With us scattered about each host city in different hotels, we need to agree on where to meet each morning. Looking at our itinerary, here is where we should plan on getting together each morning.

Sunday 7/17/11: Meet aboard Crescent, as we get on at various stops. Those who start out from cities with Club Acela will meet in there.

Monday 7/18/11: Those coming from Northeast points will wake up aboard the Crescent. Anyone in Atlanta can either meet us at the Amtrak station shortly past 8 AM, or just join us at MARTA's Five Points Station a little before 11 AM as we begin our official travels together on MARTA.

Tuesday 7/19/11: Meet at Atlanta Amtrak station. Remember, the train leaves 8:38 AM, so time must be left for a possible multiseat ride (MARTA heavy rail then bus) to the station. To be safe I would plan on getting there no later than 8 AM, and anticipate long lines in the crowded station.

Wednesday 7/20/11: Our only full day in New Orleans. We're starting with the old standard St. Charles Streetcar, so the best place to meet is the first & last stop at the near corner of Carondelet and Canal. Since we start on the 9:38 AM trip, let's try to get there about 9:20 or so.

Thursday 7/21/11: We have the morning off today. No group activity is planned. As it's the halfway point of the trip, I know I'm doing laundry! Since the City of New Orleans departs at 1:45 PM, I would suggest having lunch on your own around 12 Noon or sooner, and then making your way to the Amtrak station. We can meet in the Magnolia Room, or outside it as a few will be taking this day trip in coach class.

Friday 7/22/11: Our only day in Memphis, and one where there is plenty of time to kill. We'll want to sleep later following the late night arrival the night before. With the recent flooding, I hope we can proceed with the activities planned. As of now, I have us starting at 11 AM, so what we should do is meet at Central Station perhaps 10:30 AM or so, check or store our luggage in advance of the Friday night Amtrak departure, and then set out on our day's activities.

Saturday 7/23/11: We wake up aboard the City of New Orleans, and come into Chicago mid-morning. Those already in Chicago who wish to join us can meet us upon arrival. Many of the arrivals will wish to check-in at the Metropolitan Lounge first to store luggage. If we are on time and can do all the tentative rail-related activities, we would be starting out walking from Union Station at about 9:45 AM, going to the Quincy CTA station. If we arrive in Chicago later, we'll hang until 11:15 or so, then make our way over to Ogilvie TC for lunch and the METRA round trip.

All of these sound great to me. I got centrally located hotels in each city.

In Atlanta, after a quick search on yelp, it looks like there is not much in the way of restaurants around the Amtrak station. Hopefully, breakfast would be served on the Crescent upon departure of Atlanta. Of course if the train is late, all bets are off.

I scoped out the area in New Orleans. The intersection of Carondelet and Canal (the former continues as Bourbon Street on the other side) is quite busy, and it has both the St. Charles (green) and Canal (red) streetcars. We should meet starting 9:10-9:15 or so on the Carondelet near corner, on the side of Lady Foot Locker. Not to be confused with regular Foot Locker, which is across Canal on the Bournon corner. Try to have ticket purchased by 9:30 AM so we can catch the car at 9:38 .