| TRAINS & TRAVEL P.O. BOX 312 PORTOLA, CALIFORNIA 96122 Chris@traintrips.biz Rail Tours Manager. For questions regarding tour itineraries and details. |
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1-800 359-4870 USA 1-800 752-1836 CANADA 1-800 266-8751 FAX (530) 836-1944 |
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Fall colors in New England, there is nothing like it anyplace else in the United States. Join us for a spectacular week of sightseeing and colorful train journeys in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont during the height of the fall colors. This tour will present to you some of the most awesome scenery in New England. The mountains are covered in blazing color that signals winter is again approaching. This tour features a number of spectacular train rides in all four states and a lot of sightseeing for your enjoyment .The tour begins and ends at the Four Points Sheraton in Revere.
DAY 1 SATURDAY OCTOBER 6: Independent arrivals in Boston and hotel check-in at the Four Points Sheraton in Revere which is close to Logan International Airport. Free hotel shuttle is available. Hotel check-in can be anytime after 2:00PM. Amtrak offers good rail service to Boston from points all across the United States and Canada. Once you check-in you can explore the city using the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rail system with hundreds of miles of trackage in the Boston area. Our hotel also offers free shuttle service to the nearest train station. For MBTA information, routes and fares visit: www.mbta.com
 
DAY 2 SUNDAY OCTOBER 7: Morning city tour of Boston. We then depart from the historic Boston & Maine North Station at 12:15PM on MBTA train 2109 for the train ride northeast out to the historic Cape Ann region on the New England coast. We ride this train all the way to the end of the line at Rockport arriving at 1:25PM. This small New England village is full of charm and beauty and is considered a crown jewel of the Massachusetts coastline, stepped in rich seafaring and art history. Rockport is a fishing town and the area was first colonized in 1690. It is pure New England and in fact the famous movie "The Perfect Storm" was set here. There are over 150 shops in the area and most of them are very unique plus many wonderful restaurants.
Mid-day we depart Rockport via highway and head 30 miles north up the Massachusetts Coast to the historic port city of Newburyport. Newburyport has a long and rich history. Located on the south bank of the Merrimack River at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, the area was originally inhabited by the Pawtucket Indians, and was later settled in the 1630's by European immigrants. The small port of Newbury was quickly settled and became a fishing and trading settlement with the rest of Newbury turning to agricultural pursuits. The Tannery district, close to downtown is an extension of old steam mills and tanneries of the past. You can see shipyards, as well as the saltbox and Victorian houses, Federal mansions and Colonial houses that are today's cherished homes. Signs tell you that Captain Paul White built the first wharf in 1655. The Merrimack gained special importance as the base of operations for Newburyport Privateers, privately owned vessels licensed to attack enemy shipping. The Currier yard built 97 ships as well as barks and schooners totaling over 80,000 tons. For over 100 years the Coast Guard, born in Newburyport, has plied the waters of the river, first in revenue cutters that enforced navigation laws. You can spot three lighthouses erected by the coast guard on Water Street and Plum Island. Mid-afternoon we depart Newburyport and head north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and hotel check in at the Comfort Inn. Rest of the afternoon and evening at your own leisure to enjoy the spectacular setting along the ocean and bay.
DAY 3 MONDAY OCTOBER 8: (B) After hotel check-out we take you on a short Portsmouth city and bay tour before heading to nearby Dover to board Amtrak's northbound Downeaster for the ride to Portland, Maine. Train number 681 is due to depart at 10:31AM and arrive in Portland at 11:30AM. Once in Portland you will have time to explore the historic "Old Port" which is one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the country. Taking a walk at the water's edge provides a window into this working waterfront. Just steps from the water you can stroll the cobblestone streets. You have time to get lunch in one of the restaurants at the old port. Early afternoon we visit the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum. You will enjoy many interesting displays including old antique steam locomotives, coaches and cars. We then board their excursion train for a three mile ride on a two-foot gauge train running along the scenic Casco Bay.
Mid-afternoon we depart Portland and head north to Boothbay Harbor. Upon arrival we check-in to the Fisherman's Wharf Inn which is over looking the Boothbay Harbor with the many yachts and fishing boats. This is a charming New England seaport village where fishing boats lie alongside wharves that follow the quaint, winding village streets. The rest of the afternoon and evening at your own leisure to explore. 
