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American Rail Excursions, Inc. |
Presents |
The River Cities Tour
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Welcome Aboard! For several years, American Rail Excursions, Inc., has operated highly acclaimed weekend tours from Chicago or St. Louis, MO. New, by popular demand, we are reintroducing this deluxe economical weekend tour which includes stops in St. Louis, Chicago and Kansas City. St. Louis boarding passengers will have the ultimate in overnight private railcar travel adventure. Four fun filled nights aboard our nostalgic streamliner as we embark on a whistle stop tour to Chicago, Kansas City and back to St. Louis. The River Cities Tour allows plenty of time for our St. Louis departing travelers to enjoy the many sights of Chicago and Kansas City, MO without the hassle of changing trains or... even rooms! Check it out! All inclusive food, fun, travel and lodging based on your itinerary. Chicago boarding passengers, we haven't forgotten about you! Once aboard you too will enjoy fine dining on traditional railroad fare as well as first-class service throughout the tour. As with all American Rail Excursions, Inc.'s rail trips, all passengers will enjoy complimentary premium beverage and snack service and freshly prepared meals en-route as per our itinerary. Your reserved overnight accommodations aboard our train, double bedroom, or deluxe suite are yours for the entire tour, no hassles of packing, unpacking or transferring to hotels. All Aboard!!! |
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St. Louis, MO departing passengers: Wednesday May 13, 2009 (Day 0): |
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6:00pm or later: For our St. Louis boarding passengers... welcome aboard! Our first-class onboard staff has readied your accommodations for you. May we suggest that once you have been settled, received instruction on both your accommodation services and schedule of events you take the opportunity to visit the historic St. Louis Union Station. may board their sleeper at St. Louis Amtrak Station, 550 S. 16th St. We suggest dinner at Union Station. |
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| Evening: As they say,
"Every vacation starts at the station", and St. Louis Union
Station is no exception. Once the world's largest and busiest railroad
terminal, it's now a unique shopping, enthusiast, and dining experience.
Try the self guided tour, the Whispering Wall or share a drink in the
Grand Hall. We suggest you enjoy dinner on the "terrace" at
Landry's Seafood House overlooking the lake, Hard Rock Cafe, the Brew
House or the "Picnic Express" food court. Whatever your taste,
St. Louis Union Station has it all.
After your evening at the station re -board our private railcars St. Louis, MO. We'll be waiting for you at St. Louis Amtrak Station, 550 S. 16th St. Upon re-boarding you may want to enjoy a complimentary nightcap before retiring. Our onboard staff will gladly serve you at your seat or even in your room, if you desire. Just ask! |
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| Late Evening: Retire to the comfort of your own room aboard our train in St. Louis. Occupy railcars overnight in St. Louis, MO & en-route to Chicago, IL. | |
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Thursday, May 14, 2009 (Day 1): |
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4:35am: Depart:
St. Louis Amtrak #300 "The State
House" our River Cities Tour. |
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| Morning: As the sun tries to peek around the drawn shade, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee awakes your senses. If you desire, our first class onboard staff will deliver that wake-up coffee right to your room. Enjoy a refreshing hot shower before breakfast! | |
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7:30am-9:30am: Breakfast served
en-route before our scheduled 10:00am arrival into Chicago. Peering out your window, the Illinois prairie is gently transformed
into the small towns and outskirts of the cities. Our train thunders
over the diamonds at Joliet signaling ....Chicago is just a short
sprint from here! With our locomotive's air horn whistling often,
our train races through the suburbs brining us ever closer to the
"Windy City", Chicago.
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10:00am: Arrive: Chicago
Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606 With the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago standing sentinel over Chicago
Union Station, our streamliner clatters through the maze of switches,ultimately
delivering us to our arriving platform. With the whoosh of the airbrakes,
our nostalgic streamliner comes to a halt.
May we suggest that all our arriving passengers take this opportunity
to alight from our train and enjoy this day & lunch on your own
while visiting Chicago, IL.
