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Post by sgtmajor on Feb 5, 2008 22:25:33 GMT -5
Here's a link to a site all about the CZ. calzephyr.railfan.net/Ahhh.... the good `ol days. All this talk these past few months I have decided to take my vacation by rail this year. Probably will be closer to the summer but I've always wanted to travel this country by train and now is as good as time as ever. Hmmmm...... The California Zephyr or the Southwest Chief...... decisions..... decisions!! (smile) Cheers!!
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Post by bhk on Feb 6, 2008 0:46:04 GMT -5
Great information, Steve. Most informative and certainly a worthy shrine to a fabulous train. Thanks for making it known; I've bookmarked it.
Bruce
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Post by bhk on Feb 6, 2008 0:55:33 GMT -5
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Post by Dan on Feb 6, 2008 5:32:54 GMT -5
Super site, Sgtmajor!! Amazing - the good 'ol days is right! My wife and I have taken a number of train rides over the years and always enjoyed them. Can't put a finger on it, but always seemed very relaxing in this rush-rush world we live in. We've often talked about a long train trip up to Chicago and then out west - excursion type. There was a couple that were available a couple of years ago - not sure if there still offered, but now that you've brought it up, I'm going to have to check. Seems the California Zephyr has only one car that I'd being interested in - The Sip and Snack Lounge! calzephyr.railfan.net/pmblueh.jpgBruce, the "The Sunlander" looks like a great trip - but no mention of a Sip & Snack . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by sgtmajor on Feb 6, 2008 9:17:41 GMT -5
Well, you could always come down here and do the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth and/or the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin and/or the Sunlander from Brisbane to Cairns. Now that is a great idea...... I'll mark it down on my "Wish" list. Who knows, maybe someday!!! (smile) Dan.... I'm with you.... the "Sip & Snack Lounge" looks to be the place to hang out while traveling the rails. (smile) I'm actually starting to get excited about the rail trip. Spent a couple hours yesterday checking fares, routes etc., etc. I think this might be the new way to travel for me. I love (loved) air travel in years past with all the excitement etc., however, going to Atlanta and back last week made me re-think this air travel stuff. Meals....... Snacks that have to be "purchased" which I don't mind.... provided the airlines was not trying to fund a new Airbus off my bag of M&M's. That coupled with all the other new 9/11 stuff that must be done just get on board pretty much takes the glamor of years past away and turns it into "just" another day of commuting. (smile) Now with the gas prices the way they are, maintenance that must be done on the vehicles, etc., rail travel is not that much more expense than taking my own vehicle. I can drive the California to Kansas trip in about 23-24 hours although I'm getting older now so break that into two days. (1300 miles) With Rail Travel I can get on in San Bernardino, CA. and arrive at my Sisters in Kansas in 27 hours...... all in the comfort of my private "sleeper" car with meals included..... private climate control..... no private restrooms/showers, but the public restrooms/showers are located in the same car...... electrical outlets so I can take my laptop with my Internet card and chat with TOH Gang while relaxing..... That coupled with all the other excitement...... Allllllllllll ABoarddddddddddd. I'm ready to head out!!!! (smile) I may even continue on to Maryland to see my baby Sis and her family too. To be cont;............................... (smile) Cheers!!
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Post by AirCoaster on Feb 6, 2008 10:17:03 GMT -5
Quite a few years ago, the wife, and I took the Broadway Limited , or that's what they called it, from Cleveland to Philadelphia, and back. This was before they shut down Horseshoe Curve, and single tracked most of the branchlines in Ohio. Its was great fun, I think the only other stops we made were at Pittsburgh, Altoona, and Harrisburg. It was great we had breakfast in the morning going to Philly, and dinner on the way back to Cleveland. It was like the picture postcard train trip for the wife, and I. The consist even had two, or three vista dome coaches. The observation coach was full so we never had the chance to appreciate it, but the dome coaches were great. Pennsylvania was very picturesque during that trip, even though some major reconstruction was to be seen.
All in all, I would say that any railroad fans that have a chance to take a long trip by train should do so. It is well worth the money spent.
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Post by meryl on Feb 6, 2008 11:18:09 GMT -5
I/we have taken 4 roundtrips by train from the west coast to the east, in the last 8 years. The best was taking the Coast Starlite from Seattle to LA, then across the South to Jacksonville, FL. The Coast Starlite is by far the best of the bunch. Aslo have gone from Seattle to Chicago, then down to Memphis, Tn. The Chicago to Memphis was the worst. Not a comfortable ride. We have had a compartment with twobeds, bunk, and also bathroom. As it is considered first class, meals are provided. Nice relaxing way to travel. ook 5 days from Seattle to Jacksonville, FL via LA. Nice trips, all of them.
Meryl \
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Post by bhk on Feb 6, 2008 14:55:02 GMT -5
.... Bruce, the "The Sunlander" looks like a great trip - but no mention of a Sip & Snack . . . .. No.......the Queenslanders like to inhale their food & drink, Dan, so they call it a "Gulp & Gorge"!! ;D Bruce
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Post by bhk on Feb 6, 2008 14:58:37 GMT -5
All in all, I would say that any railroad fans that have a chance to take a long trip by train should do so. It is well worth the money spent. Definitely, John. My wife and I did the Indian Pacific across Australia - drove from Sydney to Perth and then trained back in 1975. The most wonderful and relaxing holiday experience. Bruce
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Post by bhk on Feb 7, 2008 1:31:29 GMT -5
.....This was before they shut down Horseshoe Curve, and single tracked most of the branchlines in Ohio. Its was great fun, I think the only other stops we made were at Pittsburgh, Altoona, and Harrisburg. .... You know, I have been (and still am) astounded by the fact that no-one has ever created this route for MSTS (well, not that I could find, anyway). It is available for Trainmaster v4....and as far as I'm aware, that is the only sim that features it. Bruce
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Post by bhk on Feb 7, 2008 3:25:16 GMT -5
I posted a query on the 3DTrains forum and this was the reply:- =========== The Pennsylvania Eastern Division is in beta testing. Gallitzin to New York and New York to D.C. among other things. It includes the Horseshoe Curve. Release probably sometime this year.=========== That is nice news. Bruce
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Post by sgtmajor on Feb 7, 2008 9:00:10 GMT -5
Yes indeed, that is very nice news. Thank You!!
Cheers!!
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Post by AirCoaster on Feb 8, 2008 9:36:29 GMT -5
There was once available for MSTS, the Middle Division of The Pennsylvania Railroad. I don't remember the fellow's name, but it was extremely well done, even with the few flaws it had. This package had it's west end at the Gallitzin Tunnel, and the east at Harrisburg east side of the Susquehana River. If I remember correctly, it came with rolling stock, and locos. I'm not so sure it is available anymore, it was a huge download for the times. Also, if you like Pennsylvania routes, the Reading route is quire well done to, also for MSTS.
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Post by bhk on Feb 8, 2008 15:39:05 GMT -5
There was once available for MSTS, the Middle Division of The Pennsylvania Railroad. I don't remember the fellow's name, but it was extremely well done, .... Yep...I discovered information on this yesterday. It was called the "Middle Division" and made it to version 2.5. It's been withdrawn and will form part of a new PRR route (the "Pennsylvania Eastern Division") currently under beta-testing, apparently. Here's the link to the original...... www.home.earthlink.net/~bllw/Scroll down the LH menu and click on the "Middle Division" keystone. Here's a link to info about the new one...... forums.flightsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=255841Thanks for the tip on the Reading route. Bruce.
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