Friday, March 26, 2010

Private Rail Cars: Los Angeles - Winslow AZ - Chicago, and the return.

Private Rail Cars - Pacific Sands and Pony Express


Winslow, AZ to Chicago, IL

May 15 - 20, 2010

Passengers may choose to travel from and to Los Angeles if desired. May 14-21

$2,950.00 per person round trip

Space for 18




Sleeper Pacific Sands - Party Car Pony Express















Pony Express - interior

Sit back and enjoy the sights as the rail cars travel across Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, a corner of Iowa, across the Mississippi River and into Illinois and the Windy City.

The private chef will prepare plenty of savory delights on board the Pony Express

While in Chicago you will have 2-1/2 days for shopping on Michigan Avenue, sightseeing at the Museum of Science and Industry, the Aquarium and other popular attractions. Best of all, a chance to experience Chicago's fine dining and music

Sleeping car Pacific Sands will be your hotel during our stay and breakfast will be served each morning on the Pony.

On the return trip the Pony Express will be taken off the train in Winslow, AZ. Pacific Sands will continue on to Los Angeles.

Passengers must be able to negotiate steps. Cars do not have wheelchair access.

Itinerary

Friday, May 14
6:45pm                Sleeper Pacific Sands and Party Car Pony Express depart Los Angeles Union Station Tr #4 the Southwest Limited. Dinner on the Pony

Saturday, May 15
6:00am                Passengers board in Winslow, AZ. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sunday, May 16
3:20pm               Arrive Chicago Union Station. Breakfast and lunch on the Pony. Passengers on their own for dinner. Sleeper Pacific Sands is your hotel while in Chicago.

Monday, May 17
Layover in Chicago. Breakfast served on the Pony.

Tuesday, May 18
Layover in Chicago. Breakfast served on the Pony.

Wednesday, May 19
3:15pm             Depart Chicago Union Station on Tr#3 the Southwest Chief. Dinner on the Pony

Thursday, May 20
7:50pm            Arrive Winslow, AZ. Pony Express taken off train and parked at La Posada Hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Pony. Pacific Sands continues to Los Angeles.

Friday, May 21
8:15am          Arrive Los Angeles Union Station. Light breakfast on the Pacific Sands.

BOOKINGS and more information - Private Rail Cars

Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Great value Private Rail Car journey, Washington DC to the Deep South




First Class Private Railcar Journey from Washington D.C. to SAVANNAH or CHARLESTO N

Thursday-Sunday, October 28-31, 2010

Join a weekend First Class voyage aboard the classic 1930s Pullman Dover Harbor railroad car to the charming coastal Deep South.

With this rail-only trip from D.C., you’ll choose your own tour destination—Charleston, South Carolina or Savannah, Georgia. Both cities offer a range of delights, including a full palette of history, cuisine, culture, and adventure.

Thursday October 28th
Washington Union Station      Departure mid-morningon with Amtrak’s Palmetto
Charleston or Savannah         Arrival late evening

Gracious white-jacketed stewards will serve you lunch and dinner, along with plentiful snacks and your choice of refreshing, made-to-order cocktails.

While on board, you can enjoy the ever-changing scenery and relax in the comfortable lounge or on the open-air vestibule.

Neither destination requires a car to see many of the architectural and historic sites or to enjoy delicious regional restaurants. You can tour either compact, enchanting city on foot after taxiing to a downtown hotel.

Alternatively you can rent a car to visit outlying sites or the Atlantic beaches—with advance reservation, Hertz has a taxi arrangement to their nearby rental facilities.

Sunday, October 31st 
Savannah                               Departure early morning on the northbound Palmetto
or
Charleston                             Departure mid-morning on the Palmetto
Washington Union                 Arrival evening

The onboard Halloween service will include a delectable brunch and dinner, along with cocktails and softer drinks.

GET YOUR 'EARLY BIRD' DISCOUNT
Save $40.00 per person when you reserve and pay by Saturday, August 28, 2010.

PER PERSON FARES (FIRST CLASS)
For round-trip rail travel only on Dover Harbor from Washington DC to Charleston or Savannah, including meals, snacks, beverages, wines, and spirits as described.

DCNRHS Member - special rates

Early Bird fare until August 28th                 $449
Regular fare after August 28th                     $489

Contact Private Rail Cars to book on this good value tour.


Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Trips on the Caritas Private Rail Car

High Iron 2010 Rare Mileage Trip Planner

Updated March 19, 2010
Below are firm trips, assuming sufficient patronage!
KENTUCKY DERBY SPECIAL
LOUISVILLE, KY APRIL 28-MAY 2, 2010

APRIL 28, WEDNESDAY 
DEPART: CHICAGO UNION STATION AMTRAK TRAIN 850 5:45 PM
ARRIVE: INDIANAPOLIS 11:50 PM

APRIL 29, THURSDAY 
DEPART: INDIANAPOLIS KENTUCKY DERBY SPECIAL 1:00 AM
ARRIVE: LOUISVILLE UNION STATION 8:30 AM
SIGHTSEEING—BUS AVAIABLE

APRIL 30, FRIDAY
DEPART: BUS TO CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR THE OAKS RACE 10:00 AM
ARRIVE: BUS BACK TO TRAIN AFTER OAKS RACE 6:00 PM

MAY 1, SATURDAY
DEPART: BUS TO CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY 10:00AM
ARRIVE: BUS BACK TO TRAIN AFTER KENTUCKY DERBY RACE 6:30 PM
DEPART: LOUISVILLE UNION STATION DERBY SPECIAL 10:00 PM

MAY 2, SUNDAY
ARRIVE: INDIANAPOLIS DERBY SPECIAL 5:00 AM
DEPART: INDIANAPOLIS AMTRAK TRAIN 851 6:30 AM
ARRIVE: CHICAGO UNION STATION 10:35 AM

The cost of $2,500/person does not include Derby tickets or meals off the train in Louisville, but does include all en route meals and an open bar on board. Equipment: Caritas.
HIGH IRON TRAVEL SOUTHERN EXPLORERS TRIP MAY 26-31, 2010
The 14th High Iron Explorers’ trip schedule is now firm. The Alabama & Gulf Railroad requires 3 days to cover their line, so the dates have changed slightly. The trip is actually Meridian, MS and back to Meridian with Amtrak connections there to bring in and take out the equipment. Se the positioning move details below for additional information on connections from and to Chicago and New Orleans

MAY 26, WEDNESDAY
11AM Equipment arrives on Amtrak #20 from New Orleans. KCS picks us up and takes us to Columbus, MS. Interchange with Alabama & Gulf RR.(AGR) Park overnight. (99 miles)

MAY 27, THURSDAY
8AM. Lv. on AGR special. Travel to Fountain, AL (ex-Frisco) where we park overnight. (166 miles)

MAY 28, FRIDAY

8AM Continue to Pensacola. Lay over in Pensacola. (102 miles)

MAY 29, SATURDAY

8AM Lv. Pensacola for Linden, AL to interchange with Meridian & Bigbee RR (M&BRR). (168 miles)

MAY 30, SUNDAY
8AM Lv. Linden for Montgomery on M&BRR, run engines around train and head west to Meridian. This is ex-Louisville & Nashville and Western RR of Alabama. (263 miles). Lay over in Meridian.

MAY 31, MONDAY
Equipment goes to New Orleans on Amtrak #19 at 3:11PM. Arr. New Orleans 7:38PM.

Fares: Meridian to Meridian: $5,750 per person, double occupancy. Roomette supplement: $250. All en route meals included.

Equipment:
Caritas (open platform obs. car)
Big dome
Cimarron River (roomettes and bedrooms)
Another sleeper, TBD
CHICAGO-PETOSKEY, MI VIA CINCINNATI JUNE 15-26
This trip operates on several short lines and regional railroads in reaching Petoskey.

JUNE 15, TUESDAY
Depart: CHICAGO UNION STATION AMTRAK #50 5:45PM

JUNE 16, WEDNESDAY
Arrive: CINCINNATI (Park at Boat House lead) 3:17AM

JUNE 17, THURSDAY

Cincinnati to Washington Court House (ex-B&O); thence ex-Detroit, Toledo & Ironton to Lima where we park overnight.

JUNE 18, FRIDAY

Continue north on ex-DT&I to Diann, thence on ex-Ann Arbor to Owasso where we park overnight.

JUNE 19, SATURDAY
Continue on AA to Cadillac where we get on the ex-PRR (Grand Rapids & Indiana) to Petoskey.

JUNE 20-22. 
Layover in Petoskey. Trip to Mackinac Island.

JUNE 23, WEDNESDAY

Depart Petoskey for Owosso.

JUNE 24, THURSDAY

Owosso to Lima

JUNE 25, FRIDAY

Lima to Cincinnati.

JUNE 26, SATURDAY
Depart: CINCINNATI on Amtrak #51 for Chicago. 1;10AM
Arrive: CHICAGO UNION STATION 10:35AM

Equipment: Caritas and Cimarron River. Fares: $3,450 double occupancy; roomette surcharge $350.


Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Excursions in Private Rail Cars in the USA



American Rail Excursions is offering an outstanding series of private rail car tours.

See America up close and personal while enjoying a comfortable seat in your room or the lounge.


All passengers enjoy private Pullman rooms with upper and lower berths and their own private enclosed bathroom.

Meals enroute are prepared fresh onboard by outstanding chef and served by attentive stewards. Premium beverage and snack service is included in your fare.

Enjoy rail travel formerly enjoyed by movie stars, industry moguls and sports stars. No airport or airline hassles.

A descriptive brochure is available. Please contact us via the Luxury Train Club with your your postal service mailing address and we will have a copy sent by first class mail.

You can order tours via The Luxury Train Club ;50% due with order and the balance due 45 days before beginning of your tour.

