Announcing Philadelphia Area All Request RailFest 2012
#1
Posted 28 December 2011 - 05:48 PM
Based on the suggestions already received, an itinerary was put together that satisfies most of those suggestions while maximizing the number of activities we can do as well as the number of transit modes we can experience. That itinerary is here.
Here are my current listings of hotels and restaurants near rail stations. You would probably be interested in staying the evenings of Friday, 1/27/12 and Saturday, 1/28/12.
The itinerary includes a quick round trip to Paoli on Amtrak's Keystone service. If you book this ahead of time, keep in mind that that the Paoli ticket office is closed on weekends, along with the Quick-Trak machine. Therefore you may wish to reserve the PHL-PAO round trip on one reservation. Another option would be to book for a weekday around that time, since the tickets are unreserved on this segment of the Keystones. However, since the Keystone is the last activity of the day, some of you may wish to remain on board to continue to other locations. If you travel north/east of Philly, the Keystones do require reservations so you can't plan on picking the ticket up right before departure from Paoli. With AAA or NARP discount, Amtrak fare can be had for under 6 bucks each way between Philly and Paoli.
For SEPTA, I think the easiest fare instrument for us would be the $11 Independence Pass each day. While the cumulative SEPTA rail travel costs each day may not surpass $11, this would avoid the need to pay individual fares for each segment or fish around for change and small bills. This can be purchased at any of the downtown rail stations, or aboard an inbound train if you're heading to the Fest from someplace else. Those who originate in Trenton would pay $16. The Independence Pass, of course, does not cover the Amtrak round trip... but you could elect to pay for Amtrak one way and ride SEPTA in the other with the same pass.
More updates to follow. Please begin to e-mail me whether you can attend one or both days, and a guest list will be put together.
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
#2
Posted 28 December 2011 - 06:17 PM
#3
Posted 28 December 2011 - 06:37 PM
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
#4
Posted 08 January 2012 - 09:44 PM
That said, I haven't looked at these particular dates lately, but when previously surveying possible dates they were offering some trips on Sunday for the same $6.50 as on weekdays (Mon-Thu). Perhaps the bucket issue is at play here. Or I may have been looking at the 15th, the originally intended day, when it was part of a 3-day holiday weekend.
The Friday and Sunday blackout periods are only 9AM-7PM boarding times. In comparison the holiday blackouts are all day.
#5
Posted 09 January 2012 - 12:16 PM
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
#6
Posted 12 January 2012 - 01:36 PM
Here is the first edition of the participant list. Very small group, and one I expect may change a bit, but may not be much larger. Everyone's welcome of course, but the tight planning and non-holiday weekend understood. Right now, 50% of the participants are Pennsylvanians.
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
#7
Posted 12 January 2012 - 08:37 PM
AlohaHere is the first edition of the participant list. Very small group,
I hope you all have a great time.
Wishing I could join you.
Eric
#8
Posted 25 January 2012 - 07:37 PM
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
#9
Posted 26 January 2012 - 01:27 PM
http://www.septa.org/events/auto.html
I haven't yet figured out where "Market West" is, but I'll assume it's really the little-used western side of the Market East station.
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
#10
Posted 26 January 2012 - 01:55 PM
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
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