Amtrack for North Carolina Woodworker events?

Amtrack for NCWW events? · 06-09-2009, 01:36 PM

I been mulling this over for a while, thought I'd throw this out.

We have lots of fun events that are in various parts of the state we don't happen to live near. Since, odds are good they are not going to be relocated to the park next to my house.....

What do folks think about the Amtrack Passagener train?

No suggestions needed about Hobos and car hopping

Things such as the Spring and Fall Picnics, Shop Crawls, MWTCA Gatherings and more come to mind.

It would require a bit of coordination. It might also affect times for events to work around the train schedule, when possible.

If we had a train option, would that inspire people to attend things they'd othrewise pass on?

So, what do ya'll think? How would you see it working?

Jim

Here is a list of stations in North Carolina.
1. Burlington, NC (BNC)
2. Charlotte, NC (CLT)
3. Cary, NC (CYN)
4. Durham, NC (DNC)
5. Fayetteville, NC (FAY)
6. Gastonia, NC (GAS)
7. Greensboro, NC (GRO)
8. Hamlet, NC (HAM)
9. Kannapolis, NC (KAN)
10. Raleigh, NC (RGH)
11. Rocky Mount, NC (RMT)
12. Salisbury, NC (SAL)
13. Selma - Smithfield, NC (SSM)
14. Southern Pines, NC (SOP)
15. Wilson, NC (WLN)
16. Winston - Salem, NC (WNS)
17. High Point, NC (HPT)
18. Winston - Salem State Univerity, NC (UWS)
19. Raleigh - North Carolina State Fair, NC (NSF)
20. Lexington - Barbecue Festival, NC (LEX)

CarvedTones · 06-09-2009, 01:51 PM

But be aware that there are two lines - N/S and E/W that cross in Raleigh with a tremendous layover between them. I think people might do it because it could make the trip part of the activity if enough people would be traveling together.

I have taken the train to DC, my wife and I once took it to Denver and we went with our oldest (before the triplets were born) to Disney World.

Sully · 06-09-2009, 03:32 PM

We ain't got none of them there fancy locomotives out'n these parts.
J

thrytis · 06-09-2009, 04:16 PM

How much lumber or tools will they let you carry on?

The train isn't a bad idea. The tickets aren't too bad. My wife and daughter recently went from Kannapolis to Cary for under $30 for both (one way). The trick would be the schedule though. I think it only runs once or twice a day.

Tarhead · 06-09-2009, 08:24 PM

If you're an Amtrak Guest Rewards member like me you get "Power Points" all summer. The only way to get from Kannapolis to the State Fair or from NYC to Philadelphia, Baltimore and DC. Loves me a Quiet Car and a Sprint card for my laptop!

TracyP · 06-09-2009, 08:29 PM

I voted Yes, I have never taken the Train, but it would or could be an interesting experience.

dick541 · 06-09-2009, 08:49 PM

I love trains but, How do you get someplace after you get where you are going. rent a car? NO. I will take my Prius, at 50+ mpg I think I can out run the train anyday.
dick

Tarhead · 06-09-2009, 08:50 PM

Tracy,
Interesting is taking Amtrak's Crescent roundtrip from Charlotte to New Orleans. Definitely an "Interesting" crowd taking the trains to a large professional meeting in NO ~10 years ago. 90%+ were going to the same meeting I was. Great networking, food and bar service. After 16 hrs on the train I had to keep one leg on the floor to keep from falling out of the bed when I got to the hotel.
Earthquakes in the Big Easy????

Amtrak legs...yeah...that's the ticket

Gotcha6 · 06-09-2009, 09:44 PM

All the stations you show listed are east of I-77. What about the western part of the state? I don't think Tweetsie gets this far east.

I'm also not sure about other passenger services in the area.

froglips · 06-09-2009, 10:00 PM

I just went to the Amtrack website and tried to find stations in NC. It might not reflect all the options out there.

I think you can check baggage under the train, so maybe there'd be room for a few boards or a unisaw ....

We would need to work out what to do on the other end of the trip. Rent a van, a few locals with cars, hold the picnic at the train station

My hope is to guage interest to see if its worth putting some effort into coming up with some ways to do it.

Jim

Originally Posted by Gotcha6

All the stations you show listed are east of I-77. What about the western part of the state? I don't think Tweetsie gets this far east. I'm also not sure about other passenger services in the area.

RandyJ · 06-09-2009, 10:01 PM

The train is a great way to travel, if you're not in a hurry. Took a couple of trips to Disney World (Fla) with my daughter many moons ago. We were rested, relaxed, and ready to go when we got there. No nap needed to recover from a long drive. I napped during the trip!

Would do it again in a heartbeat.

gator · 06-10-2009, 08:27 AM

At the risk of moderation, I will say that one of the worst things the US transportation industry has done was to reduce the passenger rail service throughout the country.

I used to travel fairly extensively by train in the '50s and '60s. It was relaxing and fun. Rail travel today could a cheaper form of transportation and more available to the masses if we still had the network we used to have.

George

ashley_phil · 06-10-2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Tarhead

If you're an Amtrak Guest Rewards member like me you get "Power Points" all summer. The only way to get from Kannapolis to the State Fair or from NYC to Philadelphia, Baltimore and DC. Loves me a Quiet Car and a Sprint card for my laptop!

do you have any more info on the rides to the state fair? i'm thinking that would be awesome

Tarhead · 06-10-2009, 10:55 AM

Phil I'm mobile so can't give you a link but Google: Carolinian, Train, NC State Fair
It drops you off and boards right at the Fair. Way cool for little (and big) boys.