Enjoy a unique Memorial Day Weekend adventure of steam, diesel, and electric rail travel as we transit 8 states and visit Chicago, the capital city of U.S. Railroading, in a classic 1940s streamlined coach. This trip, hosted by nationally known railroader, author, historian, and curator John Hankey, is the first in what we hope will be a new series of “Railroad Adventure Trips” and reminiscent of some of our fan trips in the 1950s and 1960s.
Your journey begins with a Friday AM departure from Washington’s Union Station. This will represent the maiden voyage of our newest passenger car, the Franklin Inn, a 70+ seat coach built by the Budd Company in 1949 for the Pennsylvania Railroad. The outbound trip is behind Amtrak’s westbound Cardinal. Take pictures from the vestibule or enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your seat as we conquer the Blue Ridge Mountains and travel the New River Gorge (The Grand Canyon of the East) before passing the night in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana on our way to a morning arrival in Chicago. Each passenger will enjoy two side-by-side seats for sleeping. A box lunch, informal refreshments, snacks, and continental breakfast are included. Access to the Amtrak lounge/diner should be possible. Ride The CTA "L", or one of the many Metra lines to the suburbs for a day of railfanning. Shop north Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile. Visit world-famous Millennium Park, the Navy Pier, or the Museum of Science and Industry or relive the roaring 20's on the "Untouchables" tour. Saturday night stay at the hotel of your choice (sightseeing and hotel not included).
Sunday morning your adventure continues on the historic South Shore Electric Railroad, departing Randolph Street/Millennium Station aboard NICTD train #503 at 8:40 AM. After arrival at Hudson Lake, Indiana at 10:47 AM, you will board a chartered motor coach for the trip to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum (HVRM) at North Judson, Indiana. There you will have time for a quick lunch (individual settlement) before departing at 1 PM on a two-hour excursion behind legendary Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765 as it travels between North Judson and Lacrosse, Indiana on the former C&O Railway main line.
Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the exhibits and rolling stock of the HVRM and perhaps chase the train.
After dinner (individual settlement) Sunday evening, you will re-board our motor coach to South Bend to rejoin the Franklin Inn behind Amtrak’s eastbound Capitol Limited. Glide through the night across Ohio and Pennsylvania, crest the grade at Sand Patch, then charge down the Potomac River Valley arriving back in Washington, D.C. early Monday afternoon. Snacks and continental breakfast food will be available on the return trip. The morning run across the Alleghenies on the original route of the former B&O Railroad (now CSX) is considered one of the most impressive and scenic trips east of the Rocky Mountains.
Don’t delay, order today as this trip is a real value! (equivalent Amtrak coach fare alone is $190 for a single seat.)
NOTE: As of publication of this flyer, DCNRHS is working to arrange the logistics to have our group particpiate in the Sunday evening barbeque with the crews of the HRVM and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (owners of the 765) in the restoration shop at HRVM, but final plans and timing have not been worked out so we cannot guarantee this will take place.
Photo Credits: NICTD: Brian Gilleran – NKP No. 765 and Franklin Inn: J. Lilly – Chicago and Amtrak – William Hakkarinen
ROUND TRIP FARES DCNRHS Members: $269 Nonmembers $299 Windy City Limited — May 27-30, 2011 I’m ready to go! My reservation and payment are enclosed: Name: _______________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: ______________________________________________ Telephone: ¨ day ¨ evening __________________________________ Mobile phone (day of trip): ____________________________________ E-mail: ______________________________________________________ How I heard about trip: ¨ Other _____________________________________________________
NAMES OF ALL PASSENGERS (required): _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
PAYMENT METHOD ¨ Check payable to Washington, D.C. Chapter NRHS ¨ Charge to my Visa/Mastercard:
Card No.: __________________________________________________ Expiration Date: ___________________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________________
WINDY CITY LIMITED TICKETS (per person) # DCNRHS Member(s) at $ 269 = $ # Nonmember(s) at $ 299 = $ TOTAL AMOUNT: = $
BOARDING LOCATION: ¨ Washington, D.C. ¨ Other: _______________
Mail to: DCNRHS c/o Mike Martin, Reservation Agent 503 Mayfield Avenue West Chester, PA 19380-5211
For information, call 610-429-5858 or e-mail dover.agent@dcnrhs.org
CONDITIONS:
Chicago Hotel Infomation The following information is provided for your convenience only when making arrangements for Saturday evening. DCNRHS does not have a relationship and is not endorsing these hotels. There are many hotels. We recommend you stay in/near the loop for the convenience of being near our departure point on Sunday morning.
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