West Coast Train Trip 2008

ctishman

Toot toot, fuckers, it's the


In Introduction...
PAX isn't PAX because of the exhibitors nor the concerts, not the tournaments nor the contests. PAX is PAX because if the people. Because of YOU, and in order to get you all to Seattle to become the expo we know and love, we need mass transportation. Why, you might ask, is our mass transportation better than their mass transportation?

Let Me Tell You About Our Train...

No wait. Scratch that. Let me show you our train.

There are muffins there, but it's not about muffins.

There are games there, but it's not about games.

There is beer there, but it's not about beer.

It's about gamers.

Gamers,

gamers,

gamers. Got it?

We did it in '07, and it was a smashing, and I mean SMASHING success. Fun was had, trains were ridden, games were played, Union Pacific trains were waited for and hated on, and when the Coast Starlight finally rolled into Seattle, the expo hadn't even officially begun yet! Thus, in short...


Fuuuuuck! Get me on this train!

Okay, here's what you're going to need:

• Train name and Travel Dates. We will be riding Train #14, The Coast Starlight depart August 27th, 2008 from California, or August 28th from Klamath Falls or Chemult, OR. We return on southbound Train #11 September 1st.
• Train tickets. They start cheap, and the price rises steadily until departure. That means buy now, because you fuckin' KNOW you're coming. Here's a sample of train fares from major stops:
  • Note: All prices assume round trip coach accommodations. Rooms cost a shit-ton*. No, really. A goddamn shit-ton*. Rumor is they're worth it and you're treated really well, but honestly. A shit-ton*.
  • Note #2: Oh, and watch out for that thing where Amtrak tries to stick you on four different trains around the bay area instead of the straight-shot Coast Starlight. They're fuckers that way. Also be sure to call in any discounts you're eligible for. AAA, Student's Advantage, Military, etc.
  • From Los Angeles, CA (LAX): $184
  • From San Jose, CA (SJC): $180
  • From Emeryville/San Francisco, CA (EMY): $174
  • From Sacramento, CA (SAC): $156
  • From Redding, CA (RDD): $130
  • =======From Here North, Book for the 28th of August!=======
  • From Klamath Falls, OR (KFS): $100
  • From Chemult, OR (CMO): $88
  • =======From Here North, The train doesn't stop! Sorry! =======
• ...aaand back to what you need to bring on the train.
• A backpack with snack food and plenty of water. They have a full-service restaurant on board that serves 3 meals per day as well as a snack bar that sells snacks, souvenirs, beer and hard liquor, but those are expensive.
• Thirty bucks or so in cash for onboard sundries and cab fare.
• A book or two, if you like to read. It's nice to be able to get away from everyone for a while and just read as the scenery goes by.
• Earplugs/Eyemask if you have trouble sleeping.
• Headphones for any electronic devices you're carrying.

With that, I open the thread to questions. Ask 'em, and I'll answer 'em!

EVERYONE PLEASE POST THE STATION YOU'LL BE BOARDING AT KTHX

Participant List (65 total so far!):

Los Angeles, CA - 33 so far
COMMISSAR Augustus + 2-3 Apparatchiks
Mr_Snuffle
TnTrooper
November6
DStalefish
Dawningphoenix
Darkblade1 + 1 brother
RCars2
waffleboi9
delwyn
Lindygamer + 6-8 friends
TheGreat2000
Fatal Blade + 4 Friends
Houk
Bad-Beat
Eugal
Squirminator2k
FrankHowley
Inquisitor
Krux
November6
visiblehowl
Eric_Res + X friends

Van Nuys, CA - 3 so far
TimeCruiser Mike + 1 brother
Whalias

San Luis Obispo, CA 4 so far
Sir Landreth +3 Friends

San Jose, CA - 4+ so far
Highfire + 2 potentials
SlickShughes + 1 Spouse
Raiden333 + friends

Emeryville, CA - 3+ so far
nemaihne
Suiryu
kazuo + 1 potential

Martinez, CA 4+ so far
Contrefait + 3-4

Davis, CA 1 so far
Prof. Pangloss

Klamath Falls, OR - 5 so far
sobjw + 1 friend
Vertigo
Hoeney
CAP Cbass

Chemult, OR - 5 so far
Anexkhan + 4 friends


====================

Supplemental list of poor saps who can't get on the real train, but have to get on the WCTT-Lite:
Portland - 9 So Far
ViscountAlpha
Methos645
ChocoboXV
GreenGaint
MrChoupon
Kinzir
Paper
Nith47
phamtq

Mr_Snuffle

I paid $200 to adjust my flights into LAX so I could get this train

I get into LA on the morning of 26th Aug, so the train leaves on the 27th from LAX?

