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on one of our first-class excursions.
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| Explorer's Trip in Oregon |
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2009 saw the Caritas travel coast to coast. In February we visited Washington, DC to participate in Railroad Days on the Hill, a lobbying extravaganza when the industry descends on Congress. The Caritas parked at Union Station and was visited by many participating in the event.
The Amtrak schedules make a 3-day weekend triangle trip: St. Louis-Kansas City-Chicago-St. Louis very convenient. So in May we partnered with the Cimarron River to do this trip.
The most exciting trip of the year was behind the ex-SP 4449 (see picture) from Portland, OR to St. Paul in June and then back again in October. Each direction took seven days as we parked at night and traveled only by day. Thus passengers were able to see those segments of the “Empire Builder” route that are normally traversed at night.
In September 2009, we ran our 13th High Iron Explorers’ trip that took us from Chicago to central South Dakota and ultimately to St. Paul. This trip featured nearly 2,000 rare miles and found us travelling on track originally part of the Milwaukee Road and Chicago & Northwestern. We covered branch lines to Sheldon, Iowa and to Jackson, MN. The BNSF took us between Wolsey and Aberdeen, SD; the Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western (ex-GN) from Aberdeen to Hankinson, ND where the CP (Soo Line) took us into St. Paul.
This year’s Explorer’s trip (the 14th) in late May provided a diverse trip over mainly former Frisco lines. The routing was ex-Cotton Belt St. Louis to Rockview, MO (via the Mississippi crossing at Thebes); ex-Frisco to Memphis. After an afternoon and evening in Memphis we went special to New Orleans then on Amtrak to Meridian, MS, where the KCS took us to Columbus, MS. The next day we meandered down the ex-Frisco line to Fountain (Monroeville), AL and then into Pensacola. We returned on essentially the same routing.
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High Iron 2010 Rare Mileage Trip Planner
Updated August 2, 2010An Ontario short line paralleling the west side of the Welland Canal. We would leave Amtrak at Niagara Falls, ONT and spend two days covering all of the lines of the Trillium. Scheduled for 2011.
The former NP branch from Cheney, WA to Coulee City. We expect to run this trip in the fall after the railroad completes line upgrades and before the grain rush. This trip has been delayed until 2011.
The annual meeting of the American Association of Private Car Owners (AAPRCO) will be in Pueblo and Alamosa, CO. The private car special will leave Albuquerque on Sep’t. 17; proceed to Walsenburg via BNSF, then traverse LaVeta pass over the San Luis & Rio Grande (ex-D&RGW) to Alamosa. A steam-powered side trip the next day to Antonito to connect with the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR to Chama. The private car special then returns to Pueblo for the formal meeting. A trip to the Transportation Test Center is included.
September 23: we leave Pueblo for Albuquerque via LaJunta, Amarillo, Clovis, and Belen. (The Caritas is sold out on this trip.)
These are informal trips to position equipment and are an opportunity to partake of the “private car” experience economically. Includes casual en route meals and overnight accommodations when appropriate.
August 24
Caritas goes Chicago to St. Louis on Amtrak #301. Lv. 7:00AM. Arr. 12:20PM. Fare: $195.
September 12
Caritas goes St. Louis to Chicago on Amtrak #306. Lv. 5:30PM; Arr. 11:10PM. Fate $195.
September 13
Caritas: Chicago-Albuquerque on Amtrak's Southwest Chief (#3). Lv. Chicago 3:15PM; Arr. Albuquerque 3:55PM (Sep't. 14). Fare: per person, double occupancy: $500. Includes all en route meals and open bar. NOTE: Caritas will not be on the rear of the train, but there is a dome available to Caritas guests.
September 26
Caritas: Albuquerque-Chicago on Amtrak #4. Lv. Albuquerque 12:45PM; Arr. Chicago 3:10PM (Sep't. 27). Fare: per person, double occupancy: $500. Includes all en route meals and open bar.
October 7
Caritas: Chicago-Denver on Amtrak's California Zephyr (#5). Lv. Chicago 2:00PM. Arr. 7:15AM (Oct. 8). Fare: per person, double occupancy: $395. Includes all en route meals and open bar.
October 7
Caritas: Chicago-Emeryville (Oakland), CA on Amtrak's California Zephyr (#5). Lv. Chicago 2:00PM. Arr. 4:10PM (Oct. 9). Fare: per person, double occupancy: $1,000. Includes all en route meals and open bar.
October 11
Caritas: Emeryville (Oakland), CA-Chicago on Amtrak #6. Lv. 9:50A. Arr. 3:30PM (Oct. 13). Fare: per person, double occupancy: $1,000. Includes all en route meals and open bar.
October 12
Caritas: Denver-Chicago on Amtrak #6. Lv. 7:50PM. Arr. 3:30PM (Oct. 13). Fare: per person, double occupancy: $395. Includes all en route meals and open bar.
HIGH IRON TRAVEL CORP.
P.O. Box 337
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 285-5489
www.highirontravel.com
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| The Army/Navy Game Special at Perryville,
MD. Note the Caritas 6 cars back. |
Iowa Pacific has completed work on a former Santa Fe “Big Dome” and it is now Amtrak certified. It can be chartered either independently or with the Caritas for Amtrak-based trips.
EX-SANTA FE “BIG DOME” NENANA
This latest addition to the fleet features unsurpassed viewing for 66 guests from its upper level and tables for 22 on the lower level. The Nenana has a full galley and bar area. We plan on using it on many of our 2010 trips.
Click here for views of the Nenana.
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| Deposits: 50% deposit on any published fare will hold space until 60 days before trip . | ||
| Payment: Check, Mastercard, Visa | ||
| Reservations: Print out our order form and mail or fax | ||
| Information: E-Mail:
Phone & Fax: (608) 285-5489 |
HIGH
IRON TRAVEL CORP. P.O. Box 337 Waunakee, WI 53597 |
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For corporate information, contact Iowa Pacific Holdings
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All trips operate rain or shine - Schedules and equipment subject to change. We are members of AAPRCO, the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners, Inc. Thank you for travelling with us. |
High Iron's 13th Explorers' Special at Bellevue, IA street running.
Photo: Bill Crawford
Explorers' Special at Sheldon, IA
Photo: Joe Maloney
New England Explorers Trip at a stop in Maine
on 7/30/06.
Photo: Neil Lang
Updated 5-11-08
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or their heirs or assigns.