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More on the possible train trip to South Carolina game next year

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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
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We've made a little more progress on the possible Bulldog train to Columbia, SC for the football game next year.

What we're looking at right now is a completely charted Amtrak train that would depart Meridian, MS at about 7:00am on the Friday before the game. It would go non-stop all the way to Columbia, SC with an arrival time around 7:00pm. Hotel in Columbia Friday night, game Saturday and hotel again Saturday night. Depart Columbia around 7:00 am Sunday and get back to Meridian around 7:00pm.

The train would be made up of Amtrak equipment including coach cars, a dinning car and a lounge car or two. It's possible that we might be able to add some sleeper cars if enough people wanted the accommodations.

Yes, it would be possible to originate the train in Jackson but it would add a good bit of cost and require a departure time of about 4:30 am from Jackson in order to meet a 7:00 window in Meridian to avoid delaying other Amtrak trains.

That's just an early idea of an itinerary.

Would any of you be interested in a trip like this? If so, how many? Comments?
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
14
38
We've made a little more progress on the possible Bulldog train to Columbia, SC for the football game next year.

What we're looking at right now is a completely charted Amtrak train that would depart Meridian, MS at about 7:00am on the Friday before the game. It would go non-stop all the way to Columbia, SC with an arrival time around 7:00pm. Hotel in Columbia Friday night, game Saturday and hotel again Saturday night. Depart Columbia around 7:00 am Sunday and get back to Meridian around 7:00pm.

The train would be made up of Amtrak equipment including coach cars, a dinning car and a lounge car or two. It's possible that we might be able to add some sleeper cars if enough people wanted the accommodations.

Yes, it would be possible to originate the train in Jackson but it would add a good bit of cost and require a departure time of about 4:30 am from Jackson in order to meet a 7:00 window in Meridian to avoid delaying other Amtrak trains.

That's just an early idea of an itinerary.

Would any of you be interested in a trip like this? If so, how many? Comments?
 
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rem101

Sophomore
Jan 22, 2008
3,183
132
63
Meridian is not that far from Jackson. People could drive, it's not that big of a deal. You'd probably get more sleep driving to Meridian to leave at 7 30 instead of leaving Jackson at 4 30.

As long as there's plenty of booze and food, I don't need a sleeper car.

Any pricing available yet? Thanks for the info and please keep us updated.
 
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SnakePlissken

Redshirt
Feb 24, 2008
1,322
0
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If you are originating from Meridian, and it is non-stop, my guess is that you'll get around 50 takers. Is there a minimum # you are looking for? Not many fans usually travel to SC anyway and if you won't give places like B'ham or Atlanta a chance for State fans to get aboard then I'm not sure it will be worth the costs/effort.
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
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38
I think stops in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Atlanta could be arranged. I think that if fans sign up for the trip and live along the way and there is a station near them then we could stop.

Our time crunch comes from The Crescent LTD, Amtrak's regular daily train. We would HAVE to stay way ahead of it. If it catches up to us, it would take priority over us, jump ahead of us and perhaps delay us for a few hours.

No idea yet on costs. We're working on getting info on minimum numbers and cost now.

More info to come!
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
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but probably going to be around 100 minimum. I agree that not many people travel to SC. I'm one that's never been. However, I've not been before simply because it was such a long way. I'm hoping that this idea might draw others to make the trip. There's nothing like drinking and riding trains. At least this time I'll get to ride on the inside.
 
Maroon Eagle

Maroon Eagle

All-American
May 24, 2006
17,961
7,765
102
...going to Columbia shouldn't be too bad. The Crescent leaves New Orleans at 7 a.m. The charter will be four hours ahead.
 
TaleofTwoDogs

TaleofTwoDogs

All-Conference
Jun 1, 2004
4,077
1,810
113
you would have to arrange a block of tickets from the MSU ticket office. South Carolina sells out its home games and tickets will be tuff to find on our own. Downside is that those tickets are probably near or in the end zone. Of course, we will all be either to hungover to give a **** or still drunk from 12 hours of boozing.
 
