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PAX East Train Alliance!
I stole this thread from the West Coast Train Trip and modified it to suit our needs. More changes/additions will be made as necessary.
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". 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.
Why the train?
Why not? 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!
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.
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.
Earbuds 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. If you're upstairs people will be walking through at all hours.
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.
I notice you want citation for meal prices. Here is a sample dining car menu (varies by train's locale, for example the Lime Line additionally has gumbo and the yellow 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 on the west coast.
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. If you're BYOC and have a big monitor that can double as a TV, we'd apprectiate you offering it's use for the good of the Party.
Consoles to go with the televisions. Further organization of this will come later
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 stirring and backtalk.
Don't be an asshole 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. We usually sack the arcade car and half of the observation car as our Headquarters and keep it there - that muffles the sound pretty well, it’s been tested, even when shouting. Still, noise discipline. Be quiet in the coach areas and sleeper cars, be polite in the dining cars and don't try to overrun the observation deck 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
The Blue Line
Spoiler:
Name: Brian (Coldbrew) Location: Everett Boarding Stop: EVerett Ticket Purchased: Y
The Copper Line
Spoiler:
Name: Tiger Location: Cottonwood, Ca Boarding Stop: Sacramento, Ca Ticket Purchased: Y
Name: Dan Borders Location: Iowa City, IA Boarding Stop: Mount Pleasant, IA Ticket Purchased: Y
The Green Line
Spoiler:
Name: Nick (Smerk) Location: Sydney, Australia Boarding Stop: LAX or Victorville Ticket Purchased: N
The Yellow Line
Spoiler:
Name: Haikufrenzy Location: Bryant, AR Boarding Stop: Little Rock, AR Ticket Purchased: N (Get my tax refund for that)
]
Name: Matt (Ekkosangen) Location: Sarnia, ON Boarding Stop: Chicago, IL Ticket Purchased: N
Name: Colin, Eric, Ken (yes 3 of us) Location: Various Michigan Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH Ticket Purchased: N
Name: Katie Location: St. Louis, MO Boarding Stop: Chicago, IL Ticket Purchased: N
Name: Jay (quietjay) Location: Indianapolis, IN Boarding Stop: Elkhart, IN Ticket Purchased: Y
Name: Eric Majkut Location: Amherst, OH Boarding Stop: Cleveland, OH Ticket Purchased: Y
Name: Nick (cornlord) Location: Queensbury, NY Boarding Stop: Albany, NY Ticket Purchased: Yeppers
Name: Ken (Bob Jackass), Mark (Werezwolf), Dean (not a forum member...yet) Location: Chicago Boarding Stop: Chicago (Union Station) Ticket Purchased: N
Name: Sam, Nakesha, and Daniel Location: Dayton, OH Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH Ticket Purchased: yes
Name: Dustin Location: Marietta Ohio Boarding Stop: Cleveland Ohio Ticket Purchased: not yet but soon
