[EAST] PAX East Train Alliance 2012

Moe Fwacky

PAX East Train Alliance!

PAX East is coming! So here is a fresh new train trip thread for PAX East.

What it is
For those of you just joining us, the PAX East Train Alliance (PAX ETA), or "PAXTrain" for short, is a coordinated effort for PAX-goers to ride the same train at the same time going to Boston for PAX East- both as an alternative to driving or flying, and to enjoy an intimate "mini-convention" while en-route. Obviously, it is impossible for EVERYBODY to be on the same train, so this is a coordinated effort to get as many people together as possible.

Note: When booking at amtrak.com, you may have to book each of your trains separately to get on the train that you want. Please take note of this when booking to ensure you end up on the same train as everybody else.

Why the train?
Why not? It's a blast. Spend some time getting to know fellow PAX attendees before the show. We don't care if you're new - this ain't no private party, and all people going to PAX are welcome. We invite you to join us! After taking the train, you'll have a bunch of friendly faces in the crowd at PAX.

How to get on the PAXTrain
Check the map and schedule below to find out what train is closes to you and when you should be on it. Then, buy your tickets through amtrak.com for the appropriate train on the appropriate time/day.

Stuff You Need
You'll need to be prepared to survive on PAXTrain. Following is a list of stuff you probably should bring if you want to have a liveable experience on the rails.

Spoiler:

• You are allowed to carry on two bags, and check three (if you board at a station that allows checked baggage). We suggest checking a suitcase for your PAX supplies and packing a seperate carryon bag / backpack. This pack should contain personal effects and clothing, as well as everything else you think you'll need on the train.
• Ear plugs and an eye mask. It is considered PAXTrain courtesy to be quiet in all coach areas, where people may be sleeping - but still, be prepared.
• A toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, a comb, and if you need them, shaving razors and cream. No showers are provided for coach passengers, so if you're on the train for two days bring wipes or a sponge or something to wash the stank off in the bathroom sink the second day. Ignoring basic hygene highlights a disregard for your fellow gamers, who are great people who don't need to know what you smell like after two days without cleaning yourself in a cramped environment.
• Snacks. There is a snack cart and a dining car, but it's not cheap. You can save some money if you bring some food and water with you.
• Your meds. Nobody needs to see you off them.

We also recommend the following items:

• A power strip. We plan on bringing power squids and some power strips, but there are never enough outlets.
• A handheld system - a Nintendo DS is the preferred item for wireless gaming. A PSP is welcome but has more of a personal role rather than multiplaying with the cool kids.
• A book for pleasure reading. We advise everyone to take a break from train festivities to "regroup", and read a book or listen to music.
• Headphones, preferrably a pair of earbuds rather than studio headphones, but to each his own.
• Cash. Dining with fellow PAXtrain goers is a good way to relax and get to know some people. Expect about one breakfast (from the snack cart), two lunches and two dinners with each trip (either from the snack cart or the dining car), each meal running about 10 dollars. Apart from that, bring spare cash for snacks or bring your own in your travel backpack.

  Transparent wrote: »

  I notice you want citation for meal prices. Here is a sample dining car menu (varies by train's locale, for example the Luigi Line additionally has gumbo and the Pac-Man line has a BBQ brisket sandwich). If you let the train know in advance they will stock kosher or vegan food for you, and if you get a sleeper car meals are included.
  
  Here is an example menu of the snack bar on the lounge car.

Other things to bring

Spoiler:

• Power strips and extension cords. It is better to have too many than not enough. Power management can become a problem on the train. If you can, grab something from home before you go, or go buy a cheapie power strip for 15-20 bucks.
• Card games. Bring your Magic deck, your Fluxx deck, your Curses deck, your WoWTCG deck, your Pokemon deck, or shit, even a Sailor Moon TCG deck, I don't care. Bring it. If you have a silly game that's easy to learn bring it, We didn't Playtest This was a big train hit.
• Fans. An electric fan can reduce the temperature of a room by up to 10 degrees.
• Television sets (optional). Small, lightweight affairs. Don't bring anything you can't afford to replace if it breaks, but don't bring some ancient monolith because you were planning on giving it to Goodwill anyways.
• You win 10,000 internets if you bring snacks to share with everyone during the trip. Whatever it is, we don't care, as long as it isn't hilariously messy or unsafe. Please do not bring home-cooked goods - we have no way of knowning what's in your killer brownies, duuuuuude. (Cookie Brigade excluded of course. People selling cookies for charity are surely trustworthy)

This is all the essentials - if you want to burden yourself with bringing more, that's fine, but it's also window dressing. If you're thinking about bringing more shit and saying "I'll hook it up in my hotel later after PAX closes", you're so wrong - you should either be sleeping or heading to a bar or party, not going back to the hotel to play some video games. You just did that all day.

The Rules

Spoiler:

• Don't be a dick
  Just don't. Play nice, children. And if you don't like someone, don't start shit.
• Don't be an ass to the Amtrak staff
  Train staffers are generally pretty cool and will let us do what we want with little explanation. Be nice to them, and if they tell you to do something, do it.
• Don't be a loud prick
  Other people may be sleeping in other cars. Or whatever. Noise discipline: Be quiet in the coach areas and sleeper cars, be polite in the dining cars and don't try to overrun areas during the day if other people are using it.
• Don't be a freak to kids
  When kids are around, mind your tongue. Pretend Mommy's right behind you. Don't give anyone a reason to complain about PAXTrain.
• Don't get too hammered. Public intoxication laws apply, even on a train.

