I think this is the right place to ask...

Is anyone considering taking Amtrak 163 on Sunday?

It's in the back of my mind, but much depends on where I ultimately stay Saturday night and where I ultimately park my car. Working out the logistics without having to travel with my suitcase all day on Metro North is not simple. Most likely I won't be staying in Manhattan as I did last year, unless something very cheap (and hopefully bedbug free) comes along.

We usually split up and go our separate ways after the last activity on the last day of the Fest, so even though the itinerary takes us back to New York, the Fest is over at Stamford (the last time through) and we're on our own from there.

I will be taking 163 on Sunday. As a matter of fact I just purchased the ticket today.

I'm still considering this, now that I know I'm not staying in Manhattan but rather in NJ.

Thinking about it. Very likely.

Considering getting some AGR points at the Woodbridge Hilton?

Well in reality, I did consider the Woodbridge Hilton; the rates are fairly affordable. However, the logistics in going back and forth from there, plus the longer trip, and the facts #150 doesn't stop there and one has to arise super early to catch NJT, and I decided instead on two nights at the Newark Hilton next to Penn Station.

OK, I got myself on the 150 out of NWK on Sunday too. I will however be catching the 5:45 NJT out of MET to arrive into NWK at 6:10. So I will see you at NWK on Sunday. On Saturday you are presumably taking 160 out of NWK? I will be on it ex MET. Hopefully we will find Piotr on some of those too, with his brand spanking new, even larger headphones, collecting cheap 100 AGR point.

If I am running late on Sunday, I will probably take a Midtown Direct and catch up with you at NYP.

Sunday morning I have the choice of jumping on either PATH or NJT depending on when I leave. Since the Sunday fest starts from GCT, I intend to ride crosstown and start from there, rather than meeting the group in STM. Amtrak isn't worthwhile to just travel between NWK and NYP, unless one is splitting the trip with another train.

Sunday afternoon I can do the split of 163 STM-NWK, 159 NWK-MET, giving me 2 Amtrak segments for the price of one, and one hour to collect my luggage from the hotel.

Saturday I won't be in NY Penn Station to meet before the Fest train (#160). I'll be aboard the Fest train in NJ, as some of you will be as well. I purchased a ticket MET-NHV, but I'll just show up in Newark. It would have cost me more to change it.


You.... you... you mean they make them even bigger than we've seen?

I'm looking forward to this Fest. Will be lots if fun. And mine and I will be taking metro north and following the itinerary on Sunday.

whoops. I thought I already made a reservation for 163 on Sunday, but looking through my e-mail i realized I never did. Its now a 56 dollar fare STM-MET so I'm going to take Metro North.

Who started this thread?
I think a few of us jumping on this issue once the thread starter (hint hint) raised it, caused the bucket to be tipped and the price therefore jacked up. Yeah it's about 50 bucks AAA rate, but with my split trip via NWK it's 25 and 25 for each segment, so not so bad. Remember too that it's Sunday, not Saturday, so the fare is going to be higher as Sunday is considered peak.

Fifty bucks is good. It is more than 49 bucks and therefore the leg qualifies as one of the 4 needed to get a free rt on Regionals.

I am also doing 150/163 on Sunday.

Kevin, I think I'll overnight at Newark Hilton just to avoid waking up at an ungodly hour on Sunday, and also to snag a few additional Hilton and AGR points while I am at it. I have a reservation. On Saturday I will pick up my bag from my car in Metropark after we head back to NJ after dinner. Sunday I will leave the bag at the hotel for pickup on the way back from STM, and then head to Metropark to pick up my car.

Ok, but please don't hurt yourself with the car at Metropark. I'll be there too, so let me know if you need help lifting it. But my purpose will be to drive home.

If past experience still holds true, the bell captain at Hilton Newark is on the lower level (one level down from the lobby), which means sprinting across the street outside to/from Newark Penn Station rather than using the sky bridge.

That is why I keep a small model of the car in the glove compartment. They are much easier to pick up (Hey you asked for it )

I'll text you what car I am in on 160 after I board at MET on Saturday. Piotr are you joining 160 at NWK or MET?

last night 163 dropped down to $33 STM-MET just in case anyone is still thinking about making a reservation.

I am booked on 163 now STM-MET

MET

I take it I shouldn't have any problems other than raised eyebrows if I board 160 at Newark with a MET-NHV ticket.

Kevin,

I wouldn't expect any conductor to question you, even they even bother to actually lift the ticket between NWK & NYP. At worst, they might be concerned that you paid too much.

They'll most likely just think they forgot to lift your ticket before