Name: Jeremiah (Bistream) and Denis Location: Grand Rapids, MI Boarding Stop: Chicago, IL Ticket Purchased: Y
Name: Daniel (Moofed) and Autumn Location: Bloomington, IN Boarding Stop: CHI Ticket Purchased: Y
Name: Stephen (sano) Location: New York Mills, NY Boarding Stop: Utica, NY Ticket Purchased: Y
Name: Corey (Locutus) Location: Sarnia, ON Boarding Stop: Chicago, IL Ticket Purchased: Y
The Orange Line
Spoiler:
Name: Jason (Spartan Samuel) +1 Location: Biloxi, Mississippi Boarding Stop: Picayune, Mississippi Ticket Purchased: N
Name: Baka, Emu (bakasama) Location: Atlanta, GA Boarding Stop: Atlanta, GA Ticket Purchased: Y
The Blue Line Train: 8 Empire Builder (SEA to CHI) Originating Station: Seattle, WA (SEA) Departure Date/Time: March 22, 16:45 PDT Travel Time: 45h10m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
Edmonds, WA - March 22, 17:17 PDT
Everett, WA - March 22, 17: 44 PDT
Wenatchee, WA - March 22, 20:42 PDT
Ephrata, WA - March 22, 21:42 PDT
Spokane, WA - March 23, 0:32 PDT (Departure at 01:15 PDT)
Sandpoint, ID - March 23, 02:32 PDT
Libby, MT - March 23, 05:26 MDT
Whitefish, MT - March 23, 07:26 MDT
West Glacier, MT - March 23, 08:16 MDT
Essex, MT - March 23, 08:55 MDT
Browning, MT - March 23, 09:54 MDT
Cut Bank, MT - March 23, 10:45 MDT
Shelby, MT - March 23, 11:43 MDT
Havre, MT - March 23, 13:12 MDT (Departure at 13:32 MDT)
Malta, MT - March 23, 14:52 MDT
Glasgow, MT - March 23, 15:47 MDT
Wolf Point, MT - March 23, 16:33 MDT
Williston, ND - March 23, 19:09 CDT
Stanley, ND - March 23, 20:11 CDT
Minot, ND - March 23, 21:22 CDT (Departure at 21:42 CDT)
Rugby, ND - March 23, 22:38 CDT
Devil's Lake, ND - March 23, 23:32 CDT
Grand Forks, ND - March 24, 0:57 CDT
Fargo, ND - March 24, 02:13 CDT
Detroit Lakes, MN - March 24, 03:10 CDT
Staples, MN - March 24, 04:09 CDT
St. Cloud, MN - March 24, 05:14 CDT
St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN - March 24, 07:05 CDT (Departure at 07:50 CDT)
Red Wing, MN - March 24, 08:54 CDT
Winona, MN - March 24, 10:11 CDT
La Crosse, WI - March 24, 10:47 CDT
Tomah, WI - March 24, 11:28 CDT
Wisconsin Dells, WI - March 24, 12:09 CDT
Portage, WI - March 24, 12:27 CDT
Columbus, WI - March 24, 12:57 CDT
Milwaukee, WI - March 24, 14:07 CDT
Glenview, IL - March 24, 15:12 CDT
Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI) Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 15:55 CDT Layover Time: 5h5m
The Copper Line Train: 6 California Zephyr Originating Station: Emeryville, CA (EMY) Departure Date/Time: March 22, 09:50 PDT Travel Time: 51h40m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
Martinez, CA - March 22, 09:49 PDT
Davis, CA - March 22, 10:31 PDT
Sacramento, CA - March 22, 11:09 PDT
Roseville, CA - March 22, 11:35 PDT
Colfax, CA - March 22, 12:21 PDT
Truckee, CA - March 22, 14:38 PDT
Reno, NV - March 22, 16:06 PDT
Winnemucca, NV - March 22, 19:08 PDT
Elko, NV - March 22, 21:44 PDT
Salt Lake City, UT - March 23, 04:05 MDT (Departure at 04:30 MDT)
Provo, UT - March 23, 05:35 MDT
Helper, UT - March 23, 07:37 MDT
Green River, UT - March 23, 08:59 MDT
Grand Junction, CO - March 23, 11:23 MDT
Glenwood Springs, CO - March 23, 13:10 MDT
Granby, CO - March 23, 16:12 MDT
Fraser/Winter Park, CO - March 23, 16:50 MDT
Denver, CO - March 23, 19:38 MDT (Departure at 20:10 MDT)
Fort Morgan, CO - March 23, 21:25 MDT
