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It seems the capitol is reopened, and I'm thinking of stopping on my way north. I could then visit Columbia and Raleigh as I'd like (otherwise I no longer can and get to NY Penn in time to catch useful-to-me northbound Empire Service, with the Silver Star schedule shift). But a lot of what I hear about downtown Richmond isn't great.
Would the Marriott Downtown be safe to stay in in winter if I'm traveling solo? The prices sure are affordable for me, but some of the comments on trip advisor make it sound like it isn't a safe area. Yet I don't see the point of staying anywhere but downtown, since everything I want to see is down there and I don't want to spend a lot on taxis (I'm willing to take 1 but that's about it). The Marriott does have a free shuttle so I could presumably go to a restaurant at night. But I still don't want to feel uncomfortable, and all those negtive comments about the neighborhood worry me.
The free shuttle will also drop me at Main St Station to catch the Regional back north. But it won't go to Staple Mills to pick me up when I arrive on the Silver Star. Is getting a taxi here a problem? I also read the cab service in Richmond is none too reliable.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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It appears that there is an on-premises restaurant at the Marriott Richmond. To my best knowledge (and I had more stays at Marriott properties during '07 than any other brand) a restaurant is part of any "full service" Marriott property.
On my auto trips, I "tie up" for overnights at properties with full service simply because there's the restaurant (usually with a greater portion of solo diners than at others) and I need not go near the auto until next AM when it is time to move on. Further, I have also found that, as hotel restaurants go, Marriott is "pretty darned good" - and way better than any at the dwindling number of "full service' (Green sign) Holiday Inns out there.
Jerome Nicholson Member # 3116
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Have you considered the Omni, which is within walking distance of the Capitol? It's also at the edge of the Shockoe Slip restaurant and nightclub area and only three blocks from Main Street Station.
Jerome Nicholson Member # 3116
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Regarding your second question, there are usually taxis waiting at Staples Mill Station for each train. Catching one in town is a problem - you'll have to phone for one.
palmland Member # 4344
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Well, of course I am a big fan of the little town of Ashland, VA about 15 miles north of Richmond. The Henry Clay Inn is a great place to stay (although just had a price increase but I suspect still a lot cheaper than the Omni or Marriott). From there an excellent restaurant is next door (The Ironhorse) and you walk out the front door and you're at the station.
Several regionals stop at Ashland, but not the Star. You might take it on the return after spending the day in Richmond.
For Richmond sightseeing, the morning train from DC stops at Ashland at 9:18 and will have you in the restored Main St. station in downtown Richmond at 10:12 after a stop at Staples Mill station. The return train leaves Main st. at 5:30pm and arrives in Ashland at 6:13.
While it is an uphill walk to the Capitol, I would certainly feel safe in daylight and you can't beat the nearby Shockoe Slip area for restaurants.
It is sooooooooooo close to the train station and the college campus there is a pleasant and safe place to walk-off Amtrak calories.
The next day Amtrak regional service can get you to Richmond Main Street (or Williamsburg or DC) for a day of sightseeing.
It's worth the effort to plan an overnight or two in Ashland.
Rereading your original post you might consider coming off the northbound Star at Richmond Staples Mill. You could store your luggage at the station while you cab downtown for sightseeing and then back to Staples Mill for the 6pm ish or so regional that will let you off at Ashland just 13 minutes later.
Then, the following morning, you could proceed north on an early regional train (and there are two or three to choose from) from Ashland to New York and beyond.
palmland Member # 4344
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David is correct of course, you are stopping on your return from the south (I failed speed reading). His suggestion works well if the Star on its new schedule is on time.
Otherwise you might have to skip the sightseeing that day and make the 6pm connection to Ashland. Following day do Richmond and either stay in Ashland again or perhaps an afternoon trip from Staples Mill to NY if you don't mind a late arrival.
The advantage of two nights is that you would have time to check out the college campus (home for myself and my son and his wife for four years) and perhaps also sample dinner in the Henry Clay. They serve dinners Thurs-Sat. Also check out Cross Bros. grocery store - family owned since forever and a time warp.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Sorry, Ashland lovers, staying there makes no sense for me on this particular trip, since the Silver Star doesn't stop there. The train is unlikely to be on time to Richmond--I'll be lucky if there is time to see much of anything in Richmond that afternoon! In fact, that's the only reason I considered a second night in Richmond, because I'm sure the first one will be wasted! As for using Ashland as a base to Richmond without a car, what I save on hotel prices would be spent on the Amtrak fares--really, I know you guys like Ashland, but if I cannot stay in downtown Richmond this trip, as I said, there is no point in stopping there at all. Now, the main reason I was stopping is because I need to get back to NYC at a reasonable time to catch a train upstate. Otherwise I'd just stop in Columbia and Raleigh and do Richmond another time (when I visit Williamsburg perhaps).
