TRAINS & TRAVEL
P.O. BOX 10625
RENO, NEVADA 89510-0625
Chris@traintrips.biz Rail Tours Manager. For question regarding tour itineraries and details.
Deborah@traintrips.biz Office Manager: Accounting
1-800 359-4870 USA
1-800 752-1836 CANADA
1-800 266-8751 FAX
(530) 836-1944
OFFICE HOURS 9AM TO 5PM MONDAY-FRIDAY
PACIFIC WEST COAST TIME



Northern California Explorer
JUNE 3-5, 2011
SURE-GO COMPLETED


FEATURING THE
FEATHER RIVER CANYON
HIGHLINE/INSIDE GATEWAY
MT. SHASTA ROUTE




CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FEATHER RIVER CANYON PR VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrq3CJcLfCU&feature




We have all been waiting for this excursion for many years. The last special excursion train ran north of Keddie and up the Hiline and inside Gateway over 50 years ago and was operated by the Western Pacific and Great Northern Railroads. After trying to receive the approval to run a charter excursion passenger train on this route for several years now, finally the railroad has given an approval and we have now called this tour a sure-go.

June 3: Emeryville-Richmond-Martinez-Davis-Sacramento-Oroville
June 4: Oroville-Keddie-Westwood-Bieber- Klamath Falls
June 5: Klamath Falls-Mt Shasta-Chico-Sacramento-Davis-Martinez-Richmond-Emeryville



FIVE OPTIONS ARE BEING OFFERED


1. COACH CLASS AVAILABLE (2 day Oroville special price nowing being offered)
2. DOME CLASS AVAILABLE
3. GOLD DOME
4. SILVER FIRST CLASS COACH AVAILABLE
5. CLUB LOUNGE-DOME AT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN AVAILABLE





THURSDAY JUNE 2: For those passengers arriving in the Bay Area today and need lodging we have a special group rate at the Woofin Suite Hotel. This is the closest hotel to the Amtrak Train Station. In fact there is even a walkway running over the tracks from the hotel to the train station. On top of that you can park your car for FREE in the hotel parking lot and walk over to the station. This alone will save you close to $100 in parking fees at the Amtrak lot. This special rate is available to all of our passengers on June 2 and June 5 when we return to Emeryville. The rate is $104 plus tax for a Traditional king room. You must call the hotel directly to make your reservation. Be sure and mention that you want the NCE TRAIN group rate.

WOODFIN SUITE HOTEL
5800 Shellmound Way
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 601-5880
888-433-9042
www.woodfinhotelemeryville.com



The Itinerary (subject to change):

Day 1 Friday, June 3: The train will depart Emeryville at 2:00pm. This allows passengers connections from South Bay points served by The Capitol Corridor. The train will follow the Coast Starlight route to Binney Jct. (just north of Marysville). At Binney Jct. we will continue north on the former Western Pacific mainline to Oroville, where we will tie up for the night. Estimated arrival is at 6:00pm. The train will stop in Richmond, Martinez, Davis and Sacramento to pick up passengers. Passengers may have dinner in the historic Western Pacific depot, which is now the Western Pacific Brewing and Dinning. Arrangements have been made for a special buffet dinner at $18 per person. You must order tickets in advance. Passengers will be housed in local area motels. Transfers are included at no additional cost.



Day 2 Saturday, June 4: Day 2 Saturday, June 4: Depart Oroville at 9:00am allowing morning views of Oroville Lake which will be full for the first time in many years, and the Feather River Canyon to Keddie. Because of the heavy winter there is a lot of snow melt and the Feather River and all of the canyon reservoirs are full. At Keddie our train will turn north on BNSF’s ex Western Pacific Inside Gateway Route, passing Lake Almanor. For many miles spectacular views of Lake Almanor and Mt. Lassen can be seen from the train. As we continue north we pass the old lumber town of Westwood. Did you know that in it’s hay day trains ran under live catanary between Clear Creek Jct and Westwood. For this short stretch of track logging trains pulled by electric engines shared the rails with Western Pacific trains. In fact one motor came from the Pacific Electric Railroad in Los Angeles.

