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The 7th Annual West Coast Train Trip - Looking for Group
TimeCruiserMike
Past Organizer of the West Coast Train TripSan Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
Past Organizer of the West Coast Train TripSan Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
Looking For Group
Would you like to play or run an RPG on the train? See link for details.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/27152246/#Comment_27152246
The 7th annual
West Coast Train Trip Follow us on twitter @PAXTrain
PAXTrain Roster
What it is
The Successor to the West Coast Super Trip (the nerdy caravan that started it all) 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".
Why the train?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaAN6Rng0o0
How to get on the PAXTrain
Once you've got your ticket squared away. Please take some time to fill out this form.
Stuff You Need
PAXtrain Gear
The PAXTrain Staff
I know that a small percentage of people have issue with an organized PAXTrain “Staff." There was some drama in 2008. "You are on a power trip and need to settle down." Please understand that to keep good relations with Amtrak and not have a bunch of people booted off the train in the middle of butte valley, we present the Amtrak Staff with a Face (or faces) who represents us as a group. This helps keep the staff more at ease and provides everyone on both sides with a go to guy(or go to people) with whom they can speak if there is a problem. If any of the PAXTrain “staff“ seems at any time to be rude or power tripping, please know that it is because we don't like being yelled at by Amtrak Staff, and yes Amtrak staff has on occasion asked PAXTrain “staff” to quell some problems that have come up. (Noise, crowding the isle, hogging the obs. deck, etc.)
The Rules
Booze
The Hot Spots - I'm Going off the Rails on this Crazy PAXTrain
Events
Seriously guys, fill out this form. It will give you happy feeling.
Feel free to PM me if I left anything out or need to make any changes.
Would you like to play or run an RPG on the train? See link for details.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/27152246/#Comment_27152246
The 7th annual
West Coast Train Trip Follow us on twitter @PAXTrain
PAXTrain Roster
What it is
The Successor to the West Coast Super Trip (the nerdy caravan that started it all) 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".
Why the train?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaAN6Rng0o0
How to get on the PAXTrain
We are riding Train #14 - Coast Starlight, departing August 28th, 2013 from Los Angeles California and arriving at the Seattle King Street Station(SEA) on August 29th at 8:37 pm. If you are in Chico, CA or any stop further north you’ll be boarding on August 29th, 2013. We'll be returning on Train #11 - Coast Starlight, departing September 3rd at 9:45 am. Everyone from Eugene and all points north should be sure to select the Coast Starlight and not the Cascades when buying your tickets.
The following is a courtesy list of standard coach prices for a round trip, but they won’t stay like that. You should buy now because the prices go up as we near our departure date.
DEPARTS AUG 28th
STATIONS BELOW DEPART AUG 29th
The following is a courtesy list of standard coach prices for a round trip, but they won’t stay like that. You should buy now because the prices go up as we near our departure date.
