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PAXTrain is over: Share your pictures and stories.

TimeCruiserMikeTimeCruiserMike Past Organizer of the West Coast Train TripSan Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
edited August 2011 in PAX Archive
The 5th annual
West Coast Train Trip Follow us on twitter @PAXTrain

Donate to the Pizza Drive!
We'll be buying loads of pizza in Portland, OR and are taking donations to fund the pies. You can bring cash monies to TNTrooper. He'll be the scrawny guy with the pedo-bear laptop. As for toppings go we will be sticking with more generic stuff that everyone would want a slice of but we'll try to accommodate request. Just keep in mind weird shit like Goat Anus probably won't happen unless a lot of people request it.


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 24th, 2011 from Los Angeles California. If you are in Chico, CA or north you’ll be boarding on August 25th, 2011. We'll be returning on Train #11 - Coast Starlight departing August 29th. 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 24th
  • Los Angeles, CA (LAX) - $235 Departs 10:20 am, Returns 9:00 pm
  • Van Nuys, CA (VNC) - $235 Departs 10:52 am, Returns 8:05pm
  • Simi Valley, CA (SIM) - $235 Departs 11:23 am, Returns 7:38 pm No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
  • Oxnard, CA (OXN) - $235 Departs 11:55 am, Returns 7:05 pm
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA) - $235 Departs 12:48 pm, Returns 6:17 pm
  • San Luis Obispo, CA (SLO) - $232 Departs 3:43 pm, Returns 3:20 pm
  • Paso Robles, CA (PRB) - $232 Departs 4:45 pm, Returns 1:38 pm No ticket office, No checked baggage
  • Salinas, CA (SNS) - $232 Departs 6:36 pm, Returns 11:48 am
  • San Jose, CA (SJC) - $228 Departs 8:39 pm, Returns 9:55 am
  • Oakland - Jack London Square, CA (OKJ) - $221 Departs 9:42 pm, Returns 8:40 am
  • Emeryville, CA (EMY) - $221 Departs 10:07 pm, Returns 8:15 am
  • Martinez, CA (MTZ) - $214 Departs 10:54 pm, Returns 7:34 am
  • Davis, CA (DAV) - $203 Departs 11:33 pm, Returns 6:50 am
  • Sacramento, CA (SAC) - $200 Departs 11:59 pm, Returns 6:15 am
STATIONS BELOW DEPART AUG 25th
  • Chico, CA (CIC) - $176 Departs 1:55 am, Returns 3:50 am No ticket office, No checked baggage
  • Redding, CA (RDD) - $165 Departs 3:14 am, Returns 2:21 am No ticket office, No checked baggage
  • Dunsmuir, CA (DUN) - $151 Departs 5:04 am, Returns 12:35 am No ticket office, No checked baggage
  • Klamath Falls, OR (KFS) - $128 Departs 8:25 am, Returns 9:50 pm
  • Chemult, OR (CMO) - $113 Departs 9:40 am, Returns 8:08 pm No ticket office, No checked baggage
  • Eugene, OR (EUG) - $132 Departs 12:44 pm, Returns 5:03 pm
  • Albany, OR (ALY) - $106 Departs 1:30 pm, Returns 4:10 pm
  • Salem, OR (SLM) - $94 Departs 2:03 pm, Returns 3:37 pm
  • Portland, OR (PDX) - $80 Departs 4:20pm, Returns 1:50 pm
  • Vancouver, WA (VAN) - $77 Departs 4:36 pm, Returns 1:08 pm
  • Kelso, WA (KEL) - $67 Departs 5:14 pm, Returns 12:29 pm No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
  • Centralia, WA (CTL) - $54 Departs 5:57 pm, Returns 11:45 am No checked baggage for trip up, you can check bags for return trip.
  • Olympia-Lacey, WA (OLW) - $42 Departs 6:22 pm, Returns 11:21 am No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
  • Tacoma, WA (TAC) - $34 Departs 7:11 pm, Returns 10:31 am


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.
  • 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 separate carryon 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 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, preferably a pair of ear buds 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. 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.
  • 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)
  • 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 Play test This” was a big train hit in the past.
  • Fans. We are going to need at least two. An electric fan can reduce the temperature of a room by up to 10 degrees; the arcade cars will 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 it's 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.
  • Consoles, mainly two Wiis and two XBoxes. Seeing as we have a limited number of available screens, having a million consoles seem redundant, and let's face facts - people are going to be getting the most into Smash Bros. Brawl and Rock Band.
  • 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 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 buttfuck nowhere we present the Amtrak Staff with a Face (or faces) who represents us 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. These rules mainly apply in Headquarters (the Arcade car or obs deck) as that's where most of the magic happens.
  • 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
WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS SO FAR AND WOULD 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 be what keeps it 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 your self
http://www.instructables.com/id/Snea...Beer-Anywhere/

