Honestly, if I had the funds to do a sleeper car a cross-country train trip would be wonderful. As several people have said, it has quite a few benefits; you get to relax, you aren't tasked with driving, you aren't in a hurry, it's very scenic, you can see different towns and parts of the country, etc. The problem is that sleeper cars are outrageously expensive. From Reno to Boston is about $300 round trip flying, and almost $1000 round trip on the train if I have a sleeper car. It's just a sleeper car between Reno and Chicago, too. Adding a sleeper car between Chicago and Boston adds even more.
Arco on
Like this, not like the gas station.
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
See, that's all fine, but most people aren't going on vacation to spend it on the train. I want to spend the majority of my vacation in the place I chose to go for vacation. For PAX, I'm definitely looking forward to the train ride, but I wouldn't want to spend three days on it. And especially not for $1000. Wtf.♠
See, that's all fine, but most people aren't going on vacation to spend it on the train. I want to spend the majority of my vacation in the place I chose to go for vacation. For PAX, I'm definitely looking forward to the train ride, but I wouldn't want to spend three days on it. And especially not for $1000. Wtf.♠
You just summed up the reason why rail travel has been dying for decades. But, PAXers are doing it for fun regardless of cost. I'm sure some people could get a plane ticket for the same price, but it might not be as fun as this.
capnjack on
Q: "You are in the garden. You see a rose bush. You have a fishing rod. Exits are North, South and IN."
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
What line you will be on: Stone Line
Name: Reuben Negron (1up) & special guest Leela!
Location: New Jersey
Boarding Stop: Philadelphia, PA
Ticket Purchased: N
Gonna wait for my tax refund before buying our tickets.
What line you will be on: Stone Line
Name: Susana
Location: Northern New Jersey
Boarding Stop: New York Penn Station
Ticket Purchased: Y
I will probably be counted on to bring rice krispie treats, goldfish crackers, my home-made dalmudi deck, an old decrepit laptop and some dvds. My first PAX. Yay Pax train!
Those coming in from Stone and Lava, you'll both end up at South Station. There's a connection there to the MBTA's Red Line (you shouldn't have used colors when talking about this, because the subway in Boston is color coordinated). The Red Line does not bring you directly to the convention center, but you can connect to the Green Line at Park Street. From there, take any Green Line train but the E line (which are the B, C, and D lines) to the Hynes Convention Center stop.
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
According to Amtrak's website, we're departing at Back Bay Station, not South Station, which according to what somebody previously told me, is within walking or short cab distance of the Hynes and surrounding hotels.
Yeah, Stone Line goes into the Back Bay station. Personally I think the convention center is JUST a bit too far to walk while carrying a bunch of luggage, but I'm a lazy ass :P Maybe we can all hijack a bus or something.
You are aware the train departs on Thursday, correct?
Yep, it doesn't arrive at my stop until after 5, so no conflicts there.
ElSantos on
0
Options
ColdbrewDown in Front ProductionsLake Stevens, WARegistered Userregular
edited February 2010
Well it looks like I will be along for the ride after all, blue line of course. I'm not too thrilled about getting into Boston Thursday night, but oh well.
I'll try to look into it when I can, but how far is the station in Boston from the convention center, and will transportation be easy?
Coldbrew on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
Back Bay Station is under a mile from the convention center area, if I'm not mistaken.
And yeah, I'm not too thrilled about the arrival time either, but it was the only way to get everybody on the same train.
Moe Fwacky on
0
Options
ColdbrewDown in Front ProductionsLake Stevens, WARegistered Userregular
edited February 2010
Right, it works.
I just looked on Google Maps too, it's only a few blocks from the convention center, and the hotel I'm at is even closer. Awesome.
I hope train delays aren't all too common.
EDIT: Oh, and does Amtrak charge right away when a ticket is purchased, or not until the day of?
EDIT2:
What line you will be on: Blue
Name: Brian (Coldbrew)
Location: Everett, WA
Boarding Stop: Everett
Ticket Purchased: N
Coldbrew on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
They get charged right away. Somewhere there is data on how often certain Amtrak trains are on time. I hope things aren't too bad, I'd hate to get in too late.
Moe Fwacky on
0
Options
ColdbrewDown in Front ProductionsLake Stevens, WARegistered Userregular
edited February 2010
hmm alright.
Any plans for reverse trips? Or just whatever. I've found the same reverse path (lava to blue) back that leaves Monday which is perfect so it's not a problem but I wouldn't mind going back with people too.
Oh, and we'll be filming on the trains too for the Community DVD. My other main crew member will be getting on the copper line, so we'll at least film on the lava. Just an FYI.
Coldbrew on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
I'll be taking that monday train back home, but as with the CCST, I've left people open to plan their own ways home.
Many props, Coldbrew, for doing the long haul. Are you getting a sleeper on the Blue Line?
Also, I found the site that lists delays, http://www.amtrakdelays.com
Looks like the Lava line is 22 minutes early, on average.