McCook, NE - March 24, 12:40 CDT
Holdrege, NE - March 24, 01:54 CDT
Hastings, NE - March 24, 02:42 CDT
Lincoln, NE - March 24, 04:41 CDT (Departure at 04:47 CDT)
Omaha, NE - March 24, 05:59 CDT (Departure at 06:14 CDT)
Creston, IA - March 24, 08:04 CDT
Osceola, IA - March 24, 08:40 CDT
Ottumwa, IA - March 24, 10:09 CDT
Mount Pleasant, IA - March 24, 10:54 CDT
Burlington, IA - March 24, 11:36 CDT
Galesburg, IL - March 24, 12:34 CDT
Princeton, IL - March 24, 13:25 CDT
Naperville, IL - March 24, 14:43 CDT
Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI) Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 15:30 CDT Layover Time: 5h30m
The Green Line Train: 4 Southwest Chief Originating Station: Los Angeles, CA - Union Station (LAX) Departure Date/Time: March 22, 18:45 PDT Travel Time: 42h35m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
Fullerton, CA - March 22, 19:20 PDT
Riverside, CA - March 22, 20:03 PDT
San Bernadino, CA - March 22, 20:29 PDT
Victorville, CA - March 22, 21:40 PDT
Barstow, CA - March 22, 22:26 PDT
Needles, CA - March 23, 0:56 PDT
Kingman, AZ - March 23, 02:03 MST
Williams Jct, AZ - March 23, 04:20 MST
Flagstaff, AZ - March 23, 05:06 MST (Departure at 05:11 MST)
Winslow, AZ - March 23, 06:09 MST
Gallup, MN - March 23, 08:51 MDT
Albuquerque, NM - March 23, 12:12 MDT (Departure at 12:55 MDT)
Lamy, NM - March 23, 14:00 MDT
Las Vegas, NM - March 23, 15:45 MDT
Raton, NM - March 23, 17:32 MDT
Trinidad, CO - March 23, 18:31 MDT
La Junta, CO - March 23, 20:13 MDT (Departure at 20:23 MDT)
Lamar, CO - March 23, 21:15 MDT
Garden City, KS - March 23, 23:35 CDT
Dodge City, KS - March 24, 0:34 CDT
Hutchinson, KS - March 24, 02:21 CDT
Newton, KS - March 24, 03:01 CDT
Topeka, KS - March 24, 05:20 CDT
Lawrence, KS - March 24, 05:49 CDT
Kansas City, MO - March 24, 07:26 CDT (Departure at 07:45 CDT)
La Plata, MO - March 24, 09:57 CDT
Fort Madison, IA - March 24, 11:11 CDT
Galesburg, IL - March 24, 12:10 CDT
Princeton, IL - March 24, 13:00 CDT
Mendota, IL - March 24, 13:21 CDT
Naperville, IL - March 24, 14:44 CDT
Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI) Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 15:20 CDT Layover Time: 5h40m
The Yellow Line Train: 22 Texas Eagle Originating Station: San Antonio, TX (SAS) Departure Date/Time: March 23, 07:00 CDT Travel Time: 30h52m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
San Marcos, TX - March 22, 08:32 CDT
Austin, TX - March 23, 09:32 CDT
Taylor, TX - March 23, 10:22 CDT
Temple, TX - March 23, 11:25 CDT
McGregor, TX - March 23, 11:51 CDT
Cleburne, TX - March 23, 13:00 CDT
Fort Worth, TX - March 23, 13:58 CDT (Departure at 14:20 CDT)
Dallas, TX - March 23, 15:20 CDT (Departure at 15:40 CDT)
Mineola, TX - March 23, 17:15 CDT
Longview, TX - March 23, 18:15 CDT
Marshall, TX - March 23, 19:31 CDT
Texarkana, AR/TX - March 23, 20:43 CDT
Arkadelphia, AR - March 23, 21:57 CDT
Malvern, AR - March 22, 23:21 CDT
Little Rock, AR - March 23, 23:34 CDT
Walnut Ridge, AR - March 24, 01:36 CDT
Poplar Bluff, MO - March 24, 02:39 CDT
St. Louis, MO - March 24, 07:19 CDT (Departure at 07:55 CDT)
Alton, IL - March 24, 08:43 CDT
Carlinville, IL - March 24, 09:15 CDT
Springfield, IL - March 24, 09:55 CDT
Lincoln, IL - March 24, 10:25 CDT
Bloomington/Normal, IL - March 24, 11:08 CDT