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 last year. 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 overemotional drunk. So unless you're certain you can maintain, 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.
  • The Obs Deck: Obs is a public area for all passengers. It was the only suitable area for us to use as the main areas of our activities on PAXtrain ‘08 and ‘09. 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 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:
  • D&D : TBA: Some one generally runs one or more games. If you'd like to be that someone post in the thread with all necessary details
  • Tournaments: TBD. At the very least there will be Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and Rock Band 2 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. Last year Dr. Horrible was the big hit of movie night.
  • Mystery Gift: I have a set of patched Pokemon Distribution roms on a flash card which I'll be using periodically to send out Nintendo Special Event Pokemon and Items. So be sure to bring your DS Pokemon Games.
  • Train Twister: This was arguably a success in 09. How do we feel about it making a return?
  • Donkey Kong Trainga: It's Jenga! On a Train! Now with Donkey Kong



Feel free to PM me if I left anything out or need to make any changes.

SkOelFN.png
{Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
TimeCruiserMike on
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Posts

  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Love the sig. And the promo video.

    I'll be on the train the way up for sure.

    Arikado on
    BNet: Arikado#1153 | Steam | LoL: Anzen
  • sobjwsobjw Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Hopping on in Klamath Falls.

    sobjw on
    I live on a farm.
  • ElmoFuntzElmoFuntz Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I'll be on the 8:15 Train from PDX on the 24th to Seattle arrives around 12:15. Get lots of time to explore this year unlike last.

    ElmoFuntz on
    Go for the eyes Boo, GO FOR THE EYES!
    vn6ID15.png

  • Jenny_SpaghettiJenny_Spaghetti I am 3 ginger midgets in a trench coat. Calgary, CanadalandRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    We're taking the train but from entirely the wrong direction. :) We're training it from Vancouver in the AM on the 24th and returning on the 29th so we can take advantage of the MMT and PPP.

    Jenny_Spaghetti on
  • Chee-Kay EchsChee-Kay Echs Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Hello.

    For those of you that will be doing this, I cannot wait to meet you. I too am going to PAX, and I will be working at the King Street Station that night (there are actually several of us there going). While I may appear to be a mild-mannered redcap, you may notice the Scott Pilgrim 1-up button on my lanyard. Or the (R2) Droid 2. Or the fact that your 3DS might have a new Mii on it. I look forward to greeting you all.

    Welcome to my city. Let's have some fun.

    Chee- Kay Echs

    PS- I still have the button you gave me last year, Time Cruiser Mike. I might have to sport it next to Pilgrim.

    Chee-Kay Echs on
  • Weenog42Weenog42 Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Once again we will be there for the ride up! Amanda has volunteered to again design a T-Shirt, and I've learned a few lessons from last year about how to distribute them. More details to follow. Looking forward to seeing everyone, and meeting some new folks as well!

    Weenog42 on
  • SkeithSkeith Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    That one Amtrak guy from last year was awesome. Made up for that long stop in whatever small town that was by Mount Shasta when they kicked that one dude off by far.

    Skeith on
    aTBDrQE.jpg
  • TimeCruiserMikeTimeCruiserMike Past Organizer of the West Coast Train Trip San Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Skeith wrote: »
    That one Amtrak guy from last year was awesome. Made up for that long stop in whatever small town that was by Mount Shasta when they kicked that one dude off by far.

    i believe that was butte valley . . . <_< >_> we like to pronounce it butt, tee hee.

    TimeCruiserMike on
    SkOelFN.png
    {Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
  • TNTrooperTNTrooper Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Bought my tickets. Probably won't be bringing that 50 feet or whatever it was extension cord, the SNES, and N64 but I still got plenty of Powers Squids and I might have a fan.

    TNTrooper on
    steam_sig.png
  • NullzoneNullzone Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I am jealous of you people for having such an awesome train; the East train alliance was amazing but the sheer geek power here is incredible.

    Nullzone on
  • DhutchDhutch Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Oh man- this will be my third PAX, but first time on the train! I felt that was important enough to actually make a forum profile. I'll be taking a small train from Irvine, then taking the whole route from LAX to PAX!

    Dhutch on
    Ravenclaw, Dumbledore's Army! CaCAW! 2011 TWDT Winners!
  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Our group will probably get there a bit earlier so we can get some french dips at Philippes.

    Arikado on
    BNet: Arikado#1153 | Steam | LoL: Anzen
  • xucchinixucchini Registered User new member
    edited April 2011
    Woot! I got my tickets. Getting on in Davis, CA. :)

    xucchini on
  • proyebatproyebat GARY WAS HERE ASH IS A LOSERRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    So I'm planning to attend PAX this year (my first time) and PAXTrain might be the most convenient way for me to head to PAX. I have no cash atm to pay for all the expenses, but I'm hoping I can earn enough to cover everything by the time PAX rolls around by working all summer.

