June 29-July 10, 2008

Join us for a special  and exciting trip to Boston for the “Fourth of July” 2008.

Our trip will leave Los Angeles on June 29 and return eleven days later. You will be traveling in traditional Pullman style aboard two vintage, and fully restored, private rail cars.  You will view the spectacular and awesome scenery of the Southwest, the rolling plains of the heartland, and the lush green scenery of the Northeast.  As a bonus, your fare will include a round trip on the Boston to Portland “Downeaster” as the “Salisbury Beach” sleeper returns to home rails.  Meals will be available in the Amtrak diners and café cars on an individual settlement basis.  Free light snacks and beverages will be available throughout the trip in the sleepers.

Trip Itinerary 

Sunday, 6/29 

You will leave Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal at 6:45pm.  Our cars will be attached to the front-end of the “Southwest Chief” allowing passage to the rest of the train.  Dinner in the direr will be available on our departure as the train heads out of the Los Angeles area and up and over Cajon Pass.  This will be a good time to relax before retiring into your Pullman berth for the night.

 Monday, 6/30 

Awake in the morning to our train crossing  the Arizona desert and into western New Mexico.  At noon, we will arrive in Albuquerque with ample time in the station to enjoy a relaxing visit.   

Tuesday, 7/1 

We will arrive in Chicago in mid-afternoon.  Our cars will be taken to the Amtrak coach yard for servicing.  Our cars will serve as our hotel throughout the trip and tonight will remain in the coach yard.  Numerous restaurants and attractions are available by taxi or rapid transit.  We are in Chicago for just over a day as our next train leaves the following evening. 

Wednesday, 7/2

The “Lake Shore Limited” leaves at 10 PM for Boston so we have the whole day to relax, ride the loop trains, visit museums, and enjoy the many sights of Chicago. 

Thursday, 7/3 

After traveling  the night in our comfortable Pullman berths via the “Water Level Route”, we arrive in Albany, New York, where our cars are switched to the Boston section of the “Lake Shore Limited”.  After traveling through the Berkshire Mountains, we arrive in South Station in Boston about 9:45pm.  Our cars are taken to the Amtrak coach yard for servicing and inspection and returned to “South Station” for our occupancy during our stay in Boston.

Friday, 7/4 

The celebration of our nation’s birth is everywhere around Boston, the “Cradle of Liberty”.  The famous and highly popular Boston Pops 4^th of July concert and fireworks begins at 8 PM and is free.  The oval in front of Hatch Shell (where the orchestra plays) opens at 9am.  Early seating is desirable.  The “Pacific Sands” will remain available for occupancy and the “Salisbury Beach” will travel to North Station for a 11:20 PM departure for Portland, Maine.

Saturday, 7/5

The “Pacific Sands” will be available for occupancy while the “Salisbury Beach” will make two round trips between Boston and Portland, ending the day coupled to the “Pacific Sands” after servicing and inspection.

Sunday, 7/6 

Departure today is at 12 noon on the “Lake Shore Limited” for Chicago.  We bid the charming and historic New England a fond farewell.  Our overnight journey will find us approaching Chicago the next day. 

Monday, 7/7 

Arrival in Chicago is scheduled for 9:45am.  We will have until 3:15pm the following day to visit the many attractions in the “Windy City”.

Tuesday, 7/8 

We depart Chicago at 3:15pm behind the baggage car and with easy access to the rest of the train.  Snacks will be available throughout the trip in both Pullman cars.

Wednesday, 7/9

Arrival in Albuquerque is at 4 PM.  Servicing and inspection of the train normally takes about 30 minutes, allowing ample time for a stroll on the platform.  The final night aboard your vintage Pullman car will be a great time to remember the many sights that were seen on this cross-country trip.

Thursday, 7/10 

We return to California and anticipate our arrival back in Los Angeles at approximately 7:30 AM.

Trip cost is only $1895 which includes travel and stay aboard the train in Chicago and Boston. All meals are on your own. One way is also available. Call for details but reserve now!  Deposit required to hold space.

First Class sleeping accommodations aboard the Pacific Sands and Salisbury Beach:

The Pacific Sands features traditional single person "roomettes" and two person "double bedrooms". All rooms have toilet/sink facilities, individual temperature control, fans, small closet. Couples have the choice of a double bedroom, (Upper and Lower berth) or in individual "right across the aisle" roomettes. Two Double Bedrooms may also be joined together to form a suite for a family of four. The car is equipped with a shared shower and also features a kitchenette at the end of the car.