DEPARTS AUG 28th
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX) - $254 Departs 10:10 am, Returns 9:00 pm Sep. 4th
- Van Nuys, CA (VNC) - $254 Departs 10:40 am, Returns 8:22pm Sep. 4th
- Simi Valley, CA (SIM) - $251 Departs 11:11 am, Returns 7:48 pm Sep. 4th No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
- Oxnard, CA (OXN) - $251 Departs 11:44 am, Returns 7:05 pm Sep. 4th
- Santa Barbara, CA (SBA) - $250 Departs 12:40 pm, Returns 6:02 pm Sep. 4th
- San Luis Obispo, CA (SLO) - $246 Departs 3:35 pm, Returns 3:07 pm Sep. 4th
- Paso Robles, CA (PRB) - $246 Departs 4:37 pm, Returns 1:38 pm No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Salinas, CA (SNS) - $246 Departs 6:28 pm, Returns 11:48 am Sep. 4th
- San Jose, CA (SJC) - $232 Departs 8:23 pm, Returns 9:55 am Sep. 4th
- Oakland - Jack London Square, CA (OKJ) - $230 Departs 9:39 pm, Returns 8:35 am Sep. 4th
- Emeryville, CA (EMY) - $230 Departs 10:04 pm, Returns 8:15 am Sep. 4th
- Martinez, CA (MTZ) - $222 Departs 10:46 pm, Returns 7:34 am Sep. 4th
- Davis, CA (DAV) - $215 Departs 11:25 pm, Returns 6:50 am Sep. 4th
- Sacramento, CA (SAC) - $212 Departs 11:59 pm, Returns 6:15 am Sep. 4th
STATIONS BELOW DEPART AUG 29th
- Chico, CA (CIC) - $172 Departs 1:47 am, Returns 3:50 am Sep. 4th No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Redding, CA (RDD) - $158 Departs 3:06 am, Returns 2:21 am Sep. 4th No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Dunsmuir, CA (DUN) - $146 Departs 4:56 am, Returns 12:35 am Sep. 4th No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Klamath Falls, OR (KFS) - $122 Departs 8:17 am, Returns 9:50 pm Sep. 3rd
- Chemult, OR (CMO) - $108 Departs 9:32 am, Returns 8:08 pm Sep. 3rd No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Eugene, OR (EUG) - $108 Departs 12:36 pm, Returns 5:03 pm Sep. 3rd
- Albany, OR (ALY) - $98 Departs 1:22 pm, Returns 4:10 pm Sep. 3rd
- Salem, OR (SLM) - $88 Departs 1:55 pm, Returns 3:37 pm Sep. 3rd
- Portland, OR (PDX) - $66 Departs 4:12pm, Returns 1:50 pm Sep. 3rd
- Vancouver, WA (VAN) - $66 Departs 4:28 pm, Returns 1:08 pm Sep. 3rd
- Kelso, WA (KEL) - $54 Departs 5:06 pm, Returns 12:29 pm Sep. 3rd No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
- Centralia, WA (CTL) - $44 Departs 5:49 pm, Returns 11:45 am Sep. 3rd No checked baggage for trip up, you can check bags for return trip.
- Olympia-Lacey, WA (OLW) - $34 Departs 6:14 pm, Returns 11:21 am Sep. 3rd No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
- Tacoma, WA (TAC) - $28 Departs 7:03 pm, Returns 10:31 am Sep. 3rd
Once you've got your ticket squared away. Please take some time to fill out this form.
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 livable experience on the rails.
We also recommend the following items:
- You are allowed to carry on two bags, and check three (if you board at a station that allows checked baggage). (Note: from what I understand, laptop bags and backpacks don’t count as carry-ons.) We suggest checking a suitcase for your PAX supplies and packing a separate carry- on bag / backpack. This pack should contain personal effects and clothing, as well as everything else you think you'll need on the train.
- Earplugs 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 hygiene 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. I for one will need to be popping zoloft all weekend to tame my social anxiety.
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 or 3DS 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.(I’m going to insist “multiplaying” is a word whether firefox likes it or not.)
- 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, preferably a pair of ear buds rather than studio headphones, but to each his own. It is considered rude to subject others to the noise of your personal entertainment device
- 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 10-20 dollars. The food in the private dining car isn't bad. Apart from that, bring spare cash for snacks or bring your own in your travel backpack.
PAXtrain Gear
People's willingness to bring their expensive toys to share is part of what makes PAXtrain such an awesome experience. 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 early as possible. If you are not sure what to bring here are some things we need.
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.
- Power strips and extension cords. Power management becomes 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. This seems small and unimportant, but it's the foundation of all of our operations!
- 2 15 Amp Twist-lock Adapters (1 for arcade, one for obs car) There are some outlets on the train that are very different and would be more convenient for us to use if we had the proper adapters. (Not every train has these outlets) Power managment has become much better now that they put in outlets in most of the cars, though I can’t really guarantee that we’ll get cars with enough useful outlets.
- Card games. What’s your poison? Magic, Fluxx, Curses, WoWTCG, Pokemon, Cards Against Humanity etc. Doesn’t matter. Shit, bring the Sailor Moon TCG, I don't care. Bring it. If you have a silly game that's easy to learn, bring it. “We didn't Play test This” was a big train hit in the past.
