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Fred Frailey's column appearing in July TRAINS should be of interest to passenger train enthusiasts of the "moneyed" varietal. Without violating Fair Use under 17 USC 107, allow me to report that here are existing cars and/or services that he thinks are of "ride now or else" genre'.
Southwest Chief Budd Diners Pullman Rail Journeys The Cape Flyer Norfolk Southern Steam RDC's in Canada Norristown High Speed Line Nevada Northern Reno Fun Train
For Mr. Frailey's reasoning, go to his column, and allow me to comply with Fair Use.
I could conceivably bite for Pullman Rail Journeys. I suppose it could represent one last "memory lane" on the IC sitting in a round end Obs that I did numerous times (sorry Kam's, but that is where some of my "sudszbucks" went) while at UofI 1962-65 (not all that much coming back 1969 after having been "popped at' a few times in 'Nam, and when my objectives comprised "get a degree, get a job, get out").
But since (and sorry bout that Big Easy lovers) NO is an absolute zero to me, it would be a same-day "first bird out or down" with me.
Hey, I went through $2025.75 in 36 hours on my post-surgery "one night stand" in Miami during March. How about $1500 to Mr. Ellis and United for about 24hrs?
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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On the original list he also had the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad on his endangered list, state ownership notwithstanding.
Let it be noted that if riding a VIA RDC on Vancouver Island (as well as riding RDC's in MARC Commuter service between College Park, MD and Baltimore Camden Yards count), I have checked off 6 of the 10. Those that I am missing are PRJ, the Cape Flyer, the Reno Fun Train, and the Norristown Line.
-------------------- 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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Southwest Chief Budd Diners The Cape Flyer (well; New Haven's Cape Codder) Norfolk Southern Steam (well; SRY) Norristown High Speed Line
Just might:
Pullman Rail Journeys (if feeling profligate as I was when "Doc" cleared me for air travel after my surgery)
"Faggedit"
RDC's in Canada (been on enough of those "Chien der fer" in this life to last me into the next) Nevada Northern (just no interest) Reno Fun Train (same)
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The Reno Fun Train, in my opinion, isn't "fun". It depends on what group is on-board the train, but in general, it's either a train of grey-haired folks heading up to hit the penny slots (I'd prefer traveling with them), or a rowdy/drunk group of idiots who are there for the booze. I definitely prefer the Zephyr in a roomette so that I can snooze or just relax in private as I watch the beautiful scenery go by.
I would LOVE to be able to take one of the Pullman trips! That looks like so much fun, and they use very nice equipment. But right now, the cost of those trips is out of reach for me.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Someone is going to think "I'm getting serious" over a possible PRJ "joyride".
New Orleans is simply one of these "zero spots" for me, as I have no interest whatever in its "contrived bacchanal" and I simply "don't eat seafood'. Therefore for me it would be simply fly down on, say, a 9A from KORD, which I guess would touch down KMSY about 1130A. That should be sufficient to get to NOUPT by 145P for departure of AMTK #58 and PRJ. Anyone here who flies knows that the birds are more reliable in the morning than afternoon and evening. Read the sorry tale of this hapless United KCVG-KEWR puddlejumper flight:
So far as $$$ go, let's estimate #375 for the one way flight down, and for the return in a Lower, Mr. Ellis wants $800 (that he does not offer Roomettes nor that he is "touting" Dome dining, suggests to me he is only running two cars - his 6-4-6 and his Obs that can offer some kind of food service that somehow I think is catered airline food). Throw in another $50 for tips and transfers I would presume his Attendants WILL enforce the old Pullman rule that Lower Berth gets the forward ride - or at least they'd better.
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By the same token Smitty, I simply cannot justify spending that kind of money for the Pullman Rail Journey experience when I can grab a low bucket roomette on the City of New Orleans for just $130...... or even go gratis with AGR points.
I've slept in 10&6 sleepers before and PRJ is a pretty penny for a trip one will sleep for half of.
Now I will spring $250 once a year for an all-day (all waking hours) excursion in a dome car with access to other PV's on a route with no regular passenger service when some of the proceeds are benefitting the North Carolina Transportation Museum or the Roanoke, VA NRHS Chapter.
-------------------- 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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GBN, Because the Southwest Chief, as you indicated, may very well be history soon I booked a roundtrip from Krikwood, MO to Williams Junction, AZ next fall. I have never seen the Grand Canyon and I decided this was the time if I wanted to enjoy the scenery on the SWC going to the Canyon and back. Please correct me if I am mistaken, but isn't the SWC route the same one as the ATSF Super Chief and the El Capitan ran on?
Posts: 140 | Registered: Nov 2008
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quote:Originally posted by Iron Mountain: GBN, Because the Southwest Chief, as you indicated, may very well be history soon I booked a roundtrip from Krikwood, MO to Williams Junction, AZ next fall. I have never seen the Grand Canyon and I decided this was the time if I wanted to enjoy the scenery on the SWC going to the Canyon and back. Please correct me if I am mistaken, but isn't the SWC route the same one as the ATSF Super Chief and the El Capitan ran on?
That is correct Iron Mountain.
-------------------- 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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