You can also call to just get information about the Crew (Club) any evening except Fridays.

The "OHIO RIVER" is a Business style private Car owned by the Morristown & Erie Railroad of New Jersey. It has four compartments for guests, each sleeping two, a Lounge, A dining/Meeting Room, a Kitchen and a Crew compartment. Oh, let's not forget the platform on the rear.

We left Sunday late afternoon on the 16th of June from Penn Station in New York attached to the rear of Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited. We headed up the Hudson to watch the scenery of the majestic valley glide by while refreshments were served. We met or traveling companions and took this time going up to Albany to get to know each other a little.

My fellow travelers were a couple from New Jersey, one gentleman who is an employee from a short railroad line in New Jersey and a train buff from New Jersey who is a Vice President of a rail Historical Society. All were very interested in railroading and the historical nature of the trip.

In Albany after joining with the Amtrack segment from Boston, and heading west, we settled into a grand gourmet meal. After the dessert there was more time spent in the rear Lounge. We were again watching New York pass by in the dark. Then off to sleep in a comforable and roomy bunk style berth.

Morning found us entering Indiana and having Breakfast in style as the farms and towns went by. Into Chicago and it's Union Station. Arriving at nearly lunchtime we left the Car as we were off to be tourists and see the sights. Each had their list of sights and a place picked for supper. After eating I went back to Union station for train watching. With the evening it was then back onboard for the night.

Tuesday morning we were attached to Amtrak's International bound for Toronto, Canada. We went back through Illinois a short way and then across Michigan and it's wonderful scenery and great little stations. Then came Customs at the Border, we were all prepared so it went quickly. On across Ontario arriving in Toronto as the clock approached 11pm. The lights of the CN Tower, the City and Stadium where grand. And again the meals through the day were the best.

During the next hours of the night we got to travel to the well kept passenger yard, have the car service and connected to the next day's train. But a good night's sleep was also our pleasure while all that was going on outside.

Wednesday morning it was into Toronto's Station to pick up passengers for Amtrak's Maple Leaf and off we went towards home, back at New York's Penn Station. We got to travel 'rare mileage', the freight only route into the United States at Fort Erie. Once across the border we saw the New York in daylight we missed the first night.

Our train in the late afternoon stopped just west of Albany. While waiting we started the last of the gourmet meals. a stop in Albany/Renselear Station as we finished or meal. With the evening it was then south to New York City.

It was a fun experience. Not something you do everyday. Certainly something that every train buff needs to do at least once.

These were two different trains. in the East the train was the Lake Shore Limited which has single level cars. West of Chicago the train is The Southwest Chief and is made up of Superliners that have upper and lower levels. Different trains, different experiences.

I went to Penn Station in Manhattan and arrived a little over an hour early. Since I was riding in a Viewliner Sleeper I was going first class and could use the Acela Club Lounge to wait. The Club Lounge offers plush seating and soft drinks for passengers. There is space for small meetings and they even have two workstations for first class passenger use now too. This is a nice way to start a trip.

A little before departure we were told we could board. So off to the train on Track 7. I found my standard beadroom in fairly good shape. The entertainment center had only one audio and two video selections - good if you weren't prepared otherwise. So I settled in. In short order we were off on the route up the westside of Manhattan to go alongside the Hudson towards Albany, New York.

Dinner in the Diner is part of the fare. Amtrak now has a standard nationwide Menu of four main selections: a 10oz Steak, Chicken l'Orange, centercut Pork Chip or a Pasta dish. All selections have a choice of two vegetables from a selection of four vegetables. There are soft drinks, beer and wine to drink. Finishing dinner there is a small selection of desserts: ice cream, cheesecake, pie and cake. Since early June the Menus are not as individual for each route to add to the distinctiveness of the route, but the national Menu is passable.

While at dinner the bed was made in the compartment. A little early but Okay, I could has asked to have it done later but I was ready after watching one of the videos. It may take a little getting used to by some but I had no problems falling asleep.

Next morning I was up a little later than intended. It was in western Ohio and I was ready for Breakfast. So off to the Diner I went. I had a hearty Breakfast. There are four main selections and then you add a choise of four side items and something to drink.

