Ticketing update for Joliet Rocket with NKP 765...

Awesome.  

Finally some good news. I really hope I can make it this year. I was ill last year and missed it.

I am glad it is still going to happen. I am looking forward to the event.

Was there any thought of using Metra bilevel cars with an HEP equiped locomotive at one end?  Yes, not a classic car lineup.  But one could move more people at perhaps less cost per seat?

You can ride a bi-level any day of the week in Chicago. In a market saturated with trains already, replicating that experience is neither advisable nor cost effective.

Is Metra the only mainline railroad you can run on for now? Is NS no longer allowing steam excursions? Now Amtrak has banned most excursions as well. CSX and G&W aren’t really excursion friendly. I guess you’re still going to CVSR after Chicago.

Robert, advise to cool your keyboard for a while. Asking the same questions and posting the same things relentlessly won't change a thing.

nathansixchime posted:

You can ride a bi-level any day of the week in Chicago. In a market saturated with trains already, replicating that experience is neither advisable nor cost effective.

I always thought it would be better to chase this train rather than ride what felt like a regular commuter train!

BTW:

You've got your first Car Host! 

Railfan Brody posted:

nathansixchime posted:

You can ride a bi-level any day of the week in Chicago. In a market saturated with trains already, replicating that experience is neither advisable nor cost effective.

I always thought it would be better to chase this train rather than ride what felt like a regular commuter train!

 

BTW:

You've got your first Car Host! 

One would have been hard pressed to chase those 614 trips, considering all the 90 MPH running it did. 

Hot Water posted:

One would have been hard pressed to chase those 614 trips, considering all the 90 MPH running it did. 

Good one HW. 

I'll agree that I find it pretty hard to read some of my previous topics!

Hot Water posted:

Railfan Brody posted:

nathansixchime posted:

You can ride a bi-level any day of the week in Chicago. In a market saturated with trains already, replicating that experience is neither advisable nor cost effective.

I always thought it would be better to chase this train rather than ride what felt like a regular commuter train!

 

BTW:

You've got your first Car Host! 

One would have been hard pressed to chase those 614 trips, considering all the 90 MPH running it did. 

I was happy to pay extra to ride behind 614 in an open window car at 79 mph.  MUCH better than chasing!

Sales are on. May 9th. Ticket prices and accomodations here: http://fortwaynerailroad.org/the-joliet-rocket-2018/

Kelly, that's great news in light of all the recent happenings.

This is great news! Thanks for keeping us informed. 

Looks like they have lots of vintage passenger cars for the trip. I wonder how they gathered them without Amtrak's involvement. I am buying a ticket for the Superdome car.

Chicago is an Amtrak terminal and they'll exchange the cars with Metra at Union Station as they did last year.

Hot Water posted:

One would have been hard pressed to chase those 614 trips, considering all the 90 MPH running it did. 

You could do it in the Dakotas.

Kent in SD

Two23 posted:

Hot Water posted:

One would have been hard pressed to chase those 614 trips, considering all the 90 MPH running it did. 

You could do it in the Dakotas.

 Since 614 is a coal burner, I doubt it will EVER be running in the Dakotas, especially since it has never been west of Chicago.

Kent in SD

765 and 844 will literally be the only mainline steam locomotives running this year. 261 trip was just denied by Amtrak. 611 might be parked as well if Amtrak denies them. At least in my area there are lots of tourist lines to ride within a reasonable drive. I just rode a diesel photo freight from Port Clinton to near Hazleton last Saturday. 425 is running this year, there is a Rotary trip from Mountain Top to Jim Thorpe Sept 22, and Schuylkill Haven 20 mile trips late September, and the Reading to Jim Thorpe October trains. 2102 is supposed to be running by next year. Reading and Northern is a great operation. They don't mind operating excursions for the public.  

We've finalized our passenger train consist and member pre-sales began today. Ticket sales begin tomorrow at 6PM Eastern. Check out the cars HERE.

Tickets are now on sale. Click here to book your trip!

Don't wait too long to sign up; companies are buying out entire sections of cars.  I signed in fifteen minutes after the site opened and two cars were sold on all four trips.  As Scott Mann says: "You snooze, you lose".