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[EAST] PAX East Train Alliance 2012
Moe Fwacky
Right Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModerator mod
Right Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModerator mod
PAX East Train Alliance!
PAX East is coming! So here is a fresh new train trip thread for PAX East.
What it is
For those of you just joining us, the PAX East Train Alliance (PAX ETA), or "PAXTrain" for short, is a coordinated effort for PAX-goers to ride the same train at the same time going to Boston for PAX East- both as an alternative to driving or flying, and to enjoy an intimate "mini-convention" while en-route. Obviously, it is impossible for EVERYBODY to be on the same train, so this is a coordinated effort to get as many people together as possible.
Note: When booking at amtrak.com, you may have to book each of your trains separately to get on the train that you want. Please take note of this when booking to ensure you end up on the same train as everybody else.
Why the train?
Why not? It's a blast. Spend some time getting to know fellow PAX attendees before the show. We don't care if you're new - this ain't no private party, and all people going to PAX are welcome. We invite you to join us! After taking the train, you'll have a bunch of friendly faces in the crowd at PAX.
How to get on the PAXTrain
Check the map and schedule below to find out what train is closes to you and when you should be on it. Then, buy your tickets through amtrak.com for the appropriate train on the appropriate time/day.
Stuff You Need
You'll need to be prepared to survive on PAXTrain. Following is a list of stuff you probably should bring if you want to have a liveable experience on the rails.
Other things to bring
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 Rules
The Passengers
Eastbound Trains
Northbound Trains
Southbound Train
To be added to the list copy/paste the text below and add in your info:
PAX East is coming! So here is a fresh new train trip thread for PAX East.
What it is
For those of you just joining us, the PAX East Train Alliance (PAX ETA), or "PAXTrain" for short, is a coordinated effort for PAX-goers to ride the same train at the same time going to Boston for PAX East- both as an alternative to driving or flying, and to enjoy an intimate "mini-convention" while en-route. Obviously, it is impossible for EVERYBODY to be on the same train, so this is a coordinated effort to get as many people together as possible.
Note: When booking at amtrak.com, you may have to book each of your trains separately to get on the train that you want. Please take note of this when booking to ensure you end up on the same train as everybody else.
Why the train?
Why not? It's a blast. Spend some time getting to know fellow PAX attendees before the show. We don't care if you're new - this ain't no private party, and all people going to PAX are welcome. We invite you to join us! After taking the train, you'll have a bunch of friendly faces in the crowd at PAX.
How to get on the PAXTrain
Check the map and schedule below to find out what train is closes to you and when you should be on it. Then, buy your tickets through amtrak.com for the appropriate train on the appropriate time/day.
Stuff You Need
You'll need to be prepared to survive on PAXTrain. Following is a list of stuff you probably should bring if you want to have a liveable experience on the rails.
- 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 seperate carryon bag / backpack. This pack should contain personal effects and clothing, as well as everything else you think you'll need on the train.
- Ear plugs 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.
- 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.
- 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, preferrably a pair of earbuds 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. Apart from that, bring spare cash for snacks or bring your own in your travel backpack.
Transparent wrote: »I notice you want citation for meal prices. Here is a sample dining car menu (varies by train's locale, for example the Luigi Line additionally has gumbo and the Pac-Man line has a BBQ brisket sandwich). If you let the train know in advance they will stock kosher or vegan food for you, and if you get a sleeper car meals are included.
Here is an example menu of the snack bar on the lounge car.
Other things to bring
- Power strips and extension cords. It is better to have too many than not enough. Power management can become 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.
- 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 Playtest This was a big train hit.
- Fans. An electric fan can reduce the temperature of a room by up to 10 degrees.
- 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.
- 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 knowning what's in your killer brownies, duuuuuude. (Cookie Brigade excluded of course. People selling cookies for charity are surely trustworthy)
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 Rules
- Don't be a dick
Just don't. Play nice, children. And if you don't like someone, don't start shit. - Don't be an ass 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. Noise discipline: Be quiet in the coach areas and sleeper cars, be polite in the dining cars and don't try to overrun areas 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. Public intoxication laws apply, even on a train.
The Passengers
Eastbound Trains
- The Mega Man Line
Name: Steven
Location: Madison, SD
Boarding Stop: Fargo, ND
Ticket Purchased: yes - The Donkey Kong Line
Name:
Location:
Boarding Stop:
Ticket Purchased: - The Lemmings Line
Name:
Location:
Boarding Stop:
Ticket Purchased: - The Pac-Man Line
Name: Cynthia (and William)
Location: St. Louis
Boarding Stop: St. Louis (but actually Kirkwood, and riding over because the downtown stop is way jank.)