    So for the people who've already done PAXTrain, how much do the tickets increase in price in the following months? I'm worried if I would have to bum money from parents and pay them back over the summer to avoid price increases.

    I'm just worried because I don't start my summer job until the beginning of June.

    proyebat on
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  • TimeCruiserMikeTimeCruiserMike Past Organizer of the West Coast Train Trip San Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    the highest I've seen round trip tickets from LA to Seattle go for is $277. i believe this was a month or 2 before PAX. I paid around $200 a few months ago and current price is $235. I'm not sure where you'd be getting on from but this should give you a general idea.

    TimeCruiserMike on
    SkOelFN.png
    {Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
  • CuvisTheConquerorCuvisTheConqueror They always say "yee haw" but they never ask "haw yee?" Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I'm really interested in doing this, but I have to figure out what my options are first. I'm in the Antelope Valley.

    Does the Van Nuys station have long-term parking? Shuttles? Anything of the sort? I saw what Amtrak has to offer from Lancaster, and I really don't like the itinerary they gave for a return trip... a bus ride from Sacramento to Stockton, then a train ride to Bakersfield, and then a bus from Bakersfield to Lancaster with no checked bags (what'll I do with the con swag?)

    CuvisTheConqueror on
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  • TimeCruiserMikeTimeCruiserMike Past Organizer of the West Coast Train Trip San Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Does the Van Nuys station have long-term parking? Shuttles? Anything of the sort?
    I'm thinking that Van Nuys doesn't have any of that .. . but i can't say for sure . . . i usually get someone to drive me to and from the train station. I work near there, I'll stop in and find out on my way to or from work tomorrow. One thing you could do though is find a metro park and ride location and then hop a bus to the train station. . . just a thought.

    TimeCruiserMike on
    SkOelFN.png
    {Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
  • CuvisTheConquerorCuvisTheConqueror They always say "yee haw" but they never ask "haw yee?" Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    That might actually be the way to go, but I don't know if I want to be boarding an MTA bus at 9 at night with a whole bunch of bags. :)

    My first thought was taking the Metrolink down to Union Station, but the return train gets to Union Station at 9:00 and the last Metrolink on the AV line leaves at 9:05... not what you'd call a whole lot of time to make my connection. And my poor car probably won't take the drive down to Union Station in August weather and LA traffic. Van Nuys sounds a lot more doable.

    Thanks for the help.

    EDIT: According to Google, there is a Park and Ride at the Van Nuys Metrolink (which I understand is the same station as the Amtrak). You happen to know their rules on long-term parking?

    CuvisTheConqueror on
    xderwsaxganu.png
  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Metrolink in Van Nuys can take you to LA Union Station, if that helps.

    I usually have my dad drop us off at the Pomona North Metrolink and go to LA from there early in the morning. I can't have peace of mind leaving my car in a parking lot in a place I'm not familiar with.

    Arikado on
    BNet: Arikado#1153 | Steam | LoL: Anzen
  • CuvisTheConquerorCuvisTheConqueror They always say "yee haw" but they never ask "haw yee?" Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    OK, I've been doing more digging, and it looks like Prime Time Shuttles does offer service from Lancaster to Union Station. Unfortunately, it's not a regular route for them, so I'd have to get a private van, which is $150.00 each way.

    The good news is that the private van holds up to 9 passengers.

    Anyone else from the AV want to split the cost?

    CuvisTheConqueror on
    xderwsaxganu.png
  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Why not just get on at Van Nuys? You're LITERALLY the 1st stop.

    Arikado on
    BNet: Arikado#1153 | Steam | LoL: Anzen
  • CuvisTheConquerorCuvisTheConqueror They always say "yee haw" but they never ask "haw yee?" Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Arikado wrote: »
    Why not just get on at Van Nuys? You're LITERALLY the 1st stop.

    Because Van Nuys is still about an hour drive away from me, and it's looking more and more like there's no good long-term parking options.

    CuvisTheConqueror on
    xderwsaxganu.png
  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Oh, I thought you were in Van Nuys.

    Just for reference, where are you coming from specifically? A lot of us have our methods of getting to Union Station where we might help one another.

    Arikado on
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  • CuvisTheConquerorCuvisTheConqueror They always say "yee haw" but they never ask "haw yee?" Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    As I keep saying, Lancaster, you silly goose. :)

    So, anybody who is coming down from the Antelope Valley area, if you've got other options, I'm all ears.

    CuvisTheConqueror on
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  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Oops.

    I think I recall someone being from Palmdale last year on the PAX Train. Although, I don't really know what travel that entails since quite a few people who get on LA just crash as a relative's/friend's place the night before.

    I hate to see people miss the train but I also know zero about what's out at Lancaster. If it makes it any better for you, some people do leave their cars at Union Station for the weekend at PAX.