Moe Fwacky on
0
Options
ColdbrewDown in Front ProductionsLake Stevens, WARegistered Userregular
edited February 2010
That's really good news. And I don't plan on the sleeper room, I don't exactly have a lot of money to spend. I'll look into it and see how much it actually is, but I doubt it.
3 days on a train is going to be crazy. They have power outlets and shit right!?
EDIT: Looks like the Blue line has an average delay of 72 minutes, which should be fine considering it's a 5 hour layover. Awesome site.
Coldbrew on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
From what I've been told, there are power outlets, although you might want to bring a power strip. The sleeper however is upwards of 300 if memory serves. It's a room for two though, so it could be worth it if you have a traveling buddy.
Howdy,
I'm the "other main crew member" for the PAX Community DVD. My video camera shall be along for the ride as well, and we'll definitely get some footage on the Lava line.
Anyway Moe, you should add "ear plugs" to the list of things to bring along. I've never ridden Amtrak, but I imagine it's not the quietest ride for sleeping.
papaprinny on
0
Options
ColdbrewDown in Front ProductionsLake Stevens, WARegistered Userregular
edited February 2010
Yeah $216 for a 2 person room. I wish I could afford that, and I'll be by myself on the blue line, aside from the other paxers, so that wont happen.
Is there somewhere to park your car at the Cleveland station, Moe? The return trip would have us arriving a little after 3AM, which is too late for me to get a ride from there.
Xiryc on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
You know, I'm not sure. I wasn't planning on leaving my car down there anyway. Worse comes to worse, I can always hop a bus home from the train station, but I'd rather not do that at 3am. I can't imagine there not be parking there, but it is downtown, so it might not be free.
Yeah, Stone Line goes into the Back Bay station. Personally I think the convention center is JUST a bit too far to walk while carrying a bunch of luggage, but I'm a lazy ass :P Maybe we can all hijack a bus or something.
Believe me, getting a cab at Back Bay to go the Hynes or to a hotel right by there is a waste of money (unless the weather is awful or there's a lot of snow on the ground & it's impossible to walk safely.) It's a few blocks - not very far at all - and is a lot easier/closer than it looks on a map. Plus, the streets are all one-way in the Copley Square area, so it's a good chance a cab would take longer than walking, and cabbies would exploit your lack of area knowledge.
Also, there's been a few people who have mentioned getting off at South Station then transferring onto the T (local subway). As mentioned, the Green Line E train does not stop at Hynes, but it does stop at Prudential, which is attached to the convention center and a couple of the hotels. For those that don't know, the Prudential Center is a pretty decent sized mall and has a good food court.
Drew8800 on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
I honestly don't know why anybody would get off at South Station, unless their hotel is closer to South Station than to Back Bay Station.
I just looked on Google Maps too, it's only a few blocks from the convention center, and the hotel I'm at is even closer. Awesome.
Oh sweet, I didn't realize the convention center (and the Colonnade, where we're staying) are literally right around the corner from BBY station, that'll save us some money on a cab to and from. Good to hear about another on the Blue Line, this is sounding like more fun every time I check the thread.
WhereMyArm on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
I'm staying at the Colonnade too. We can walk over together.
Moe Fwacky on
0
Options
ColdbrewDown in Front ProductionsLake Stevens, WARegistered Userregular
I just looked on Google Maps too, it's only a few blocks from the convention center, and the hotel I'm at is even closer. Awesome.
Oh sweet, I didn't realize the convention center (and the Colonnade, where we're staying) are literally right around the corner from BBY station, that'll save us some money on a cab to and from. Good to hear about another on the Blue Line, this is sounding like more fun every time I check the thread.
Yeah it seems like a nice hotel, and I agree, the train should be fun (if i can keep busy for 3 days) and just this whole event and trip is going to be insane, I've never left the time zone I live in, so i just don't know what to expect.
I'm going around to all the threads where I said I was going and pulling that out. I still don't have a job (after graduating last MAY, I really have no idea on what I can do now... existential crisis and all) so I don't have the finances to go to East. Hopefully I can go to Prime.
They get charged right away. Somewhere there is data on how often certain Amtrak trains are on time. I hope things aren't too bad, I'd hate to get in too late.
1) The N.E. is really good about being close to on time as amtrak owns the rails.
2) I've never taken amtrak and had it arrive on time.
I know people at amtrak - They say the killer with amtrak delays is that freightlines own the rails in most places and will (illegally) stop trains to move their cargo trains around, or will put a freight train with a top speed of 30 mph in front of a passenger train that can go 80.
PirateJon on
all perfectionists are mediocre in their own eyes
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
Well, sounds like freight trains are to amtrak just as much assholes as truckers are to drivers (particularly the ccst) on the road. Well, as long as Amtrak owns most of the lines we'll be on, it should be good.
Oh cool Moe, that's good to know. I'm surprised more people didn't choose the Colonnade, I think I got a pretty good rate. I guess the Sheraton is a little closer, though.
WhereMyArm on
0
Options
Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
edited February 2010
The Sheraton is attached to the convention center. By the time I registered my hotel, the Sheraton was sold out. It's my understanding that more rooms became available later, but I didn't feel like dealing with canceling and reserving another room. Plus somebody mentioned that the Colonnade rooms are bigger.
