful for whatever work you can get. Let's hope better times are coming soon--and more (paid) vacations!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Sorry, but I am not part of the "I'll never retire' crowd - and having had my own business would mean I could have been one of such.
Finally and so sadly, not all have the opportunity to see retirement. Before I left for Iowa this past Saturday, I went to the Memorial for a lovely friend and neighbor who was called by our Lord at age 54.
I can recall how, about a year ago, she had said "Gil, I'm going to have that uniform (American Airlines Flight Attendant) on again", but when I saw her husband walking over to my house now almost two weeks ago, I knew such was not going to be the case.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Ooops, sorry- misread your post, David. I read it as starting on vacation, not ending one. I know work is rarely "fun." So, I do hope your heavy work run does go as well as possible. And my sympathies for your friend, Mr. Norman- who passed so early... 54-- 'way too young. Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Vacation? What's that? Haven't had one in almost five years, but it's not from the lack of want. I've averaged 130-155 hours every 2-week per pay period since January and, because of understaffing, cant take more than one or two days off even if I wanted to.
My last outting of any kind was June 20th, 2009 when I took two of my consumers to Elkins for the New Tygart Flyer, and before that was July 2008 when I went on the same rail trip for my birthday.
I finally now have a vacation booked and deposited for December 2010, 15 days on a back-to-back cruise. It's still a year and a half away. By then I'll either be dead or in desparate need of a vacation. Hope I make it...
Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Bob, MY "work" was wonderful. I taught gifted 5th & 6th graders and it was a ball. the day just flew by. It was so great that when the end of the year came I was "promoted" with my kids and we had another year together, When I got to School each morning half the class was waiting for me and we were able to sit around and talk until "real" school started.I still think about it with great affection
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Just checking in - I've survived three days of my 'solo' stretch and am checking in for the first time since I started this thread -
My 'work' is a High School Guidance Counselor and today was a 'light' day. Enrolled a student transferring from the district next door, faxed 60 pages of school records to Georgia, enrolled a student from Argentina who speaks a little English, enrolled a student returning from the alternative school, enrolled a student from Vietnam who speaks no English, went to lunch, enrolled a student from California, enrolled a student from South Carolina, reviewed 30 transcripts for the ROTC instructor, and called it a day.
Light day. Fondly looking forward to my next rail trip......that November 1st excursion to Asheville looks good BUT I need to reschedule another obligation first!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I was looking at that Nov 1 excursion myself, David, but it's so complicated and costly for me to get to Spencer. I'd have to overnight at my friend in NYC to be early enough to catch the Carolinian, then overnight in Salisbury, taxi to the museum really early for the excrusion, then overnight again in Salisbury, then, because the Carolinian gets back to NYC too late and I cannot stay with my friend again, stay in some hotel before coming home. And if I don't stay at a hotel in NYC (very expensive) it means I have to pay for the Regional to get me home (for example, if I overnight in Charlotteville or Washington DC) and so that's an extra expense too.
Unless you think one can leave in the middle of the night to catch the Crescent, THEN I could at least get back into NYC at a reasonable time to catch another train upstate. But Salisbury seems to be an unmanned station; I'd be rather fearful of taking a train from one in the middle of the night.
If I did stay in Salisbury, do you have any hotel recommendations? I see there is a Holiday Inn Expresa and a Hampton Inn, 2 goodies for me.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Lived in Salisbury myself for almost 20 years. Worth a day visit to see the National Cemetary and some of the historic houses as well as the Train Museum. There's a nice trolly takes you around town and up to Spencer. There are a lot of hotels/motels within 5 miles. Holiday Inn is nice on Jake Alexander Blvd and has a wonderful Sunday Brunch. Hampton Inn on Klumac is within walking distance of nice restaurants and about 5 miles from the station. I think there is a Days Inn nearby the Hampton Inn on Bendix Drive that is also ok.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Oh, and the Comfort Suites on Innes St is only 3 minutes taxi from the station, quite nice, and within an easy 3-5 minute walking distance to several restaurants, loads of fast food chain restaurants, as well as a Starbucks, and about 1\2 mile from Super Walmart and K-Mart if you need supplies.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Oh, and another thing, the Amtrak Station is staffed usually about 30 minutes or so before scheduled train arrival. Its air conditioned and small but quite nice. It's a glass enclosure on the right backside of the historic refurbished station. There is a great antiques store too about 1/2 block from the station thats worth a visit (its near the end of the Amtrak parking lot).
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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AND another thing (sorry), of the 2 main taxi services in Salisbury (Safety Taxi and Latino Taxi) the most reliable and better service in my honest opinion was Latino Taxi. I used them regularly when going to and from the Amtrak Station and thought them quite reliable. Very friendly, safe, and had better cars too.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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The Salisbury Amtrak station is staffed by an attendant paid by the NCDOT for all trains. The website says open and attended 12:45am - 3:15am in order to meet both the north and southbound Crescents.