TNTrooper - Given that you seem to know what the hell your doing with these trains, I might need your help to get my tickets and all that :P

TNTrooper

Bigass post of lists coming soon.


SNES

Who:TNTrooper

Where: LA

Returning Trip: Yes all the way to LA

Software
Aladdin
Bart's Nightmare
Battletoads and Double Dragon
Bomberman 2
Captain America and The Avengers
Clayfighters
Claymates
Cool Spot
Dinocity
Donkey Kong Country 1-3
F-zero
Gradius 3
James Pond
Kirby's Avalanche
Kirby Super Star
Mario All-stars
Mario World
Mario Kart
Mario RPG
Megaman 7
Megaman X 1-3
Megaman Soccer
Pilotwings
R-Type
Samurai Shodown
Secret of Man and Evermore
Star Fox
Super Star Wars
Super Star Wars Return of the Jedi
Turtles in Time
Zelda LttP

Hardware
SNES Console
A/V Cables
Universal RFU adapter
Power Cable
3 1st Party Controllers
1 3rd Party Controller
Multi-tap

Requested stuff
A better TV then what the train got
Extension cords and power strips
A 1st party controller to replace the 3rd
Games I don't

Notes: Universal RFU Adapter is shared with the N64

N64

Who:TNTrooper

Where: LA

Returning Trip: Yes all the way to LA

Software
Banjo-Kazooie
Battle Zone
Blast Corps
Body Harvest
Castlevania: Legacy of Dorkness
Diddy Kong Racing
Donkey Kong 64
Extreme G
Extreme G2
Goemon's Great Adventure
Harvest Moon 64
Jet Force Gemini
Kirby 64
Mario Party
Mario Party 2
Megaman 64
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Ogre Battle 64
Paper Mario
Perfect Dark
Quest 64
Snowboard Kids 2
Space Station Silicon Valley
Super Mario 64
Super Smash Bros
Turok
Zelda OoT
Zelda Majora's Mask

Hardware
N64 Console
A/V Cables
Universal RFU Adapter
Power Cable
2 Controllers

Requested stuff
Better TV
Power Strips and Extension cords
2 more controllers
Any Games I don't have

Notes: Universal RFU Adapter is shared with the SNES

Gamecube

Who:Squirminator2k

Where: LA

Returning Trip: ?

Software
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Pac-Man Vs.
Soul Calibur II
Super Monkey Ball 2
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

Hardware
2 Wavebird controllers

Wii

Who:DStalefish

Where: LA

Returning Trip: Yes

Software
Wii Sports
Wii Play
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Mario Party 8
Bomberman Land

Hardware
Wii Console
A/V Cables
Power Cable
4 Wiimotes + Nunchucks
3 Gamecube Controllers
1 Classic Controller

Dreamcast

Where: LA

Who: dawningphoenix

Returning: Yes

Software
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Skies of Arcadia
Jet Grind Radio
Time Stalkers

Hardware
Dreamcast Console
A/V Cables
Power Cable
2 Controllers
Dreamcast Arcade Stick

Who: TNTrooper

Where: LA and back.

Software:
House of the Dead 2
Power Stone

Hardware
Twin Sticks
2x Starfire Light guns

Where: Emeryville, CA

Who: kazuo

Returning: ?

Software:
Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram
Games (?)

Hardware:
Twin Sticks
2 Saturn Pads + adapters

More Consoles coming soon

DS

Mario Kart
Worms 2
Tetris
Advanced Wars Days of Ruin
Jump Super Stars
Jump Ultimate Stars
Puzzle Quest
Rocket Slime
Elite Beat Agents
Ouendan
Meteos

Rock Band DLC Content

Whoever is bringing The Rock Band or if someone got a Hard Drive/Memory Card with a bunch of songs let me what we are gonna be rocking out to.

