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Short trip to Baltimore


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#1 weinstn

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 10:29 AM

This is my first post in quite a long time. Then again, it was my first rail trip in quite some time. Yesterday my daughter and I went from DC up to Baltimore to keep my Amtrak Guest Rewards (collected over many years of riding the Auto Train) current. We were able to obtain some cheap $14 seats on train 84, departing Washington Union Station 11:02. Our drive down to WUS was delayed somewhat because of a parade near the National Mall (DC Emancipation Day, I believe), so we only arrived about 20 minutes before departure. We found a parking spot on the upper deck of the garage (a place well known to railfans) and rushed downstairs to Gate K. There was a long line of passengers, already moving. The line moved rapidly, and we boarded the train. The train was pretty full, but we found two seats in the Quiet Car. Departure may have been about a minute early. The car was an Amfleet, but with a modernized interior. The Conductor made a very long and not particularly polite announcement, just to our car, about it being a Quiet Car, and all the rules to follow. He kept saying "Nobody forced you to be in this car...", which wasn't exactly true given the full load on the train. I checked out the Wi-Fi, which was slow but worked. We arrived at Baltimore on time, and decided to take the Light Rail to the Inner Harbor. There was one waiting downstairs, but it wouldn't leave for about 10 minutes. Also, despite my reading on the timetable, it was only a shuttle to the next station. No problem. We got on, and transferred at the next station to a SB, which was packed with fans going to an Orioles game. Arrived at Camden Yards, and went to the Inner Harbor, visiting the Constellation and doing some other things. When we decided to head home, it was about 2:45, so I suggested we see if there really was a MARC Camden line train at 3:30, as the schedule seemed to indicate. Walked over there, and indeed the electronic board said there would be one. We purchased tickets in the tiny waiting room, and waited for the train to arrive. It came about 3:20, with only two cars open of about a six car train. It was running cab forward. Found seats without any problem, and departed at 3:30. The ride was interesting--I had never been on the Camden line. Much more scenic than the Corridor. Saw Laurel Racecourse and where the old Jessup prison is being demolished. Arrived at WUS about on time. Went for a drink in the food court. Discovered that I had left my iPhone on the train. Rushed back up to find the train set still there, but locked up. After about a 20 minute wait the crew arrived and opened it up. My daughter raced on the train and found the phone. The conductor seemed a bit peeved--apparently he had missed it when he walked through the train. He kept telling me how fortunate I was to have recovered it. Went back to the garage. Looked at the new Greyhound bus terminal. Took the up escalators--the only direction in operation due to escalator modernization. Got our car and drove home. The trip brought back a lot of memories about similar activities with Kevin K., David W., Alan B., and other P* folks at Rallfests--the Light Rail in Baltimore, leaving things behind on trains, the WUS garage. Best wishes, Don

Edited by weinstn, 17 April 2014 - 10:45 AM.


#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 11:16 AM

Thanks for your report Don! Glad to hear from you and read about your trip. Hopefully your Silver Line will get finished and open and we'll see you in January!


Kevin Korell


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