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Train Festival 2011 organizers, California Zephyr Railcar Charters and the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society regrets to announce the operation with Santa Fe steam locomotive #3751 to Rock Island, Il in July of 2011 has been suspended at this time.
When planning of Train Festival 2011 began several months ago the proposal of operating the 3751 was proposed to the BNSF . The railroad said they would ‘likely’ approve this request.
In the intervening time, circumstances have changed, and BNSF is now projecting greatly increased traffic volumes this summer on their Transcon corridor. These trips would use the Transcon between Albuquerque and Los Angeles.
Steam specials are highly consumptive of management time, and of course attract hundreds, sometimes thousands, of railfans, which in turn requires significant efforts on the part of the railroad’s police. The 3751 trip would have been on the property for 18 days, during the time when traffic volumes would be at or near their peak.
For this reason, BNSF has reconsidered their position, and respectfully declined this proposed move of ATSF 3751 via the Transcon corridor to Train Festival 2011. Other options are being explored to bring the 3751 East to Rock Island. Further announcements will be posted here soon.
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We invite you to ride in first class comfort behind mainline steam across the breathtaking Santa Fe , route of the famous Super Chief between California, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas and Illinois. The magnificently restored former Santa Fe 4-8-4 Northern 3751 will be pulling this special excursion train to attend Train Festival 2011 in Rock Island, Illinois.
The former California Zephyr Silver Fleet, supplemented by Colonial Crafts, has a limited number of Pullman Sleeping space availble onboard this train. Our long distance guests will enjoy superior service in roomettes, bedrooms, and drawing rooms, all made down with starched, pressed linens. The onboard chef will prepare fresh, imaginative meals, and of course the complimentary bar offering premium labels of beer, wine and spirits will be open for the entire journey. There will be an extraordinary amount of lounge space available and you'll never want for a seat in one of the vista-dome cars. All passengers will be assigned their own Pullman Sleeping rooms for the entire journey.
OUR VINTAGE PRIVATE RAILCARS
Colonial Crafts, a 1949 Pullman sleeper-lounge built for the Pennsylvania Railroad. In addition to an inviting and spacious lounge Colonial Crafts features 3 double bedrooms sleeping two, each room with an annex containing toilet and sink, and a drawing room accommodating up to 3 guests, again with annex containing toilet and sink. Guest amenities include a large shower, and beverage service in the lounge.
Silver Rapids, a 1948 Budd roomette-bedroom sleeper, also built for the Pennsylvania Railroad as its contribution to the California Zephyr equipment pool for transcontinental service. Silver Rapids features eight roomettes accommodating one person each, and six double bedrooms, each accommodating 2 persons. Bedrooms each have an annex containing a toilet and sink; roomettes have a sink in the room. If two couples or a family are traveling together two rooms may be opened ensuite. A shower room has been added. Limited hot and cold beverage service is available.
Silver Lariat, a 1948 Budd Vista-Dome coach built for the California Zephyr, converted to a diner-lounge. 24 deeply cushioned seats in the dome and 42 reclining chairs on the lower level provide a comfortable setting for meals aboard the train as well as for sightseeing.
Silver Solarium, a 1948 Budd Vista-Dome sleeper-lounge-observation car built for the California Zephyr. The observation lounge in the boat-tail of the car is a pleasant place to enjoy the passing scenery as we hurry on our way through the west. Silver Solarium accommodates 24 guests in its Vista-Dome. Sleeping accommodations include 3 double bedrooms, each accommodating 2 guests, and 1 drawing room, accommodating up to 3 guests. The drawing room and bedrooms each have an annex that includes toilet, sink and shower. Under the dome is a bar, which is an excellent spot to gather for a late-night libation.
FIRST CLASS SERVICE BY OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF
This is a upscale excursion train made up of privately owned first class passenger cars from the Los Angeles area to Rock Island. Additionally an excursion will be operated on Friday July 22, 2011 from Rock Island to Bureau, Il and return as part of the festival. Santa Fe steam locomotive no. 3751 will spend the remaining time on display at Train Festival 2011 in downtown Rock Island, Il. After the event, the no. 3751 will operate an excursion back to Los Angeles.
The planned route for the eastbound excursion will take the train to Rock Island via the route of the Chiefs, departing Los Angeles on July 9 and arriving in Rock Island on July 17, 2011. The westbound excursion is planned for July 26 through August 5, 2011. The planned route following the closing of Train Festival 2011 is via a combined route of the Zephyr's to Denver and the Super Chief via Raton Pass.
THE PLANNED ITINERARY
EASTBOUND JULY 9-17, 2011
SATURDAY JULY 9: Los Angeles to Needles via Cajon Pass.
SUNDAY JULY 10: Needles, California to Winslow, Arizona via Williams and Flagstaff.
MONDAY JULY 11: Layover day in Winslow. Off-train sightseeing are planned. Details later.
