Boston and New England USA Nov 2012

[gregh]

We'll be in Boston during November and then using Amtrak to get to Tucson AZ.
Shawn has kindly invited us to the Kittatinny GR. Anyone have any suggestions for other GR or full scale RR museums etc in the New England area ?

 

[Sandy]

My favourite is the Mount Washington Cog railway, oldest rack and pinion in the world, I have the longest model cog railway in the world so it always draws me. My wife was there a couple of days ago.....without me so I am hoping for some good pics. USA Trains are just outside Boston aka Charles Ro Supply Company. Massive shop huge stocks, very little European understandably. Their steel wheels are excellent value and quality, chrome especially. Have a good trip!

 

[funandtrains]

The Mount Washington Railway is a must and there are at least two preserved standard gauge lines not far from it in New Hampshire.
There is a 2' gauge narrow gauge museum in Maine.
It is also well worth a trip up to Montreal just to see the city but there is a railway museum there as well.

 

[robsmorgan]

Hi Greg

Think I mentioned this to you before, but worth a visit if you are anywhere near the Connecticut River above New Haven...... (which isn't too far south from Boston) When we were last there the paddle steamer wasn't running (late June) but an alternative cruise was included....... On the rail trip go for the nominal charge 1st Class option and enjoy a drink in the swivelling chairs

EDIT : I meant to add that the services running in November/December are mostly Santa Specials :thinking: or Learn-To-Drive-a-Loco courses - check link below

Regards
Rob

http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/

 

[funandtrains]

I have just re-read your message and realised that you are going in november in which case there is a good chance that there will be thick snow so don't count on much outdoor running. I still remember when I went to Mount Washington just at the end of September and caught the first snow fall. The journey started out sunny but by the time the train had reached the top it was a total white out with thick horizontal snow! Quite an experience as they closed the line down for the day after they got everybody back on the trains with 6 inches of snow falling in an hour and blowing into drifts several feet deep!

 

[Ian Powell]

There is a small museum plus a static Southern Pacific 2-6-0 Mogul on site at Tucson Station. One of the voluntary helpers, Ken Karrels runs a B&B at his ranch with sleeping quarters in an SP caboose.
A garden railway also. Good friends. http://www.doublekranch.com/

 

[bobg]

The Mount Washington Railway is a must and there are at least two preserved standard gauge lines not far from it in New Hampshire.
There is a 2' gauge narrow gauge museum in Maine.
It is also well worth a trip up to Montreal just to see the city but there is a railway museum there as well.

Do you mean the Sandy River and Rangely Lakes R.R.? It's at Portland, Maine. From their website they don't appear to be running in Nov, last trains on 14th Oct.

http://www.srrl-rr.org/sched_2012.htm

 

[vsmith]

When your in Boston I can recommend a couple good places to eat, Barking Crab restaurant near downtown next to the Tea Party reenactment site, and Upper Crust pizza in Back Bay (best thin crust on the planet). Not trains but I HIGHLY recommend the USS Constitution and the adjacent Navy Museum, also do the Freedom trail, very informative.

Which trains will you be taking?

I recently took the train from Boston to LA, so I can give you some tips, the train from Chicago to LA, the Southwest Chief, was top notch, I can highly recommend the dining car, everything we had was very good.

Sadly I cannot say that for the Boston to Chicago leg, the Lake Shore Limited is very much more of a commuter type train vibe, most of the trip we only had partial access to the cafe car, which was all microwave specials. but the scenery should be great as fall has begun.

If your going both ways by sleeper its shouldnt be so rough. Your meals in the dining car (yes there will be one on the Limited) are included in the sleeping car fee so thats a good deal, we went coach. Sit on the south facing side of the train (left side leaving Boston) and you can see the Erie Canal locks and dams, you will have about a hour layover in Albany, dont wander away from the station, and you will have a much longer 6 hour layover in Chicago, so depending what day your there will effect what your options are downtown, there are lockers for rent at the station so you dont have to shlep your luggage with you everywhere, downtown Chicago is an amazing place, recommend eating at Giordino's Pizza downtown (best deep dish on the planet) or if you really want a first class splash try Frontera Grill in the north loop, this is the mexican restaurant of Rick Bayless who has a popular cooking show over here, but you have to get there about an hour before the place opens at 5pm or you wont get a table before the train leaves. One of the best meals I've had, but $$$ so make a note.

One more tip, make sure you at the station at least a full half hour before boarding call, there will be a line up and we were only assigned seats leaving LA, every other time it was first come. Chances are you will be getting off in AZ (Flagstaff I assume) very early in AM, like 4am. I assume you are going to be met as its a heckova long walk from Flagstaff to Tucson (or are your going to take the Sunset Limited?)

Overall, Its a very very nice trip, nothing gives you a true scale of the breadth and diversity of the USA while being able to relax doing so like a train trip.