The Passengers

Eastbound Trains

• The Mega Man Line
  Spoiler:

  Name: Steven
  Location: Madison, SD
  Boarding Stop: Fargo, ND
  Ticket Purchased: yes
• The Donkey Kong Line
  Spoiler:

  Name:
  Location:
  Boarding Stop:
  Ticket Purchased:
• The Lemmings Line
  Spoiler:

  Name:
  Location:
  Boarding Stop:
  Ticket Purchased:
• The Pac-Man Line
  Spoiler:

  Name: Cynthia (and William)
  Location: St. Louis
  Boarding Stop: St. Louis (but actually Kirkwood, and riding over because the downtown stop is way jank.)
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Philip R (RileyPER)
  Location: Central Illinois
  Boarding Stop: Springfield, Il
  Ticket Purchased: Reserved them a few days ago, roundtrip for less than $200 with student advantage
• The Luigi Line
  Spoiler:

  Name:
  Location:
  Boarding Stop:
  Ticket Purchased:
• The Metal Gear Line
  Spoiler:

  Name: Kenneth, Bridget, Pete, Alex
  Location: Monticello, IN
  Boarding Stop: Union Station Chicago, IL
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Durinthal
  Location: Wooster, OH
  Boarding Stop: Cleveland, OH
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet
  
  Name: Zen and Amy J. (we were the kids with dreads on the train last year)
  Location: Beloit, WI
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, Chicago, IL
  Ticket Purchased: Yes and Yes
  
  Name: Danny + Taylor
  Location: Fort Wayne, IN
  Boarding Stop: Waterloo (AT 1:15AM BABY AKA PARTY TIME)
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Tony Bucchioni
  Location: Middleburg Hts, OH
  Boarding Stop: Cleveland, OH
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet
  
  Name: Andrew +5
  Location: Metro Detroit, MI
  Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet
  
  Names: Kyle and Eugene
  Location: Chicago, IL
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, Chicago, IL
  Ticket Purchased: Yes and yes
  
  Names: Daniel, Nakesha, Sam, Andy
  Location: Dayton, OH
  Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH
  Ticket Purchased: Not Yet
  
  Name: Smerk
  Location: Sydney, Australia
  Boarding Stop: Chicago, Il (or SF, CA or Seattle, WA)
  Ticket Purchased: Yes (or No)
  
  Name: Jo (gidgets) & Jeremiah (Bitstream)
  Location: San Francisco
  Boarding Stop: Chicago Union Station, IL
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: qedi, Sarah and Dean
  Location: Toronto/Kitchener, Ontario
  Boarding Stop: Buffalo NY
  Ticket Purchased: yes
  
  Name: Crash + Wife
  Location: Northernish Lower Michigan
  Boarding Stop: Chicago Illinois (Taking a train from Holland, MI to there)
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Ryan
  Location: Northern Michigan
  Boarding Stop: Chicago
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Neil
  Location: Detroit, MI
  Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet, taking care of that tomorrow
  
  Name: Joe
  Location: Syracuse, NY
  Boarding Stop: Syracuse, NY
  Ticket Purchased: YEP!
  
  Name: Nick
  Location: Erie, Pa
  Boarding Stop: Erie, PA 125 West 14th Street
  Ticket Purchased: Yes, Boarding at 7:22am
  
  Name: Samuel
  Location: Akron
  Boarding Stop: Cleveland
  Ticket Purchased: YES
  
  Name: JerzeyLegend aka Orlando
  Location: Palmyra, PA
  Boarding Stop: Philly, PA (via Harrisburg, PA)
  Ticket Purchased:Yes
  
  Name: Amy (aka Moocifer, aka @amysophie)
  Location: Western NY (#teamhoth)
  Boarding Stop: Philadelphia. Taking a lonely nonPAXtrain to from WNY to Philly to visit a friend, then hopping the Sonic line to head to PAXachusetts.
  Ticket Purchased: Yes!
  
  Name: Topher
  Location: Long Island, NY
  Boarding Stop: Penn Station, NYC, NY
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: bryan
  Location: fremont, ohio
  Boarding Stop: sandusky, ohio
  Ticket Purchased: yes
  
  Name: Hayden
  Location: Dansville, NY
  Boarding Stop: Rochester NY (Or Albany, it was a little confusing)
  Ticket Purchase: Yes!

Northbound Trains

• The Metroid Line
  Spoiler:

  Name:
  Location:
  Boarding Stop:
  Ticket Purchased:
• The Star Fox Line
  Spoiler:

  Name: Nicole & Rusty
  Location: Tampa
  Boarding Stop: Orlando
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Justin
  Location: Middle of Nowhere, NC
  Boarding Stop: Rocky Mount, NC
  Ticket Purchased: Double Yes.
• The Sonic Line
  Spoiler:

  Name: Will/Lugh Lamfhada
  Location: VA
  Boarding Stop: Charlottesville
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Chris
  Location: Silver Spring, MD
  Boarding Stop: DC
  Ticket Purchased: YES.
  
  Name: Deb
  Location: DC
  Boarding Stop: DC
  Ticket Purchased: Soon
  
  Name: Jamie
  Location: Germantown, MD
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
  Ticket Purchased: Yes.
  
  Name: flatline [matt] and Big Zach
  Location: Baltimore/Washington Sprawl
  Boarding Stop: BWI
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Geoff/gespo89
  Location: Columbia, MD
  Boarding Stop: BWI Thurgood Marsh Air, MD
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Kaylin and Eli
  Location: Rockville, MD
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Eric/BigSassy
  Location: Rockville, MD
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
  Ticket Purchased: Yup
  
  Name: Ash & Mike
  Location: Blacksburg, VA
  Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
  Ticket Purchased: Heck yes!
  