TUESDAY JULY 12: Winslow, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico via the Navajo Nation.
WEDNESDAY JULY 13: Albuquerque, New Mexico to La Junta, Colorado via Raton Pass.
THURSDAY JULY 14: La Junta, Colorado to Hutchinson, Kansas.
FRIDAY JULY 15: Layover day in Hutchinson, Kansas. Off-train sightseeing are planned. Details later
SATURDAY JULY 16: Hutchinson to Kansas City.
SUNDAY JULY 17: Kansas City to Rock Island, Illinois.
WESTBOUND JULY 26-AUGUST 3, 2011
TUESDAY JULY 26: Rock Island, Illinois to Omaha, Nebraska.
WEDNESDAY JULY 27: Omaha to McCook via the route of the famous CB&Q Zephyrs.
THURSDAY JULY 28: McCook, Nebaska to Pueblo, Colorado via Denver.
FRIDAY JULY 29: Layover in Pueblo. Off-train sightseeing are planned. Details later.
SATURDAY JULY 30: Pueblo, Colorado to Albuquerque, New Mexico via Raton Pass.
SUNDAY JULY 31: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Winslow, Arizona via the Najavo Nation.
MONDAY AUGUST 1: Layover in Winslow. Off-train sightseeing are planned. Details later.
TUESDAY AUGUST 2: Winslow, Arizona to Needles, California via Flagstaff and Williams.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3: Needles to Los Angeles via Cajon Pass.
Celebrating America
America's Largest Celebration of Railroading Comes to Illinois
Coming July 21-24, 2011, the sounds of steam whistles, the clickety-clack of steel wheels on rails and the excitement from children of all ages will take over Rock Island in Schwiebert Riverfront Park.
This city located in the heart of the United States on the mighty Mississippi River, is part of a region known as the Quad Cities, which includes the riverfront cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline/East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. Rock Island has a rich and colorful railroad history, and tens of thousands of train lovers will ascend on the Quad Cities for America's largest celebration of railroading, Train Festival 2011. Visitors will have the many options of rarely traveled passenger train excursion routes as well as Mississippi River excursions by boat right from downtown Rock Island in Schwiebert Park.
Steam and Diesel Locomotives from around the country will be on display for visitors to tour the cabs, take photos, watch demonstrations and much more. Huge model train layouts will be on exhibit from around the country and railroad vendors from around the globe will be selling unique, one-of-a-kind train items and mementos that you won't find anywhere else! Families will be able to take an all day excursion or shorter 2 hour train rides behind various vintage locomotives. Scaled down miniature trains will be hauling passengers around the grounds of the event as well. Children's areas will keep the little ones busy for hours.
Besides the ATSF 3751 being on display and in operation at this event 7 additional steam locomotives are schedule to attend Train Festival 2011 as well as many vintage diesel locomotives. Train Festival 2011 will also include train excursions, riverboat cruises, model trains, a miniature railroad, train merchandise and much more.
Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Steam Locomotive No. 765 is scheduled to appear and pull excursions during Train Festival 2011. No. 765 will be open for cab tours while on display to talk with the crew and find out what one of these monsters of the rails is like.
Steam Locomotive No. 6988 will be on display and operating excursions during Train Festival 2011. This huge 2-10-2 steam locomotive was brought to the United States from China to run on the Iowa Interstate Railroad with sister locomotive No. 7081. This locomotive was one of the last main line steam locomotives to operate in the world and is now preserved and operating in Iowa and Illinois. Additionally No. 7081 will be here too.
Leviathan 4-4-0 No. 63 will be the newest steam locomotive at the festival, but resemble the oldest. The Leviathan was built from scratch over the past 9 years and is based on an 1860's design. This locomotive currently resides in West Chicago. The locomotive is complete with gold leaf trim, gloss paint, wood cab and funnel smoke stack. You will want to see the Leviathan under steam - she is beautiful. The Leviathan will be operating on display and be available for cab tours and access to the crew.
Iowa Interstate No. 513 is a modern GE built 4400 horse power diesel electric locomotive. This locomotive is one of the most powerful locomotives built in the world. Visitors will have the opportunity to get up close and explore a modern locomotive and see one of America's finest pieces of machinery on display.
Celebration Belle will offer 2 hour sightseeing cruises on the Mississippi River, Dinner Cruises with entertainment, and participate in our Rail/River experience on Sunday July 24
PRICES ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON
ONE WAY EITHER DIRECTION
Double Bedroom Sleeper for 2 persons..................$ 5,598
Roomette for 1 person.................................$ 5,598
Drawing Room Sleeper for 2 persons....................$ 6,898
ROUND TRIP
Double Bedroom Sleeper for 2 persons..................$10,798
Roomette for 1 person.................................$10,798
Drawing Room Sleeper for 2 persons....................$12,798
Deposit to hold space confirmed-Non refundable........$ 1,000
Final payment due by April 9, 2011
NO PARTIALS OR ONE DAY RIDERS ON THIS EXCURSION
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TOUR BOOKING CONDITIONS
TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are corrected to November 1, 2010 and are subject to change without notice, at any time. All prices based on double room
occupancy. We reserve the right to change tour prices if necessary.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE: Personal items, meals not listed in the itinerary, laundry, phone calls, excess baggage charges, rental cars, side tours, insurance, passport fees including visas, vaccinations, gratuities, medical costs, tips to train or motor coach staff, extra tour costs due to unanticipated changes in the itinerary for reasons beyond our control, including weather, travel conditions, or cancellations, government intervention, sickness, political disputes, and failure of transportation or other causes beyond our control.
