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West Coast Train Meet-up
ginsusamurai
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
in PAX West
Took the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle last year and had a blast. Is anyone organizing this again this year?
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[ X ] Badge
[ X ] Hotel
[ X ] Plane
Wish me luck!
If no one objects, I say this is the thread, lets start getting organized! Time Cruiser Mike is free to highjack it at any time as a moderator!
All aboard!
Just FYI, if you're planning on taking the train that most PAXers will be on (the train trip train), it's the Coast Starlight that leaves LA on Wednesday.
I exclaimed "Khoo is my Sensei!"
So if memes make great shirts,
And Pod Six is Jerks,
Then Moe, Khoo and I had our day.
{Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
Haha yeah I figured, but I wanted to go around Seattle for a bit without too much of a crowd so we're heading up earlier.
The 8th Annual West Coast Train Trip
PAXTrain 2014 Roster
I'll be updating this with the info you put in this thread, so please let me know your deets.
Looking For Group
Would you like to play or run an RPG on the train? Seems like buckets of fun to me. Like everything else, let me know here in this forum. I'll want to know what game it is and the desired number of players. Also, if there is anything else that players should know beforehand, a link to that info would probably be the best. I'll continually edit this post with your game added into the events.
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
The following is a courtesy list of coach prices for a round trip as they exist at the time of me typing this, 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
Once you've got your ticket squared away, post in this thread with the following
Stuff You Need
We also recommend the following items:
PAXtrain Gear
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
So, since I'm just kind of hijacking this this year, I can't say that there's much in the way of "Staff" right now. I've never been on this train trip before. Hell, I've never even been to PAX before. I'm just a regular guy who really wants this train trip to be a success. So, please help me out in making this run smoothly. If there's anyone else out there who would like to help out in a more official capacity, let me know. I'm not exactly sure what that capacity would be, but we'll see what arises. Also, if you know more about what it takes to make this trip run smoothly than this noob, by all means feel free to chime in and help out.
The Rules
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
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. 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
Events
Feel free to PM me if I left anything out or need to make any changes.
However, I will gladly notify Amtrak if we DO in fact have a large group of PAXers going this year.
Please sound off with:
1. Name
2. +1s in your group
3. Coach or Sleeper cars
4. Games you are bringing
5. Technology you are bringing (Laptops, power strips, etc)
6. Any event you are down for on the train (for example, we had a comedy show last year, Pathfinder in the Movie lounge, pizza run in Portland, etc. If you want to have a Ticket to Ride Tournament, and I LOVE the irony of that, post it here! Let's get people excited!)
Life is a bit overwhelming this week, but I will check back next week and see what our numbers are, try and schedule some events for the ride up, and give Amtrak a call to warn them of our numbers lest we once again drain the snack car of all resources.
In the meantime, I know there are several veteran PAX train-ees who are happy to answer the burning questions of those who have not train-ed before!
I will just endorse the Sleeper cars here:
Totally worth it to have a place to sleep and leave your stuff secure
Worth it because 5 meals are included, drinks and dessert as well (and two free wine tastings)
The parlor car kicks the observation car's caboose
Free champagne
All aboard!
Story War
Machine of Death
We Didn't Playtest This At All
Isle of Dr. Necreaux
The Island
Bang!
Ultimate Werewolf
Regular decks of playing cards
and perhaps some others that I'm not thinking of right now
As for technology, I'll certainly have my laptop with me, but can't speak for my +1s. I can also bring a power strip or two and other cables as requested.
I would love to play an rpg while on the train, and might run something myself. Still in the works. Smash Bros would be a great time, though my copy is on the fritz. I could bring it if necessary and hope it behaves. Also, my +1s and I are always fond of playing charades. But not your wussy little titles of movies and books kind of charades. We play where any word or phrase is fair game, appreciating the challenge of making someone really work for abstract concepts like...well, "abstract" or "purpose" or all sorts of other historically difficult ones that we've eventually gotten. I'll certainly be bringing the materials for that, by which I mean a hat, some paper, and writing implements.
So this year I again will be on vacation, so I won't be the Red Cap at your final destination. I WILL be going to PAX (which is why I am not working) and will very likely be taking the train to PDX in the morning to meet up with the Coast Starlight to come back to Seattle.
Since I work for Amtrak, I can try my best to answer questions related to the service, or about Seattle in general, since some things have changed in the last year. (Particularly with certain substances now being legal in Washington state.) I also officially know NOTHING about things like personal supplies of alcohol being brought on board. But I DO know that in general OBS (on board services) tend to not look too hard for such things if passengers are well behaved and not making asses of themselves...
[*]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.
The policy on this has changed in that you can now only check in two bags for free. You can also check in 3 more bags for $10.00 a piece.
[*]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.
PLEASE follow this!
[*]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.
Amtrak has no problem with you bringing your own shacks and beverages with you (except for alcohol).
[*]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.
This is a big one. Always keep them handy.
[*]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.
These go without saying. Just remember to use common sense and courtesy to the on boards. Unlike the conductors and engineers, they are on the train the entire time for the entire trip. The less stress you create for them, the better the entire trip will be. (Remember, while the on boards and station services may be separate branches of Amtrak, we are STILL all part of Amtrak. And we talk to each other. And we remember...)
I hope this catches on since it sounds like it could be a good time for you guys traveling up on the train for a couple of days
Oh my Dayum
Oh my goodness
They goin' Ham
In any case, Chee-Kay Echs, I don't suppose you've already given them the heads up that PAXers are invading the Coast Startlight to Seattle August 27th?
They know at the Seattle station. I'll spread the word to the rest...
I see what you did there... right there... in the first sentence...
Don't Panic.
Awesome! I'll be bringing a few card games along if y'all get bored.
Don't Panic.
- minisplat
- coach
- Banangrams, Monty Python Fluxx, Set, and Aye Dark Overlord (all card-based games)
- I'm down for pen-and-paper rpgs and board games, though games with screens and controllers are not my forte.
Don't Panic.
How exactly does the console setup work on the train? There's a TV somehow?