  Name: Tara
  Location: Rockville, MD
  Boarding Stop: Union Station
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name:Bryan And Jessica
  Location:Christiansburg, VA
  Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
  Ticket Purchased:Yes
  
  Name: Tim
  Location: Stroudsburg/Tannersville, PA
  Boarding Stop: EITHER Philly or Newark
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet
  
  Name: Fil
  Location: Washington, DC
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Jay Brazelle, Eliza Brazelle
  Location: Richmond VA
  Boarding Stop: DC Union Station
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet
  
  Name: Gabriel Preston
  Location: Philadelphia
  Boarding Stop: Philadelphia
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name(s): Stephen, Colby, Mike, Dylan, Fergy (Robert), and FoFo (Stephanie)
  Location: Winchester, VA
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
  Ticket Purchased: Yes, all six.
  
  Name: Spencer
  Location: Fairfax, VA
  Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
  Ticket Purchased: Yes!
  
  Name: Jonathan & Sarah
  Location: Baltimore, MD
  Boarding Stop: Baltimore Penn Station
  Ticket Purchased: Yes!
  
  Name: Nate
  Location: Manassas, VA
  Boarding Stop: Washington, DC
  Ticket Purchased: Yep
  
  Name: Jon H (aka RoboticCheese, aka Fr00tyTang)
  Location: Blacksburg, VA
  Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
  Ticket Purchased: Finally, yes
  
  Name: Nicholas J.A. Hartmann & posse
  Location:Long Island
  Boarding Stop: New York City Penn Station
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet, but most likely sometime this week.
  
  Name: Chris Belsky & Stuarts Draft Saints
  Location: Stuarts Draft, VA
  Boarding Stop: Charlottesville, VA
  Ticket Purchased: Not yet, but most likely sometime this week.
  
  Name: Jason & Christina
  Location: Frederick, MD
  Boarding Stop: BWI
  Ticket Purchased: YES!
  
  Name: Wingedillidan + 3
  Location: Philadelphia, PA
  Boarding Stop: Philadelphia, PA
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Ian
  Location: Brooklyn, NY
  Boarding Stop: New York Penn Station
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Joe
  Location: Wilmington, Delaware
  Boarding Stop: WIL (Wilmington)
  Ticket Purchased: Yuuup!
  Notes: First time taking the train, I drove up last year. I have Fluxx, Magic and Yugioh cards. I'll probably wear a PAX East 2011 shirt for reference.
  
  Name: Brian
  Location: Maryland
  Boarding Stop: New Carrolton
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Alex (a.k.a Propriety, a.k.a the guy with the scarf)
  Location: Philadelphia, PA
  Boarding Stop: Philadelphia (30th Street Station)
  Ticket Purchased: No (Not yet)
  
  Name: Drew & Becca
  Location: Fredericksburg, VA
  Boarding Stop: Union Station (Washington DC)
  Ticket Purchased: affirmative
  
  Name: Andrew
  Location: VA
  Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Zach
  Location: Columbia, MD
  Boarding Stop: BWI
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Billy + friends
  Location: Chapel Hill, NC
  Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
  Ticket Purchased: Yep
  
  Name: John
  Location: Philly, PA
  Boarding Stop: Philly, 30th Street Station
  Ticket Purchased: Yes
  
  Name: Brent
  Location: Silver Spring, MD
  Boarding Stop: Union Station DC
  Ticket Purchased: YES.
  
  Name: Uche
  Location: Brooklyn, NY
  What Stop You Will Be Boarding From: New York Penn Station, NY
  Ticket Purchase: Months ago

Southbound Train

• The Portal Line
  Spoiler:

  Name: Nate
  Location: Windham ME
  Boarding Stop:Portland ME
  Ticket Purchased: No yet - waiting for a good sale/coupon

To be added to the list copy/paste the text below and add in your info:

[B]What line you will be on:[/B]
[B]Name:[/B]
[B]Location:[/B]
[B]Boarding Stop:[/B]
[B]Ticket Purchased:[/B]

Moe Fwacky

Eastbound Lines

The Mega Man Line
"In the year 20XX"
Train: 8 Empire Builder
Originating Station: Seattle, WA (SEA)
Departure Date/Time: April 2, 16:40 PDT
Travel Time: 45h45m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• Edmonds, WA - April 2, 17:12 PDT
• Everett, WA - April 2, 17:39 PDT
• Leavenworth, WA - April 2, 20:00 PDT
• Wenatchee, WA - April 2, 20:42 PDT
• Ephrata, WA - April 2, 21:42 PDT
• Spokane, WA - April 3, 0:45 PDT (Departure at 01:30 PDT)
• Sandpoint, ID - April 3, 02:35 PDT
• Libby, MT - April 3, 05:26 MDT
• Whitefish, MT - April 3, 07:26 MDT
• West Glacier, MT - April 3, 08:16 MDT
• Essex, MT - April 3, 08:55 MDT
• East Glacier Park, MT - April 3, 09:54 MDT
• Cut Bank, MT - April 3, 10:45 MDT
• Shelby, MT - April 3, 11:43 MDT
• Havre, MT - April 3, 13:12 MDT (Departure at 13:32 MDT)
• Malta, MT - April 3, 14:52 MDT
• Glasgow, MT - April 3, 15:47 MDT
• Wolf Point, MT - April 3, 16:33 MDT
• Williston, ND - April 3, 19:09 CDT
• Stanley, ND - April 3, 20:11 CDT
• Minot, ND - April 3, 21:22 CDT (Departure at 21:42 CDT)
• Rugby, ND - April 3, 22:38 CDT
• Devil's Lake, ND - April 3, 23:32 CDT
• Grand Forks, ND - April 4, 0:57 CDT
• Fargo, ND - April 4, 02:13 CDT
• Detroit Lakes, MN - April 4, 03:10 CDT
• Staples, MN - April 4, 04:09 CDT
• St. Cloud, MN - April 4, 05:14 CDT
• St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN - April 4, 07:05 CDT (Departure at 07:50 CDT)
• Red Wing, MN - April 4, 08:54 CDT
• Winona, MN - April 4, 10:11 CDT
• La Crosse, WI - April 4, 10:47 CDT
• Tomah, WI - April 4, 11:28 CDT
• Wisconsin Dells, WI - April 4, 12:09 CDT
• Portage, WI - April 4, 12:27 CDT
• Columbus, WI - April 4, 12:57 CDT

Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 15:55 CDT
Layover Time: 5h35m

The Donkey Kong Line
"Damn dirty ape!"
Train: 6 California Zephyr
Originating Station: Emeryville, CA (EMY)
Departure Date/Time: April 2, 09:10 PDT
Travel Time: 51h40m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• Richmond, CA - April 2, 09:22 PDT
• Martinez, CA - April 2, 09:54 PDT
• Davis, CA - April 2, 10:36 PDT
• Sacramento, CA - April 2, 11:09 PDT
• Roseville, CA - April 2, 11:35 PDT
• Colfax, CA - April 2, 12:21 PDT
• Truckee, CA - April 2, 14:38 PDT
• Reno, NV - April 2, 16:06 PDT
• Winnemucca, NV - April 2, 19:08 PDT
• Elko, NV - April 2, 21:31 PDT
• Salt Lake City, UT - April 3, 03:05 MDT (Departure at 03:30 MDT)
• Provo, UT - April 3, 04:35 MDT
• Helper, UT - April 3, 06:37 MDT
• Green River, UT - April 3, 07:59 MDT
• Grand Junction, CO - April 3, 10:23 MDT
• Glenwood Springs, CO - April 3, 12:10 MDT
• Granby, CO - April 3, 15:12 MDT
• Fraser/Winter Park, CO - April 3, 15:50 MDT
• Denver, CO - April 3, 18:38 MDT (Departure at 19:10 MDT)
• Fort Morgan, CO - April 3, 20:25 MDT
• McCook, NE - April 4, 23:49 CDT
• Holdrege, NE - April 4, 00:54 CDT
• Hastings, NE - April 4, 01:42 CDT
• Lincoln, NE - April 4, 03:20 CDT (Departure at 03:26 CDT)
• Omaha, NE - April 4, 04:59 CDT (Departure at 05:14 CDT)
• Creston, IA - April 4, 07:04 CDT
• Osceola, IA - April 4, 07:40 CDT
• Ottumwa, IA - April 4, 09:09 CDT
• Mount Pleasant, IA - April 4, 09:54 CDT
• Burlington, IA - April 4, 10:36 CDT

Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 14:50 CDT
Layover Time: 6h40m

The Lemmings Line
"Glug glug"
Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Originating Station: Los Angeles, CA - Union Station (LAX)
Departure Date/Time: April 2, 18:15 PDT
Travel Time: 43h00m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• Fullerton, CA - April 2, 18:50 PDT
• Riverside, CA - April 2, 19:33 PDT
• San Bernadino, CA - April 2, 19:59 PDT
• Victorville, CA - April 2, 21:10 PDT
• Barstow, CA - April 2, 21:56 PDT
• Needles, CA - April 3, 0:23 PDT
• Kingman, AZ - April 3, 01:33 MST
• Williams Jct, AZ - April 3, 03:50 MST
• Flagstaff, AZ - April 3, 04:36 MST (Departure at 04:41 MST)
• Winslow, AZ - April 3, 05:39 MST
• Gallup, NM - April 3, 08:21 MDT
• Albuquerque, NM - April 3, 11:42 MDT (Departure at 12:10 MDT)
• Lamy, NM - April 3, 13:15 MDT
• Las Vegas, NM - April 3, 15:03 MDT
• Raton, NM - April 3, 16:50 MDT
• Trinidad, CO - April 3, 17:49 MDT
• La Junta, CO - April 3, 19:31 MDT (Departure at 19:41 MDT)
• Lamar, CO - April 3, 20:40 MDT
• Garden City, KS - April 3, 23:17 CDT
• Dodge City, KS - April 4, 0:27 CDT
• Hutchinson, KS - April 4, 02:19 CDT
• Newton, KS - April 4, 02:59 CDT
• Topeka, KS - April 4, 05:18 CDT
• Lawrence, KS - April 4, 05:47 CDT
• Kansas City, MO - April 4, 07:24 CDT (Departure at 07:43 CDT)
• La Plata, MO - April 4, 09:55 CDT
• Fort Madison, IA - April 4, 11:09 CDT
• Galesburg, IL - April 4, 12:08 CDT
• Princeton, IL - April 4, 12:58 CDT
• Mendota, IL - April 4, 13:19 CDT

Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 15:15 CDT
Layover Time: 6h15m