 DAY 4 TUESDAY OCTOBER 9: Today you can sleep in if you choose and have a leisure breakfast over looking the Boothbay Harbor. Enjoy the morning exploring this quant and classic New England costal village. Early afternoon we will visit the historic Boothbay Railway Village. This museum has many fascinating exhibits of the rich New England heritage. Situated on thirty acres and housed in 28 buildings, this large collection includes all aspects of rural New England peaceful village life. They have six narrow gauge steam locomotives and historic trains running around the grounds, plus what is considered one of the largest automobile collections in New England. You will have the entire afternoon to enjoy this attraction. We then return to our hotel in Boothbay Harbor and rest of the day is yours to relax.
DAY 5 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10: Morning departure from Boothbay for the short ride to Wiscasset where we board the northbound Maine Eastern Railroad's "Mid-Coast Excursion" heading for Rockland. Step onboard the fully restored vintage railcars for this carefree jounrey through spectacular scenery of mid-coast Maine for this 1 hour and 15 minute ride. Departure is scheduled for 11:10AM with an arrival in Rockland at 12:25PM. You'll experience charming seaside villages, picturesque sailboats, lobstermen working their traps on the bay, tidewater wildlife and the magnificent fall foliage.  
Upon arrival in Rockland we will take you on a sightseeing tour of the area before hotel check-in at the Hampton Inn. Late afternoon and evening on your own to explore this charming New England village. This is considered the "Authentic Maine Experience". Rockland is the entry point to Penobscot Bay and perhaps the most scenic body of water on the eastern seaboard and home to the country's largest windjammer fleet. Here you will find scores of islands, a dozen historic lighthouses, and quiet little protected harbors filled with working lobster boats. Ospreys and bald eagles nest high in the spruces along the rugged shores, puffins make the islands their home, deer browse the open fields, and moose forage the wetlands.
 Day 6 Thursday October 11: (B-L) We reboard Maine Eastern's excursion train for the return southbound journey departing Rockland at 7:50AM. Today we will only ride to Wiscasset arriving at 9:00AM. We transfer to Alna for a visit to the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmingotn Railway Museum. This is in the heart of the famous "Maine Two Footer" railroads and the museum has agreed to open up and run a charter train over all of their trackage just for our group. The last Maine Two Footer line closed in 1943 and some 25 years later this museum was formed to rebuild history . Now two foot gauge trains run over part of the original right-of-way. We have arranged for a private charter train pulled by steam to take us into the colorful Maine woods including stops for photo run-bys. After our museum visit we travel by highway across Maine to North Conway, New Hampshire. Hotel check-in.
DAY 7 FRIDAY OCTOBER 12: (B) In the morning we travel around the north side of Mt. Washington by road to Base Station, also called Marshfield Station, for a ride on the breathtaking Mt. Washington Cog Railway to the top of Mt. Washington. This railroad was built in 1869 and is the world's first mountain climbing cog railway. Today this National Historic Engineering Landmark continues to operate. Mt. Washington, at 6,288 feet, is the highest point in New England. Our train rises 3600 feet from the Base Station to Summit at 4 miles per hour. We are booked on the 9:00AM departure for a very good reason, as this is now the only train handled by one of the unique cog steam locomotives. All other departures are now by diesel. Half the excitement and fun is watching and listening to the steam engine push the train up the steep grades. During this roundtrip the locomotive will consume a ton of coal and 1000 gallons of water. The rail is built on grades up to 37%. You will have about 45 minutes at the summit to take in the spectacular view before reboarding the train for the return trip down the mountain. Back at Base Station you will have time to visit the railroad museum and gift shop before we transfer to the Fabyan Station for lunch and then to board the "Notch Train" operated by the Conway Scenic Railroad.
The "Notch Train" is operated by the Conway Scenic Railroad and will present to you some of the finest natural scenery in the East as we travel through spectacular Crawford Notch. The train will run over sheer cliff bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks, streams, panoramic mountain vistas, and across the famed Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge. This is a former Maine Central line built over 130 years ago.
DAY 8 SATURDAY OCTOBER 13: (B) Morning hours to relax and have a leisure breakfast. After hotel check-out we will go back to the downtown area and the classic train station for a visit. You will have time to visit the classic station, the railroad roundhouse/workshops where you can inspect the steam locomotives and get some lunch before we depart town.
