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Having investigated the various possibilities, it looks like the best way for me to get to Des Moines using Amtrak is to go to Chicago and catch the Megabus. The only problem: Unless I want to pay for a room in Chicago, I have to catch the westbound Megabus that gets in to Des Moines at 11 PM. The bus stop is at Walnut & 4th. Does anyone know what this is like? Also, does anyone have a not-too-expensive, safe, comfortable hotel rec for downtown Des Moines and any other recs?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Ms. Sojourner, here is the traditional downtown hotel in Des Moines when sixty years ago businessmen would arrive by train in the morning, leave bags with a Bellman at a downtown commercial grade hotel, conduct their business, then check in later:
I once stayed there on the Des Moines Union Railway's (a jointly owned switching road between the MILW and the WAB) nickel.
Des Moines is one of a number of major Midwestern cities to which rail travel is simply "not an option". So long as you choose to impose upon yourself your "no fly; no rent' constraints, your options to reasonably and practicably get there are quite limited.
Should you still choose to go, it appears where Megabus handles passengers is a downtown location. But let us be mindful that the "Megabus Station" is simply a street corner. In Chicago, the "Megabus Station" is quite near CUS; however Amtrak Police regualrly 'run out' Megabus passengers seeking shelter there.
Finally, restored passenger service along the Rock Island? Talked about of course, but presently "life support/dead" owing to Iowa's new "Tea Party leaning" Governor:
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Sojourner, you seem fond of traveling frequently to out-of-the-way places. What is it about Des Moines that attracts you?
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Mr Kisor, I think it would be fun to go to the capitol of Iowa in this primary season. I was in Concord NH 4 years ago and it was fun. Besides, I have a business connection there (although they wouldn't be paying for my trip, alas!)
I don't think I can afford the Marriott, Mr Norman, but I will check out the Hotel Fort Des Moines, Mr "Pullman," sounds very nice.
Mr. Norman, what do you mean when you say Amtrak Police regularly "run out" Megabus passengers seeking shelter there? Do you mean they force them to leave Union Station? Are they a disreputable bunch?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Amtrak Police will periodically 'sweep' the Great Hall challenging all seated there to state their business. It happened to me when I was waiting for Miss Vickie and Mr. Art last month. Naturally, I was OK awaiting Amtrak passengers as well as returning home later that evening on METRA. You'd likely be OK as well as you had arrived on Amtrak.
But someone saying "just sitting' or 'waiting for Megabus' would surely be asked to leave.
Be it assured the officers were courteous, but remember CUS is private property and they are sworn to protect it and those with a legitimate reason for being there.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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While I don't think Des Moines is on my bucket list, the Hotel Ft. Des Moines would be my choice. Looks just like a hotel should. Good to hear about it. We love those older hotels, that are maybe a touch down at the heels but have lots of stories to tell.
Now let's see. If I was a salesman headed to Des Moines in the 50's I'd probably take the Corn Belt Rocket. Left Chicago about 10pm with an early morning arrival in Des Moines. But, courtesy of the Pullman Co., there were two set out sleepers for that city that could be occupied until 8am. Dinner and drinks would be served in its Diner/Parlor/Observation. Can only imagine what that car was like.
The Rock Island was one of eight railroads with passenger trains serving that city in no less than seven different stations.
And now the best we can do is Megabus. Gotta love 'progress'.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Have you looked into Jefferson Bus Lines from the Zephyr at Osceola. I think there are two buses a day and their station is in the Osceola Amtrak station and they go to Des Moines Greyhound. They are superior to Greyhound.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Supurb suggestion Twin Star...... that would reduce time on the bus to less than an hour each way.
And Jefferson has their full timetable available online. Wish other carriers would do that.
-------------------- 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 did look into the Jefferson bus from Osceola. Unfortunately, the times don't match up; it would mean the additional expense of overnighting in Osceola.
I also looked into Jefferson lines and Greyhound from Chicago, but Megabus is better.
Question for Mr Norman, Mr Kisor, or others who know Chicago well: If I decide to stay just 1 night in Des Noines & take a late bus back & overnight in Chicago, the late Megabus gets back at 11PM. Will I have a problem getting a taxi at that time of night at the Union Station area? Is the area OK at that time of night for a single female traveler (I'd just be going from bus to taxi). I've never been there that late at night.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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According to the Megabus website, their Chicago "terminal' is located on the East side of Canal between Jackson and Van Buren. The CUS taxicab stand is located in front of the Canal St entrance. I would not foresee any personal safety issues making that 500ft trek. My biggest problem with taxicabs at CUS are the 'doormen', or otherwise vagrants, that will "find' you a taxicab, open the door, and then want $2.00 for their "service'. I solve the problem simply by walking where I must, but I respect for others that may not be a ready option. Reportedly, Amtrak Police will 'sweep" that area as well as a like area on Adams St, but I haven't seen too much evidence of those sweeps on the few occasions I board or alight a taxicab at CUS.