    Arikado on
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  • thespiffyneostarthespiffyneostar Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Part of me wants to fly down and spend some time in disneyland, then train back up...

    also, is there also a train group coming from the midwest going to the west?

    thespiffyneostar on
  • CuvisTheConquerorCuvisTheConqueror They always say "yee haw" but they never ask "haw yee?" Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Arikado wrote: »
    I hate to see people miss the train but I also know zero about what's out at Lancaster. If it makes it any better for you, some people do leave their cars at Union Station for the weekend at PAX.

    Yeah, I think I'll just get the tickets from Union Station, and I'll park my car there if I can't get enough people to split the shuttle. I'd still rather do the shuttle if I can, though, and if I can get at least 3 other people to split it with, I think it'll probably still not cost much more than driving (especially with gas prices the way they are), so if anybody reading this wants to go in on it, let me know.

    CuvisTheConqueror on
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  • Adonus76Adonus76 RDJ's Boat HouseRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I'm heading down from the High Desert area about an hr from you that Tuesday evening to meet up at Arikado's house, so if you can get to me we can take you the rest of the way.

    Adonus76 on
  • polaris314polaris314 Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    My tickets arrived yesterday. After years of talking about going and never acting on it (but coming REALLY close last year), PAX is all of a sudden finally a reality for me. I'll be joining you folks at Simi.

    Oh and I ride Metrolink nearly every day downtown for work so if anyone has any questions about how they operate I'll offer what knowledge I can.

    polaris314 on
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  • HaikufrenzyHaikufrenzy Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    HOW DARE YOU HAVE THIS PAX TRAIN IN MY ABSENCE!

    ...Like does anyone have 900 ish bucks to spare? I'll totally never pay you back!

    Haikufrenzy on
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  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I noticed the train ride down is considerably cheaper (around $107) this time around in case people want to jump on it early before the price goes up.

    EDIT: Hotel accommodations are good for now. :)

    Arikado on
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  • MLORDMLORD Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    So are there any suggestions for people who would be arriving late on the trip to join in the fun as quickly as possible? I know if I took the train this year it would be my first, I also would not be getting on till PDX(portland). The trip sounds amazingly fun but again any suggestions on quick interaction and any info on late in trip events? thanks again guys....sounds like a blast

    MLORD on
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  • TNTrooperTNTrooper Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    MLORD wrote: »
    So are there any suggestions for people who would be arriving late on the trip to join in the fun as quickly as possible? I know if I took the train this year it would be my first, I also would not be getting on till PDX(portland). The trip sounds amazingly fun but again any suggestions on quick interaction and any info on late in trip events? thanks again guys....sounds like a blast

    Just walk into the Obs car which is towards the front of the train first car before the dining car you know when you are in the car cause that is the one filled with nerds and geeks playing tons of games. Go ahead and join one of the many games that is happening. If you want to be everyone's best friend we like Voodoo Donuts and Portland is a good time for someone to show up with boxes of pizza.

    TNTrooper on
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  • Adonus76Adonus76 RDJ's Boat HouseRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    BBQ wings

    Adonus76 on
  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    The PAX Train golden phrase: "I got next."

    Arikado on
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  • TNTrooperTNTrooper Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Arikado wrote: »
    The PAX Train golden phrase: "I got next."

    This isn't Vietnam. This is PAX Train. There are rules here!
    20020812h.gif

    Sorta...
    Adonus76 wrote: »
    BBQ wings

    Yessss!

    TNTrooper on
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  • BearbarossaBearbarossa Registered User regular
    edited May 2011
    My party of two will be getting on in Salinas! My second time to PAX and first time on the train...is the arrival time in Seattle pretty accurate?

    Bearbarossa on
  • TimeCruiserMikeTimeCruiserMike Past Organizer of the West Coast Train Trip San Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
    edited May 2011
    ...is the arrival time in Seattle pretty accurate?
    It is accurate for the most part, unless we have to sit for 3 hours in the middle of nowhere to deal with an unruly drunken passenger, or the train gods are feeling unloved that day. In all fairness the arrival time is far more accurate now than it was in years past. Last year there was time to check into our hotels and then catch the tail end of the bar crawl.

    TimeCruiserMike on
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    {Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
  • ArikadoArikado Southern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2011
    I dunno, last year we got there just a bit ahead of schedule even with the drunken dumb ass.

    I have some pictures of him being taken away still, btw.

    Arikado on
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  • BearbarossaBearbarossa Registered User regular
    edited May 2011
    Ah thanks, I was worried that I'd book a hotel for the 25th only to have the train not arrive until the next morning (knock on wood).

    The drunk must've been a real gem to get the boot off the train. I won't be sorry if I miss out on that kind of experience during my first train trip.

    Bearbarossa on
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