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[PRIME] West Coast Train Trip 2009 :

Old 03-31-2009, 01:47 AM
Greetings Fellow Traingoers!
It's that magical time of year to start planning the 2009 West Coast Train Trip.



Soooooo, without further ado this is latest trip info.
What it is
The West Coast Train Trip, or "PAXTrain" for short, is a coordinated effort for PAX-goers to ride the same train at the same time going up the western coast of the United States - both as an alternative to driving or flying, and to enjoy an intimate "mini-convention". It replaced the West Coast Supertrip in 2007.
Why the train?
Ask anyone who's flown, driven and taken the train up - the train was the best experience. We don't care if you're new - this ain't no private party, and all people going to PAX are welcome. We didn't even know anyone else in 2007 and have become fast friends. We invite you to join us!
How to get on the PAXTrain
We are riding Train #14 - Coast Starlight departing September 2nd, 2009. from California. If you are in Chico, CA or north, get on the same train, but on September 3rd, 2009. We're going back on Train #11 - Coast Starlight departing September 7th.

PDF of the train schedule

The following is a courtesy list of standard coach prices for the trip. The price for tickets will get higher the longer you wait, so buy as early as you can.
Spoiler:

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:
PAXtrain Gear
People's willingness to bring their expensive toys to share is part of what makes PAXtrain such an awesome experience. Some of our needs are already met and addressed. Like last year, TNTrooper will provide a plethora of consoles to use, RCars2 will bring the networking equipment, and Transparent will bring his 26" television. Please understand that if you are joining up any later than San Jose, it may not be "worth it" for the train trip. We need supplies on the front as soon as we hit middle California, not before. If you want to assist us, here's what we need:

Spoiler:
The Rules
We now have some rules on PAXTrain. They're simple. Don't sweat it. But if you break them, again we will be miffed and we'll find appropriate punishment for you. These rules mainly apply in Headquarters (the Arcade cars or obs deck) as that's where most of the magic happens.

Spoiler:
How to drink your vodka straight
Amtrak now has a policy against outside alcohol on the train. They probably just want to sell more of the overpriced stuff in the snack bar. We won't tell you what to bring or not bring, but know that the risks / consequences of bringing alcohol are your own, as we aren't condoning private stashes this year. Openly drinking your own stuff in public areas is discouraged.

Spoiler:
The Hot Spots - I'm Going off the Rails on this Crazy PAXTrain
The majority of all PAXTrain activities happen in two locations: The coach car with the arcade room (which will likely be the home of Rock Band), and the Obseravtion Deck (which will be designated as the Obs Deck or simply as Obs). These areas are beehives of activity and the "home" of most of our console systems. We'll have to play it by ear, balancing the use of the arcade cars and observation car between PAX goers and the rest of the passengers took a little doing last year.

Spoiler:

Events
We will be having the following events on PAXTrain:
Spoiler:
__________________
PAX registration is up. Plans for the WCTT are in the works. PAX '09 should be awesome.

Last edited by Transparent; 06-15-2009 at 12:56 PM.
| #1
PAXTrain Mwabfeeahsueass
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Old 03-31-2009, 01:47 AM
Tomorrow I'll be working on getting the site we used for the contact list last year modified for use this year (i.e. people can add their info and what station they will be boarding at).

I just discovered that you can link to amtrak.com with search terms in tact, I'm going to redo the station list with links to buy tickets at each one.

Items for discussion:
Events / Tournaments
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PAX registration is up. Plans for the WCTT are in the works. PAX '09 should be awesome.

Last edited by Transparent; 03-31-2009 at 02:11 AM.
| #2
SEND IN THE CLERGY!
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Old 03-31-2009, 01:53 AM
Re Tournaments: I'll be holding a chess tournament as well, although the success of that depends on interest levels.

Also, you should put something in the OP about round trip tickets.

IF YOU PRINT ALL YOUR TICKETS ON THE TRIP UP, YOU MUST HOLD ON TO THEM FOR THE TRIP BACK!

This is not like plane tickets, you don't get a new one on the way back. I found this out the hard way and had to purchase a new ticket for the return trip from Seattle. Put them in your wallet, or some other safe, hard-to-lose location, otherwise you'll be out $98.
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PAXTrain Mwabfeeahsueass
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Old 03-31-2009, 02:00 AM
I would be interested in chess. I'm not really very good, but I'd enjoy playing.
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Old 03-31-2009, 08:03 AM
Man it feels good to have my tickets ready so early in the year.
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Old 03-31-2009, 08:25 AM
Actually, the alcohol policy has been the same as long as I've been riding. No alcohol in public areas unless purchased on the train. This isn't so much to price gouge as it is to control how much alcohol coach passengers- who are sharing space with a carload of other people- are able to access. It's a variant of PAXtrain's "Don't be a dick" rule, because while we all know it's just good form, not everyone who purchases a train ticket does. Amtrak does not mess around with drunk and disorderly on the trains and while they've been pretty laid back toward us about it, they have been known to kick people off at random station or even between stations met by a police cruiser for being disruptive.