The Pac-Man Line
"Om nom nom"
Train: 22 Texas Eagle
Originating Station: San Antonio, TX (SAS)
Departure Date/Time: April 3, 07:00 CDT
Travel Time: 30h52m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• San Marcos, TX - April 2, 08:32 CDT
• Austin, TX - April 3, 09:31 CDT
• Taylor, TX - April 3, 10:22 CDT
• Temple, TX - April 3, 11:25 CDT
• McGregor, TX - April 3, 11:51 CDT
• Cleburne, TX - April 3, 13:00 CDT
• Fort Worth, TX - April 3, 13:58 CDT (Departure at 14:20 CDT)
• Dallas, TX - April 3, 15:20 CDT (Departure at 15:40 CDT)
• Mineola, TX - April 3, 17:15 CDT
• Longview, TX - April 3, 18:15 CDT
• Marshall, TX - April 3, 19:31 CDT
• Texarkana, AR/TX - April 3, 20:43 CDT
• Arkadelphia, AR - April 3, 22:02 CDT
• Malvern, AR - April 3, 22:26 CDT
• Little Rock, AR - April 3, 23:39 CDT
• Walnut Ridge, AR - April 4, 01:41 CDT
• Poplar Bluff, MO - April 4, 02:44 CDT
• St. Louis, MO - April 4, 07:19 CDT (Departure at 07:55 CDT)
• Alton, IL - April 4, 08:43 CDT
• Carlinville, IL - April 4, 09:15 CDT
• Springfield, IL - April 4, 09:55 CDT
• Lincoln, IL - April 4, 10:25 CDT
• Bloomington/Normal, IL - April 4, 11:08 CDT
• Pontiac, IL - April 4, 11:39 CDT

Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 13:52 CDT
Layover Time: 7h38m

The Luigi Line
"Mario is Missing"
Train: 58 City of New Orleans
Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL)
Departure Date/Time: April 3, 13:45 CDT
Travel Time: 19h15m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• Hammond, LA - April 3, 14:45 CDT
• McComb, MS - April 3, 15:32 CDT
• Brookhaven, MS - April 3, 15:56 CDT
• Hazlehurst, MS - April 3, 16:17 CDT
• Jackson, MS - April 3, 17:44 CDT
• Yazoo City, MS - April 3, 18:42 CDT
• Greenwood, MS - April 3, 19:37 CDT
• Memphis, TN - April 3, 22:00 CDT (Departure at 22:40 CDT)
• Newburn/Dyersburg, TN - April 4, 0:22 CDT
• Fulton, KY - April 4, 01:04 CDT
• Carbondale, IL - April 4, 03:11 CDT (Departure at 03:16 CDT)
• Centralia, IL - April 4, 04:10 CDT
• Effingham, IL - April 4, 04:57 CDT
• Mattoon, IL - April 4, 05:23 CDT
• Champagne/Urbana, IL - April 4, 06:10 CDT
• Kankakee, IL - April 4, 07:13 CDT
• Homewood, IL - April 4, 07:44 CDT

Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 09:00 CDT
Layover Time: 12h30m

The Metal Gear Line
"Snaaaaaaaaake!"
Train: 448 Lake Shore Limited
Originating Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Departure Date/Time: April 4, 21:30 CDT
Travel Time: 22h40m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• South Bend, IN - April 4, 23:59 EDT
• Elkhart, IN - April 4, 0:22 EDT
• Waterloo, IN - April 5, 1:15 EDT
• Bryan, OH - April 5, 01:40 EDT
• Toledo, OH - April 5, 02:50 EDT (Departure at 03:20 EDT)
• Sandusky, OH - April 5, 04:12 EDT
• Elyria, OH - April 5, 04:51 EDT
• Cleveland, OH - April 5, 05:35 EDT (Departure at 05:50 EDT)
• Erie, PA - April 5, 07:22 EDT
• Buffalo/Depew, NY - April 5, 08:58 EDT (Departure at 09:08 EDT)
• Rochester, NY - April 5, 10:08 EDT
• Syracuse, NY - April 5, 11:38 EDT
• Utica, NY - April 5, 12:42 EDT
• Schenectady, NY - April 5, 14:00 EDT
• Albany/Rensselaer, NY - April 5, 14:50 EDT (Departure at 15:25 EDT)
• Pittsfield, MA - April 5, 16:29 EDT
• Springfield, MA - April 5, 17:48 EDT (Departure at 17:53 EDT)
• Worcester, MA - April 5, 18:57 EDT
• Framingham, MA - April 5, 19:35 EDT

Destination Station: Boston, MA - South Station (BOS)
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 21:10 EDT

Moe Fwacky

Northbound Lines

The Metroid Line
"Samus is a girl!?"
Train: 20 Crescent
Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL)
Departure Date/Time: April 4, 07:00 CDT
Travel Time: 25h53m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• Slidell, LA - April 4, 07:57 CDT
• Picayune, MS - April 4, 08:22 CDT
• Hattiesburg, MS - April 4, 09:30 CDT
• Laurel, MS - April 4, 10:05 CDT
• Meridian, MS - April 4, 11:02 CDT (Departure at 11:07 CDT)
• Tuscaloosa, AL - April 4, 12:44 CDT
• Birmingham, AL - April 4, 14:15 CDT (Departure at 14:24 CDT)
• Anniston, AL - April 4, 15:59 CDT
• Atlanta, GA - April 4, 19:35 EDT (Departure at 20:04 EDT)
• Gainesville, GA - April 4, 20:59 EDT
• Toccoa, GA - April 4, 21:40 EDT
• Clemson, SC - April 4, 22:16 EDT
• Greenville, SC - April 4, 22:53 EDT (Departure at 22:58 EDT)
• Spartanburg, SC - April 4, 23:39 EDT
• Gastonia, NC - April 5, 0:39 EDT
• Charlotte, NC - April 5, 01:21 EDT (Departure at 01:46 EDT)
• Salisbury, NC - April 5, 02:32 EDT
• High Point, NC - April 5, 03:16 EDT
• Greensboro, NC - April 5, 03:37 EDT (Departure at 03:44 EDT)
• Danville, VA - April 5, 04:43 EDT
• Lynchburg, VA - April 5, 05:52 EDT (Departure at 05:56 EDT)
• Charlottesville, VA - April 5, 07:09 EDT
• Culpeper, VA - April 5, 08:01 EDT
• Manassas, VA - April 5, 08:35 EDT