By the time I got back to the room in the Sleeper the bed was gone and it was set for the daytime. I relaxed and read the complimentary Newspaper. There were also breaks to watch farm and town scenery go by. Then it was into Chicago's Union Station.

For those of us who are Train Buffs there were enough things to see. There were the freight yards, both standard and container related. Some industry and related sidings. The layover yard for "Metra", the Chicago area Commuter Railroad. And of course, there were Amtrak facitilities. Plenty to see as we then came into Union Station on Track 24.

For the layover to catch the next train, there is the Metropolitan Lounge, for First Class passengers. With numerous trains leaving daily from Chicago the Lounge is always a busy place. Sometimes too busy when not all trains leave (or arrive) on time. But, it is a place to sit, read, and get soft drinks waiting for the train.

Soon it was time to board our Superliner Sleeper. Off through the busttle of the station to the South Gates and again to Track 24.

A few cars down the line was our sleeper. Here we had a economy room, sleeps tow in bunkbed style with two seat in daytime. The superliner rooms don't have video or music so I had my own.

Leaving Chicago it was again trains, trains and more trains until we were heading out the line to the southwest. Then it was suburbs and then countryside with farms and towns. The routine repeats here. Dinner in the Diner (same Menu) and then some countryside watching. The room is set up for noght and it off to sleep.

Next morning we are in Kansas. Miles and miles of Corn, a few farms and a few towns. The scenery slowly changes to drier and drier conditions and then the mesas and mountains approach as we move into Colorado.

Through the winding valleys and up Raton Pass. Into the tunnel as we reach the highest point on the route coming our of the Raton Pass Tunnel. Then in less than 20 minutes we are in Raton, New Mexico. Almost to the minute on time, just before noon.

The station is worth a good look. It's in the New Mission Revival style. And with so many summer people getting off for Philmont Scout Ranch excursions it can get very busy. There are a couple of sidings where a train or two can usually be found.

So there is the trip to Raton from New York. Two days and a lot of America to see and soak in. Now remember, there is always the return trip home!

Waiting at the Raton, NM Amtrak station presents it's own new set of challenges. We arrived at the station about an hour before the scheduled departure. But the train was running about an hour and half late so we needed to kill a little time.

The station itself ins worth a couple minutes, if you are into architecture. If not there is the historic 1st Street District of downtown across the street from the station. Unfortunately, it's late afternoon on Saturday and everything except the town's Historic Society's storefront Museum and the nearby Southwest Scouting Museum is closed. If you are in Scouting the Museum can take up a little time and the storefront Museum somewhat less.

Being hungry I discoverered the Momma Mia's Pizzaria two block north on 1st Street. They can put together a "Grinder" (Hero to us New Yorkers) for a reasonable price. So that took the edge off the hunger.

The train came in about an hour and fourty-five minutes late. We found our Sleeper near the front of the train, got to the room and settled in. The Car Attendand greeted me with the news that he put in an 8pm Supper reservation for me because we were late - so I had a chance to get dinner on the train. But that was still an hour away.

The train left Raton and went up the Raton Pass. We were snaking back an forth with the Interstate paralleling us all the way. The raton Pass is not only the border between New Mexico and Colorado but also the highest point on the route.

Off I went to diner when the 8pm seating was called. Here too we were running late. So as the sun set and we went east through the high plains of Colorado diner was served. Then back to the sleeper for an early bedtime (it was dark by then) and a good night's sleep.

Sunday morning we were entering Missouri and then across Illinois to Chicago. Arriving by the way all but a few minutes late.

I did the usual walk around Chicago's Union Station. Then had lunch at McDonald's. Went back to the Metropolitan Lounge and found a comfortable seat and proceeded to nap for awhile and then waited until it was time to board the Lake Shore Limited.

Remember, everthing is in reverse from the previous story. So we headed east through Illinois Indiana and into Ohio. Had dinner then another night's sleep. Waking in New York (Breakfast passing Buffalo) and on to Albany where we had lunch.

After separating the section for Boston we went flying down the east bank of the Hudson River. Arriving in New York thirty-eight minutes late. But early enough to beat the worst of the rush hour just starting and arriving at hour in an hour after leaving the train.

For more details read the coing to Raton, NM story above.