If you got any questions ask them here or you can send me a PM

November6

The superliner rooms are so worth it. $196 from LAX right now and they come with the 3 meals so food is covered right there as well. For sleeping its was decent and quiet. The total cost for a room is a standard ticket and the room so it is $92 + $196 = $288 But if you have a buddy you can split the $196 into $98.

EDIT: My prices are for one-way.

I just got my superliner room now.

On another note if anyone has EVDO cards bring'em. We only had one last year and it would be nice to get some more just in case.

Highfire

Not to be a downer, but isn't it the 14# Coast Starlight going up. And the 11# Coast Starlight going back?

Moe Fwacky

You forgot to add Nintendo DS to that list of essentials

TimeCruiserMike

i think it's safe to say that is a given . . like pants

November6

Highfire wrote: »

Not to be a downer, but isn't it the 14# Coast Starlight going up. And the 11# Coast Starlight going back?

Yes #14 is the one going northbound. #11 is southbound.

TNTrooper

2 pics to show you everything you would need to do for booking this

First things first if you planned on getting back home on the train make sure you got yourself booked as a round trip and not one way. Then pick the station you are leaving from I am coming from LA so I picked LAX. We want to get to Seattle so we set SEA as our destination. The party train leaves on August 27th if you are only going one way ignore the return date otherwise September 1st is when most of us will be returning. Just leave the Time part at Anytime. If you are booking tickets for your travel companion as well be sure to adjust the number of tickets you need.

This pic is where we pick what train we are going on make sure you got the #14 Coast Starlight.

The second travel route is taking a bus from LA to Bakersfield later in the day and taking a different train to catch up to the #14 Coast Starlight either way you if you leave on the 27th and are going to Seattle you will be stuck on the same train as us you just miss out on a day of partying and gaming goodness. The upgrade option is for those of you that one need a handicapped room or if you want to take the Superliner room and have a place to sleep other then the floor or a seat.

If you are taking a train back down scroll downwards and you will find something just like this to book your returning trip the party train on the way back down is the #11 Coast Starlight

If you scroll a bit further down you can find an option to add discounts like AAA, Military, and Old People discounts.

After that hit the view fare button at the bottom right and enter all your personal info, your payment type and if you are picking up your tickets at the station or if you want to pay them $15 to mail the tickets to you and you are done.

Edit: One more thing just cause the website says we will be arriving in Seattle at 8:45 doesn't mean we will be so don't plan to arrive right on time check in to your hotel, drop off your bags and take a taxi and be at the Pre-PAX dinner at 9. These fuckers get delayed pretty easily as we found out when we arrived in LA like 2 or 3 hours late.

DStalefish

I'm in. I'll pick up my tickets in a week or two, once I get my hotel situation sorted out.

Poorochondriac

Oh snap, I am in the beer picture. That Uno group was so damn fun.

Do you have any more pictures of that crowd, ctishman?

ctishman

Thanks for the train number fix, y'all! I have a few more pics I harvested from last year's flickr gallery, which I'll post sometime in the next few days, and I have a shitty cell phone pic of the huge crowd at the end, but that's it.

If anyone has WCTT 07 pics, POST 'EM!

Mr_Snuffle

Thanks a lot for those details TNTrooper, I really appreciate it

Darkblade_1

Fuck, dont make me read this now.. there are so many months to wait until the trip..

SlickShughes

This being my first year both for PAX as a whole and the Train Trip, can someone inform me on the scale of the Train group? I'm curious as to whether it's just a handful of (presumbably cool) people, or if we really take over the whole train. I imagine it's somewhere in between, am I right? It's a bit hard to get a count from the pictures.

TNTrooper

My SNES list is now done unless I can think of something else or I buy a couple more games. N64 to follow soon.

Anyone else planning on bringing consoles or a bunch of board games is encouraged to use that list as a template and then forward the list over to me so I can keep the bigass list of who is bringing what in 1 post

Linky to post

SlickShughes wrote: »

This being my first year both for PAX as a whole and the Train Trip, can someone inform me on the scale of the Train group? I'm curious as to whether it's just a handful of (presumbably cool) people, or if we really take over the whole train. I imagine it's somewhere in between, am I right? It's a bit hard to get a count from the pictures.

We take over some sections of the train if you went to the empty kiddie room with nothing but a TV and benches you would see no one but PAX goers. If you went to the Observation car where lot's of people sit around to play cards or do something to pass time you would see a ton of PAX goers but there would be other tables with normal less interesting people as well.