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Well that's interesting; my Amtrak timetable book says there is no ticket agent (an open circle), which made me think not a good place to go in the middle of the night. But if there is an attendant who is not a ticket agent, why doesn't the timetable book say that too? It would be most helpful to getting business for that station!
Thanks, David and DMW, for the info!
I actually came up with another solution, if Salisbury in the middle of the night was not good: Overnight a second night in Salisbury but go south instead of north the next morning, getting to Charlotte and checking my luggage there, seeing something of Charlotte, and then catching the Crescent northbound from there. I knew that was a manned station with more people, where I didn't think I'd mind a 2 in the morning departure as much. However, I really didn't want to pay for another hotel night.
But if Salisbury really is safe in the middle of the night, maybe I'll consider it. It would just mean 1 nite at a hotel--about all I can afford for any extra trip!
OTOH, since the Dome Car is already sold out, maybe I should wait for the NC train to Asheville, which I'm assuming is coming soon? Then I could spend more time there, as I'd really like to do (and hopefully have more money for hotels by then).
BTW, DavidP, your day back sounded really fun to me--all those students from someplace else, and trust a travel fan to focus on that aspect! I too always focus on where people are from, finding that I remember that far better than, for example, their names!!!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Sojourner - Another option would be to board the train in Greensboro. That is a manned station (and one that has been beautifully restored). Might make it a little easier work out the logistics. Also Greensboro station is right down town so you might find a walkable hotel. Spencer is 3 or 4 miles from Salisbury where the hotels are - and most of them by the interstate.
By the way, the link wasn't working, so hopefully I fixed it.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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There is no option at the Salisbury Station to pickup or exchange tickets, but it is clean and safe, has a vending machine and some literature on local sites. The Visitors Center is only 2 blocks towards town and loaded with great info.
The Charlotte NC Amtrak Station is a bit on the run down side of things, although spending a day sightseeing in Charlotte is definitely an upside. There is quite a bit of amazing new architecture and construction going on downtown, the NASCAR Museum which is only a couple years old, and the Mint Museum downtown is nice. Discovery Place is well worth admission and downtown has quite a few nice restautants and my two favorites, Matts Chicago Dogs and Fuel Pizza.
Salisbury is a cute town with lots of history. It is worth the extra time to visit if it fits in your schedule and budget.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Spencer is easily accessed by departing out of the Amtrak train station and going up 2 blocks to Main St, turn right and go 2 miles up Main St. until you hit Spencer. You never take the interstate. And from most of the motels it is maybe 10 minutes travel time. There are more hotels/motels in Salisbury, none in Spencer that I can even remember.
Yes quite a few motels are near the 8-lane interstate, request a room on the 'backside' if you think noise is going to be a problem, but it really shouldnt be. I've actually stayed at the hotel on Bendix Rd, and access road off of the I-85 exit ramp, and it was not a problem at all. I am sure the newer motels were constructed with noise control in mind.
Knowing Salisbury like I do I would probably recommend the Comfort Suites on Innes due to its proximity to numerous eateries and merchandise stores.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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If you get a chance, Amtrak's Piedmont from Salisbury to Charlotte is a great little train with beautifully refurbished cars, and includes a complimentary breakfast snack and juice. The engine is usually either the City of Salisbury or the City of Asheville, either worth a picture. One of my favorite paint schemes.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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You have convinced me to go--just not this fall. I will wait till I have more funds and can stay a little longer and do a few more things. Hopefully either the museum will repeat this excursion or there will be a "real" train to Asheville in the near future, as planned.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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I'm sure if the Nov 1st Asheville excursion sells well they will do it again next year. Salisbury, Spencer, and Charlotte are worth a 3-day visit in addition to a full-day rail excursion. So much to see and do. In addition to the activities I mentioned above in previous posts for Spencer, Salisbury, and Charlotte, there is also a nice Renaissance Festival that is staged about 25 miles south of Salisbury towards Charlotte near Huntersvile in mid-Oct to mid-Nov that is a lot of fun.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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-------------------- Everybody has to believe in something. I believe I'll take the train! Posts: 230 | From: Ithaca, New York | Registered: May 2009
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Mr. Sommer, click on the Quote tab of Mr. DMW's posting and the UBB protocol for IMG will be displayed.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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My first ride on a REAL passenger train originated at the Salisbury, NC station.
My mother and I caught Southern Railway train 6, the 'Piedmont' in July 1975 and rode to visit my aunt in Washington, DC.
Unlike today's Raleigh-Charlotte 'Piedmont', Souhtern's Piedmont in the early and mid-1970's was a Washington-Atlanta day train on the same route as the 'Crescent'.
I could tell stories about that Shay steam locomotive #1925 too BUT as that's not related to Amtrak I'll spare you those.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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V nice pictures, DMW. Are the buildings in the 2 post cards still standing?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: V nice pictures, DMW. Are the buildings in the 2 post cards still standing?