Pontiac, IL - March 24, 11:39 CDT
Joliet, IL - March 24, 12:56 CDT
Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI) Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 13:52 CDT Layover Time: 7h08m
The Lime Line Train: 58 City of New Orleans Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL) Departure Date/Time: March 23, 13:45 CDT Travel Time: 19h15m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
Hammond, LA - March 23, 14:45 CDT
McComb, MS - March 23, 15:32 CDT
Brookhaven, MS - March 23, 15:56 CDT
Hazlehurst, MS - March 23, 16:17 CDT
Jackson, MS - March 23, 17:44 CDT
Yazoo City, MS - March 23, 18:42 CDT
Greenwood, MS - March 23, 19:37 CDT
Memphis, TN - March 23, 22:00 CDT (Departure at 22:40 CDT)
Newburn/Dyersburg, TN - March 24, 0:22 CDT
Fulton, KY - March 24, 01:04 CDT
Carbondale, IL - March 24, 03:11 CDT (Departure at 03:16 CDT)
Centralia, IL - March 24, 04:10 CDT
Effingham, IL - March 24, 04:57 CDT
Mattoon, IL - March 24, 05:23 CDT
Champagne/Urbana, IL - March 24, 06:10 CDT
Kankakee, IL - March 24, 07:13 CDT
Homewood, IL - March 24, 07:44 CDT
Layover Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI) Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 09:00 CDT Layover Time: 12h00m
The Lava Line Train: 448 Lake Shore Limited Originating Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI) Departure Date/Time: March 24, 21:00 CDT Travel Time: 23h3m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
South Bend, IN - March 24, 23:30 EDT
Elkhart, IN - March 24, 23:52 EDT
Waterloo, IN - March 25, 0:45 EDT
Bryan, OH - March 25, 01:10 EDT
Toledo, OH - March 25, 02:20 EDT (Departure at 02:50 EDT)
Sandusky, OH - March 25, 03:42 EDT
Elyria, OH - March 25, 04:21 EDT
Cleveland, OH - March 25, 05:05 EDT (Departure at 05:20 EDT)
Erie, PA - March 25, 06:54 EDT
Buffalo/Depew, NY - March 25, 08:30 EDT (Departure at 08:40 EDT)
Rochester, NY - March 25, 09:50 EDT
Syracuse, NY - March 25, 11:25 EDT
Utica, NY - March 25, 12:32 EDT
Schenectady, NY - March 25, 13:50 EDT
Albany/Rensselaer, NY - March 25, 14:40 EDT (Departure at 15:25 EDT)
Pittsfield, MA - March 25, 16:29 EDT
Springfield, MA - March 25, 17:48 EDT (Departure at 17:53 EDT)
Worcester, MA - March 25, 18:57 EDT
Framingham, MA - March 25, 19:35 EDT
Destination Station: Boston, MA - Back Bay (BBY) Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 21:03 EDT
The Orange Line Train: 20 Crescent Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL) Departure Date/Time: March 24, 07:05 CDT Travel Time: 26h5m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
Slidell, LA - March 24, 08:02 CDT
Picayune, MS - March 24, 08:27 CDT
Hattiesburg, MS - March 24, 09:35 CDT
Laurel, MS - March 24, 10:10 CDT
Meridian, MS - March 24, 11:07 CDT (Departure at 11:12 CDT)
Tuscaloosa, AL - March 24, 12:49 CDT
Birmingham, AL - March 24, 14:32 CDT (Departure at 14:41 CDT)
Anniston, AL - March 24, 16:16 CDT
Atlanta, GA - March 24, 19:52 EDT (Departure at 20:21 EDT)
Gainesville, GA - March 24, 21:16 EDT
Toccoa, GA - March 24, 21:57 EDT
Clemson, SC - March 24, 22:33 EDT
Greenville, SC - March 24, 23:10 EDT (Departure at 23:15 EDT)
Spartanburg, SC - March 24, 23:56 EDT
Gastonia, NC - March 25, 0:56 EDT
Charlotte, NC - March 25, 01:38 EDT (Departure at 02:03 EDT)
Salisbury, NC - March 25, 02:49 EDT