- Fans. If you have room to spare, fans are an invaluable asset. There may be times when the train’s AC just isn’t cutting it, be it because it broke down, or the result of the high density of sweaty nerd bodies and medium to high powered laptops generating so much warmth. We will probably need at least two fans. An electric fan can reduce the temperature of a room by up to 10 degrees; the arcade cars will likely need them.
- 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 appreciate you offering its use for the good of the Party. The arcade car has a (small) television if we need it. Extra TVs and monitors are optional, not a necessity.
- A Rock Band Setup. I have it on good authority that squirminator2k can provide us with Rockband 3, an xbox with 826 songs, microphones, drums, keyboard, and possibly two very nice wooden guitar controllers if he can acquire the guitar bags he needs, otherwise we’ll need someone to supply guitars.
- A Wii with Super Smash bros Brawl and 4 gamecube controllers. other games are welcome, but people tend to just play Smash. A Wii U would be a good idea too.
- 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 knowing what's in your killer brownies, duuuuuude. (Cookie Brigade excluded of course. People selling cookies for charity are surely trustworthy)
- Tape! We like to try and keep our power cables away from where other passengers can trip on them; which tends to mean taping them to the ceiling. (This is of course assuming we don’t get an observation car with outlets at every table.)
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 PAXTrain Staff
I know that a small percentage of people have issue with an organized PAXTrain “Staff." There was some drama in 2008. "You are on a power trip and need to settle down." Please understand that to keep good relations with Amtrak and not have a bunch of people booted off the train in the middle of butte valley, we present the Amtrak Staff with a Face (or faces) who represents us as a group. This helps keep the staff more at ease and provides everyone on both sides with a go to guy(or go to people) with whom they can speak if there is a problem. If any of the PAXTrain “staff“ seems at any time to be rude or power tripping, please know that it is because we don't like being yelled at by Amtrak Staff, and yes Amtrak staff has on occasion asked PAXTrain “staff” to quell some problems that have come up. (Noise, crowding the isle, hogging the obs. deck, etc.)
The Rules
We have some rules on PAXTrain. They're simple. Don't sweat it. But if you break them we will be miffed and we'll find appropriate punishment for you.(you can’t see it, but I have an evil grin on my face.) These rules mainly apply in Headquarters (the Arcade car or obs deck) as that's where most of the magic happens.
WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS SO FAR AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT THIS WAY. I'M NOT POINTING FINGERS, THERE'S NOBODY TO POINT THEM AT! Let's just keep it that way.
We've never had any real problems, but vigilance and diligence will insure it remains that way. These rules are also loose guidelines more than anything, so don't flaunt them or play the legalist. If you play the rules lawyer, we'll treat you like a rules lawyer. Anyone in gross violation of the rules or common decency won't be welcome at group festivities - you're now persona non grata and everyone hates your guts, and you're banned from PAXTrain events.
Again, we've never actually had to do that! Everyone's been cool and has watched each other's back, kept everyone else in check and been real champions, doing their duty to assist their fellow gamers when they are falling out of line. We work better as a loosely organized motley band than as a full regiment. We've done terrific! Just keep diligent - we have a legacy to consider, and we want to keep good relations with Amtrak.
- Remember Wheaton’s Law: “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, you probably want to 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 thoroughly). 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.
WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS SO FAR AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT THIS WAY. I'M NOT POINTING FINGERS, THERE'S NOBODY TO POINT THEM AT! Let's just keep it that way.
We've never had any real problems, but vigilance and diligence will insure it remains that way. These rules are also loose guidelines more than anything, so don't flaunt them or play the legalist. If you play the rules lawyer, we'll treat you like a rules lawyer. Anyone in gross violation of the rules or common decency won't be welcome at group festivities - you're now persona non grata and everyone hates your guts, and you're banned from PAXTrain events.