Departing Westwood, which is the western home of Paul Bryan, we travel through a remote region of dense forests that very few folks every get to see or experience unless you worked for the railroad. At Norvell we reach the high point on the Hiline at 5735 feet. This is where WP released their helpers for the run lite back to Keddie to await the next assignment. Another dozen or so miles to the north is Halls Flat where snow plows were turned on a wye track. Departing here the line drops down into Little Valley and then runs along a rock cut shelf almost a thousand feet above the Pit River with breathtaking views of Mt. Shasta. After crossing the river on a bridge the line swings into the vast valley where Bieber sits.

North of Bieber our train will run on the Modoc Plateau where the US Army was engaged in the Modoc Indian Wars in 1872 to 1873, amongst the lava flows and tubes. As our train heads north we pass pass Lookout Junction where there once was a connection with the McCloud River Railway and then along the shores of Egg Lake which is normally dry, but with all of the snow melt now has water in it. The railway runs by the remote Hollenbeck Butte and soon passes Mammoth Cave before crossing a very remote area of Lava Beds National Monument. North of here the tracks run along a section of the Tule Lake Wildlife Refuge where passengers will be able to view thousands of birds and water fowl.

This line never had regular passenger service, and wasn’t completed until 1931. Our train will be running over this route on the 80th year anniversary of the grand opening of the Hiline. North of Bieber we will be running on former Great Northern tracks on the east side of Mount Shasta to Klamath Falls. Estimated arrival is 7:00pm. With the long daylight hours of June we will arrive still in sunlight. Passengers will be transferred to area motels in “K Falls” for the night at no additional charge. From time to time Amtrak has detoured the Coast Starlight on this route, but there has not been an excursion train over the Hiline to Bieber and on to Klamath Falls in over 50 years.

BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF OUR EXCURSION TRAIN
LAST YEAR IN THE LOWER FEATHER RIVER CANYON










THE LOWER FEATHER RIVER CANYON IS A FREIGHT ONLY LINE. THE MANY BRIDGES, LAKES, WATERFALLS, POWER HOUSES, AND HYDRO DAMS MAKE THIS A VERY SCENIC AND SPECTACULAR TREAT TO SEE IT ALL FROM AN EXCURSION TRAIN




















THE PHOTOS BELOW WERE TAKEN ON THE HILINE/INSIDE GATEWAY DURING WESTERN PACIFIC AND BN POWER POOL DAYS OF THE 1970's and 80's WHEN ALMOST ANYTHING WOULD SHOW ON ON THE POINT. SPECTACULAR VIEWS ARE AROUND EVERY CURVE INCLUDING MT. LASSEN AND MT. SHASTA.


































Even during the very early years of the Western Pacific diesel program the FT's were sent up the Hiline, as seen here in two different paint schemes at Bieber.

Day 3 Sunday, June 5: Day 3 Sunday, June 5: Today depart Klamath Falls at 8:00am and travel south on the former Southern Pacific Shasta Route along the line once traversed by The Shasta Daylight. For most of the morning, Mount Shasta will be visible ahead of us, then after climbing to Grass Lake Summit, we will pass the mountain on the west side. Amtrak’s Coast Starlight runs though here at night so it will be a real treat to see the breathtaking scenery in daylight. After passing Mount Shasta City, we will wind down through Cantara Loop, pass historic Dunsmuir and continue south along the Sacramento River Canyon to Lake Shasta and Redding. Again, with the heavy winter and Spring snow melt we will be able to see Lake Shasta full for the first time in many years. At Tehama, we continue down the East Valley line to Chico where the Oroville passengers can detrain. Chico is scheduled for 2:00pm. We continue south on to Binney Junction in Marysville, where we will resume the same route we started on, with a late afternoon arrival back in Emeryville, estimated at 6:30pm.

