All of the pictures above are genuine photographs I took, none are post cards. The first two pictures are of a giant mural painted on the backside of a bank downtown Salisbury. I had to stand almost 1/4 block away to get each picture segment of the continuous mural. On the first picture you can actually see the curb at the bottom.
The building with the 'Cheerwine' ad painted on the side is still there as of my last visit. It was occupied by an Insurance company.It is 1 block across from the Amtrak station. For those who dont know, Cheerwine is basically a cherry flavored soda made only in Salisbury and distributed mostly in the Southeast. I love it.
The old house with the cannon in the yard is the Rowan Museum. Actually there are several nice museums, art galleries, antique stores, and a great old fashion General Store, all downtown and within walking distance of the train station.
The other pics show the National Cemetary (over 11,700 buried in a common plot), Salisbury Amtrak station with arriving and departing trains, the CAROLINIAN going over the Yadkin River Bridge just north of Spencer, the PIEDMONT's engine (my favorite), and the Spencer train and depot.
Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Yep......time to head down for a visit to Salisbury and Spencer again. Might even need to drive over to Durham since the Amtrak station there has moved out of the mobile home across the tracks into a restored century old tobacco warehouse. Interior at Durham
For an exterior picture, click back to the home page for <www.bytrain.org> and then scroll down below the announcements about temporary schedule changes.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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The new Durham station is quite pretty. It's also really about time they did something with the Charlotte station. I though there were plans of moving the location several blocks closer to downtown to another already built facility that was in the process of restoration?
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Last I heard the plans were to build a new station/transportation center near the site of the original Southern station, downtown. It's just north of where the mainline splits to go Columbia and Atlanta. I believe it is currently occupied by Greyhound. It would be a big improvement over the location of the current station that is a couple miles north of downtown.
It is an excellent location, close to the Panthers' stadium and I-77/downtown connector. Very attractive modern design (tall lots of glass) and linked to the new light rail line several blocks away by some sort of east-west transit line - maybe a streetcar. That line is very popular and runs north-south through the heart of downtown.
But, lots of plans - no action. Funding of course is the issue.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Thanks for clearing up re the pictures, DMW. They make me want to visit Salisbury and the trian museum even more!
If anyone here hears that the Asheville train is running again in 2010, please post here and let me know! I know the special train isn't actually an Amtrak train, but I'd be taking the Amtrak train to get to Salisbury, so I think it would be OK to post here. Thanks!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: Thanks for clearing up re the pictures, DMW. They make me want to visit Salisbury and the trian museum even more!
If anyone here hears that the Asheville train is running again in 2010, please post here and let me know! I know the special train isn't actually an Amtrak train, but I'd be taking the Amtrak train to get to Salisbury, so I think it would be OK to post here. Thanks!
This year's excursion was announced in late July I believe. I'm still conflicted on whether to ask for a sub to cover my part on a schedulled brass band concert so that I can take the train November 1st or not.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: Last I heard the plans were to build a new station/transportation center near the site of the original Southern station, downtown. It's just north of where the mainline splits to go Columbia and Atlanta. I believe it is currently occupied by Greyhound. It would be a big improvement over the location of the current station that is a couple miles north of downtown.
It is an excellent location, close to the Panthers' stadium and I-77/downtown connector. Very attractive modern design (tall lots of glass) and linked to the new light rail line several blocks away by some sort of east-west transit line - maybe a streetcar. That line is very popular and runs north-south through the heart of downtown.
But, lots of plans - no action. Funding of course is the issue.
I assume that you are talking about Charlotte. The plans for the station are all dated 2002. Charlotte does have at least one light rail line open.
Here is the show stopper:
quote:Financing: Construction of Gateway Station depends on funding from local, state and federal sources. The station and area track improvements will be constructed in multiple phases.
There has been a little movement, however. There has been a "FONSI" decision by the FTA.
That is, there is a letter from the Federal Transit Administration dated April 22, 2009 that states, among other things,
quote:The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has received and reviewed the Environmental Assessment (EA) dated march 2009 submitted on behalf of the City of Charlotte and Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) for the Charlotte Gateway Station (CGS) Intermodal Facility located in Charlotte NC. Based on our review of the material submitted, and in accordance with 23 CFR 771.119, it is our finding that there are no significant impacts on the environment associated with the developmenet oand operation of this project. Therefore, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been approved.
Attached to this letter is the review, for a total 187 page pdf file, 2,416 KB.
Other things that make the possibility look real, other than the timeline are:
The in-service light rail line to the south, or more precisly sothwesterly.
Extension of this line to the northeast appears to be well on its way to happening, but not by 2012 as stated somewhere. Preliminary engineering and some of the basic agreements required have not yet happened.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Haven't had one in almost five years, but it's not from the lack of want. I've averaged 130-155 hours every 2-week per pay period since January and, because of understaffing, cant take more than one or two days off even if I wanted to. 
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