Layover Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 09:53 EDT
Layover Time: 2h9m

The Star Fox Line
"Do a barrel roll!"
Train: 98 Silver Meteor
Originating Station: Miami, FL (MIA)
Departure Date/Time: April 4, 08:20 EDT
Travel Time: 23h1m
Schedule/Stops:

Spoiler:

• Hollywood, FL - April 4, 08:44 EDT
• Fort Lauderdale, FL - April 4, 09:20 EDT
• Deerfield Beach, FL - April 4, 09:18 EDT
• Delray Beach, FL - April 4, 09:32 EDT
• West Palm Beach, FL - April 4, 09:57 EDT
• Sebring, FL - April 4, 11:24 EDT
• Winter Haven, FL - April 4, 12:10 EDT
• Kissimee, FL - April 4, 12:55 EDT
• Orlando, FL - April 4, 13:23 EDT (Departure at 13:35 EDT)
• Winter Park, FL - April 4, 13:52 EDT
• DeLand, FL - April 4, 14:34 EDT
• Palatka, FL - April 4, 15:24 EDT
• Jacksonville, FL - April 4, 16:48 EDT (Departure at 17:33 EDT)
• Jesup, GA - April 4, 18:28 EDT
• Savannah, GA - April 4, 19:32 EDT (Departure at 19:38 EDT)
• Yemassee, SC - April 4, 20:27 EDT
• Charleston, SC - April 4, 21:23 EDT
• Kingstree, SC - April 4, 22:17 EDT
• Florence, SC - April 4, 23:10 EDT (Departure at 23:20 EDT)
• Fayetteville, NC - April 5, 00:45 EDT
• Rocky Mount, NC - April 5, 02:17 EDT
• Petersburg, VA - April 5, 03:41 EDT
• Richmond, VA - April 5, 04:25 EDT (Departure at 04:35 EDT)

Layover Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 07:21 EDT
Layover Time: 4h41m

The Sonic Line
"The Fastest Train Alive!" (although not really)
Train: 176 Northeast Regional
Originating Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Departure Date/Time: April 5, 12:02 EDT
Travel Time: 7h53m

Spoiler:

• New Caroliton, MD - April 5, 12:14 EDT
• BWI Thurgood Marsh Air, MD - April 5, 12:30 EDT
• Baltimore, MD - April 5, 12:45 EDT
• Wilmington, DE - April 5, 13:32 EDT
• Philadelphia, PA - April 5, 13:52 EDT (Departure at 13:55 EDT)
• Trenton, NJ - April 5, 14:24 EDT
• Metropark, NJ - April 5, 14:47 EDT
• Newark, NJ - April 5, 15:01 EDT
• New York, NY - April 5, 15:19 EDT (Departure at 15:30 EDT)
• New Rochelle, NY - April 5, 15:57 EDT
• Stamford, CT - April 5, 16:18 EDT
• Bridgeport, CT - April 5, 16:42 EDT
• New Haven, CT - April 5, 17:06 EDT (Departure at 17:08 EDT)
• Old Saybrook, CT - April 5, 17:38 EDT
• New London, CT - April 5, 17:57 EDT
• Westerly, RI - April 5, 18:21 EDT
• Kingston, RI - April 5, 18:39 EDT
• Providence, RI - April 5, 19:02 EDT

Schedule/Stops:
Destination Station: Boston, MA - South Station (BOS)
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 19:55 EDT

--

Southbound Line
The Portal Line
"Let's be honest. Neither one of us knows what that thing does. Just put it in the corner and I'll deal with it later."
Train: 684 Downeaster
Originating Station: Portland, ME (POR)
Departure Date/Time: April 5, 12:50 EDT
Travel Time: 2h30m

Spoiler:

• Old Orchard Beach, ME - April 5, 13:05 EDT
• Saco, ME - April 5, 13:12 EDT
• Wells, ME - April 5, 13:29 EDT
• Dover, NH - April 5, 13:47 EDT
• Durham-UNH, NH - April 5, 13:54 EDT
• Exeter, NH - April 5, 14:07 EDT
• Haverhill, MA - April 5, 14:28 EDT
• Woburn, MA -April 5, 14:57 EDT

Schedule/Stops:
Destination Station: Boston, MA - North Station (BON) NOTE: This train does not go to South Station. You will need to take the T to South Station from North Station.
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 15:20 EDT

Lugh Lamfhada

Let me start things off.

What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Will
Location: VA
Boarding Stop: Charlottesville
Ticket Purchased: Not yet, but it will be as soon as I head to the Amtrak site. Yes.

And a big thanks to you Moe for once again getting this set up. My hat and I look forward to the wild chicanery.