TRAVEL AND HEALTH DOCUMENTS: A valid passport is required for our international tours. In some cases a visa is also needed. Consult your
health professional for the recommended immunizations and documents. Trains and Travel International , here on referred to as TTI, assumes no other responsibility if a client is refused entry into a country. Cost and cancellation fees will be paid by the client in the event they do not have valid documents.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control
preventing the completion of such. Conditions can include weather, train schedules, equipment, motive power, revision of train consist, train delays, labor strikes, political disputes, derailments, closure of a rail line, break down of railroad or motive power equipment, railroads not honoring contracts and bus equipment problems. We will always endeavor, in each case, to provide substitutes, if any changes take place. TTI is not responsible for canceled trains,
delays, hotel rooms, route changes or missed connections, for any reason whatsoever. We will not give refunds if such conditions or cancellations take place.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance is mandatory and is required, but you can opt out. The Decision to Opt-Out or Decline is Mandatory. Insurance will cover and give tour members many benefits and protection. Benefits include baggage loss, accident, life, trip cancellation, sickness, bankruptcy, strike, weather conditions, employer termination or layoff effecting you or a person sharing the room with you, terrorist incident in your departure city or city of destination, jury duty, you are subpoenaed, hijacked, or quarantined, your residence or traveling companion residence is rendered uninhabitable, emergency military duty, traffic accident, single supplement upgrade when your traveling companion cancels their trip, trip interruption, trip delay, missed connections, itinerary change,emergency medical benefits, medical evacuation, pre-existing medical conditions if enrollment is within 21days of your invoice date, assault of you or your traveling companion before departure, burglary of you or your companion before departure 24 hour hotline emergency assistance, emergency cash transfer and more. We will supply you with a travel insurance brochure with rates and application when we mail you the invoice after your bookings. Travel insurance protects your vacation investments. US law allows us to offer this insurance to all persons worldwide. We will accept a "refusal of travel insurance wavier" if you do not wish to purchase any travel insurance.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Accepting your payment represents an agreement that you understand all the conditions, to
be a member of our tours. TTI gives notice that they are acting agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers, providing the transportation and all related travel services and assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engage in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disasters, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. TTI reserves
the right to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, onboard accommodations, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip or train prior to departure for any reason . TTI is not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour, including non-refundable airline tickets, visa fees, planning, phone calls, or any other expenses. TTI reserves the right to decline to accept, or ask to leave a tour, any person whose actions impede the daily operations of a tour, welfare or enjoyment of other tour members. TTI cannot give any refunds for any unused services. The terms contained herein shall serve as a waiver of liability to TTI. Assumption of risk on behalf of the client, their heirs, executor, administrators, successors, and assigns for any and all known persons injuries
RESERVATIONS: A deposit is due in our office within 14 days after you make your bookings. Full payment is due 90 days before departure. You will
receive an invoice, reservation form and current tour bulletins with your confirmation and travel insurance forms. No notice for final payment will be sent
to you. It is your responsible to make the final payment on-time.
CANCELLATIONS: TTI does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, email or fax before any refunds will be considered. Allow enough time if sending your written notice by US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel
office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to to process some refunds. Cancellation refund rules:
100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $100 per person administration fee. 99 to 61 days before the departure of any tour
there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Cancellations received 60 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive
any refund. GW Travel Ltd has their own cancellation rules and these will apply. If booking on GW Travel Ltd ask for cancellation rules.
PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on tours operated by TTI. Bulletins include travel info related to the tour. Final documents will be sent out about two to three weeks before a tour begins. We offer tours operated by other companies and they may
or may not send out tour bulletins and updates and most send out final documents only one to two weeks prior to the start of their tours.
PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card.
We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 per week will apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate if one is available. If not, you may
be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.
TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held
responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TTI needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a
full refund. Please take note that in some cases refunds can take up to 60 days to process.
PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and
we will try and work up a custom option for you.
MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note that TTI does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all folks that enjoy trains and
Rail journeys. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that
you would want to book a tour is to collect the rare mileage, you need to understand that possible route changes do happen.
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05709 visits since December 2, 2010.
Last modified: Thursday, 12-Jan-2012 08:17:47 PST
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