Once we depart North Conway we will visit several covered bridges in the area before we start our westbound journey to Lincoln via the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains to Lincoln. The Kancamagus Highway is undoubtedly the most scenic route in what is called Mountain Country. It is 34 spectacular and colorful miles between North Conway and Lincoln. Moose sightings are quite common from this highway. Upon arrival in Lincoln check-in at the Comfort Inn & Suites which is right next to the Hobo Railroad Station.
THE WHITE MOUNTAINS BETWEEN NORTH CONWAY AND LINCOLN
DAY 9 SUNDAY OCTOBER 14: (B-L-D) Morning departure from our hotel in Lincoln for the spectacular ride into the beautiful Connecticut River Valley in Western New Hampshire and Eastern Vermont. At Woodsville, New Hampshire we stop to visit one of the classic New England covered bridges. This bridge is the oldest authenticated covered bridge in New Hampshire. This is a 256 foot 2-span bridge over the Ammonoosuc River and was built in 1832. Next we visit the nearby covered bridge in Bath. This is a burr truss 4-span made of old hewed arches and is 374 feet long and built in 1832. Be sure and take a walk through the bridge to the far side and look back towards the village of Bath. You can frame your photo through the fall foliage of Ammonoosuc River, the dam, waterfall and the Bath church. This is a classic New England setting. Oh yes, almost under the bridge is a Boston & Maine caboose on display. Yes, the railroad once had a line running under this bridge. Then just a few minutes away is the 3rd classic covered bridge at Swiftwater . This paddleford truss with an added arch was built in 1849 and rebuilt in 1977. The 158 foot bridge spans the Wild Ammonoosuc River. In the afternoon we visit Franconia Notch State Park which is one of the most celebrated mountain gap locations in the east. We will stop to visit the famous "Flume" as we make our way through this park.
This evening we will have dinner onboard the "Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train" which will take us on a 20 mile two hour train journey along the banks of the scenic Pemigewasset River. This is a spur of the historic Boston & Maine Railroad built in the late 1800's and now operated by the Hobo Railroad. After it gets dark bright flood lights under the train lite up the woods which will be on fire with the fall colors. Enjoy the romance of dining on the rails while riding in a beautifully restored Pullman dining car. Enjoy five courses of fine food and spirits served to you in the Grand European manner. Rolling stock includes the "Indian Waters", an exquisitely restored 1924 Pullman-Standard Victorian Coach, filled with brass, stained glass and deeply aged woods. The popular 1952 Pullman Planetarium Car, the "Granite Eagle", is an unusual tri-level car featuring an upper observation (dome) with surround windows and a sunken lounge. The "Algonquin" is a 1953 former Canadian National Café Coach. 
 DAY 10 MONDAY OCTOBER 15: (B) We depart in the morning from Lincoln and travel southwest to White River Junction, Vermont located in the Connecticut River Valley. You will have some time to explore this important railroad junction town before the arrival of Amtrak's southbound "Vermonter" which is due at 11:05AM for the spectacular journey south down the Connecticut River Valley to Brattleboro, Vermont arriving at 12:33PM. During this journey the train follows the Connecticut River closely for many miles in scenic remote regions on it's journey through New England.
Once everyone is unloaded off of the train we travel the 25 miles to Shelbourne Falls, Massachusetts in the Berkshire Mountains. This small New England town not only has charm but a unique trolley to ride. You will have time to get some lunch , stroll through the town and ride the trolley before we depart for nearby South Deerfield and the location of the original Yankee Candle Village flagship store and factory. This one of the largest candle stores in the world, but it is much more than just a store. It's a unique, entertaining world of New England charm, fairy tale fantasies, and hands-on, interactive candle making that is fun for all ages. You will find everything from Bavarian Christmas Villages to the world's largest selection of candles, all under one roof. From the 25-foot Christmas tree to a 6-foot candle and landscaped grounds with thousands of flowers in season, this 90,000 square foot shop will please everyone. Tour the Bavarian Christmas Village, stroll through the Black Forest, where it snows indoors year-round. See the Nutcracker Castle, plus shop for Christmas decorations, treats, gifts, delicious homemade fudge and over 400,000 candles in 200 scents and endless New England crafts. Another section is devoted to Department 56 miniature villages from all around the world all lit up with model trains running overhead. You might want to drop in at the Candle Making Museum to learn how they do it. We then return to the Four Points Sheraton in Revre arriving around 6:00PM.
90,000 SQUARE FEET OF AMAZEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT 
Hotel check-out and independent departures. The Four Points Sheraton provides transfers to Logan International Airport.
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TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are corrected to November 1, 2012 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 or Discover. 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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