(yes, probably more for the Trains forums - but I figure I can gather plenty of modeling ideas while enjoying the scenery)
Tried last time I had to go to Milwaukee to take the train, but things didn;t work out. Next week when I go, I have to fly out, but coming back I will be on the train. Hiawatha from Milwaukee (wish I had free time to schedule a visit tot he MR offices, but alas I don’t) to Chicago, Capitol Limited (with a roomette) from Chicago to Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvanian from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg.
Only Amtrak trains I’ve been on before were Northeast COrridor trains between Philly and NYC (pre-Acela days - it’s been a while). So this should be fun. There’s some sort of former CNW line that runs throughMilwaukee right behind my client’s building, I did get to see a train there one day of the week i was there (and heard them several times every day). I think it’s the same line Drew shot trains on for that one episode of Drew’s Trackside Adventures. I got a few pics on my phone of a UP train crossing the highway there - definitely wierd to me to see them running left-handed. Saw another one go by while sitting in my plane back, stuck on the taxiway for an hour and a half because of delays where we were landing.
Cool thing is it will be daylight when we go around Horseshoe Curve - I’ve been there and watched trains go by, now I will be on the train.
Though I don’t model passenger trains, and definitely not modern era, I think I will be able to collect some good modeling ideas from places I’ve never seen before.
My grandson and I will be on the Texas route to Chicago on the 8th, arriving Chicago midday on the 9th and on the Capitol Limited that day (Friday) to DC (arriving Saturday. Anyone on board?
This is the beginning of our boondoggle to the B&O museum (Baltimore), Steamtown (Scranton), Strasburg and Philadelphia.
Really looking forward to it (including playing lots of checkers on the 43-hr train routes.
Being a Pittsburgher that now lives in the DC Metro area, I take the Capitol Limited three to four times a year. If there’s anyone has a question about the DC-PIT segment (either way), I consider myself an expert. Heck, my layout is even an industrial area that the CL goes through.
I’ll be at Steamtown over the Labor Day weekend for their Railfest. Oh that reminds me, I need to call and see if any seats are available on the excusrion train.
Sounds like an enjoyable trip. Plus, with the RR leg being on the return, any delays are more acceptable. Of course, with most of us here, anything to make the ride longer is A-OK, right?
My brother regularly rides on business. He’s a bank exec in Evansville, IN and has to travel regularly to the home office in downtown Chicago, right near Union Station. He says it’s less hassle for him to drive over to some stop in S. Illinois, catch the City of New Orleans and walk to the meeting from the station than it is to drive and fight the traffic. I think he said the time was about the same, but he can work on the train.
Your Brother has the right idea,of taking the train,to Chgo.from Evansville,IN… That is a long way to drive,plus the hassle of Parking,forget it,downtown,a lot of walking involved,even if you park in the garage near Union Station,you still have to walk a lot underground…My first wife has worked Downtown,almost forever,she lives in Joliet,IL.,She said it takes her 45 minutes to get to work and 2 hours to get home,mainly because of how many times the train stops on the way home…I may like trains,but not that much,every day…
So the real question is, what sort of sights are there to see that I should be ready with a camera? I’ve driven across the northern part of Ohio on the way to Detroit, and I’ve been to Columbus a few times, but that’s it. Never been to Chicago, and only flown into Milwaukee so I’ve never seen the stretch from there to Chicago at ground level. Oh and I’ve been to Cleveland before, but flew in there. Never been to Indiana or most of the rest of Ohio that the route goes through. Being in essentiually a one railroad town, I don’t see much more than NS locos and if I run around to the other side of town, the R&N.
I’ve only taken the train in on the old IC/CN line from the south. However, the first 30 miles or so leaving for the East from Union Station should let you see some of the most intense and concentrated railroading on earth. It’s rather amazing to those of us not from the East Coast, but may not be quite so intense and experience if you’re from back there. Nonetheless, lot’s to see so spend that time looking out the window, instead of settling into the roomette, and then do that once you get into Indiana as things get more rural and it’s pretty flat, so much less to see.