Famous Cantana Loop is located between Mt. Shasta City and Dunsmuir


BOARDING AND UNLOADING STATIONS

EMERYVILLE
RICHMOND
MARTINEZ
DAVIS
SACRAMENTO
OROVILLE
KLAMATH FALLS
CHICO


PRICES                                     ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON 
 
COACH CLASS.....................................................$ 448
COACH CLASS BOARD AT OROVILLE...................................$ 398
DOME CLASS ON THE SCENIC VIEW & OCEAN VIEW......................$ 898
GOLD DOME CLASS ON THE SILVER LARIAT & PLAZA SANTA FE...........$1698 SOLD OUT WL
SILVER COACH CLASS ON THE SILVER LARIAT & PLAZA SANTA FE........$ 798 
CLUB LOUNGE-DOME AT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN.......................$1348
Prices include onboard meals and transfers to hotels and motels. 
Prices do not include lodging.

PHOTOS OF THE PREMIUM CLASS CARS
AND FULL DOME CARS

ATSF OPEN OBSERVATION BUSINESS CAR 33
SPACE AVAILABLE





SILVER SPLENDOR VISTA DOME AND LOUNGE
SPACE AVAILABLE




SILVER LARIAT VISTA DOME AND PLAZA SANTA FE PLEASURE DOME
GOLD DOME SPACE SOLD OUT
SILVER FIRST CLASS COACH & LOUNGE SPACE AVAILABLE



SCENIC VIEW AND OCEAN VIEW FULL DOME CARS
SPACE AVAILABLE





LODGING WITH GROUP RATES FOR OUR PASSENGERS
FREE BUS TRANSFERS TO THESE HOTELS & MOTELS

Hotel accommodations for Friday and Saturday night have been blocked at a variety of
hotels in Oroville, Chico  and Klamath Falls at special group rates. Passengers will
make their own arrangements with their choice of hotels. In order to receive the
special group rate a hotel "discount code" must be used when making a reservation.
Complimentary Shuttle Bus service will be provided to passengers to and from only
designated hotels.    
 
 
OROVILLE FRIDAY JUNE 3 
 
America’s Best Value Inn & Suites.  580 Oro Dam Blvd. (530)533-7070 
Rooms $62.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"     
 
Comfort Inn.  1470 Feather River Blvd.  (530)533-9673 
Rooms start at $76.49.  Ask for Confirmation # 13221951
 
Days Inn-Oroville.  1745 Feather River Blvd.  (530)533-3297 
Rooms start at $50.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block" 
 
Gold Country Casino & Hotel.  4020 Olive Highway. (530)538-4560 
            Rooms at $79.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"  
 
The Lodge at Feather Falls Casino.  4 Alverda Dr. (530)533-3865 (877)652-4646 
            Rooms at $89.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block" 
 
Holiday Inn Express & Suites .  550 Oro Dam Blvd. (800)HOLIDAY 
             Rooms at $92.99.      Ask for the "CTC 30204 Room Block"
 
Sunset Inn (near 580 Oro Dam) (530)533-8201 
            Rooms start at $55.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"  
 
CHICO FRIDAY JUNE 3 
 
Best Western Heritage Inn 25 Heritage Ln (530)894-8600 
            Rooms at $79.99.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"  
 
Holiday Inn of Chico 685 Manzanita Ct No elevator (530)345-2491 (877)345-2533  
Rooms $89.99.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block" 
                                                                                                                      
Super 8 655 Manzanita Ct (530)345-2533  
            Rooms  start at $61.99.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"  
 
 
KLAMATH FALLS SATURDAY JUNE 4
 
Downtown:  
Maverick Motel.  1220 Main St.  (541)882-6688 
Rooms $80.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"
 
Quality Inn.  100 Main St. (541)541)882-4666 
            Rooms at $80.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"   
 
Econolodge.  75 Main St.  (541)884-7735 
            Rooms at $62.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"  
 
East Side:  
Holiday Inn Express.  2430 South 6th St.  (541)884-9999 
            Rooms start at $109.  Ask  for the "Gateway Train Block"
 
Comfort Inn.  2500 South 6th St.  (541)882-1111 
            Rooms at $85.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"  
 
Best Western Klamath  Inn.  4061 South 6th St.   (541)882-1200 
            Rooms at $82.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"  
 
Cimarron Inn.  3060 South 6th St.  (541)882-4601 No elevator 
            Rooms at $65.  Ask for the "Gateway Train Block"    





Click here for Travel Insurance Information

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.



13862  visits since January 18, 2011.

Last modified: Thursday, 12-Jan-2012 08:19:10 PST