Regarding Hotel Fort Des Moines, it appears there are adverse reviews of the property posted at Trip Advisor, but then, aren't there adverse reviews of the Holiday Inn Express in Boca at which I always stay when I go down below (any of the dozen or so here who know me face to face think I'm into a "Dive-Inn")?
Finally Ms Sojourner, I think this is one 'sojourn" in which you would be best served by either making your way to KORD or let Mr. Hertz put you in the driver's seat. Hertz has an office (and autos) immediately South of CUS on Clinton; there is a Hertz desk within CUS that occasionally is staffed. All told, there simply appears too much misery considering the street corner pick ups and drop offs, the late hours, and the uncertainties that would "sap' from the enjoyment of your travel experience.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Just to add a note of caution & not to put down MegaBus: but - in March my son's mother-in-law boarded the Megabus in Iowa City with the intention of picking up a rental car at CUS to drive to a wedding in Goshen, Indiana. The bus broke down outside Joliet and they sat there for hours without getting much useful information. The car rental people at CUS close at 7 PM & we advised her to consider hopping on the Capitol Limited to Elkhart if she arrived in time as the weather was abysmal. She did make it to CUS at 6:20, but Amtrak would not sell her a ticket on the Capitol as it was less than an hour before train time. Not wishing to wait until the wee hour of the morning to arrive on the Lake Shore Limited,, she rented the car anyway & drove to Goshen. She REALLY wanted to get my daughter's wedding! I'm sure sojourner has encountered her share of delays on trains & otherwise. It always makes for an adventure!
-------------------- 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
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quote:Originally posted by TwinStarRocket: Have you looked into Jefferson Bus Lines from the Zephyr at Osceola. I think there are two buses a day and their station is in the Osceola Amtrak station and they go to Des Moines Greyhound. They are superior to Greyhound.
Do they actually go into the Amtrak station at Osceola now? When I took the Jefferson bus from Des Moines to catch the Zephyr in 2002 it was a long-distance bus en route to (IIRC) Kansas City and they dropped you on the western edge of town, a good mile and a half from the station.
Worth knowing if I ever have to do the trip again!
PS: Des Moines was in the short-lived expansion plan around 2000 time to get service restored but nothing came of it - where does it stand now with the mid-west expansion and HSR?
Posts: 395 | From: england | Registered: Sep 2002
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Mr. Williams, as part of the 2K vintage Network Growth Strategy, Amtrak did contemplate a Chicago-Des Moines "Mixto Diario" on an overnight schedule primarily to handle freight - and whatever passengers might show up. The route as I recall was Rock Island to Davenport, DRI&W to Nahant, thence MILW to Chi. But alas, like the entire NGS, it was nothing other than Warrington "smoke and mirrors". Now over ten years after his gang got run outta town (and up to NJTransit), history will show that Warrington was the poorest CEO Amtrak has had to date.
Regarding the more recent "HSR" proposal, that too is effectively dead. While proposed under a "pro-rail" Governor (Culver), that Governor failed to win re-election and was replaced with a "tea-party leaning' (officially he is not) Governor (Branstad), who I guess can be said is a "Grover Cleveland" - he has been Governor in the past.
While the objectivity of the linked site's content must be questioned, it is submitted to provide a source of ready informastion:
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Greyhound/Jefferson connects Kansas City and Des Moines 4 times a day. It's a 3 - 3.5 hour bus ride, depending on the route.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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I saw your post about the Iowa primaries (caucuses). My friend and I went for the 2008 caucuses. It is a blast, meeting candidates and familiar press people in a very casual setting. We shook hands with all pricipal candidates from both parties with not much effort at all. Also met Juan Williams, Bill Kristol and Greta Van Susteren at several locations. Had a beer with Bill Hemmer and Michael Steele in the Hotel Fort Des Moines bar, as well as attended Hilary's after caucus non-victory party. We're taking Amtrak from Albany to Osceola this time, have to figure out how to get to Des Moines from there. Any advice from anyone would be great. How's Des Moines for New Year's eve?
Posts: 1 | From: upstate NY | Registered: Nov 2011
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Unfortunately the bus to Des Moines requires an overnight in Osceola. Jefferson Bus Schedule I do not remember any motels near the station. There are a couple of motels near the freeway about 3 miles west.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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I had to forget the planned trip, though I'm still planning one one of these days. I do know that Megabus runs from Chicago to Des Moines twice a day--that was what I settled on taking.
But also look into Burlington buses between Chicago and Des Moines and either Burlington or Jefferson Lines from Kansas City to Des Moines. Plus, I have vague memories of Burlington also haveing a bus from Galesport to Des Moines. And Jefferson Lines may even have one from Minneapolis; I don't remember.
Even if those buses also require an overnight stay, you may prefer overnights in those cities rather than Osceola . . . don't know what Osceola is like, but other cities may be more interesting and/or convenient.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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There is also Burlington Trailways bus service between Ottumwa and Des Moines, but it is a 21 hour layover from train 5 and a 23 hour layover taking 6 back east (could one depend on train 6 being at least an hour late?!). Ottumwa does have an Americinn by the depot and is larger than Osceola. Bus stop is Amtrak.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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