High Point, NC - March 25, 03:30 EDT
Greensboro, NC - March 25, 03:51 EDT (Departure at 03:58 EDT)
Danville, VA - March 25, 04:57 EDT
Lynchburg, VA - March 25, 06:07 EDT
Charlottesville, VA - March 25, 07:20 EDT
Culpeper, VA - March 25, 08:12 EDT
Manassas, VA - March 25, 08:46 EDT
Alexandria, VA - March 25, 09:43 EDT
Layover Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS) Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 10:10 EDT Layover Time: 1h55m
The Emerald Line Train: 98 Silver Meteor Originating Station: Miami, FL (MIA) Departure Date/Time: March 24, 08:40 EDT Travel Time: 23h6m Schedule/Stops:
Spoiler:
Hollywood, FL - March 24, 09:04 EDT
Fort Lauderdale, FL - March 24, 09:20 EDT
Deerfield Beach, FL - March 24, 09:38 EDT
Delray Beach, FL - March 24, 09:52 EDT
West Palm Beach, FL - March 24, 10:17 EDT
Sebring, FL - March 24, 11:44 EDT
Winter Haven, FL - March 24, 12:30 EDT
Kissimee, FL - March 24, 13:16 EDT
Orlando, FL - March 24, 13:43 EDT (Departure at 13:57 EDT)
Winter Park, FL - March 24, 14:14 EDT
DeLand, FL - March 24, 14:56 EDT
Palatka, FL - March 24, 15:46 EDT
Jacksonville, FL - March 24, 17:10 EDT (Departure at 17:33 EDT)
Jesup, GA - March 24, 18:53 EDT
Savannah, GA - March 24, 19:57 EDT (Departure at 20:03 EDT)
Yemassee, SC - March 24, 20:52 EDT
Charleston, SC - March 24, 21:48 EDT
Kingstree, SC - March 24, 22:42 EDT
Florence, SC - March 24, 23:35 EDT (Departure at 23:45 EDT)
Fayetteville, NC - March 25, 01:10 EDT
Rocky Mount, NC - March 25, 02:42 EDT
Petersburg, VA - March 25, 04:06 EDT
Richmond, VA - March 25, 04:59 EDT (Departure at 05:09 EDT)
Alexandria, VA - March 25, 07:20 EDT
Layover Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS) Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 07:46 EDT Layover Time: 4h19m
The Stone Line Train: 176 Northeast Regional Originating Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS) Departure Date/Time: March 25, 12:05 EDT Travel Time: 7h55m
Spoiler:
New Caroliton, MD - March 25, 12:16 EDT
BWI Thurgood Marsh Air, MD - March 25, 12:32 EDT
Baltimore, MD - March 25, 12:47 EDT
Wilmington, DE - March 25, 13:34 EDT
Philadelphia, PA - March 25, 13:58 EDT
Trenton, NJ - March 25, 14:25 EDT
Metropark, NJ - March 25, 14:49 EDT
Newark, NJ - March 25, 15:04 EDT
New York, NY - March 25, 15:22 EDT (Departure at 15:30 EDT)
New Rochelle, NY - March 25, 15:57 EDT
Stamford, CT - March 25, 16:18 EDT
Bridgeport, CT - March 25, 14:42 EDT
New Haven, CT - March 25, 17:06 EDT (Departure at 17:30 EDT)
Old Saybrook, CT - March 25, 18:02 EDT
New London, CT - March 25, 18:22 EDT
Westerly, RI - March 25, 18:42 EDT
Kingston, RI - March 25, 18:57 EDT
Providence, RI - March 25, 19:19 EDT
Route 128, MA - March 25, 19:47 EDT
Schedule/Stops: Destination Station: Boston, MA - South Station (BOS) Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 20:00 EDT
The real question is, how many of the WCTT passengers are going to undertake the massive trip from California/Oregon?
Honestly, I'm torn on whether to train from my place of residence, all the way across the country, or fly to Chicago and catch the Lava Line to Boston. Reno to Boston will be like 80 hours of train. That's a lot of train.
But I will be doing one or the other. I will be on a train for PAX. I'm not missing this for the world.
Like this, not like the gas station.