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*Please Note: Usually within 30 minutes of our arrival in Chicago, our railcars may not be accessible for several hours as they are moved from the station, to Amtrak's 14th St. coach yard (Canal St. & Roosevelt Rd.) to receive post trip inspection and servicing before being parked in our special spot. Please plan accordingly. Late Morning & Afternoon: The "Windy City", Chicago has so many attractions that you will be hard pressed to visit just a few. From the close by Sears Tower and it's famed "Sky Deck"you might see four states! Enjoy "State Street" that great street and the "Magnificent Mile", Water Tower Place all a shoppers Mecca. Navy Pier , with it's shops, restaurants and a host of Lake Michigan tour boats will provide a unique and interesting views of the Chicago skyline. And if culture is your quest...visit the Art Institute, Museum of Natural History or the Museum of Science and Industry. Oh..let's not forget the Adler Planetarium or the Shedd Aquarium both situated conveniently close by the shore of Lake Michigan. The choices are yours!
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4:00pm (approx): After a rigorous day exploring Chicago, return to your hotel on the rails. Our railcars are located in Amtrak's coach yard located at 1400 Lumber St. Chicago, IL. If you are returning to our train use the landmark intersection of Canal St. & Roosevelt Rd., just west of the rail yard, as your reference. At that intersection head east on the bridge that goes over both Metra's and Amtrak's rail yard. As you approach the bridge tenders house on the east side of the Chicago River, there is a ramp on your right that leads down to Amtrak's yard. Our railcars should be readily visible. Take extreme care while crossing the tracks, as this is an active rail yard! If you need directions please call our on-board service manager. Once you have re-boarded our railcars, you might regenerate with a shower and a quick change of clothes before heading to our lounge for a complimentary premium beverage and a quick snack which should tide your appetite until heading out for dinner on your own this evening.
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Evening: With so many dining choices in Chicago, we'll suggest just a few perennial favorites! Lawry's, home of the world famous prime rib, will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites! Weber Grill, where most all entrees are prepared on outdoor type real charcoal grills. Harry Carey's Restaurant offers up a bit of sports nostalgia along with fine dining. If dinner & entertainment is on your menu tonight, check out Andy's Jazz club, where continuous live jazz, good food & drink are always on tap. Tommy Gun's Garage, an audience interactive speak easy, offering dinner, drinks and a musical comedy review "Wit Da...Gangsters...Da ...Flappers...and you! Ethnic foods abound with many restaurants clustered on Halsted Street's "Greek Town" or 22nd Street's "China Town". What ever choice you make, Chicago's restaurants should fulfill your culinary cravings tonight! Late Evening: As you return to our railcars this evening, our first class on-board staff welcomes you back. Enjoy a complimentary nightcap in our lounge before retiring for the evening or just lay your head down to sleep in your own comfortable bed! Good Night! |
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Night: Occupy railcars overnight in Chicago. |
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Friday, May 15, 2009 (Day 2 for STL passengers) |
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7:30-9:30am: Breakfast will once again be served for our onboard guests. |
| Morning: After breakfast we encourage our travelers to set out to see those sights they may have missed. |
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Lunch: Once again luncheon will be on your own today. You might try one of Chicago's most famous restaurants, The "Berghoff ", located at 17 W. Adams, Chicago, IL. (312) 427-3170.
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2:15pm: Chicago Boarding
& St. Louis re-boarding passengers. We'll all gather at
Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606. All passengers
should assemble at the fountaion under the esclator, adjecent to the
Amtrak ticket counter. For our Chicago boarding passengers we, meet you and your luggage
here for your check-in. Please DO NOT check any luggage
with Amtrak.American Rail Excursions Inc., will handle your luggage
right through to your accommodations on our railcars. Today, our private
railcars will carry the markers on the rear of Amtrak #3 "The
Southwest Chief" our River Cities Tour.
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3:15pm: Depart: Chicago on our River
Cities Tour private railcars attached to Amtrak’s #3 "The Southwest
Chief".
As our River Cities Tour's private railcars rumble out of Chicago
Union Station and break out into the afternoon daylight, the faintly
visible exhaust from the G.E. locomotives on the head indicate we're
on the move and they mean business.
For our newly boarded passengers,complimentary premium beverage and
snacks are awaiting your request.
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| Evening: After dinner you can enjoy our continued complimentary premium beverage and snack services. If you wish to retire to the solitude of your room, you may. When you would like your room transformed to it's comfortable overnight configuration, just ask! Our on board staff will oblige. |
10:11pm: Arrive: Kansas City
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Late Evening: Premium beverage and snack service continues in our lounge or, if you prefer, we'll deliver them right to your room. Lounge service concludes at Midnight. |
| 11:30pm-Midnight: Passengers who wish to alight from our railcars for a little nightlife in downtown Kansas City… may do so now. Taxis are available just footsteps away. |
| Night: Occupy rail cars overnight parked in Kansas City |
| Saturday,
May 16, 2009(Day 3 for STL passengers) (Day 2 for CHI passengers): |
| 7:30-9:30am: Breakfast served while parked in Kansas City. |
| Free Day: Today is a free day for shopping,
dining and sightseeing on your own. May we suggest Crown Center (right
across the street from the station), the Country Club Plaza, the American
Jazz Museum, the Hallmark Visitors Center, the Discovery Center, or Harrah's
North Kansas City Casino.
