Travel in luxury rail cars from Chicago

DATES:  July 19th & July 26th, 2011 TIME: Depart Amtrak MSP Station on July 19th* (map) Depart Chicago Union Station on July 26th* *all times are subject to that days train status and are not controled by the Friends

The Friends of the 261 are sending its entire fleet of Amtrak certified cars  to Rock Island, IL for Train Festival 2011. To help with the cost of moving the  fleet and crew to Chicago for the festival, the Friends are selling individual  tickets to and from Chicago, with limited stops available at Winona and  Milwaukee. You will be riding in style as we move SEVEN LUXURY RAIL CARS  to Chicago. Passengers will be able to roam from car-to-car, enjoying an  entire PRIVATE TRAIN. Due to flooding out West, Amtrak is running  short trains, allowing the Friends to move three more private cars than  our normal maximum of 4 (totaling 7).  We will be offering food and  beverage service along the way, complimentary with your ticket purchase. This is one rare occasion you do not want to miss!   Because this is a special move, stops are limited to Winona and Milwaukee.  The train will depart MSP at 8am on July 19th, please arrive AT LEAST  15 minutes early. It is scheduled to arrive in Chicago at approximately  3:55pm. On July 26th, the train is scheduled to depart 2:10pm and arrive  in MSP around 10:30pm.  Tickets: $149.00 One way to Milwaukee/Chicago July 19th, 2011  $149.00 One way to Minneapolis July 26th, 2011  $289.00 Round Trip Milwaukee/Chicago July 19th-July 26th, 2011 For Tickets please call, RHMA at 651-765-9812  between 9am and 4pm  Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, Inc. 4322 Lake Point Court Shoreview, Minnesota 55126

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

The Prince's Carriage in Morocco

 

 

 

Train Chartering and Private Rail Cars offer the the Prince's Carriage in Morocco.

 

The Carriage can be added to a scheduled train or run as a special 'royal' train across the whole Moroccan rail network.

 

The Carriage has 

- conference or dining table for up to 20 persons

- screen and projector

- be used as a saloon car with dining table for up to 12 people

- a bedroom with two bunk beds

- a fully equipped kitchen.

 

The carriage can run by itself or with modern first class carriages.

Private Conference Cars on Trains in Europe

                                                                 Conference Car in Germany

It is possible to hire conference cars in several European countries, such as France, Germany and Switzerland.

Meetings during the journey are an efficient use of time; equally the cars can be for private dining or other hospitality.

Train Chartering

The Silk Road by Private Train

 

The Silk Road by Private Train

 

 

MOSCOW - VOLGOGRAD - KARA KUM - KHIVA - ASHGABAT - MERV - BUKHARA - SAMARKAND - TASHKENT - ALMATY - URUMCHI - TURPAN - DUNHUANG - JIAYUGUAN - XIAN - BEIJING

 

Crossing both Russia and China as well as some of the remotest former Soviet Republics - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This epic 21 day, 11,000 kms journey by private train travels through an ever-changing landscape and takes in some of the most magnificent, yet little visited, sights and oasis cities from the ancient world.   
 

 2011 Silk Road Tour Dates 

September 20 - October 10 (Moscow - Beijing)

 

2011 Silk Road Sector Tour Dates 

September 20 - October 2 (Moscow - Almaty)

October 2 - October 10 (Urumchi - Beijing)

Silk Road Tour Inclusions

Services of an Experienced Tour Manager

 Five-Star Hotel Accommodation in Moscow (2 nights) and Beijing (3 nights)

 On Board Private Train Accommodation (15 nights)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily

Generous Allowance of Drinks with Lunch & Dinner at all times

Full Off-Train Excursion Programme

24 Hour Cabin Service

Complimentary Tea, Coffee & Bottled Water

Tour Doctor

All Gratuities

 

CONTACT THE LUXURY TRAIN CLUB for further details

1/3 of a million views of our Flickr photo stream

Our Flickr photo stream is possibly the largest web resource of views of passengers rail carriages, both internal and external, as well as carriage plans. 

Over the (Niagara) Falls

The Hickory Creek private rail car - classic travel in the USA

Join the Hickory Creek for a cruise through the Hudson River Valley during peak fall foliage season to Niagara Falls.

Passengers will enjoy the views from Hickory Creek's 'Lookout Lounge' as the train travels through the scenic country along the original 'Water Level Route' to the Falls.

Schedule
Thursday September 30 2010
New York City, Penn Station            depart 9:45AM on the rear of the Amtrak Train #281
Sunday October 3
Niagara Falls                                   depart 7:05AM on the rear of Amtrak train #284

Fares                $649 per passenger

Hickory Creek rail car - master bedroom

Stay at Niagara Falls in the Hickory Creek!
$150 per person per night in one of the two Master Bedrooms (double bed, includes breakfast), double occupancy only, 3 nights occupancy required.

Other passengers are responsible for their own hotel accommodations.

Book via Private Rail Cars

The 'crystal bar' of the Overland Trail

I gave the quarter-circle bar on the Overland Trail the name 'crystal bar', given its appearance by night and the effect of the mirror.

It is easy to imagine the beguiling ambience in the rail car as it travels through the night.  Passengers will be enjoying the conviviality, comfortable to know that their bedrooms (with attached bathrooms) await them in the adjoining luxury sleeper / lounge car.

The Overland Trail is a 39-seat Club Lounge with (uniquely) a Barbershop and shower.  Barbershops were once a feature of the great trains of the USA.  It was built by the Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Company for the Southern Pacific Railroad in December 1949.

There are 16 seats at 4 tables as well as loose club chairs.  Original murals set the scene in this classic rail car.
More photos here

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

Private rail car Tioga Pass used for The City of Ember

Train Chartering - Private rail car Tioga Pass used for The City of Ember, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

The brass band playing, signs saying "For The Good Of All Mankind", falg flying - launching the movie The City of Ember with Bill Murray. All rather surreal, but utterly memorable.