That said, I've noticed a lot of people are going the sleeper route this year and 'private stock' is allowed to be consumed in "Sleeping car accommodations for which you hold a valid ticket." They pretty much assume if you drink it up in your room, you're probably going to sleep it off there as well.
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Last edited by nemaihne; 03-31-2009 at 04:42 PM. Reason
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Old 03-31-2009, 01:22 PM
And then I come out of no where, with my big bag of alcohol. Sharing the love to those in coach with me.
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Old 03-31-2009, 02:14 PM
I did just fine with a 6 of pale ale at my seat. I didn't walk around with it and I didn't get pissed drunk either so I never became a target for the crew.
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Old 03-31-2009, 04:16 PM
Sleeper car is definitely the route to go if you want your own alcohol. But it is very expensive.
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Old 04-01-2009, 12:31 AM
need.. tax refund.. must get to PAX....


Hope all the hotels aren't sold out by then
  | #10
PAXTrain Mwabfeeahsueass
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Old 04-01-2009, 01:26 AM
Your card doesn't get charged for the hotel until you check in...
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PAX registration is up. Plans for the WCTT are in the works. PAX '09 should be awesome.
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I scored some hooch.
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Old 04-01-2009, 06:42 PM
For some you have to lay down a deposit now. The Sheraton does that this year. I don't remember it last year, but I have a hold of $230 on my credit card now from my reservation.
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Old 04-02-2009, 04:27 PM
Yeah, I knew that much. Don't even have the money for a deposit now
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Old 04-02-2009, 08:37 PM
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh snap, it's that time again...

Today I got to thinking, "You know... I wonder if PAX is doing pre-registrations yet? It is April..."

and now look where I am.

Hi again, PAXtrain people! My name is Jace, I got on in Sacramento last year. I had a big cooler full of Mountain Dew and Stella Artois. It was a blast. Arguably more fun than PAX itself. I spent a lot of time down in one of the arcade cars with Rock Band. I joined in on the PAX breakfast run the day after we got into Seattle and roomed with a few people from the train. I'm definitely, definitely taking the train up this year, and maybe back. I flew back last year, not sure if I made the right call or not.

This year I plan on bringing:

Munchkin with a few expansions
Mechaton lego minis and rules
Zombie Fluxx
Street Fighter IV (360). I would love to get a SFIV tournament going on the train.

Also, for movie night(s) I propose the following:

The Big Lebowski
Burn After Reading
Bolt
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Last edited by Arco; 04-02-2009 at 08:47 PM.
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Old 04-02-2009, 11:22 PM
Weren't you also the guy who had to repair his pants with duct tape?
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Old 04-02-2009, 11:28 PM
I am interested in this train trip.
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PAXTrain Mwabfeeahsueass
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Old 04-03-2009, 12:40 AM
Scoota: If you have any question feel free to ask. Hope to see you on the train.
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PAX registration is up. Plans for the WCTT are in the works. PAX '09 should be awesome.
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Old 04-03-2009, 06:08 AM
My girlfriend and I have been booked on this train since before trains were built. Incidentally I'm planning on bringing my Xbox and Rock Band with me so we'll prob'ly have a mini-tourny on the train, and my girlfriend and I both intend to enter the Rock Band tourny this year if PAX is doing one.

With that in mind, we're looking for a RB Guitarist and Drummer for the tourny. Michelle will be on Vocals and I'm going to tear the shit out of the Bass with my Precision Bass controller.
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Old 04-03-2009, 11:22 AM
contrefait wrote: View Post
Weren't you also the guy who had to repair his pants with duct tape?
Yep, that was me. I'm proud to report that this year I'm bringing kevlar reinforced cargo shorts, and a roll of duct tape just in case.

Squirminator2k wrote: View Post
My girlfriend and I have been booked on this train since before trains were built. Incidentally I'm planning on bringing my Xbox and Rock Band with me so we'll prob'ly have a mini-tourny on the train, and my girlfriend and I both intend to enter the Rock Band tourny this year if PAX is doing one.

With that in mind, we're looking for a RB Guitarist and Drummer for the tourny. Michelle will be on Vocals and I'm going to tear the shit out of the Bass with my Precision Bass controller.
Stalefish is the resident drummer extraordinaire, but I'm pretty good, too. I'm also a good guitarist. I'm available for gigs if the groupies are of the right hair color.
__________________
PPPD '09 Organizer.
PAXTrain Devotee.
PAXEast Enforcer.
Charmander Trainer.
PAX Lover.

Last edited by Arco; 04-03-2009 at 11:52 AM.
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Old 04-05-2009, 02:56 AM
Arco wrote: View Post
contrefait wrote: View Post
Weren't you also the guy who had to repair his pants with duct tape?
Yep, that was me.
Greetings! Glad to see you're taking the train again, as it was a pleasure.