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| Afternoon: Lunch is on your own today while touring the greater Kansas City area. |
| Evening: Dinner is on your own. When you return to the train complimentary premium beverage and snack service continues in our lounge or, if you prefer, we'll deliver them right to your room. Just Ask! Lounge service concludes at Midnight. |
| 9:10pm(approx.): Our cars will be made up into tomorrow morning's train and parked 100 feet north of prior location. During this switching our railcars may not be accessible for an hour or so. Please plan accordingly. |
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Night: Occupy rail cars overnight parked in Kansas City |
| Sunday May
17, 2009(Day 4 for STL passengers) (Day 3 for CHI passengers): |
| 7:00am: All passengers should be aboard our railcars at this time. |
| 7:30am-9:30am: Breakfast will be served, onboard en-route. |
| 7:30am: Depart: Kansas City, MO Amtrak's #314 "The Ann Rutledge". With a blast from the horn our River Cities train (Amtrak's #314 "The Ann Rutledge") tip toes out of Kansas City Union Station. We'll dodge the heavy freight traffic as we head east towards St. Louis, MO. |
| Morning: Passengers
enjoy the scenic views of the rolling Missouri countryside. Our route
will follow the original line of the Pacific Railroad. (Circa 1865). The
Pacific Railroad was the first railroad completed west of the Mississippi
River. Our route (of the eagles) cuts overland through Warrensburg and
Sedalia. We'll follow the Missouri River valley from Jefferson City to
about Gray Summit. Upon passing through the tunnel at Gray Summit, we
enter the Meramec River valley as we descend into St. Louis, MO. |
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11:30am-1:30pm: Luncheon served aboard our railcars, en-route. For our St. Louis, MO bound passengers we suggest enjoying lunch early as our carded arrival time into St. Louis, MO is approximately 1:10pm. |
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1:10 pm (approx.): Arrive: St. Louis, MO.
With the St. Louis skyline glistening in the warm afternoon sun, the
tower rising from old St. Louis Union Station welcomes us back. As our
train drifts by the station, now a historic landmark, we slowly grind
to a halt. Our first class on board staff bid farewell to our St. Louis
departing passengers, as they alight from our train. |
| Afternoon: Complimentary premium beverage and snack service continues as we dwell in St. Louis. |
| 2:45pm: ALL ABOARD!!! |
| 3:00pm: Depart: St. Louis,
MO. Amtrak #304 "Lincoln Service" our River Cities Train. Our train once again crosses the Mississippi River on our quest for the "Windy City", Chicago, IL. Enjoy the picturesque scenery just outside our windows. |
| Late Afternoon: Sitting back and relaxing with a complimentary beverage of your choice, enjoying travel the care free, car free way, no traffic or gas to deal with, just fascinating scenery as we traverse the rich Illinois farm land. |
| 4:57pm: Arrive: Springfield, IL. With Illinois' State Capitol building visible out the left side of our train, we once again pass trough a living piece of American history. |
| 5:00pm: Dinner served en-route. Our arrival in Springfield, IL also heralds the call for dinner. Our onboard chef has prepared a delicious dinner. Bon Appetite! |
| 7:00pm: Second seating for dinner if necessary. |
| 8:40pm: Arrive: Chicago Union Station
As our River Cities train enters Chicago Union Station our trip is quickly
drawing to a close. New found friends bid farewell as all step off the
train. Our trip ends here. Thank You!