Edit: Also I look forward to dominating at Mario Kart again. Bring on the blue koopa shells!

Coldbrew

What line you will be on: Mega Man
Name: Brian
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Boarding Stop: Everett, WA
Ticket Purchased: No, and it might be a while (gotta pay for MAGFest first)

If nobody else books this line by the time I'm able to purchase a ticket, then I might re-consider, so... How about it Moe, since your'e in the area now, are you going to take the Mega Man line all the way like I did last year?

MetaverseNomad

Coldbrew, about how much is a ticket for the entire distance? Is it *exorbitantly* more than a plane ticket would be?

Moe Fwacky

Right now it looks to be about 200 each way, but that doesn't include meals or a roomette if you want one.

cynthetic

What line you will be on: Pac-Man
Name: Cynthia (and William)
Location: St. Louis
Boarding Stop: St. Louis (but actually Kirkwood, and riding over because the downtown stop is way jank.)
Ticket Purchased: Not for at least another month

Didn't do this last year because my husband and I wanted to do the Pre-Pax Dinner, but this year, it's all about the train!

Coldbrew

Nomad

I haven't looked yet, but when I took the train from Everett to Boston for East 2010, the price for a ticket plus a room was actually comparable, maybe about $100 more. So, IIRC, it was "around" $200 for the ticket itself, and "around" another $200 for a room (this was a one-way price however, but a one-way plane ticket from Boston to Seattle was actually really cheap so it wasn't bad). The room was only for the train from here to Chicago, because there was a layover there, but the rest of the trip from there is about another day, and because so many PAX people gather at that point we all just hung out in the lounge car the whole time so a room wasn't necessary. On the plus side, having a room does give you access to showers and all of your meals (3 per day) are completely free, and it's good food too. Otherwise, if you don't pay for the room, you have to pay for the meals and they're not very cheap.

Besides, riding coach for that long is terribad. When I was on it last year I didn't even want to go to the lounge and dinner cars half the time because I didn't want to have to walk through the coach cars. They started smelling a bit, among other things... so I couldn't even imagine sitting in a chair in a car like that for 3 and a half days, screw that.

That being said, when I checked prices earlier this year before East 2011, they were much higher, so I took to the skies. I'd just check the price on Amtrak for the trains Moe posted, plus a small room, then look around air-line sites and get an average round-trip quote for that time. I'll have to check later too and find out for myself (hooked on SW:TOR right now).

One more thing, I'd probably take a plane back (at least that's what I did last year). Taking the train round-trip, especially if you get a room each one, is likely going to be quite a bit more expensive. Then again, I haven't checked prices lately, so it may not be so bad.

Moe, you haven't answered my question.

Moe Fwacky

Another thing about the roomettes that hasn't been mentioned is that they are meant for two. So, the price for a room can be divided by two if it is split between two people.

@Coldbrew, as much as I'd love to be on the train, the nature of my job prevents me from taking that much time off that close to PAX. I really wish I could, given how much I really hate to fly. But, that doesn't stop me from doing the research to plan this trip for others to enjoy.

Coldbrew

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Another thing about the roomettes that hasn't been mentioned is that they are meant for two. So, the price for a room can be divided by two if it is split between two people.

Indeed, we will need to take this into consideration. The smallest of the available rooms is absolutely tiny, there's two chairs facing each other with a small table in-between, and just enough room between them and the door to stand up. The chairs fold down into a bed, and there's another bunk above it. For the price, length of the trip, and included meals, it's definitely worth it. There's just little room, so it's mostly going to be for sleeping and relaxing, hanging out can be done in the lounge car for most of the day I'm sure. So if anybody else from the Seattle area takes the long haul and needs a room-mate, let me know.

Moe Fwacky wrote:

@Coldbrew, as much as I'd love to be on the train, the nature of my job prevents me from taking that much time off that close to PAX. I really wish I could, given how much I really hate to fly. But, that doesn't stop me from doing the research to plan this trip for others to enjoy.

Darn. Well hopefully some others will take the trip, it was just myself and one other (Smerk) on that entire line last year, we need moar!

HuskyDork

The PAX East Train thread means we're one step closer to PAX! YESSSSSSSSSSSS.

What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Chris
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: YES.

For the Sonic Line folks, Amtrak is currently has a 25% off Northeast Regional promotion going, putting a one-way ticket at $70. I don't see an expiration date on the site, but you might want to buy one ASAP.

MetaverseNomad

Thanks, that was really helpful! I've always wanted to take the train across country, and what better way to do so?! I should know in about a month whether I'll be able to get enough time off and afford PAX. The original plan was to go down to New York on the way home, so I'll have to see if extra train days can work out!

xenard

What line you will be on: Sonic Line
Name: Deb
Location: DC
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: Soon

TabooPhantasy

What line you will be on: Sonic Line
Name: Jamie
Location: Germantown, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Not yet. I haven't convinced my other half that it's not as expensive as he thinks. I bought it anyway. $70 is a great deal!

Lokiale

This seems like a fun option!
I do have a question though, once you get into Boston is it then necessary to rent a car in order to get around or is the public transit system there pretty boss?
I'll know fairly soon if I can do this option and if I can then the pac-man line will be getting some love. (I hope there are many potential pac-man/metal gear riders!)

zerzhul

Lokiale wrote:

This seems like a fun option!
I do have a question though, once you get into Boston is it then necessary to rent a car in order to get around or is the public transit system there pretty boss?
I'll know fairly soon if I can do this option and if I can then the pac-man line will be getting some love. (I hope there are many potential pac-man/metal gear riders!)

