Trip #6 -
Chicago - Albuquerque - Kansas City -
St Louis - Chicago Round Trip
September 29 - October 8, 2022
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with private cars BLUE RIDGE CLUB & BERLIN
TRIP ITINERARY PLAN
- updated September 1, 2022 approximate times & events may vary
Day 1 Thursday September 29, 2022
2:00PM (Approx): Amtrak train #3, the Southwest Chief with our private railcars BLUE RIDGE CLUB (800224) and BERLIN (800255) are repositioned from Amtrak’s 14th St. coach yard, to Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606.
2:00PM: (Approx): Guests are to congregate in the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606. Our on-board service manager will send a text message when our train arrives into the station - then meet up with our guests and escort them and their luggage directly to our private cars. We will pre-board our private rail cars Blue Ridge Club (800224) and Berlin (800255) which should be located at the end of today’s Chicago, IL departing Amtrak #3 the “Southwest Chief”. Upon boarding, after a review of our guest’s accommodations, amenities and safety instructions, we invite all to enjoy a bon voyage toast, charcuterie and snacks in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
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2:50PM: Depart: Chicago behind Amtrak’s Southwest Chief with a Welcome Aboard get together and light snacks. Dinner will be served as our train heads west.
Enjoy the passing scenery from the observation lounge! Enjoy an evening nightcap before retiring to your private room to experience being rocked to sleep by rhythm of the rails.
Day 2 Friday September 30, 2022
6:30AM: Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge, or you can choose to sleep in!
7:00-9:30AM: (approx): Breakfast served on-board, en-route in the Blue Ridge Club lounge as you witness the ever changing scenery of western Kansas where passengers can sometimes see prairie dogs at play!
Morning: Time to set your watch back an hour as Mountain Time is entered, and roll into views of the Rocky Mountains in southern Colorado. We’ll continue to enjoy the spectacular scenery as our train passes through the rugged Raton Pass and tunnel.
12 Noon: (approx): Lunch served on-board en-route, in the Blue Ridge Club lounge while you enjoy the stunning scenery of northern New Mexico, including the Raton Tunnel and mountain streams, with captivating views from the train's big picture windows.
Afternoon: In late afternoon, our train arrives in Lamy, the station stop for the City of Santa Fe. Premium beverage and snack service continues in our lounge until our anticipated arrival in Albuquerque, NM.
IF RUNNING LATE: Hot appetizers or sliders
3:29PM: Arrive: Albuquerque, NM at the Albuquerque Amtrak Station, 210 First Street Southwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Please Note: Usually within an half hour or so of our arrival in Albuquerque, Blue Ridge Club (800224) and Berlin (800255) will be cut off our arriving train and moved to a siding across from the station. Passengers are either to disembark as soon we arrive, or stay on the cars during this process. Please plan accordingly as access to/from the railcars will not be allowed during this time. Our cars will be parked here until our departure from Albuquerque on Wednesday October 5th.
Late Afternoon & Evening: Free time, with dinner on your own at one of Albuquerque's restaurantss, known for their Southwestern cuisine.
Night: Occupy railcars overnight.
Day 3 Saturday October 1, 2022
6:30AM: Wake-up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
6:30-7:30AM: (approx): Breakfast served in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
7:30AM: Depart rail cars for the short walk to the Alvarado Transportation Center to board New Mexico Rail Runner #702.
8:04AM: Depart Albuquerque on New Mexico Rail Runner #702.
9:39AM: Arrive in downtown Santa Fe
11:00AM: Ready to board Sky Railway at Santa Fe station.
11:30AM: Sky Railway "Lore of the Land to Lamy" 4 - 4 1/2 hour round trip excursion to the quaint town of Lamy, NM. This trip includes an upgrade to the air conditioned private railcar, ex-Santa Fe lounge car "Acoma" and a picnic lunch in Lamy.
