The Washington DC Chapter, National Railway Historical Society presents
PORTLAND!
A Private Car Rail Trip
from
WASHINGTON, D.C.
TO
PORTLAND, OR
FOR THE 2005 NRHS CONVENTION
Sunday, June 26, 2005 to Thursday, July 14, 2005
Relive the grand era of rail travel in the exclusive luxury and elegant comfort of the classic Pullman car Dover Harbor on a transcontinental rail odyssey from Washington DC to the City of Roses -- Portland. Whether you plan to attend Go by Train-- the 2005 National Railway Historical Society Convention or simply want a memorable vacation across the continent, Dover Harbor will transport you there in style.
Dover Harbor interior
Our journey begins with a mid-day departure from Washington DC on Sunday, June 26, 2005. Settle into the comfortable rhythms of the Cardinal and enjoy the beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge while heading west on the former Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. This historic line takes our train through the "Grand Canyon of the East"-- West Virginia's New River Gorge. Fall asleep to the gentle sway of the train and dream while traveling across Ohio and Indiana. Mid-morning on Monday brings arrival at Chicago's Union Station. You'll have two days in Chicago to explore many of the city's sights.
At mid-afternoon on Wednesday, we'll depart on the route of the California Zephyr crossing the Mississippi River into Iowa at dinner time, and the open plains of Nebraska through the night. Soon after waking on Thursday morning, the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains will loom just ahead, as we approach the Mile High City-- Denver. After breakfast, our train takes us along the former Denver & Rio Grande Western route on a journey that has been described as the most beautiful train trip in North America. Our train climbs up into the mountains to cross the Continental Divide, then through the magnificent Gore, Glenwood and Ruby Canyons. In the afternoon, we'll pass into Utah, then descend through the horseshoe loops at Soldier Summit on our way to Salt Lake City. We'll pass into the Nevada desert during the night; you'll wake on Friday morning in the western part of the state. By afternoon, we'll cross the Sierra Nevadas over Donner Pass, constructed as part of the Transcontinental Railroad by Chinese and Irish laborers, into the fertile valleys of California to an evening arrival at Emeryville on Friday, July 1st. There we will transfer to the Waterfront Plaza Hotel at Oakland's Jack London Square for two night's stay allowing you two full days for independent sightseeing in the San Francisco Bay area.
On Sunday evening, Dover Harbor will head north from Emeryville with Amtrak's Coast Starlight. We'll travel into the night through Northern California, and wake in the waterfall jeweled mountain scenery of the Cascade Range. We'll follow the Willamette River Valley on it's 75 mile descent to our destination of Portland, arriving at mid-afternoon on Monday, July 4th, in plenty of time for the convention activities.
Columbia River Gorge
Dover Harbor will leave the City of Roses in late afternoon on Sunday, July 10th with Amtrak train #8, The Empire Builder. Enjoy cocktails and dinner as we head east along the majestic Columbia River Gorge. Overnight, we'll pass through Idaho; awake among the splendor of the Rockies in the Montana 'Big Sky' country. We'll continue along the former Great Northern Railway's 'Evergreen Scenic Route' across North Dakota to Wisconsin for an afternoon arrival in Chicago on Tuesday, July 12, 2005, where we'll spend the night.
Enjoy a full day of independent sightseeing in Chicago on Wednesday, July 13th. That evening, the trip's final leg begins when Dover Harbor departs on the eastbound Capitol Limited. Our train races across Indiana and Ohio to Pittsburgh during the night. From there, we climb up over the mountains via the former Baltimore & Ohio route to the Allegheny Summit at Sand Patch; then onward to Cumberland and along the Potomac River Valley then to a noon-time arrival at Washington on July 14th.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All passengers will dine and use the comfortable lounge of the Dover Harbor. Sleeping accommodations for this trip's overnight portions are Dover Harbor's Classic Pullman Double Bedrooms, which sleep two persons in an upper and lower berth. Each bedroom has its own washbasin and toilet.
PACKAGE OPTIONS AND PER PERSON PRICES
ROUND TRIP PACKAGE: Includes round trip travel, accommodations (double occupancy), beverages and meal service while en route.
Chapter Member: $5,149.00
Nonmember: $5,449.00
ONE WAY-- Washington DC to Portland, OR: Includes one way travel from Washington, DC to Portland, accommodations (double occupancy), beverages and meal service onboard while en route.
Chapter Member: $3,649.00
Nonmember: $3,819.00
ONE WAY-- Portland, OR to Washington DC: Includes one way travel from Portland to Washington, DC, accommodations (double occupancy), beverages and meal service onboard while en route.
Chapter Member: $2,669.00
Nonmember: $2,869.00
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!
Make your reservation and payment by March 31, 2005 and deduct three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) per person round trip, or one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per person for one way fares! Payment must be made by cash, check or money order for this offer. Early Bird discount applies only to round trip and one way fares between Washington and Portland.
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE CONDITIONS ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
Click here for a printable reservation application in a new window.