Boston public transit is pretty great until it stops running for the night. Take a gander at the first timer thread or the FAQ for some info about the public transit and cabs in Boston.

Moe Fwacky

South Station is very close to the BCEC, though not quite close enough to walk to that area with all your luggage. However, the Silver Line runs from South Station to World Trade Center station pretty quickly, so getting into the convention center hotel area, is pretty quick and easy.

flatline

Moe Fwacky wrote:

South Station is very close to the BCEC, though not quite close enough to walk to that area with all your luggage. However, the Silver Line runs from South Station to World Trade Center station pretty quickly, so getting into the convention center hotel area, is pretty quick and easy.

To extend this point, I would suggest caution for anyone who hasn't traveled this way before. There are a LOT of gypsy cabs that hang out at the train station. Most of them will get you there, but you're much better off going with the Silver Line or a real cab.

What line you will be on: SONIC
Name: flatline [matt] and Big Zach
Location: Baltimore/Washington Sprawl
Boarding Stop: BWI
Ticket Purchased: As soon as I track down No 2

antherem

Much as I will miss the We Didn't Playtest This and Train Jenga games, I'm afraid I'm going to be driving in this year. So someone else should bring Dominion on the Metal Gear line.

The walk from South Station to the BCEC wasn't that bad last year, even with luggage. 10 minutes, maybe, and a bunch of people are going that way so you'll have company. Of course it might snow and then who knows?

tvethiopia

Lokiale wrote:

This seems like a fun option!
I do have a question though, once you get into Boston is it then necessary to rent a car in order to get around or is the public transit system there pretty boss?
I'll know fairly soon if I can do this option and if I can then the pac-man line will be getting some love. (I hope there are many potential pac-man/metal gear riders!)

in addition to others' sound advice, i'd also like to note that driving in boston is generally a nightmare, even for the experienced. i would strongly recommend against renting a car.

Lokiale

Thanks, guys! Pennies are in the process of being saved.

Nullzone

I enjoyed setup at Prime so I'm flying up this year so I can be there for that...I will miss the PAX Train!

Play lots of games for me, Sonic Line!

Malgaras

What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Geoff
Location: Columbia, MD
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: Not yet. Probably shortly after registration opens up.

TabooPhantasy

Ticket acquired!

blAAAm!!!

last year was my first PAX event and I took the train. I had a really good time and met a lot of cool people and learned a whole bunch of new games. This year I will probably fly so I can take part in the MMT and Pre-Pax dinner since last year i really didn't get to see a lot of Boston.

xenard

Those who purchased your tickets boarding in DC which train are you on? I'm thinking about getting on the 86 Regional leaving at 8:40

zerzhul

xenard wrote:

Those who purchased your tickets boarding in DC which train are you on? I'm thinking about getting on the 86 Regional leaving at 8:40

The ETA Train boarding in DC is the Sonic Line which is described above

Moe Fwacky wrote:

The Sonic Line
"The Fastest Train Alive!" (although not really)
Train: 176 Northeast Regional
Originating Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Departure Date/Time: April 5, 12:02 EDT

All the trains have the suggested times listed for the best possible chance of converging for the trains coming into a hub station like DC.

Noryna

What line you will be on: The Sonic Line
Name: Kaylin and Eli
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yes

Lugh Lamfhada

Hey Moe, could you update the passenger list so that it says that I have my ticket?

BinarySamurai

What line you will be on: Metal Gear
Name: Kenneth, Bridget, Pete, Alex
Location: Monticello, IN
Boarding Stop: Union Station Chicago, IL
Ticket Purchased: Will be purchased December 31st

Can't wait last year was my first PAX, this year I am bringing the wife. She seen how much fun we had via our nightly facebook pic dump and decided PAX was more interesting than she thought.

Durinthal

I'll almost certainly be taking the train at least one direction. Not sure if I'll take it there and back yet, as I would like to be an Enforcer if they're recruiting and may help with setup or teardown.

What line you will be on: Metal Gear
Name: Durinthal
Location: Wooster, OH
Boarding Stop: Cleveland, OH
Ticket Purchased: Not yet

Sorry, decided I'm flying instead (getting there on Wednesday).

BigSassy

What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Eric
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yup

Ah, my favorite time of the year has come. Planning for PAX!

flatline

Playing Munchkin and Pandemic in the galley car last year was all kinds of win (Sonic Line). We need to make sure we get at least one or two tables in there as early on as possible. It would be nice if we could just take over the whole car; just remember there are lots of non-PAX people on the train as well, and obey Wheaton's Law.

lovebot

What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Ash & Mike
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased: Heck yes!

Lady Amalthea

What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Tara
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station
Ticket Purchased: Yes

xehn

Looking forward to rocking another PAX Train! Thanks for setting this up again, Moe!

What line you will be on: Metal Gear Line
Name: Zen and Amy J. (we were the kids with dreads on the train last year)
Location: Beloit, WI
Boarding Stop: Union Station, Chicago, IL
Ticket Purchased: Yes and Yes

Moe Fwacky

I've been out for a week, but I'm back now. Roster updated!

Brimstar

What line you will be on:Sonic Line
Name:Bryan And Jessica
Location:Christiansburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased:Yes

Malgaras

Mines already up there but needs to be updated.

Updated info:
What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Geoff/gespo89
Location: Columbia, MD
Boarding Stop: BWI Thurgood Marsh Air, MD
Ticket Purchased: Yes

Lindsey Lohan

No longer attending