4:00PM: Arrive back in Santa Fe
Dinner: On Your Own in Santa Fe
RETURN TRIP OPTIONS
- 6:03PM: Depart Santa Fe on Rail Runner #707T - 7:44PM: Arrive Albuquerque
- 8:10PM: Depart Santa Fe on Rail Runner #709 - 9:41PM: Arrive Albuquerque
- 10:14PM: Depart Santa Fe on Rail Runner #711 - 11:45PM: Arrive Albuquerque
9:00PM – 11:00PM: Premium snack and beverage service available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
Night: Overnight in railcars at ABQ station.
Day 4 Sunday October 2, 2022
4:00AM: Brown Bag Breakfasts dispensed to passengers as our bus departs for Balloon Fiesta Park for 6:00AM Balloon Festivities and Mass Ascension.
12:00PM (Noon): Morning Balloon Fiesta activities come to a close. Passengers to assemble at the bus boarding area prior to our 12:30PM pickup.
12:30PM: Transport guests back to railcars where Lunch is served in the Blue Ridge Club lounge. NOTE: Passengers that wish to stay at the Balloon Fiesta Park through the Evening Session will be responsible for their own meals and transportation back to the Albuquerque Amtrak station via Uber, Lyft, Taxi, etc.
Afternoon: Free time to explore Albuquerque. Looking for things to do in Albuquerque? Check out the Visit Albuquerque website at: www.visitalbuquerque.org.
Dinner is on your own.
7:00PM-11:00PM: Premium Beverage & Snack Service will be provided in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
All Day: Blue Ridge Club (800224) and Berlin (800255) are together in the correct order and parked in Albuquerque siding, crew occupied. Crew does intermediate trip cleaning, shopping and prep work as necessary.
Night: Overnight in railcars at ABQ station.
Day 5 Monday October 3, 2022
NOTE: This day has been planned as a back up just in case Sunday's Balloon Fiesta Activities would be cancelled due to inclement weather. If the weather cooperates on Sunday, today will be free time to enjoy Old Town Albuquerque or other local attractions. The Visit Albuquerque website can be viewed at: www.visitalbuquerque.org.
Day 6 Tuesday October 4, 2022
5:45AM – Brown Bag Breakfasts dispensed to passengers as our Motorcoach departs for Antonito, CO.
12:00PM – Lunch is provided by C&TS RR at Osier, the mid point of today's ride.
5:00PM - Motorcoach back to Albuquerque with snack stop enroute.
8:00PM – Arrival at railcars.
8:00PM – Light Dinner served on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
8:00-11:00PM – Beverage and Snack Service provided.
Night: Occupy railcars overnight.
Day 7 Wednesday October 5, 2022
6:30AM: Wake Up Coffee in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
7:00AM-8:30AM: (approx): Breakfast served on-board the Blue Ridge Club lounge. This morning enjoy breakfast and relax as the morning is free time.
10:45AM: Passengers are to be on board as our cars will be switched in preparation for our 11:48AM departure.
11:48AM: Depart: Albuquerque, NM. Amtrak #4, the Southwest Chief.
12 Noon: (approx): Lunch served on-board en-route, in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
Afternoon: Premium beverage and snack service continues in our lounge.
6:00PM: (approx): Dinner served. Our on-board chef has been busy this afternoon preparing a special dinner for your enjoyment this evening. Dining in the Blue Ridge Club lounge you will never miss the ever changing views while entertaining casual conversation over dinner and drinks!
Evening: Complimentary premium beverage and snack saervice continueas in the Blue Ridge Club lounge until 11:00pm local time.
Night: Occlpy railcars overnight, en-route.
Day 8 Thursday October 6, 2022
6:30AM: Wake Up Coffee in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
6:30AM-7:30AM: (approx): Breakfast served on-board the Blue Ridge Club lounge. This morning enjoy breakfast and relax as the morning is free time.
7:15AM: Passengers that will be immediately disembarking from the train should be ready now.
7:24AM: Arrive: Kansas City Union Station 30 Pershing Street, Kansas City, MO with disembarkation of those passengers who wish to leave the train early. Our cars will be uncoupled from the Southwest Chief and be moved to tracks of the Kansas CIty Union Station complex. Passengers may not disembark during this process. Our rail cars wil be parked here at Union Station until they will be positioned some time during the day for our trip later today on the Missouri River Runner.
