Passenger Trains > Amtrak Fall Foliage Special?

I was just curious if anyone has heard anything yet about trips for this fall.  I was on it last year and had a great time.  I'd like to do it again.

Thanks,
Andy

October 17, 18, 24, & 25, 2015The Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society is proud to present the world-renowned New River Train excursions through the beautiful New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. As one of the newest national parklands, the "Grand Canyon of the East" along the New River is majestic and breathtaking in fall colors in mid to late October. It is during this peak autumn foliage time that our train traverses the former Chesapeake & Ohio mainline from Huntington, WV to Hinton, WV, allowing for a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.


http://www.newrivertrain.com/nrt.shtml

I have heard that there was a congressionally mandated operation of one "excursion" train per year by Amtrak. Hence, the trips out of Philadelphia in 2013 and 2014.  The operation of the Winter Park Ski Train in Colorado last spring fulfilled that obligation for 2015.

I would be very happy to be wrong on this.  BSB
 

RCPE_Hogger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> October 17, 18, 24, & 25, 2015The Collis P.
> Huntington Railroad Historical Society is proud to
> present the world-renowned New River Train
> excursions through the beautiful New River Gorge
> in southern West Virginia. As one of the newest
> national parklands, the "Grand Canyon of the East"
> along the New River is majestic and breathtaking
> in fall colors in mid to late October. It is
> during this peak autumn foliage time that our
> train traverses the former Chesapeake & Ohio
> mainline from Huntington, WV to Hinton, WV,
> allowing for a front-row seat to some of the most
> spectacular scenery in the country.
>
>
> http://www.newrivertrain.com/nrt.shtml

According to the web page you posted, these trips are sold out except for private rooms @ $300 per person for four persons to a room.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/15 19:07 by RuleG.

BigSkyBlue Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have heard that there was a congressionally
> mandated operation of one "excursion" train per
> year by Amtrak. Hence, the trips out of
> Philadelphia in 2013 and 2014.  The operation of
> the Winter Park Ski Train in Colorado last spring
> fulfilled that obligation for 2015.
>
> I would be very happy to be wrong on this.  BSB
>  

If this is true. I wonder if Amtrak would consider expanding charter operations like the highly profitable West Palm Beach Safety Patrol and the NJ Chamber of Commerce "Walk to Washington". That weekday trip has run to 18 cars and two engines on many occasions.  A Fall Foliage trip up the Hudson River line, and up to Saratoga Springs or Rutland could be very attractive.

(Why would Congress want to limit profitable endeavours by Amtrak? They're forever telling Amtrak to manage its operations more profitably.)