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patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
56,632
25,954
113
I don't think a 7AM start from Meridian is a good idea. You're almost out of the state before you even startand most people would have to drive there. And most people aren't going to want to leave home before 6AM for anything.I think you'd have better resultsif you started at 7AM from New Orleans or a little later from Picayune, Hattiesburg or Laurel. Would be even better if you could start from Jackson, but I understand that that's not feasible due to AmTrack's routes. Just my 2 cents. Whatever you wind up doing, I hope it's a great trip.
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
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38
Two things were driving that time. First, we have to stay ahead of the Crescent, Amtraks regularly scheduled train. A four hour head start might sound like a lot but it's not when you deal with railroad time. I worked for a major railroad for many years. You can't imagine the things that can happen that cause a delay. And it's not just delays on our part. Any delays ahead of us could also delay us.

The other reason for the early departure was a desired arrival time. We didn't want to creep into Columbia at midnight leaving everyone worn out for the game the next day, especially if it turns into a morning game.

Again, this is just an early planning schedule. It might be adjusted a number of ways. There was talk of going up a day earlier to give people a chance to enjoy the area. We'll see what Amtrak can offer and see what the fans want.

Our luck, we'll get it all planned and two weeks out, they'll move the game to Thursday night!!!
 
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LTblows

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
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36
When is the last day we can sign up for it? I'm hoping to be living back in MS this time next year, but it's uncertain at this point.

Also, for anyone who goes, be prepared to tailgate in a parking lot. That's all there is around the stadium. It's not close to their campus.
 
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WDCDawg

Redshirt
Oct 26, 2010
42
0
0
I wouldn't be on the train since I live in Virginia but would love to participate in the rest of the package.
 
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saltslugs

Redshirt
Oct 9, 2009
1,500
0
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from someone who encourages derailing.<div>
</div><div>Seriously though, if it stopped in Tuscaloosa I'd consider.</div>
 
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Tds &amp; Beer

Redshirt
Jan 26, 2010
1,082
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and would be even more interested if I could meet up somewhere like Hattiesburg or jackson. But if that means getting there two and a half hours before seven when I could just drive an extra hour to Meridian, I guess I would rather just leave from Meridian.
 
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gmford1979

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
56
0
0
me and G friend are definately interested, and could almost guarantee at least 5 othercouples. i've been to Columbia twice and both times had a hell of a good time. and your right, drinking and riding the train is an awesome time, can't imagine with 200 bulldog fans. Count me in!
 
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randystewart

Junior
Jan 14, 2009
1,181
314
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Also, pretty sure that I know of several others from Starkville that would jump on board. This would be a very unique opportunity, and hard to pass up.
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
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we're just in the early planing stages. I'm sure you'll have at least to the end of the summer next year and maybe longer. We won't know a whole lot more about the trip until after the SEC releases the conference schedule for next year. After that, things should start to fall into place quickly.
 
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shaschboy

Redshirt
Sep 19, 2007
568
0
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I know of at least 10 to 20 who would jump on in B-ham, maybe more.

Also, I don't think they'll let you smoke on the train, even if chartered, so it would give the smokers 10 minutes to jump off and take a drag and let us load up!
 
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MSUCE99

Redshirt
Nov 15, 2005
1,005
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Will TSA agents be molesting train passengers as they board and/or exit the trains on this trip? That will determine whether I'm looking into this any further.

Because I am sworn off of flying or anything else associated with public transportation where the government gets to either irradiate me and take x-rated pics or fondle me.

Just wondering.
 
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buddawg

Redshirt
Aug 26, 2009
198
0
0
you have not been to Columbia before. You need to book hotel rooms in downtown Columbia, I am pretty sure it is called five points. You will need to provide transportation to the stadium from the hotel.

I have been to Columbia three times, best road trip in the SEC.
 
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srdawg

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
25
0
0
I'm very interested for 4 people and possibly more from tupelo....more details and some idea of cost would be appreciated
 
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