Morning: Free time to enjoy any of the Top-Rated Kansas City Tourist Attractions including:
- National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial Address: 100 W 26th Street, Kansas City, MO
Official site: www.theworldwar.org
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Address: 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO
Official site: www.nelson-atkins.org
- LEGOLAND & Sealife Aquarium Address: 2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO
Official site: www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/kansas-city
- Arabia Steamboat Museum Address: 400 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
Official site: http://1856.com/
- Union Station Address: 30 W Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO
Official site: www.unionstation.org
- Science City Address: 30 W Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO
Official site: www.unionstation.org/sciencecity
Noon: Lunch is On Your Own.
Afternoon: More free time to explore Kansas City attractions.
3:10PM: Passengers should be on board one hour prior to departure.
4:10PM: Depart: Kansas City on Amtrak Train 316, the Missouri River Runner. As the name suggests, the train follows the Missouri River for part of the journey. Amtrak's Missouri River Runner services nine communities along its cross-state route. Independence is home of the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site. Jefferson City is the State Capitol and home of the Missouri State Museum. Ride from Jefferson City to Washington for a peek at the foliage bordering the Missouri River – with scenery often compared to Germany's Rhine Valley. Hermann is bursting with wineries to experience.
6:00PM: Dinner is served in the Blue Ridge Club lounge - where we will enjoy some of Kansas City’s famous barbeque!
9:50PM: Arrive at St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center 430 S 15th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Our railcars will be parked at the Transportation Center until approximately 2:00PM Saturday October 8, 2022. The Transportation Center is just blocks away from the St. Louis Union Station complex at 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.
Evening: Beverage and Snack Service provided on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge until 11:00PM.
Night: Occupy railcars overnight.
Day 9 Friday October 7, 2022
6:30AM: Wake up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
7:00-8:30AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
9:00AM: Board Minibus for the 22 mile journey to the St. Louis Museum of Transportation (Hours begin 9AM) 2933 Barrett Station Road, St Louis, MO. Bagged lunches will be distributed upon entrance.
11:30AM-12:00PM (Noon): Lunch
2:00PM: Board Minibus for return to our railcars parked at St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center. Drop Off @ 2:30pm.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy one of the many activities located within or near the Union Station complex.
Dinner & Evening Activities are on your own. Some suggestions are listed below.
-Aquarium Tour $25/adult, must reserve early for specific time/group rates available
-Landry’s Seafood House www.landrysseafood.com
-Gateway Arch Riverboats 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63102 877-982-1410
-Grand Hall Light Show (Free) top of every hour 5-10PM,
-Ferris Wheel $15/adult q 15minutes,
-Mirror Maze $8/adult,
-Fire & Light Show (Free) top of every hour until 10PM.
7:00PM: Premium beverage and snack service continues in the Blue Ridge Club lounge until 11:00PM local time.
Evening: Overnight on-board the railcars at the St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center.
Day 10 Saturday October 8, 2022
6:30AM: Wake up coffee available in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
7:00-8:30AM: (approx): Breakfast served on board in the Blue Ridge Club lounge.
Morning: Free time to enjoy one of the many activities located within or near the Union Station complex.
Noon: Lunch is On Your Own.
4:30PM: Passengers should be on board one hour prior to departure.
5:40PM: Depart St. Louis on Amtrak Lincoln Service Train #306.
6:00PM: (approx): Dinner is served in the Blue Ridge Club lounge as we pass through Springfield IL, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.
7:00PM: Premium beverage and snack service continues in the Blue Ridge Club lounge until 10:00PM local time.
10:30PM: Passengers to have Luggage Ready for Off Loading.
11:05PM: Arrive: Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606. As our train thunders into the cavernous confines of Chicago Union Station, the squeal of the brakes and the whooosssshhh of the air signal the end of this rail odyssey. Upon arrival into Chicago Union Station, our on board staff will assist passengers and their overnight luggage detrain to pre-arranged ground transportation or hotel transfers. This marks the end of on board services. WE THANK YOU!