Jerome, I'd love to stay at the Omni, but the prices are just too high. The Marriott prices I had quoted aren't bad; I just wanted to know if anyone knows the hotel or its location and why there were those complains about the neighborhood at trip advisor. It doesn't look all that far from the Omni to me, on my little Triple A book map.
Maybe I should forget the stops and visit Richmond, Raleigh, and Columbia another time. Then I could go from the north and stay in Ashland!
notelvis Member # 3071
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Fair enough Sojourner. The issue with trains from points south of Richmond not stopping in Ashland has thrown wrenches into my plans before as well.
We Ashland lovers will be content to keep the place to ourselves. Heck, the Henry Clay Inn only has about 14 guest rooms anyway so we don't want to get the word out to just everybody!
sojourner Member # 3134
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Oh, I thought of a way to do it--I'll stop in Raleigh and Columbia going DOWN. I'll save Richmond for another time, as noted (when I also go to Williamsburg). Now I just have to check hotel rates & local taxis again, but I think this works best. I'd rather leave Columbia 1AM-ish southbound than 4AM-ish northbound (esp as you never know if the train is anywhere near on time)
notelvis Member # 3071
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Sojourner,
You posted at 4:45am. You must be a real early riser! I thought I had the market cornered on that with my early wake-ups and often checking the computer by 6:30am.
palmland Member # 4344
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Good idea Sojourner - In Columbia the Clarion Hotel Downtown is well located near the Capitol, the University and is on Gervais St. which is in the heart of the Vista district - lots of shops and restaurants.
Try the Blue Marlin - a good restaurant and located in the former Seaboard Train station - also an easy walk from the hotel. The hotel is about a mile from the station but that time of night you will want to get a cab.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thanks for the info, Palmland--I'll add Blue Marlin to my notes!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From Marriott Fairfield, Fredericksburg VA--
Well, I've now seen Ashland "up close and personal" or otherwise more than just a glance when passing through on Auto Train.
This past Friday, while driving from KRIC to this hotel, I found that I had a little slack time and still meet the Dinner time set with my friends here. Therefore I got off the I-95 and drove into town. I now have photos embedded on an electronic chip of Randolph Macon's sign, the Henry Clay Inn sign, and the train station. Unfortunately, I "haven't the vaguest" regarding how to post photos, let alone how to look at them anywhere other than within the camera. Even though I was there about 530P, or roundly when both 53 and 91 pass, I did not have time to "wait around".
All told, running down Main Street appears to be part of this attractive town's "charm". Somehow I think that if there is to be an HSR initiative, there would be strong resistance from Ashland and likely would require a line change routed away from the center of town.
notelvis Member # 3071
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The former C&O line from Charlottesville to Newport News crosses the former RF&P at Doswell, VA just north of Ashland.
I would not be surprised if some future HSR proposal calls for following the C&O alignment from Doswell directly into Main Street Station....though such would bypass the Staples Mill Road Station as well as downtown Ashland.
palmland Member # 4344
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Well done, GBN. Glad you made the detour. Now we just have to get you back to spend the night or at least sample some of the Ironhorse's fine dining. I plan on doing so in a few weeks as part of homecoming. Travel plans to be determined.
Notelevis, I thought the decision had been made to not use the C&O route for SEHSR due to environmental concerns and the hilly/curving nature of the terrain?
notelvis Member # 3071
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Palmland,
That may be true, I'm not sure what the case is north of Main Street Station.... though I was unaware that anything had been definately ruled out.
I do know that there have been environmental concerns raised with rehabbing the former passenger main from Main Street Station southward towards Petersburg though.
When is homecoming at Randolph-Macon? I'm free the weekend of October 9 and thinking about Ashland as a destination...... would probably do something else though if that weekend coincides with Homecoming.
palmland Member # 4344
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David - I'm glad my memory still has some life in it - here is the link. Of course that doesn't mean they won't change their mind subject to the politics of the day: SEHSR
Homecoming is weekend of Oct 22, so you should be fine on an earlier weekend.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
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If you want some Columbia railfaining advice. I would recommend Divine junction which is by the Amtrak station. It has every line in town. So it by far has the most trains. Also check out CA Dreaming in former Columbia Union Station. There are also some private cabooses and passenger cars (two lightweight, two heavyweight) on Key Road by the football arena. Which are worth it. The zoo is by the track too, and it has at least two trains an hour at times. There is a sonic drive in at two legs of devine junction. Sandwiched in between the road and the R line, and a connection main. Also if you rent a car a local shortline the L&C is about to be taken over. Hope this helps in Columbia
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