Again, we've never actually had to do that! Everyone's been cool and has watched each other's back, kept everyone else in check and been real champions, doing their duty to assist their fellow gamers when they are falling out of line. We work better as a loosely organized motley band than as a full regiment. We've done terrific! Just keep diligent - we have a legacy to consider, and we want to keep good relations with Amtrak.
Booze
Amtrak 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. Openly drinking your own stuff in public areas is discouraged. If you choose to do so please do it discretely. If keeping it out of sight is a problem for you I would suggest that you check out these links
These sites offer a variety of inconspicuous covers for your beer cans
http://thebeermall.com/beercancovers.html
http://www.ezcom.com/hideabeer.htm
or if you would rather make a cover yourself
http://www.instructables.com/id/Sneaky-Drink-a-Beer-Anywhere/?ALLSTEPS
or . . . you could bring the brand of beer they sell on the train.
As for the other variety of beverage (aka hard stuff), just premix your drink of choice into a inconspicuous container before you board and you're set. We’re still not condoning it though. Think of it as teaching 6th graders about condoms. You don’t want them to need them, but if they’re going to do it, at least they know how to protect themselves.
The PAXTrain "staff" will be assessing the situation and reacting appropriately. We got some rookie drinkers on PAXTrain '07 (the only year Amtrak allowed outside booze). If you're new to drinking, we have some info for you right here to help you get in the swing of things - most vets already have some sort of system on how they handle the booze. Here are the four levels of inebriation as we will ID them:
Anyone who is really wasted will be asked to leave the festivities - sit in your coach seat for a while and maintain. You wanna drink on the PAXTrain? Fine. Just don't be a little newb about it.
Also remember:
These sites offer a variety of inconspicuous covers for your beer cans
http://thebeermall.com/beercancovers.html
http://www.ezcom.com/hideabeer.htm
or if you would rather make a cover yourself
http://www.instructables.com/id/Sneaky-Drink-a-Beer-Anywhere/?ALLSTEPS
or . . . you could bring the brand of beer they sell on the train.
As for the other variety of beverage (aka hard stuff), just premix your drink of choice into a inconspicuous container before you board and you're set. We’re still not condoning it though. Think of it as teaching 6th graders about condoms. You don’t want them to need them, but if they’re going to do it, at least they know how to protect themselves.
The PAXTrain "staff" will be assessing the situation and reacting appropriately. We got some rookie drinkers on PAXTrain '07 (the only year Amtrak allowed outside booze). If you're new to drinking, we have some info for you right here to help you get in the swing of things - most vets already have some sort of system on how they handle the booze. Here are the four levels of inebriation as we will ID them:
- Not Drunk - You've had one, maybe two. You're not feeling it. Drink a little more, if you want, or not. Maybe you're just not a beer (or liquor) guy. You don't need to be drunk to enjoy PAXTrain. Most people weren't drunk at all in previous years. It's overblown how drunk we were. (Or I am cleaning our images up and rewriting history.)
- Buzzed - You've had a few and you're feeling pretty good. Bit of a headrush. Congrats - you're buzzed! Now slow down and enjoy it. Drink a bit after an hour to keep the buzz going. Don't feel like you need to drink a lot to look like a big man.
- Drunk - Congrats, you're drunk. Now sit your ass down. Being drunk is not a good thing. Lay off the booze and get some chips. A pro alcoholic can "maintain", cutting through his drunkenness and working with his lack of motor skills to help him calm down and get it out. Be careful - we'll try to help keep you quiet and unseen, but if the train guys spot you drunk, they can call the cops at the next stop and have you hauled off to the drunk tank. That means no Paxy Pax for you.
- Wasted - What the fuck is wrong with you? If you're clearly wasted we're throwing you out of PAXTrain events and the word will spread you're persona non grata. Go to the bathroom quietly and puke before the train personnel eject you from the train - and into the arms of the police, who will arrest you for being drunk in public.
Anyone who is really wasted will be asked to leave the festivities - sit in your coach seat for a while and maintain. You wanna drink on the PAXTrain? Fine. Just don't be a little newb about it.