Washington, DC Cherry Blossom Special
April 6 – 11 from Chicago, fare $1,899 per person double occupancy in double bedroom
April 5 – 12 from St. Louis, Fare $1,999 per person double occupancy in double bedroom
Single occupancy and suites available. Please inquire.
Your hotel on wheels will be your private car parked in Washington Union Station which overlooks the Capitol Mall. You could not have a better or more convenient location.
Tour Washington via included Tourmobile step on step off trolley. Tour has stops at most all major buildings and Arlington Cemetery. For the first time on the Cherry Blossom tour our passengers will receive a two day instead of one day ticket. Historic Sites that can be seen/visited on Tourmobile step on step off trolley route are numerous and include:
Arlington Cemetery, Women in Military Memorial, Kennedy Family Grave Sites, Tomb of the Unknown, WW II Memorial, White House/White House Visitors Center and many others.
Southern Crescent and New Orleans Jazz Festival
April 24 – May 1 from Chicago, Fare $2,399 per person double occupancy in double bedroom.
April 23 – May 2 from St. Louis. Fare $2,499 per person double occupancy in double bedroom.
Single occupancy and suites available. Please inquire.

Your hotel on wheels will be your private car parked in Washington Union Station and then in New Orleans Union Station.
Visit Washington, DC enroute to New Orleans. Included is a day ticket for the Washington Tourmobile where you visit the same attractions listed above and then it is on to New Orleans via the Southern Crescent Route. You will enjoy New Orleans’ famous Jazz Festival. Ticket included. Also included is a New Orleans city tour with an outstanding guide (it is by deluxe coach so walking and standing is limited). See the hurricane destruction but more encouraging see New Orleans being rebuilt. Also included is a Mississippi River luncheon cruise on the paddlewheel steamboat Natchez. All three streetcar lines are back in operation for you to enjoy.

Niagara Rainbow
June 7 – 11 from Chicago. Fare $1,999 per person double occupancy in double bedroom.
June 6 – 12 from St. Louis. Fare $2,099 per person double occupancy in double bedroom.
Single occupancy and suites available. Please inquire.
Come join American Rail’s private rail passenger car tour to one of the most scenic and romantic attractions in the entire world. Millions have honeymooned at Niagara Falls. Others have come for the sheer majesty and power of the Falls. This tour includes a professionally guided day tour for each side of the falls and also a night at Canadian Hilton Hotel overlooking the Falls. You can visit the casino if you wish.
See Canadian Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Bridge Marooned since 1918, Upper Canadian Rapids, Niagara Power Plants, Sir Henry Oakes Garden, Whirlpool Rapids, Power Plant Disaster Area, Rainbow Bridge, Queen Victoria Park, Table Rock House and Upper Niagara Rapids, American Falls, Prospect Park, Rock Slide Disaster Area, Bridal Veil Falls, Lower Niagara River, Pathway Below The Falls, Boat Cruise, Honeymoon Bridge Remains, E. Dent Lackey Plaza, Three Sisters Islands, Upper Niagara Rapids and Table Rock.

Great Western Parks Tours
Tour A July 13 – 25
Tour B August 10 – 22
Tour C September 5 – 17
Thirteen days and twelve nights. Several nights in historic hotels inside the parks.
All three tours depart from and return to Chicago.
Fare $3,995 per person double occupancy in compartment.
Fare $4,395 per person double occupancy in double bedroom.
$250 additional per person, August and September departures.
Single occupancy and suites available. Please inquire.
These are tours for which we have had many, many requests. Order early to avoid disappointment. The Parks tour currently operating was a total sellout.
All three tours include ride on Heber Creeper steam Railroad. touring Grand Teton National Park, raft ride on Snake River, touring Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, visit to Fairmont Springs Spa, tour of Glacier National Park on the famous Red Jammer buses via the Going to the Sun Highway and cruise on Lake McDonald. This tour is expanded from the usual parks tours to give an opportunity to really see and photograph the natural wonders and wildlife of these magnificent parks. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Contact The Luxury Train Club for brochures and to book.
Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Friday, March 5, 2010

Explore northern Spain, its regional cuisine and rich culture in a private rail car / carriage


El Transcantabrico is a special little luxury train.


The comfortable double-bedded cabins have full attached bathrooms.

The Suite Privilege has, in addition, an exclusive lounge salon; this is the largest suite available in any regularly timetabled European luxury train.

Either going from Santiago de Compostela to Leon, or from Leon to Santiago, the magic of northern Spain awaits the traveller; from the lands of Castile and Leon, to the shores of the Bay of Biscay.

Gastronomy, art, monuments and landscapes are presented to the voyager from the comfort of a five-star train hotel, El Transcantabrico.

Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A private train charter or rail car - the best way to travel on Earth


Even those who do not declare a passion for rail travel often accept that there is something organic about trains.

Something that attracts and holds the attention as a locomotive powers past, hauling sleek modern or quainter heritage carriages.  A train on the move stirs wanderlust in all but the staunchest stay-at-homes.

This fascination would turn to envy if the watchers knew that some of these trains may be on private charter.

I will in the coming days write about various charter trains that we have run or train charters around the world.

Simon Pielow
Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel
Charter Trains - The Best Way to Travel on Earth