Posts
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
You just summed up the reason why rail travel has been dying for decades. But, PAXers are doing it for fun regardless of cost. I'm sure some people could get a plane ticket for the same price, but it might not be as fun as this.
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
Name: Reuben Negron (1up) & special guest Leela!
Location: New Jersey
Boarding Stop: Philadelphia, PA
Ticket Purchased: N
Gonna wait for my tax refund before buying our tickets.
Name: Susana
Location: Northern New Jersey
Boarding Stop: New York Penn Station
Ticket Purchased: Y
I will probably be counted on to bring rice krispie treats, goldfish crackers, my home-made dalmudi deck, an old decrepit laptop and some dvds. My first PAX. Yay Pax train!
Those coming in from Stone and Lava, you'll both end up at South Station. There's a connection there to the MBTA's Red Line (you shouldn't have used colors when talking about this, because the subway in Boston is color coordinated). The Red Line does not bring you directly to the convention center, but you can connect to the Green Line at Park Street. From there, take any Green Line train but the E line (which are the B, C, and D lines) to the Hynes Convention Center stop.
PAX East 2015: -Pass [X] -Hotel [X] -Time off[X]
twitter: acumen101 | fb: fb.com/acumen101
Steam: acumen101 | xbl/psn: caseBlaster101
PAX East 2015: -Pass [X] -Hotel [X] -Time off[X]
twitter: acumen101 | fb: fb.com/acumen101
Steam: acumen101 | xbl/psn: caseBlaster101
Name: Sam Rosoff
Location: Bridgeport, CT
Boarding Stop: Bridgeport, CT
Ticket Purchased: N
I'm putting my name down because I definitely want to do this, but I do not know whether I can get Friday off of work yet... :P
I'll try to look into it when I can, but how far is the station in Boston from the convention center, and will transportation be easy?
And yeah, I'm not too thrilled about the arrival time either, but it was the only way to get everybody on the same train.
I just looked on Google Maps too, it's only a few blocks from the convention center, and the hotel I'm at is even closer. Awesome.
I hope train delays aren't all too common.
EDIT: Oh, and does Amtrak charge right away when a ticket is purchased, or not until the day of?
EDIT2:
What line you will be on: Blue
Name: Brian (Coldbrew)
Location: Everett, WA
Boarding Stop: Everett
Ticket Purchased: N
Any plans for reverse trips? Or just whatever. I've found the same reverse path (lava to blue) back that leaves Monday which is perfect so it's not a problem but I wouldn't mind going back with people too.
Oh, and we'll be filming on the trains too for the Community DVD. My other main crew member will be getting on the copper line, so we'll at least film on the lava. Just an FYI.
Many props, Coldbrew, for doing the long haul. Are you getting a sleeper on the Blue Line?
Also, I found the site that lists delays, http://www.amtrakdelays.com
Looks like the Lava line is 22 minutes early, on average.
3 days on a train is going to be crazy. They have power outlets and shit right!?
EDIT: Looks like the Blue line has an average delay of 72 minutes, which should be fine considering it's a 5 hour layover. Awesome site.
I'm the "other main crew member" for the PAX Community DVD. My video camera shall be along for the ride as well, and we'll definitely get some footage on the Lava line.
Anyway Moe, you should add "ear plugs" to the list of things to bring along. I've never ridden Amtrak, but I imagine it's not the quietest ride for sleeping.
<@zerzhul> you win at twdt
Believe me, getting a cab at Back Bay to go the Hynes or to a hotel right by there is a waste of money (unless the weather is awful or there's a lot of snow on the ground & it's impossible to walk safely.) It's a few blocks - not very far at all - and is a lot easier/closer than it looks on a map. Plus, the streets are all one-way in the Copley Square area, so it's a good chance a cab would take longer than walking, and cabbies would exploit your lack of area knowledge.
Also, there's been a few people who have mentioned getting off at South Station then transferring onto the T (local subway). As mentioned, the Green Line E train does not stop at Hynes, but it does stop at Prudential, which is attached to the convention center and a couple of the hotels. For those that don't know, the Prudential Center is a pretty decent sized mall and has a good food court.
Oh sweet, I didn't realize the convention center (and the Colonnade, where we're staying) are literally right around the corner from BBY station, that'll save us some money on a cab to and from. Good to hear about another on the Blue Line, this is sounding like more fun every time I check the thread.
Yeah it seems like a nice hotel, and I agree, the train should be fun (if i can keep busy for 3 days) and just this whole event and trip is going to be insane, I've never left the time zone I live in, so i just don't know what to expect.
1) The N.E. is really good about being close to on time as amtrak owns the rails.
2) I've never taken amtrak and had it arrive on time.
It looks like the Lava Line will ride entirely on Norfolk Southern and CSX rails. That page also says it's on time about 80% of the time, though.
(and then registered on the forums just to tell everyone about it...)
What line you will be on: Stone line
Name: Yana
Location: Central New Jersey
Boarding Stop: Metropark
Ticket Purchased: Y