Out-of-town passengers may stay on board Sunday night but must depart the train by 9:00am Monday. |
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Sample Menus: |
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| Sample Breakfast Menu: Assorted Fresh Fruits Freshly-Made, Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes With Fruit Topping Crisp Bacon or Savory Pork Sausage Links Oat Meal Select Breakfast Cereals Assorted Breakfast Pastries English Muffins Bagels and Cream Cheese Golden Brown Toast with Butter-Jelly-Peanut Butter Assorted Chilled Juices Milk, Hot Chocolate, Assorted Hot Teas Freshly Brewed Coffee (Regular or Decaf) |
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| Sample
Lunch Menu:
Tangy Lemon Rice Soup |
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| Sample Dinner Selection: Cream Soup DeJour Tender Mixed Green Salad Topped with Croutons, Grated Cheddar Cheese with Choice of Dressing Succulent Tenderloin of Beef Medallions with a Touch of Béarnaise and Hunter Sauce Baked Idaho Potato with Sour Cream, Fresh cut Chives and Butter Medley of Seasoned Vegetables Dinner Rolls and Butter Chicago Style Cheesecake Ribboned with Strawberry Topping & Garnishes with a Fresh Strawberry Freshly Brewed Coffee (Regular or Decaffeinated) Assorted Teas Soft Drinks, Domestic and Imported Beers, Wine and Mixed Drinks |
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| What's Included: • Attentive first-class service provided by our American Rail Excursions, Inc. Staff throughout the trip • Rail/Accommodations charges aboard our private rail cars for this trip as per your itinerary. • Up to 4 nights of accommodations aboard our private rail cars based on your itinerary. • Complimentary onboard meal service based on your itinerary: • Complimentary Premium beverage and snack service during our entire trip- includes beer, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea and milk. • Deluxe Suite, Double Bedroom or Roomette accommodations aboard or private rail cars (as per your reservation). |
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| About Your Accommodations: | |
| Double Bedroom (accommodates 1-2 adults):
Every double bedroom has a large window and is furnished with adjustable
climate controls, individual reading lights, fold-down table, garment
rack, door mirror and either a large couch or a small couch and a lounge
chair for day travel. Best of all, your onboard service attendant transforms
your room into two beds (1 upper and 1 lower), turns down your bed, arranges
for a wake-up call and brings your morning coffee or juice right to your
room. Your linens, towels and soap are also provided. All sleeping cars
are equipped with a convenient full size shower and changing room located
just down the hall.
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Costs: Double Bedroom: St. Louis Boarding: Round-trip: Chicago Boarding: Round-trip: Private Room on Train, one person in one double
bedroom $1,699.00
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Costs: Deluxe Suite: Deluxe Suite: Accomidated two Adults in lower beds with two ensuited double bedrooms. St. Louis Boarding: Round-trip: Chicago Boarding:
Round-trip:
Roomettes: Roomettes:
St. Louis Boarding: Round-trip: $1,399.00 Chicago Boarding: Round-trip: $1,199.00 |
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| Payment Terms: | |
| Reservations must be in
our office no later than A 50% deposit due upon booking. Please call for current accommodation availability. No refunds unless trip is canceled. Please reserve your space as soon as possible for best selection. |
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ALL ABOARD!!
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The River Cities Tour
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Important Information - Please Read American Rail Excursions, Inc. welcomes everyone who wishes to travel with us on our public trips. However, because this is vintage railway equipment produced in the 1940's and 1950's, there are no special facilities available for those passengers that might have a disability.. We welcome those passengers that are disabled , but please consider the suitability of these trips carefully. We encourage you to call us at 708-758-6680 or e-mail us at roger@americanrail.com for additional information for your specific situation. Responsibility Transportation companies, Amtrak, etc. are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board train or conveyances. The passenger contracts in use by Amtrak or transportation companies and passengers or purchasers of this tour, American Rail Excursions, Inc., The Silver Sleeping Car Company, Crown Rail, Mid America Rail Car Leasing, Pacific Union Sleeping Car Co. L.L.C., Nevada & Western Rail Tours LLC or IFE Leasing Company assumes no responsibility in this connection. Enrollment in and payment for a tour shall constitute agreement and acceptance by the passenger of the terms and conditions set forth herein. Payments are not refundable unless the trip is canceled. We reserve the right to cancel a trip prior to departure, in which case your entire payment to us will be refunded without further obligation on our part. Smoking is not permitted on these cars (except in vestibules between cars and on the ground at the longer station stops). As is the case of all travel regardless of destination, we cannot guarantee clear weather all the time and clouds, rain or other weather conditions beyond our control may obscure scenic highlights. We have no control over the various transportation companies providing services for the excursions, and thus it must be understood that changes in the equipment, dates, routes, or other accommodations, though unlikely, can occur. Travel insurance is recommended for any extended trip to protect your interest.
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