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Philip R (RileyPER)
Location: Central Illinois
Boarding Stop: Springfield, Il
Ticket Purchased: Reserved them a few days ago, roundtrip for less than $200 with student advantage - The Luigi Line
Name:
Location:
Boarding Stop:
Ticket Purchased: - The Metal Gear Line
Name: Kenneth, Bridget, Pete, Alex
Location: Monticello, IN
Boarding Stop: Union Station Chicago, IL
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Durinthal
Location: Wooster, OH
Boarding Stop: Cleveland, OH
Ticket Purchased: Not yet
Name: Zen and Amy J. (we were the kids with dreads on the train last year)
Location: Beloit, WI
Boarding Stop: Union Station, Chicago, IL
Ticket Purchased: Yes and Yes
Name: Danny + Taylor
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Boarding Stop: Waterloo (AT 1:15AM BABY AKA PARTY TIME)
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Tony Bucchioni
Location: Middleburg Hts, OH
Boarding Stop: Cleveland, OH
Ticket Purchased: Not yet
Name: Andrew +5
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH
Ticket Purchased: Not yet
Names: Kyle and Eugene
Location: Chicago, IL
Boarding Stop: Union Station, Chicago, IL
Ticket Purchased: Yes and yes
Names: Daniel, Nakesha, Sam, Andy
Location: Dayton, OH
Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH
Ticket Purchased: Not Yet
Name: Smerk
Location: Sydney, Australia
Boarding Stop: Chicago, Il (or SF, CA or Seattle, WA)
Ticket Purchased: Yes (or No)
Name: Jo (gidgets) & Jeremiah (Bitstream)
Location: San Francisco
Boarding Stop: Chicago Union Station, IL
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: qedi, Sarah and Dean
Location: Toronto/Kitchener, Ontario
Boarding Stop: Buffalo NY
Ticket Purchased: yes
Name: Crash + Wife
Location: Northernish Lower Michigan
Boarding Stop: Chicago Illinois (Taking a train from Holland, MI to there)
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Ryan
Location: Northern Michigan
Boarding Stop: Chicago
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Neil
Location: Detroit, MI
Boarding Stop: Toledo, OH
Ticket Purchased: Not yet, taking care of that tomorrow
Name: Joe
Location: Syracuse, NY
Boarding Stop: Syracuse, NY
Ticket Purchased: YEP!
Name: Nick
Location: Erie, Pa
Boarding Stop: Erie, PA 125 West 14th Street
Ticket Purchased: Yes, Boarding at 7:22am
Name: Samuel
Location: Akron
Boarding Stop: Cleveland
Ticket Purchased: YES
Name: JerzeyLegend aka Orlando
Location: Palmyra, PA
Boarding Stop: Philly, PA (via Harrisburg, PA)
Ticket Purchased:Yes
Name: Amy (aka Moocifer, aka @amysophie)
Location: Western NY (#teamhoth)
Boarding Stop: Philadelphia. Taking a lonely nonPAXtrain to from WNY to Philly to visit a friend, then hopping the Sonic line to head to PAXachusetts.
Ticket Purchased: Yes!
Name: Topher
Location: Long Island, NY
Boarding Stop: Penn Station, NYC, NY
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: bryan
Location: fremont, ohio
Boarding Stop: sandusky, ohio
Ticket Purchased: yes
Name: Hayden
Location: Dansville, NY
Boarding Stop: Rochester NY (Or Albany, it was a little confusing)
Ticket Purchase: Yes!
Northbound Trains
- The Metroid Line
Name:
Location:
Boarding Stop:
Ticket Purchased: - The Star Fox Line
Name: Nicole & Rusty
Location: Tampa
Boarding Stop: Orlando
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Justin
Location: Middle of Nowhere, NC
Boarding Stop: Rocky Mount, NC
Ticket Purchased: Double Yes. - The Sonic Line
Name: Will/Lugh Lamfhada
Location: VA
Boarding Stop: Charlottesville
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Chris
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: YES.
Name: Deb
Location: DC
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: Soon
Name: Jamie
Location: Germantown, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yes.
Name: flatline [matt] and Big Zach
Location: Baltimore/Washington Sprawl
Boarding Stop: BWI
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Geoff/gespo89
Location: Columbia, MD
Boarding Stop: BWI Thurgood Marsh Air, MD
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Kaylin and Eli
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Eric/BigSassy
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yup
Name: Ash & Mike
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased: Heck yes!