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
I'll probably be jumping on the stone line from NY to Boston. One problem though, I'm trying to check the ticket prices on the Amtrak website so I can make my budget, but the 176 isn't showing up on the list. What am I doing wrong?
Buy a small corporation and use it to manufacture love. Then give the love to her at a bulk discount
That worked perfectly. I didn't realize Amtrak cut off the list after a certain amount of results and didn't allow multiple pages. Silly Amtrak website.
Buy a small corporation and use it to manufacture love. Then give the love to her at a bulk discount
Can we have a "Mauve Line" for the Downeaster that goes from Maine through NH to Boston? =) I highly encourage all New Englanders to take the Downeaster to get there... from where we are, a round trip ticket on it costs less than a single day of parking at any of the hotels... and even from the furthest point away on the Downeaster, I'm fairy certain that it costs less than two days of parking.
From there, you arrive at North Station and it's a very short ride on the T to Back Bay which is right next to the convention center!
I'll be running the MMT this year so I'll be heading into town early, but other New Englanders be sure to take notice and hop on the train!
As i am sure will be typical of the west coasters, I too will be flying. I will be taking the train to Seattle, though. Given that total train time would approach three days the blue line probably won't see many seattle area passengers.
I notice you want citation for meal prices. Here is a sample dining car menu (varies by train's locale, for example the Lime Line additionally has gumbo and the yellow 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. Keep in mind "specialty chicken sandwich" and "flame broiled burger" are the prepackaged microwave kind you find at quality establishments such as 7-11.
The Texas Eagle stops like a mile from my house here in Arizona. 4 days on a train each way seems pretty damn extreme, but if I somehow can swing it, I'd consider doing the trip up. Nothing firm yet though.
I would really like to get as many of the WCTT passengers as possible onto one of the trains heading east from California. If we can get it close to normal WCTT numbers, I'd do it. 3 days on a train with 50+ PAXers would be absolutely insanely awesome. Make no mistake.
Where are all the WCTT people at?
Like this, not like the gas station.
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
That would have the potential to be more epic than PAX itself, quite possibly. Especially if you could commandeer enough of the entertainment and food cars!
I would really like to get as many of the WCTT passengers as possible onto one of the trains heading east from California. If we can get it close to normal WCTT numbers, I'd do it. 3 days on a train with 50+ PAXers would be absolutely insanely awesome. Make no mistake.
I would really like to get as many of the WCTT passengers as possible onto one of the trains heading east from California. If we can get it close to normal WCTT numbers, I'd do it. 3 days on a train with 50+ PAXers would be absolutely insanely awesome. Make no mistake.
Where are all the WCTT people at?
I posted last page.
You did, and you'd be on my train. This is a good omen.
Like this, not like the gas station.
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
Since the schedule isn’t posted yet and I have stayed up on previous Pax schedules, what is the best time to leave on Sunday? I'm sure there is some kind of closing ceremony is it worth sticking around until the end. Is PAX pretty much dead on sunday?
sorry I guess i should have said I'm contemplating doing the train. I just wasnt sure what time to head out Sunday. There didnt seem to be any information on suggested departure from the convention in the OT.
Well, on the west coast, PAX has concluded with the final round of the Omegathon. There has been no indication of an east Omegathon or similar tournament, so it's unknown what they will be concluding PAX with. Personally, I wouldn't schedule any departure for before the end of PAX. I will actually be departing at noon the following day (Monday) on the Lake Shore Limited (Lava Line) back to Cleveland. I don't like to dictate return times on these trips, as different people have different plans post-PAX. Some people have to get home as soon as possible, and others have time to explore the city and surrounding areas.
Thanks for the thoughts, Ill talk it over with the missus'. I've been to other conventions and they always tend to be dead on the last day but it sounds like PAX is a different kind of animal.
What line you will be on: Lava Line and possibly the Blue Line
Name: Marshall
Location: Appleton, WI
Boarding Stop: Milwaukee or Chicago, depending on what I decide.