Also remember:
- "You just want to be with that ugly bitch WHO ISN'T PRETTIER THAN ME!!!" (New Years party reference, this chick was a horrible drunk) If you've battled with depression before, you might wind up being an overly emotional drunk. So unless you're certain you can maintain, or if you feel weird about it, then don't get drunk so you don't embarrass yourself.
- Don't feel pressured to drink more to seem hardcore. A pro alcoholic will tell you that a low alcohol tolerance is actually very good thing, and look back to the time when a few beers would buzz them as their salad days.
- Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer? You're in the clear. Be sure that you remember this rhyme, or else you'll wind up doing time - puking up your guts all over the stall, in the bathroom straight down the hall.
- Since we won't have a PAXtrain alcohol stash we can't exactly cut you off. Just remember if you're out of hand you'll be asked to go somewhere else until you can maintain.
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 Observation 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 can take a little doing sometimes.
- The Arcade Car(s): These are private rooms, allowing us to speak freely with no cause for the concerns of other passengers and are fairly soundproof, allowing us to get a little loud (not too loud). Here you can find our primary console setups. It is on the first story of a coach car, with no other passengers to heed, and has a luggage rack for storing our critical gear, a water dispenser for more drinkable cold water, and doors to exit in case of a smoke break. When the door opens to the arcade car, get quiet for a second until it closes; otherwise, speak away. Amtrak closes the arcade cars at 11pm, though sometimes we can convince them to let us spend the night there.
- The Obs Deck: Obs is a public area for all passengers. We have to be conscious of the other passengers during the day, but we pretty much have it to ourselves at night. Obs has a large, spacious observation deck on the top floor with a number of private tables, benches and seats to view the countryside, use a laptop, play cards or do whatever, but due to the furniture it is not a good place to hold a mass congregation unless everyone sits down. The first floor of the obs deck has a commissary for buying snacks, drinks, booze and small meals. The prices are a little high, but not complete robbery - still, it's advisable to bring your own foodstuffs. Also on the first floor are more tables and furniture and more observation areas, we try to leave this area open while the snack bar is operational as we pretty much take up all the tables upstairs. Wireless connections (assuming we have the equipment we need) will be set up and administrated from a table on the upper floor, you can take advantage of it from the whole obs car. At night, we appropriate obs for PAX-y uses, but it is still a public area, so don't be a total boor or drunkard. This is when we typically chill and watch movies.
- The Dining Car: The onboard restaurant of the train is pretty good. Or, at least it has been. Be sure to bring cash as the magic plastic cards seem to confound the servers here.
Events
We will be having the following events on PAXTrain:
- RPGs : TBA: Thirty-four hours is a lot of time to spend on a train. Many people like to spend a good portion of that time playing Pen and Paper or Table top RPGs. We need Game Masters to run scheduled and/or spur of the moment Campaigns. Post details here in the thread if you plan on running a game or two on the train.
- Tournaments: TBD. At the very least there will be Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and Rock Band going on.
- Meals: Amtrak takes Lunch and Dinner reservations before meals happen. Find some people and make a reservation for four. It's a great way to commiserate with people in a more relaxed environment than the public areas.
- Movie Night: CURRENT FILM LIST: TBD. Do you have something you want to watch at night in the observation car? Bring it with you and / or let us know. Dr. Horrible was a big hit.
- Train Twister: This was arguably a success in 09. How do we feel about it making a return?
Seriously guys, fill out this form. It will give you happy feeling.
Feel free to PM me if I left anything out or need to make any changes.
{Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
TimeCruiserMike on
+1
Posts
Leaving from Union Station (LAX)(<- that is not the airport) in Los Angeles on August 28, at 10:00 AM, sources say you want the Amtrak Coast Starlight 14 train TO PAX. 34.5 Hour trip.
If you are in San Diego, CA... Amtrak.com says you will need to take the Pacific Surfliner 763 which departs from Old Town (OLT) on August 28 at 6:11 AM. 2 Hour 40 min trip to Union Station same day.
WARNING! Make sure to see if you can check baggage or not at your station. It looks like the station in Old Town San Diego does not, while Union Station does.
