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Some Pre-Fest Thoughts


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#1 BillMagee

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Posted 10 July 2009 - 09:47 PM

As the Southern California Rail Fest draws near, I think it is time to thank Kevin for all the hard work he does to arrange these complex tours. A look at his website shows how these Fests are literally years in planning. The results are remarkable. With this Fest, someone riding end-to-end will experience 52 different train, transit, or light rail rides, and will travel in excess of 7000 miles, all in the course of 13 days. The intricacies of planning a tour like that are not unlike solving a Rubik’s cube. To get everything in the right place without fouling something else is quite a feat. And then there is the human element: trying to find common ground for issues like meals and accommodations. Keeping a dozen or so very different people happy with plans may more difficult than piecing together the train schedules. Kevin does a masterful job at both, and because it is so well done, I think it is sometimes underappreciated. The OTOL Rail Fests offer a unique opportunity for a diverse group to share a common interest for a short period of time. Some ride all the way. Others, like me, cherry pick a portion. But, in both cases, the trip is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a very unusual journey. We have Kevin to thank for that. Best wishes to the entire group, and I’m looking forward to seeing some of you in San Diego.

#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 12:12 AM

Thanks, Bill.

This is the final communication from home before the fest. Most of us leave home tomorrow (Monday). I've e-mailed the final editions of the private contact listing and the train accommodations charts to the participants.

One late scratch, but we still have 24 people as of now.

We will try to give updates when and where we can, although please don't expect much on the long travel days. As mentioned before I'll send Twitter messages when I can.

Everyone have a good trip, and for those in California, we'll see you when we get there! :)


Kevin Korell


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#3 KevinKorell

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Posted 13 July 2009 - 01:26 PM

Just checking in briefly from Club Acela in Philly. Michael and I did a Lancaster round trip, stopping off at Paoli on the way back for lunch. 3 Amtrak trains in advance of the Fest trains. In the station we ran into John Corbett briefly, who had seen me "Tweeting" and came out from work to see us. What a way to not participate in a fest but work your way into the report! :lol: (just kidding John) The New York originating group has boarded and just departed NY Penn Station, and Michael & I will join them when #19 gets to Philly. 3 more will join us in Washington, though they all came from the Midwest. OTOL is in Fest mode! :D


Kevin Korell


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