Ticket Purchased: N
Well I'll be damned, the Green Line actually stops in Riverside. I may have to look into pricing and saving up money for this if enough people are taking the Green Line to hang out with during the trip to make it worth it(And bearable at all, because that long of a train trip by myself would suck).
yeah I am thinking about it I would also be on the green line I would get on in Colorado probably have to make sure I could get the time off work and make sure enough people are going that it would be worth it but if we could get enough people to go I would be down.
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The Blue Line
Train: 8 Empire Builder (SEA to CHI)
Originating Station: Seattle, WA (SEA)
Departure Date/Time: March 22, 16:45 PDT
Travel Time: 45h10m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 15:55 CDT
Layover Time: 5h5m
The Copper Line
Train: 6 California Zephyr
Originating Station: Emeryville, CA (EMY)
Departure Date/Time: March 22, 09:50 PDT
Travel Time: 51h40m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 15:30 CDT
Layover Time: 5h30m
The Green Line
Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Originating Station: Los Angeles, CA - Union Station (LAX)
Departure Date/Time: March 22, 18:45 PDT
Travel Time: 42h35m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 15:20 CDT
Layover Time: 5h40m
The Yellow Line
Train: 22 Texas Eagle
Originating Station: San Antonio, TX (SAS)
Departure Date/Time: March 23, 07:00 CDT
Travel Time: 30h52m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 24, 13:52 CDT
Layover Time: 7h08m
The Lime Line
Train: 58 City of New Orleans
Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL)
Departure Date/Time: March 23, 13:45 CDT
Travel Time: 19h15m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 09:00 CDT
Layover Time: 12h00m
The Lava Line
Train: 448 Lake Shore Limited
Originating Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Departure Date/Time: March 24, 21:00 CDT
Travel Time: 23h3m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 21:03 EDT
The Orange Line
Train: 20 Crescent
Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL)
Departure Date/Time: March 24, 07:05 CDT
Travel Time: 26h5m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 10:10 EDT
Layover Time: 1h55m
The Emerald Line
Train: 98 Silver Meteor
Originating Station: Miami, FL (MIA)
Departure Date/Time: March 24, 08:40 EDT
Travel Time: 23h6m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 07:46 EDT
Layover Time: 4h19m
The Stone Line
Train: 176 Northeast Regional
Originating Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Departure Date/Time: March 25, 12:05 EDT
Travel Time: 7h55m
Destination Station: Boston, MA - South Station (BOS)
Arrival Date/Time: March 25, 20:00 EDT
I may do this.
<Qs23> I just need to get my dicks in a row
<prox> i work for dicks
#paforums_pax, all about the dicks.
Honestly, I'm torn on whether to train from my place of residence, all the way across the country, or fly to Chicago and catch the Lava Line to Boston. Reno to Boston will be like 80 hours of train. That's a lot of train.
But I will be doing one or the other. I will be on a train for PAX. I'm not missing this for the world.
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
To be added to the list post the following:
What line you will be on:
Name:
Location:
Boarding Stop:
Ticket Purchased: Y/N
Name: Ian Irwin
Location: Brooklyn
Boarding Stop: New York Penn
Ticket Purchased: Y
From there, you arrive at North Station and it's a very short ride on the T to Back Bay which is right next to the convention center!
I'll be running the MMT this year so I'll be heading into town early, but other New Englanders be sure to take notice and hop on the train!
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Sorry Moe, I'm flying this time.
Also, I don't expect a huge turnout from the far west. I anticipate most of the action to be within a day to day and a half travel each way.
If we come up Amtrak it will be from New London, CT on the Stone Line probably Thursday sometime, too soon to know exactly when
Here is an example menu of the snack bar on the lounge car. Keep in mind "specialty chicken sandwich" and "flame broiled burger" are the prepackaged microwave kind you find at quality establishments such as 7-11.
What line you will be on: Blue
Name: Isha
Location: Seattle, WA
Boarding Stop: Seattle, WA
Ticket Purchased: N
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Where are all the WCTT people at?
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
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I posted last page.
You did, and you'd be on my train. This is a good omen.
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
Name: Marshall
Location: Appleton, WI
Boarding Stop: Milwaukee or Chicago, depending on what I decide.
Ticket Purchased: N