Cool and retro - Private rail car used for movie launch

Train Chartering - Private rail car Overland Trail used for The City of Ember, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

This private rail car, the Overland Trail, was supplied by Private Rail Cars www.privaterailcars.net for the launch of The City of Ember by Fox Pictures.

Cool - retro: Private rail car used for movie launch on the US WestCoast

Train Chartering - Private rail car Overland Trail used for The City of Ember, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

This private rail car, the Overland Trail, was supplied by Private Rail Cars for the launch of The City of Ember by Fox Pictures.

Private Rail Car travel - New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, DC and White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia or Chicago

Greenbrier Getaway - In Style to Chicago

Between New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, DC

& White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia   {Chicago} 

Private charters available, depart/return any Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

Featuring first-class travel aboard classic Pullman Parlor-Observation Car "Kitchi Gammi Club"

              

Choose either a relaxing deluxe railway journey to The Greenbrier Resort, where ladies and gentlemen still experience traditional southern elegance and grace, or a train enthusiast's overnight round trip through to Chicago.

Visit one of America's favourite resorts as well as the last of the great railroad hotels, once a common sight throughout the USA.  

The award-winning Greenbrier Resort, 6,500 acres in the scenic Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, has just reopened following a $50 million renovation project. 

The Greenbrier is world renowned for its fine cuisine, lavish interior decor and grand public spaces.  Breakfast and dinner in the main dining room are elegant events to remember.  Choose to relax in one of many cozy lobby areas about the hotel...treat yourself to a spa treatment, a golf outing....or participate in wide selection of additional activities available for your enjoyment.  Complimentary options include a hotel tour, indoor swimming pool and fitness center, afternoon tea, holiday concert, evening first-run movies and happy hour Hors d'oeuvres.

The resort's newest amenity "The Tavern Casino" is now open and ready for your enjoyment.  Try your luck at this intimate guests-only venue offering table games, including Blackjack and Roulette in addition to 44 slots.

A highlight of your visit will be a fascinating tour of the once top-secret cold war "Bunker" meant to house the United States Congress in the event of a nuclear threat.

  

It's a wonderful railway journey as the "Cardinal" train leaves the industrial northeast behind and climbs into the rugged mountains of Virginia and West Virginia.  

You'll cross the mighty Susquehanna River, travel along the historic Washington Mall, cross the Potomac River, pass the immense Pentagon, call on quaint Charlottesville--home of Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia and reach the summit of verdant Afton Mountain.  

Guests traveling through to Chicago will especially enjoy a Sunday morning daylight jaunt through the spectacularly scenic New River Gorge. 

       

Travel in comfort aboard the classic 1923 Pullman "Kitchi Gammi Club".

Greenbrier guests may relax on a sofa while Chicago guests experience a traditional Pullman berth.  Afternoon tea service and delicious meals are prepared and served onboard.

Reserve now to join an elegant getaway to the renowned Greenbrier Resort, or cosmopolitan Chicago.

Simon Pielow

Trainvangelist for Quality Rail Travel

The Best Way to Travel on Earth

Train Chartering's Flickr photostream hits 200,000 views

Pullman Orient Express - Train Bleu, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

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, FRIDAYDEPART: BUS TO CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR THE OAKS RACE 10:00 AM ARRIVE: BUS BACK TO TRAIN AFTER OAKS RACE 6:00 PM MAY 1, SATURDAYDEPART: 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, SUNDAYARRIVE: 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

Rheingold - German charter train, panoramic dome car

Rheingold - German charter train, panoramic dome car, originally uploaded by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars.

The Rheingold is a very special train based in Germany but able to travel across much of eastern Europe and Italy.
Private Rail Cars can arrange for this and other carriages to be added to regular, scheduled train services, some of which are cross-border.

Private Rail Cars lists on Luxury Train Club

Private Rail Cars is now featured on the Luxury Train Club website.

Train Chartering’s Luxury Train Club is now offering the hire or charter of Private Rail Cars in various countries around the world, on 4 continents.

I believe private rail car hire is largely unknown outside the rail industry. A simple truth in few words: a private rail car is the best way to travel on Earth.

  

This new entry in the Luxury Train Club covers the following key areas:

-       What is private car hire?

-       What types of private rail car are there?

-       Where are the rail cars available for private hire?

-       Who generally hires private rail cars?

-       Why hire a private rail car?

-        Who can supply a rail car or carriage for private use?

The Luxury Train Club is the concierge service for luxury train travel.  The Club offers comprehensive guest and project management services for all private charter trains and private carriages. Our project directors are great communicators, both to clients and suppliers.  They liaise with station staff and train crew.  The Luxury Train Club also organises private waiting facilities at or near stations as well as other tailored catering, theming, and entertainment options, according to specific client requirements. 

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

Where can a private rail car be hired?

The following countries are those in which private rail cars or carriages can be hired.  There are a number of other places where it is possible – ask for advice

Australia – Routes available for private carriage hire

 

 Australia - Luxury private rail car routes

Brazil – Rail car experience map - not a common experience, but worthy of being listed!

 

The Great Brazil Express - a little luxury in a huge country

Canada – Private rail cars can travel across the Via Rail network

 

The Via Rail map

Russia - Part of the Russian rail network available to private rail car hire.

Rail Map of Russian Railways around Moscow

Switzerland – Part of the Swiss rail network over which private carriages operate.

Rail map of most of the Swiss railway network

United Kingdom – Private train carriages can be reserved on many rail services such as London to Scotland.

The UK's East Coast mainline railway

United States of America – Private rail cars can be hired for these routes in the US

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