Destination Train Station: Seattle - King Street Station, WA (SEA)
Snag a round trip ticket or whatever train you wish for the return.
Read some Train riding info here such as what to bring, cash you need, courtesies, etc... http://wiki.paxcommunity.net/paxwiki/West_Coast_Train_Trip
I will also be bringing an Espresso Knob, which i will be happy to share, except with nincombuttpoops who can't spell knife. Who get nothing except my undying scorn.
Yea I know he is the host now. But the thread wasn't anywhere. I originally had some text saying if the Host needs to hijack my thread or wipe it in lieu of an official sticky, go right ahead but it added too much text to the train facts.
K N I F E
Wait, isn't the "PAX" train the one that leaves (everywhere south of Oregon) Wednesday, August 28th and arriving in Seattle on Thursday, August 29th? If you're leaving on Monday, then you'll miss the fun.
You are right! I had it right, thought it was wrong, changed it, and now have to change it back lmao. Luckily we have plenty of time to plan!
Also, this original post says nothing about the return trip. A number of people always take the train back. It's more mellow but still a lot of fun. Can we get the return train in the original post, set for leaving the day after the shiny-new-4-day-PAX?
I was a newb in '11, at the tender young age of 32. You'll fit in fine as long as you remember three simple words... "I got next."
We'll also accept "Hey, free pizza!"
@TimeCruiserMike is actually still planning out which trains are the Wang Trains. He should post soon.
It's meant to be raunchy.
Don't worry; there's very little actual wanging. Though, if someone brings the Penny Arcade card game, there will be plenty of TouchWeiners.
Here's the thing about PAX season: We are all weird nerds with various degrees of social awkwardness. Anyone who has attempted to say hi to me at Union Station will attest to that fact. But at PAX time, we are the majority. We become the normal. The PAX slogan 'Welcome Home' is the slogan for a good reason.
Where are you getting on? I'll look out for you.
TimberJon: You sir are a genius. You are welcome to share in the crema from my knob. My scorn is mostly aimed preemptively at Mosey (Adonus76). It generally saves time, and is NEVER out of place.
This was a bunch of fun last year as a total board game noob, also great for bringing all the food and drink that you can't transport by plane.
@smerk - Ty for the vote of genious. Love me some java.
@ginsusamurai - I'll be getting on at LA as well with about 3 others.
Not sure what shirt I might be wearing but I will be sporting a custom event badge with my gamertag "TimberJon" on it.
I'd rather save my dough than buy a room on the train, even when sharing.
Once again I have that week off so I won't be greeting the train in the station in Me li'l cart. I am debating on wither to ride up from PDX again. If I do, I will most likely take 501 down that morning and ride 14 back up with you. I am hoping to, but with a new house and a new pup, we shall see...
Awww you big sweet nostalgic bastard!
My posse and I will be getting on in Union station and I assure you my gums will not cease flapping til this train gets us to where we needs to go.
My biggest issue with it is the train arrives on Thursday. Thursday is the pre-pax Tabletop madness at the Sheraton, which is one of my favourite events...I'd hate to get in and either be too late or too tired to take part in that.
Switch: US 1651-2551-4335 JP 6310-4664-2624
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That's fine for me, the only downside is I'm a bit of a restless sleeper, so I might end up getting up once or twice in the night. It sounds like the cost is made up by having the free meals anyhow, I think I remember the basic meal being something like $30 for a small dinner last year. I'll be getting on in LA as well.
Also, for anyone else that it applies to, seems like Verizon 4G is good up until reaching the Oregon state border, but past that point good luck getting any cell service, data or otherwise.
Also, I plan on bringing some good snacks besides junkfood.
Confirmed, you and I are two, and our SO's are 3 and 4. So that's 4 of us getting on in LA. Anyone else getting on in LA?
Also a big thanks to the organizers for this. I can't believe I didn't do this the first two times I went to PAX!
Well... "all by myself" being relative. Nobody is alone on PAXtrain!
Myself and my lady will be boarding at Union Station, as well.