 

[bobg]

When your in Boston I can recommend a couple good places to eat, Barking Crab restaurant near downtown next to the Tea Party reenactment site, and Upper Crust pizza in Back Bay (best thin crust on the planet). Not trains but I HIGHLY recommend the USS Constitution and the adjacent Navy Museum, also do the Freedom trail, very informative.

I recently took that SAME TRAIN from Boston to LA, so I can give you some tips, the train from Chicago to LA, the Southwest Chief, was top notch, I can highly recommend the dining car, everything we had was very good.

Sadly I cannot say that for the Boston to Chicago leg, the Lake Shore Limited is very much more of a commuter type train vibe, most of the trip we only had partial access to the cafe car, which was all microwave specials. but the scenery should be great as fall has begun.

If your going both ways by sleeper its shouldnt be so rough. Your meals in the dining car (yes there will be one on the Limited) are included in the sleeping car fee so thats a good deal, we went coach. Sit on the south facing side of the train (left side leaving Boston) and you can see the Erie Canal locks and dams, you will have about a hour layover in Albany, dont wander away from the station, and you will have a much longer 6 hour layover in Chicago, so depending what day your there will effect what your options are downtown, there are lockers for rent at the station so you dont have to shlep your luggage with you everywhere, downtown Chicago is an amazing place, recommend eating at Giordino's Pizza downtown (best deep dish on the planet) or if you really want a first class splash try Frontera Grill in the north loop, this is the mexican restaurant of Rick Bayless who has a popular cooking show over here, but you have to get there about an hour before the place opens at 5pm or you wont get a table before the train leaves. One of the best meals I've had, but $$$ so make a note.

One more tip, make sure you at the station at least a full half hour before boarding call, there will be a line up and we were only assigned seats leaving LA, every other time it was first come. Chances are you will be getting off in AZ (Flagstaff I assume) very early in AM, like 4am. I assume you are going to be met as its a heckova long walk from Flagstaff to Tucson

Overall, Its a very very nice trip, nothing gives you a true scale of the breadth and diversity of the USA while being able to relax doing so like a train trip.

Any tips for NY -Boston train?

 

[vsmith]

Sorry Bob never made it one that route yet, other than the general comments about getting to the station early and be prepared for a commuter trip, I know that the NY-Boston route was very busy. Leaving Boston we had a very big lineup, but most went to the NY bound cars.

 

[bobg]

Sorry Bob never made it one that route yet, other than the general comments about getting to the station early and be prepared for a commuter trip, I know that the NY-Boston route was very busy. Leaving Boston we had a very big lineup, but most went to the NY bound cars.

Cheers Vic, we've been told "Don't be late", so as to get a fair crack at the best seats.

 

[Miamigo259]

[Any tips for NY -Boston train?

If you want a good view of Manhattan when travelling over Hell Gate bridge (+ the Sunnyside yard complex) en route from NY Penn station to Boston, sit on the left hand side of the train in the direction of travel.
Personally, I found the right hand side to be best for the rest of the trip though!

 

[funandtrains]

The Mount Washington Railway is a must and there are at least two preserved standard gauge lines not far from it in New Hampshire.
There is a 2' gauge narrow gauge museum in Maine.
It is also well worth a trip up to Montreal just to see the city but there is a railway museum there as well.

Do you mean the Sandy River and Rangely Lakes R.R.? It's at Portland, Maine. From their website they don't appear to be running in Nov, last trains on 14th Oct.

http://www.srrl-rr.org/sched_2012.htm

I don't expect any of the steam lines will be running in November other than for specials in New England.

 

[funandtrains]

I've been on the Conway Senic Railroad:
http://www.conwayscenic.com/
They only seem to be running one train a day on Saturdays and Sundays for most of November.

 

[Miamigo259]

. Not trains but I HIGHLY recommend the USS Constitution and the adjacent Navy Museum, also do the Freedom trail, very informative.

Can certainly reccommend the USS Constitution and the adjacent Museum, though it may pay to get there early as the queues can get very long to get onboard the ship - though less so at the time of year you are going, at a guess.
The Freedom Trail is the statutory "tourist" thing to do in Boston, though I found the Lexington to Concord revolutionary trail, on the outskirts of Boston, a much more interesting way to spend the greater part of a day.

Boston has a very interesting public transport network and still operates 1946 era PCC cars on the Red line "high speed" extension from Ashmont to Mattapan.

There are a couple of Trolleybus routes out of Cambridge (Harvard Square) to Waverley & Riverside

and the Green line "subway" (tramway) operates on the surface out of the central area

It is possible to get reasonable photos of trains at South Station - both diesel and electric worked

but North Station (diesel only) is more of a challenge as most of the station is under a sports stadium!

North of Boston is the industrial town of Lowell which has a number of National Park Service operated sites including a large Cotton Mill. These sites are all linked by a heritage tramway run by replica tramcars, which I think run all year round.