Qs23

Hey Ctishman, do you think you guys are going to reach the 20 person group discount rate or are you not caring?

Darkblade_1

Well.. last time we had.. what.. 40?

Problem is we're all getting on at all diffrent places..

November6

2007 WCTT Pictures.

King Nada

Arrr damn train not stopping near PDX.

ctishman

Darkblade_1 wrote: »

Well.. last time we had.. what.. 40?

Problem is we're all getting on at all diffrent places..

Yeah, that's the big problem with the discount rate. I suppose if we get 20+ in LAX or EMY, we could organize it, thus my wish for a participant list.

DStalefish

Count me in for sure from LAX. I just need to figure out if someone's coming with me and whether or not to get a room or a normal seat.

I'll definitely be training it up this year, though.

Anexkahn

me + 4 boarding in shitmault, Oregon on the 28!

verizon evdo coverage last year was awesome btw... was connected all the way except for about 5 minutes around some tunnels... not bad for being inside an aluminum tube going 70mph. I got a 3watt amp and a wilson antenna to throw on board this year with a 12volt power pack for the router weeee.

Moe Fwacky

Damn, now the CCST needs to find a way to get internet connectivity so we can communicate on the ride.

Mr_Snuffle

Count me in for boarding at LAX

VThornheart

Due to coming early with the wife, I won't be there for the "heading to PAX" portion of the trip. =(

But I WILL be there for the "heading back from PAX" portion of the trip. And it'll be on like Donkey Kong. I'll be getting off at the Sacramento stop, if it helps for that group rate headcount.

Highfire

I love this photo of me and Augustus.

VThornheart

That's awesome

Is it as much fun on the return trip as the trip up, or is everyone pretty much just exhausted? I kind of wish I could go both there and back on the trip... bah. =(

Highfire

VThornheart wrote: »

That's awesome

Is it as much fun on the return trip as the trip up, or is everyone pretty much just exhausted? I kind of wish I could go both there and back on the trip... bah. =(

It was fine. We all played some games, had dinner and a movie together. And the next morning a few of us just played some DS and talked. As slowly one by one we got off the train. I say it's worth every penny.

VThornheart

Awesome And at the price that Amtrak gives, you can't beat it. I mean, I'd pay more for gas just to drive there and back. It's crazy.

dawningphoenix

Count me in for the trip from LA.

Moe Fwacky

This shit's liable to get so big that I bet Amtrak ends up selling out the train.

Qs23

Eight Underscores Moe wrote: »

Damn, now the CCST needs to find a way to get internet connectivity so we can communicate on the ride.

Moe... I'm working on it as we speak. The only problem is that NOBODY has decent cell service in Montana.

Moe Fwacky

I don't remember having any problems.

TNTrooper

Add me to the LA group.

Darkblade_1

I'm LA alumni as well..

TimeCruiserMike

my bro and I will be leaving from Van Nuys

DStalefish

Question: Do the two chairs in the cheapest room fold out into one combined bed, or two separate beds? Kinda hard to gather that from the Amtrak site.

VThornheart

It looked to me from the sketchup pictures like it was two seperate beds (like bunk beds). I was thinking about getting those too... but apparently the WCTT has so much gaming going on that it may be hard to pull away long enough to sleep.

November6

VThornheart wrote: »

It looked to me from the sketchup pictures like it was two seperate beds (like bunk beds). I was thinking about getting those too... but apparently the WCTT has so much gaming going on that it may be hard to pull away long enough to sleep.

Correct it's bunk beds. The two chairs facing each other fold out into a bed while the top bunk is one piece that folds down from the wall. I had top bunk and it was somewhat comfortable. I was glad to have a sleeping area cause even if I was to game all the time I would have rather rested up for PAX seeing as that was the main event. Plus im old I can't do the all nighters for multiple days :P

The only other benefit was the showers. I'm not sure if regular passengers had showers but it was really worth it to refresh ones self on a long 34hr trip.

ctishman

No, regular passengers don't get meals, showers, the Pacific Parlour lounge/observation car, hot cookies at night, the morning paper, bed turn-downs or drinks. They pay for everything.

Also: added Dawningphoenix and Darkblade1 from LA, TCM from Van Nuys.