Well we didn't have a Think Tank.... especially not during the dinner at Harrahs New Orleans when I was continuously stuffing my face filling my own tank and getting up to get more.
But during the week various people had discussions about the options. Confonted with the choice of Charlotte/Norfolk and Albuquerque, the latter seemed to generate more interest. Perhaps that was because it would have to involve more travel on a long distance train, namely the Southwest Chief, where as the eastern option would be day trains (though perhaps the Silver Star would be involved as well in some of the alternatives).
Coupled with the fact that we were once again thwarted in doing everything in Chicago, and that there is lots left to do on our list on both CTA and METRA, we could plan an Albuquerque trip with a longer stopover in Chicago. I explored some of the possibilities as I relaxed in the Sightseer Lounge of the Capitol Limited this past Sunday morning, but didn't work out any details.
Although weekend service on RailRunner was spared for now, I would still prefer to be there on a weekday when service runs more often. The schedule is more complicated than it looks, and it's difficult to find time for trips in both directions to Belen and Santa Fe. This would involve 2 hotel nights in Albuquerque, and probably 2 hotel nights in Chicago, plus 1-night overnight trips in each direction on the Southwest Chief.
For those who join us from the Midwest, Chicago is not as much a stopover point, as it is for the majority who hail from the East, but it still remains to be decided whether the Chicago time would take place during the eastbound or westbound journey. And just as I want ABQ to be on a weekday, the Chicago time has to include a full Sunday afternoon since I would like to include the UP-North line to Kenosha, WI and the Kenosha streetcar as well. Sunday afternoon provides the only feasible dwell time in Kenosha, giving us 2+ hours for the streetcar as well as dinner.
So once all the excitement clears from this past Fest I'll try to work out the scenarios for this. Most likely what I have posted now for a Midwest RailFest and a Chief RailFest will cease to exist, and I'll take some aspects from both to build this one.
To address the other above concerns, I don't think there will be another meet this year. Last year's August LIRF was necessary because of the impending demise of service on one branch of the LIRR. And quite a few people already have their own personal travel plans for August. Regarding next January, we're clear on Philadelphia being the venue. As to what we do there, it will be another Request Fest so your input will determine what we will ride. I will lay out the possibilities, all the various trolley, rapid transit, and commuter rail options, soon. How much you want to do will determine whether this would be a 2 or 3 day event. We really didn't talk much about Salt Lake City, other than agreeing that an eastbound arrival or departure is impossible, and a westbound arrival is not much better if the train is late. Arriving after the light rail lines close for the night would mean taxi rides to our hotels. Most likely we'd do it on the way to the Bay Area, perhaps even stopping again in Sacramento once there is more to ride there as well.