Nothing to do with transport, but the Boston area is also a good one for the "Craft" beer scene if you want something decent to drink!! (as opposed to the Multinational combine stuff...)

 

[vsmith]

Yep, Bostons public transit system is practically a working Museum

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Greg
We were going to get over to NY again and also take a journey up to Shawn's last December for my 60th but our daughter was going through the terrible diagnosis and beginnings of treatment for the big C so we never made it.
I really like Shawn's layout and would love to see it in the flesh. I know that you will be heartily welcomed and have a great time. Do post piccies of it as the winter snows maybe starting about when you get over. Have a ball in the States...am I jealous.....you betya!!

 

[gregh]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.
We have done quite a few of the suggested steam/museum train trips and yes, I know November is not the best time as lots of things are closed by then or running weekends only.

When you're in Boston I can recommend a couple good places to eat, Barking Crab restaurant near downtown next to the Tea Party reenactment site, and Upper Crust pizza in Back Bay (best thin crust on the planet). Not trains, but I HIGHLY recommend the USS Constitution and the adjacent Navy Museum, also do the Freedom trail, very informative.
Which trains will you be taking?

We're takings sleepers on the Lake Shore and then Texas Eagle. We've used Amtrak on our last 2 visits and LOVE it as a way to see the country. I agree the dining cars are good and there's no more civilized way to travel than in the observation car with a bottle of wine (though some of the wine we've had is just OK - did find we could bring our own bottle though).
Thanks for the tip to sit on the left leaving Boston. Will head for the observation car ASAP - the one problem with sleepers is you're stuck with one side view.
We only have about 4 hrs in Chicago (9am sunday to 1pm) so may be limited in sightseeing.




bobg---
We've done the NY-Boston trip a couple of times - sit on the east side for best views.
Southbound from Boston we couldn't get 2 seats together till Providence RI - it's a commuter run. But the conductors were very good at organising to get us together after Providence. The best part of the ride is north of New Haven, where the line travels through very scenic 'water meadows' (swamps?) with good coastal glimpses.
The cafe car food on all Amtrak is woeful so bring your own food.
You might be interested in my trip descriptions for our last 2 AMTRAK trips from San Francisco to Boston and Boston to Tucson via New Orleans......
http://www.on-track-on-line.com/trips/trip-2009-10-30-hunter.shtml < Link To http://www.on-track-on-li...009-10-30-hunter.shtml
http://www.on-track-on-line.com/trips/trip-2011-09-15-hunter.shtml < Link To http://www.on-track-on-li...011-09-15-hunter.shtml

Boston has a very interesting public transport network and still operates 1946 era PCC cars on the Red line "high speed" extension from Ashmont to Mattapan. North of Boston is the industrial town of Lowell which has a number of National Park Service operated sites including a large Cotton Mill. These sites are all linked by a heritage tramway run by replica tramcars, which I think run all year round.
Nothing to do with transport, but the Boston area is also a good one for the "Craft" beer scene if you want something decent to drink!! (as opposed to the Multinational combine stuff...)

Will definately try some more of the Boston trams/trolleybus. Thanks.
Have been to Lowell in heavy snow, so might try again and see if tramway is running this time.
And will try some craft beers - I didn't know about that even after 5 visits to Boston - there's
always someone with some good info here!!

Again, Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

 

[Miamigo259]

Will definately try some more of the Boston trams/trolleybus. Thanks.
Have been to Lowell in heavy snow, so might try again and see if tramway is running this time.
And will try some craft beers - I didn't know about that even after 5 visits to Boston - there's
always someone with some good info here!!

Again, Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

A couple of the Breweries in Boston - Sam Adams & Harpoon - do tours which are very cheap ($3-5 from memory) and include samples of the beer at the end!
I did a trip to the Boston area primarily to cover the beer scene in April this year, so will send you a pm with some suggestions of places to go in the area for beer. I managed 10 different visits to breweries/brewpubs in the surrounding area, (plus a few more further away in Portland, Maine and Providence, RI) all reached by public transport, though some, like those at Haverhill and Gloucester, were reached on the train as they were out of the Greater Boston weekly transport ticket area. A weeks travel on MBTA buses/subway & trams cost all of $15, though they have increased the price a bit since then due to a large budget defecit....

 

[Shawn]

Greg, looking forward to your visit. Hopefully the weather is not to bad. To bad you didnt come now. The fall faliage is near peak around here. By the time you get here the leaves will all be off and operations will resume on the KMRR. Snow doesnt stop the MRR from operation either lol. We have already had out first frost for the season and we might see our first freeze friday morning ugh..... So far no snow but that can come anytime now.
There are some great places to eat around so when you get here we will meet up for dinner at a great little local joint. I also have to give you my local tour of the state park and forest with all the great views.