59 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Still another thought for Charlotte:   While Uptown hotels are booked solid for the days in question, there is plenty of availability and affordability (some below $100) at hotels near the airport.   The low cost  plus sharing an Uber ride could be an answer, although the negative I see with that is how and where to store luggage while riding the light rail & streetcar.  Leaving it at a hotel 5 miles from Uptown we'd all have to go back to retrieve it.

[steve4031]

Does the Charlotte Amtrak station have storage?

[KevinKorell]

Does the Charlotte Amtrak station have storage?

Not sure, but remember that it, too is not located Uptown but in an obscure location a mile north of the business district.

[pennyk]

I did receive confirmation that the Safety Patrol Trains will be running in 2019.  I am waiting for confirmation of the dates, but I am assuming that the "sold out" dates on the Silver Meteor are the dates the Safety Patrol Trains are running.

[pennyk]

Yet another thought is to flip the North Carolina itinerary and go to Raleigh first, stay Saturday night there, then out to Charlotte for Sunday night and back on Monday.  The cheerleaders are done Sunday and uptown hotel rates are more reasonable Sunday night (1/20).  $184 at the Marriott.  $129 at the HGI flexible.

I think this suggestion is a reasonable one (much better than to register for the cheerleading competition-LOL)

[KevinKorell]

The downside of that, which I was trying to avoid by doing Charlotte before Raleigh, is the very early morning departure (6:45 AM) of #80 from CLT.   That means no later than 6 AM hotel or Uber shuttle to the station, and no breakfast at hotel.

[saxman]

Just saw that an additional round trip will begin to Brunswick on November 12. Havent looked at the itinerary yet but, FYI.

https://apnews.com/5...e762152ca7c956d

[KevinKorell]

Unfortunately, the lack of 5 weekend round trips to/from Brunswick is the one thing keeping us from going to the Boston area.  If one looks at the new timetable, the train pair we would need is 691 northbound and 696 southbound. While 691 does go to Brunswick, 696 does not originate there yet (still starts in Portland).  The layover in Brunswick until 698 is too long and puts the entire return trip in darkness.

[BillMagee]

One more thought: New York to Rochester (281) on Saturday. Rochester to Springfield (448) on Sunday, Springfield back to New York on Monday. Just spitballing.

[steve4031]

Not a bad idea Bill.