Name: Tara
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name:Bryan And Jessica
Location:Christiansburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased:Yes
Name: Tim
Location: Stroudsburg/Tannersville, PA
Boarding Stop: EITHER Philly or Newark
Ticket Purchased: Not yet
Name: Fil
Location: Washington, DC
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Jay Brazelle, Eliza Brazelle
Location: Richmond VA
Boarding Stop: DC Union Station
Ticket Purchased: Not yet
Name: Gabriel Preston
Location: Philadelphia
Boarding Stop: Philadelphia
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name(s): Stephen, Colby, Mike, Dylan, Fergy (Robert), and FoFo (Stephanie)
Location: Winchester, VA
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yes, all six.
Name: Spencer
Location: Fairfax, VA
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yes!
Name: Jonathan & Sarah
Location: Baltimore, MD
Boarding Stop: Baltimore Penn Station
Ticket Purchased: Yes!
Name: Nate
Location: Manassas, VA
Boarding Stop: Washington, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yep
Name: Jon H (aka RoboticCheese, aka Fr00tyTang)
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased: Finally, yes
Name: Nicholas J.A. Hartmann & posse
Location:Long Island
Boarding Stop: New York City Penn Station
Ticket Purchased: Not yet, but most likely sometime this week.
Name: Chris Belsky & Stuarts Draft Saints
Location: Stuarts Draft, VA
Boarding Stop: Charlottesville, VA
Ticket Purchased: Not yet, but most likely sometime this week.
Name: Jason & Christina
Location: Frederick, MD
Boarding Stop: BWI
Ticket Purchased: YES!
Name: Wingedillidan + 3
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Boarding Stop: Philadelphia, PA
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Ian
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Boarding Stop: New York Penn Station
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Joe
Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Boarding Stop: WIL (Wilmington)
Ticket Purchased: Yuuup!
Notes: First time taking the train, I drove up last year. I have Fluxx, Magic and Yugioh cards. I'll probably wear a PAX East 2011 shirt for reference.
Name: Brian
Location: Maryland
Boarding Stop: New Carrolton
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Alex (a.k.a Propriety, a.k.a the guy with the scarf)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Boarding Stop: Philadelphia (30th Street Station)
Ticket Purchased: No (Not yet)
Name: Drew & Becca
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Union Station (Washington DC)
Ticket Purchased: affirmative
Name: Andrew
Location: VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Zach
Location: Columbia, MD
Boarding Stop: BWI
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Billy + friends
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased: Yep
Name: John
Location: Philly, PA
Boarding Stop: Philly, 30th Street Station
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Name: Brent
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station DC
Ticket Purchased: YES.
Name: Uche
Location: Brooklyn, NY
What Stop You Will Be Boarding From: New York Penn Station, NY
Ticket Purchase: Months ago
Southbound Train
- The Portal Line
Name: Nate
Location: Windham ME
Boarding Stop:Portland ME
Ticket Purchased: No yet - waiting for a good sale/coupon
To be added to the list copy/paste the text below and add in your info:
[B]What line you will be on:[/B] [B]Name:[/B] [B]Location:[/B] [B]Boarding Stop:[/B] [B]Ticket Purchased:[/B]
zerzhul on
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This discussion has been closed.
Posts
The Mega Man Line
"In the year 20XX"
Train: 8 Empire Builder
Originating Station: Seattle, WA (SEA)
Departure Date/Time: April 2, 16:40 PDT
Travel Time: 45h45m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 15:55 CDT
Layover Time: 5h35m
The Donkey Kong Line
"Damn dirty ape!"
Train: 6 California Zephyr
Originating Station: Emeryville, CA (EMY)
Departure Date/Time: April 2, 09:10 PDT
Travel Time: 51h40m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 14:50 CDT
Layover Time: 6h40m
The Lemmings Line
"Glug glug"
Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Originating Station: Los Angeles, CA - Union Station (LAX)
Departure Date/Time: April 2, 18:15 PDT
Travel Time: 43h00m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 15:15 CDT
Layover Time: 6h15m
The Pac-Man Line
"Om nom nom"
Train: 22 Texas Eagle
Originating Station: San Antonio, TX (SAS)
Departure Date/Time: April 3, 07:00 CDT
Travel Time: 30h52m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 13:52 CDT
Layover Time: 7h38m
The Luigi Line
"Mario is Missing"
Train: 58 City of New Orleans
Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL)
Departure Date/Time: April 3, 13:45 CDT
Travel Time: 19h15m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 4, 09:00 CDT
Layover Time: 12h30m
The Metal Gear Line
"Snaaaaaaaaake!"