Keeping up the tradition I'll be bringing some kind of treats, the watermelon worked out rather nicely last year since we were dying in the AC-less Obs Roaster, but in generally I think homemade beef jerky is a better bet. And both of those would be better than rice crispy treats, right?
  | #20
Doctor Qui
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Old 04-05-2009, 03:54 PM
Arco wrote: View Post
Squirminator2k wrote: View Post
My girlfriend and I have been booked on this train since before trains were built. Incidentally I'm planning on bringing my Xbox and Rock Band with me so we'll prob'ly have a mini-tourny on the train, and my girlfriend and I both intend to enter the Rock Band tourny this year if PAX is doing one.

With that in mind, we're looking for a RB Guitarist and Drummer for the tourny. Michelle will be on Vocals and I'm going to tear the shit out of the Bass with my Precision Bass controller.
Stalefish is the resident drummer extraordinaire, but I'm pretty good, too. I'm also a good guitarist. I'm available for gigs if the groupies are of the right hair color.
Stalefish was in our Rock Band band last year - we were Dunno, and we made it all the way to the semi-finals. We were great, but we overplayed the stage antics in the semis and ended up screwing ourselves over. I'm hoping he's willing to be our Millionaire Girlfriend this year as well.

If your guitar-playing skills allow you to rock out with your sexual organs dangling precariously out of your zipper then you're in.
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| #21
Philosopher King.
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Old 04-05-2009, 04:22 PM
Squirminator2k wrote: View Post
Arco wrote: View Post
Squirminator2k wrote: View Post
My girlfriend and I have been booked on this train since before trains were built. Incidentally I'm planning on bringing my Xbox and Rock Band with me so we'll prob'ly have a mini-tourny on the train, and my girlfriend and I both intend to enter the Rock Band tourny this year if PAX is doing one.

With that in mind, we're looking for a RB Guitarist and Drummer for the tourny. Michelle will be on Vocals and I'm going to tear the shit out of the Bass with my Precision Bass controller.
Stalefish is the resident drummer extraordinaire, but I'm pretty good, too. I'm also a good guitarist. I'm available for gigs if the groupies are of the right hair color.
Stalefish was in our Rock Band band last year - we were Dunno, and we made it all the way to the semi-finals. We were great, but we overplayed the stage antics in the semis and ended up screwing ourselves over. I'm hoping he's willing to be our Millionaire Girlfriend this year as well.

If your guitar-playing skills allow you to rock out with your sexual organs dangling precariously out of your zipper then you're in.
Oh hey, you're the British guy, right? I'm a horrible human being and I forget your name, but you were around.

What if my sexual organs are less than impressive? I don't want to drag the band down...
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| #22
Doctor Qui
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Old 04-05-2009, 04:26 PM
Arco wrote: View Post
Oh hey, you're the British guy, right? I'm a horrible human being and I forget your name, but you were around.
There were at last two British guys on the train last year (also one Australian). I was the one with the red hair who sang the solos in Bohemian Rhapsody. The name's Ben - don't feel bad for forgetting my name. I'm terrible with names myself.

Arco wrote: View Post
What if my sexual organs are less than impressive? I don't want to drag the band down...
It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it. Or so I'm told. But then I'm told a lot of things.
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| #23
Philosopher King.
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Old 04-05-2009, 05:45 PM
Squirminator2k wrote: View Post
Arco wrote: View Post
Oh hey, you're the British guy, right? I'm a horrible human being and I forget your name, but you were around.
There were at last two British guys on the train last year (also one Australian). I was the one with the red hair who sang the solos in Bohemian Rhapsody. The name's Ben - don't feel bad for forgetting my name. I'm terrible with names myself.

Arco wrote: View Post
What if my sexual organs are less than impressive? I don't want to drag the band down...
It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it. Or so I'm told. But then I'm told a lot of things.
Ben! That's right. I wanted to call you Simon, but that's just because of that douche on American Idol and the fact that I lump all people with the same accent into the same category.

How would I be using said organ in a Rock Band tourney? Is there some kind of technique in England that I'm not aware of?
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| #24
I scored some hooch.
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Old 04-05-2009, 06:41 PM
Squirminator2k wrote: View Post
Arco wrote: View Post
Squirminator2k wrote: View Post
My girlfriend and I have been booked on this train since before trains were built. Incidentally I'm planning on bringing my Xbox and Rock Band with me so we'll prob'ly have a mini-tourny on the train, and my girlfriend and I both intend to enter the Rock Band tourny this year if PAX is doing one.

With that in mind, we're looking for a RB Guitarist and Drummer for the tourny. Michelle will be on Vocals and I'm going to tear the shit out of the Bass with my Precision Bass controller.
Stalefish is the resident drummer extraordinaire, but I'm pretty good, too. I'm also a good guitarist. I'm available for gigs if the groupies are of the right hair color.
Stalefish was in our Rock Band band last year - we were Dunno, and we made it all the way to the semi-finals. We were great, but we overplayed the stage antics in the semis and ended up screwing ourselves over. I'm hoping he's willing to be our Millionaire Girlfriend this year as well.

If your guitar-playing skills allow you to rock out with your sexual organs dangling precariously out of your zipper then you're in.
Oh, it's on. We'll need to somehow come up with an even more ambiguous name though.
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| #25
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