1. Package includes rail transportation from Washington, DC to Portland, OR and/or return; sleeping or lounge seat accomodations depending upon fare class while en route; two nights lodging at the Waterfront Plaza Hotel in Oakland, CA, July 1 & 2, 2005; and meals, snacks, beverages, wines and spirits while en route aboard the rail car only. A detailed train schedule with all provided meals will be sent two weeks prior to departure.
2. Passengers must make their own arrangements for meals, activities, and ground transportation while in Chicago and Oakland, and in addition, for Portland, accomodations and convention activities.
3. Operator has no control over transportation companies and other vendors providing services for this trip, thus it must be understood that changes can occur in the schedule, equipment dates, routes and accomodations without notice.
4. An initial deposit of one third of the fare is required at time of reservation. Reservations will not be guaranteed without deposit. This deposit is nonrefundable after May 1, 2005.
5. Payment of full fare is due by May 1, 2005. If the full payment is not received by this date, the reservation will be deemed cancelled and the deposit will be forfeited.
6. No refund of payments will be made after May 1, 2005, other than by operator's cancellation of the trip or reselling of the space. Increased costs have resulted in significantly higher long distance trip costs. In order to keep passenger fares reasonable, a minimum number of tickets need to be sold. In the unlikely event enough tickets are not sold, you will be notified by April 15, 2005 and your entire payment refunded without further obligation on our part.
7. Reservations are not transferable and may not be resold without the written consent of the operator.
8. Cancellation and refund requests must be made in writing. A refund processing fee of 10% of fare paid will be charged for all refunds prior to the no refund date.
9. Package fares are per person, double occupancy. The single supplement for the double bedroom accommodations is equal to the applicable per person double occupancy fare.
10. Passengers may board at intermediate station stops; please notify ticket agent if you are planning to board at a station other than Washington, D.C.
11. Passengers wishing to travel on segments other than published should contact the agent for availability/fares.
12. Smoking is not permitted aboard the private rail cars, except in the car vestibule. Smoking is also permitted on station platforms at Amtrak designated smoking stops.
13. Physically challenged passengers requiring special assistance or those with special dietary needs must advise the reservations agent in writing at the time of booking. Operator requires those passengers requiring special assistance from others to travel with someone who is able to assist them.
14. The operator suggests that passengers independently obtain trip cancellation insurance to cover cancellations resulting from personal emergencies, illness, or other similar causes.
15. A $35 fee will be assessed for checks returned for insufficient funds.
16. The Washington D.C. Chapter, NRHS and its representatives act only as agents for the passengers with respect to rail transportation, food services and other services offered; as such, hold themselves free of liability for any injury, delay, loss or damage from any cause whatsoever.
The Washington DC Chapter, Inc., National Railway Historical Society, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to expanding public appreciation of railroads and their history, has operated successful rail travel programs for over fifty years. This trip will be staffed by experienced Chapter members who will provide service in the Pullman tradition of excellence. We look forward to having you aboard.
About the Dover Harbor
The Dover Harbor was originally constructed by the Pullman Company of Chicago in 1923 as a combine, baggage-library car named the Maple Shade. The eighty-one foot, eighty-seven ton car had a four section, twelve seat lounge, a barber shop and a baggage area. The car operated on the Pennsylvania Railroad until 1934 when it was rebuilt to its current configuration of six double bedrooms, buffet, lounge and renamed Dover Harbor. The car, one of over eight thousand once owned and operated by the Pullman Company was then assigned to service on the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1954, Dover Harbor was assigned to operate between Washington and Montreal on the Montrealer and the Washingtonian. Dover Harbor remained in service until December, 1966.
The Washington D.C. Chapter, NRHS purchased the Dover Harbor in 1979. Chapter members have worked to restore the car to its 1934 appearance. In addition, its mechanical systems have been brought up to date; the car is currently certified for travel on Amtrak trains for speeds up to 110 MPH. Today, Dover Harbor is the last of the Pullman heavyweight revenue service cars still in main line railroad service. Tax deductible donations for the continued restoration of the car are greatly appreciated.
In addition to trips such as these, the Dover Harbor is also available for mobile or stationary charter. For more information, please contact:
Washington, D.C. Chapter,
National Railway Historical Society
c/o Mike Martin, Reservation Agent
503 Mayfield Avenue
West Chester, PA 19380-5211
610-429-585
ROUND TRIP PACKAGE: Includes round trip travel, accommodations (double occupancy), beverages and meal service while en route. 
ONE WAY-- Washington DC to Portland, OR: Includes one way travel from Washington, DC to Portland, accommodations (double occupancy), beverages and meal service onboard while en route.
ONE WAY-- Portland, OR to Washington DC: Includes one way travel from Portland to Washington, DC, accommodations (double occupancy), beverages and meal service onboard while en route.
1. Package includes rail transportation from Washington, DC to Portland, OR and/or return; sleeping or lounge seat accomodations depending upon fare class while en route; two nights lodging at the Waterfront Plaza Hotel in Oakland, CA, July 1 & 2, 2005; and meals, snacks, beverages, wines and spirits while en route aboard the rail car only. A detailed train schedule with all provided meals will be sent two weeks prior to departure. 