Train: 448 Lake Shore Limited
Originating Station: Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Departure Date/Time: April 4, 21:30 CDT
Travel Time: 22h40m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 21:10 EDT
The Metroid Line
"Samus is a girl!?"
Train: 20 Crescent
Originating Station: New Orleans, LA (NOL)
Departure Date/Time: April 4, 07:00 CDT
Travel Time: 25h53m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 09:53 EDT
Layover Time: 2h9m
The Star Fox Line
"Do a barrel roll!"
Train: 98 Silver Meteor
Originating Station: Miami, FL (MIA)
Departure Date/Time: April 4, 08:20 EDT
Travel Time: 23h1m
Schedule/Stops:
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 07:21 EDT
Layover Time: 4h41m
The Sonic Line
"The Fastest Train Alive!" (although not really)
Train: 176 Northeast Regional
Originating Station: Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Departure Date/Time: April 5, 12:02 EDT
Travel Time: 7h53m
Destination Station: Boston, MA - South Station (BOS)
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 19:55 EDT
--
Southbound Line
The Portal Line
"Let's be honest. Neither one of us knows what that thing does. Just put it in the corner and I'll deal with it later."
Train: 684 Downeaster
Originating Station: Portland, ME (POR)
Departure Date/Time: April 5, 12:50 EDT
Travel Time: 2h30m
Destination Station: Boston, MA - North Station (BON) NOTE: This train does not go to South Station. You will need to take the T to South Station from North Station.
Arrival Date/Time: April 5, 15:20 EDT
What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Will
Location: VA
Boarding Stop: Charlottesville
Ticket Purchased: Not yet, but it will be as soon as I head to the Amtrak site. Yes.
And a big thanks to you Moe for once again getting this set up. My hat and I look forward to the wild chicanery.
Edit: Also I look forward to dominating at Mario Kart again. Bring on the blue koopa shells!
Shit! Too much paprika!
WHY IS THERE SO MUCH VOMIT IN THIS HAT?!
Name: Brian
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Boarding Stop: Everett, WA
Ticket Purchased: No, and it might be a while (gotta pay for MAGFest first)
If nobody else books this line by the time I'm able to purchase a ticket, then I might re-consider, so... How about it Moe, since your'e in the area now, are you going to take the Mega Man line all the way like I did last year?
Name: Cynthia (and William)
Location: St. Louis
Boarding Stop: St. Louis (but actually Kirkwood, and riding over because the downtown stop is way jank.)
Ticket Purchased: Not for at least another month
Didn't do this last year because my husband and I wanted to do the Pre-Pax Dinner, but this year, it's all about the train!
I haven't looked yet, but when I took the train from Everett to Boston for East 2010, the price for a ticket plus a room was actually comparable, maybe about $100 more. So, IIRC, it was "around" $200 for the ticket itself, and "around" another $200 for a room (this was a one-way price however, but a one-way plane ticket from Boston to Seattle was actually really cheap so it wasn't bad). The room was only for the train from here to Chicago, because there was a layover there, but the rest of the trip from there is about another day, and because so many PAX people gather at that point we all just hung out in the lounge car the whole time so a room wasn't necessary. On the plus side, having a room does give you access to showers and all of your meals (3 per day) are completely free, and it's good food too. Otherwise, if you don't pay for the room, you have to pay for the meals and they're not very cheap.
Besides, riding coach for that long is terribad. When I was on it last year I didn't even want to go to the lounge and dinner cars half the time because I didn't want to have to walk through the coach cars. They started smelling a bit, among other things... so I couldn't even imagine sitting in a chair in a car like that for 3 and a half days, screw that.
That being said, when I checked prices earlier this year before East 2011, they were much higher, so I took to the skies. I'd just check the price on Amtrak for the trains Moe posted, plus a small room, then look around air-line sites and get an average round-trip quote for that time. I'll have to check later too and find out for myself (hooked on SW:TOR right now). :P
One more thing, I'd probably take a plane back (at least that's what I did last year). Taking the train round-trip, especially if you get a room each one, is likely going to be quite a bit more expensive. Then again, I haven't checked prices lately, so it may not be so bad.
Moe, you haven't answered my question. :P
@Coldbrew, as much as I'd love to be on the train, the nature of my job prevents me from taking that much time off that close to PAX. I really wish I could, given how much I really hate to fly. But, that doesn't stop me from doing the research to plan this trip for others to enjoy.
Indeed, we will need to take this into consideration. The smallest of the available rooms is absolutely tiny, there's two chairs facing each other with a small table in-between, and just enough room between them and the door to stand up. The chairs fold down into a bed, and there's another bunk above it. For the price, length of the trip, and included meals, it's definitely worth it. There's just little room, so it's mostly going to be for sleeping and relaxing, hanging out can be done in the lounge car for most of the day I'm sure. So if anybody else from the Seattle area takes the long haul and needs a room-mate, let me know.
Darn. Well hopefully some others will take the trip, it was just myself and one other (Smerk) on that entire line last year, we need moar!
What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Chris
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: YES.
For the Sonic Line folks, Amtrak is currently has a 25% off Northeast Regional promotion going, putting a one-way ticket at $70. I don't see an expiration date on the site, but you might want to buy one ASAP.
Name: Deb
Location: DC
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: Soon
3DS Friend Code: 2449-5711-0640
Name: Jamie
Location: Germantown, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Not yet. I haven't convinced my other half that it's not as expensive as he thinks. I bought it anyway. $70 is a great deal!
I do have a question though, once you get into Boston is it then necessary to rent a car in order to get around or is the public transit system there pretty boss?
I'll know fairly soon if I can do this option and if I can then the pac-man line will be getting some love. (I hope there are many potential pac-man/metal gear riders!)
2009 Omeganaut
Boston public transit is pretty great until it stops running for the night. Take a gander at the first timer thread or the FAQ for some info about the public transit and cabs in Boston.
To extend this point, I would suggest caution for anyone who hasn't traveled this way before. There are a LOT of gypsy cabs that hang out at the train station. Most of them will get you there, but you're much better off going with the Silver Line or a real cab.
What line you will be on: SONIC
Name: flatline [matt] and Big Zach
Location: Baltimore/Washington Sprawl
Boarding Stop: BWI
Ticket Purchased: As soon as I track down No 2
The walk from South Station to the BCEC wasn't that bad last year, even with luggage. 10 minutes, maybe, and a bunch of people are going that way so you'll have company. Of course it might snow and then who knows?
in addition to others' sound advice, i'd also like to note that driving in boston is generally a nightmare, even for the experienced. i would strongly recommend against renting a car.
2009 Omeganaut
Play lots of games for me, Sonic Line!
A list of things, should you be of the gifting persuasion
Name: Geoff
Location: Columbia, MD
Boarding Stop: DC
Ticket Purchased: Not yet. Probably shortly after registration opens up.
3DS Friend Code: 2449-5711-0640
The ETA Train boarding in DC is the Sonic Line which is described above
All the trains have the suggested times listed for the best possible chance of converging for the trains coming into a hub station like DC.
Name: Kaylin and Eli
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yes
Shit! Too much paprika!
WHY IS THERE SO MUCH VOMIT IN THIS HAT?!
Name: Kenneth, Bridget, Pete, Alex
Location: Monticello, IN
Boarding Stop: Union Station Chicago, IL
Ticket Purchased: Will be purchased December 31st
Can't wait last year was my first PAX, this year I am bringing the wife. She seen how much fun we had via our nightly facebook pic dump and decided PAX was more interesting than she thought.
What line you will be on: Metal Gear
Name: Durinthal
Location: Wooster, OH
Boarding Stop: Cleveland, OH
Ticket Purchased: Not yet
Sorry, decided I'm flying instead (getting there on Wednesday).
@Durinthal
Name: Eric
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station, DC
Ticket Purchased: Yup
Ah, my favorite time of the year has come. Planning for PAX!
Name: Ash & Mike
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased: Heck yes!
Name: Tara
Location: Rockville, MD
Boarding Stop: Union Station
Ticket Purchased: Yes
What line you will be on: Metal Gear Line
Name: Zen and Amy J. (we were the kids with dreads on the train last year)
Location: Beloit, WI
Boarding Stop: Union Station, Chicago, IL
Ticket Purchased: Yes and Yes
Name:Bryan And Jessica
Location:Christiansburg, VA
Boarding Stop: Lynchburg, VA
Ticket Purchased:Yes
Updated info:
What line you will be on: Sonic
Name: Geoff/gespo89
Location: Columbia, MD
Boarding Stop: BWI Thurgood Marsh Air, MD
Ticket Purchased: Yes