May 23, 2010:

 

 

            I got up around 8:30 am and went downstairs for breakfast. I went back upstairs and finished packing. I then checked out of my hotel and caught a bus downtown. The charter didn’t start until 1:00 pm, but I thought I might be able to find an internet café in downtown Dayton. However, I was wrong. I also noticed on a Sunday, downtown Dayton is locked up tighter than a drum.

 

            I photographed a few buses during the morning including 2309.

 

 

 

 

 

            Around 11:30, I bought lunch at the downtown transit terminal. I then wandered over to the Crowne Plaza Hotel to wait.

 

            Some people on the charter visited Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky to see their historical fleet, but I didn’t go.

 

            I got to the Crowne Plaza hotel at noon. Even though I didn’t stay there, they let me keep my suitcase which saved me from dragging it around. At 12:30, I began to see other charter attendees arriving. We headed outside and around 1:00 pm. Gillig hybrid #1006 showed up again. We got on and it took us to the garage where BBC #110 was being prepared for the second charter. I photographed 1006 and other buses in the garage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

            #110 was moved and I filmed it pulling up. I photographed it before I got on.

 

 

            I sat in the same seat as the day before. Meanwhile, the BBC plate was reinstalled on 110.

 

            I heard that we would get a chance to film 110 pulling out of the garage. I got off 110 and walked to outside the garage. Once outside, I photographed the yard with retired D30LFs and a line truck that pulled out before 110 did.

 

 

 

            Soon, 110 pulled out. As it did, I filmed it and then took some photos.

 

 

 

            We then repositioned 110 so it was beside the RTA logo on the garage.

 

 

            We got back on the bus and we headed off. Our first stop was along the eastern end of route 1. We stopped going uphill and I took some photos and a couple videos of 110.

 

 

 

 

            The next stop was several blocks away at the top of a hill on a residential street. Once again people asked about the bus throughout the duration of the charter.

 

 

            I went to the bottom and filmed 110 pulling up and took some more pictures.

 

 

 

            Our next photo stop was at a layover area for the route 1 trolleybus. I heard the factory where the 9800 series Skoda trolleybuses were built wasn’t far off. I took some photos.

 

 

 

            While at this stop, I heard a funny story of a RTA driver who whenever he was assigned to this route, he would hurry up so he would have an extended layover period. That driver played golf and would bring his golf clubs with him so he could practice his drive in the field nearby!

 

            No one practiced their drive on the charter! We got back on the bus and headed off. Along the way, we stopped in front of a fire station that had former Dayton Flexible #9205. 9205 had been converted to a command vehicle and was named “Rehab 2”

 

            Someone asked if they could open the garage and pull the bus out. The fire department pulled the bus out and posed it with 110. I took some photos.

 

 

 

 

            We were allowed inside Rehab 2. I took some more shots inside and out.

 

 

 

 

            Meanwhile I heard a freight train. I saw it running on the line that ran behind the fire station. We got back on 110 and we then had a photo runby on the part where the trolley wires are the closest to the roof of the bus which was under the railway overpass. I filmed 110 passing through and then took one more photo before I got back on the bus.

 

 

            My 1 GB memory stick was pretty full by this time, so I changed it to my new 4 GB stick. As we drove, we passed a section where the trolley wire was swaying quite noticeably being our bus. While on the bus, we wondered what would happen to 110 after the weekend.

 

Our next stop was on a residential street.

 

 

 

            We had to move 110 so a service bus on the route 2 could get by. I took a couple more shots of 110 before I got back on.

 

 

 

            I got back on the trolleybus. I saw that in this neighborhood that some lawns had been allowed to grow really tall. I could help but take a photo of one such example!

 

 

            Everyone else got back on 110 and we were soon off. I noticed several houses were boarded up. At one point when we passed a house with really long grass, someone on the bus shouted “Mow your lawn!”

 

            Our next stop was a short drive away. Some kids were on the front porch of a house and asked about 110 when we stopped.

 

 

            Fellow charter attendee Joseph Chemerys told the boys that #110 was built in 1982 and is from Edmonton. Next, we stopped in front of a bridge so we could film 110 driving over it. I took a photo before I walked across the bridge.

 

 

            I then waited for 110 to pass. When it did, I filmed it and took one more shot.

 

 

 

            We got back on the bus and headed off. Our next stop was near a Wendy’s where I ran in and bought a coke.

 

 

 

Next, we stopped at the Eastown Hub which is near a strip mall. I took some photos there.

 

 

 

            Some other people on the charter and I walked over to film 110 passing under a series of arches holding up the trolley wire. I filmed a D35LF and 110 passing under the wires before I got on.

 

            Our next photo stop was 15 minutes later. While we were driving, someone talked about the trolley poles and how they took switches. I also heard that during Flyer 937’s last ride, its poles had to be switched manually because it didn’t have the current style. I photographed 110 and a dune buggy that was painted to look like the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard.

 

 

 

            I filmed 110 making a left turn at an intersection. Someone was filming 110 while they were standing on a mailbox. We all got back on.

 

            The last photo stop was in front of RTA’s current substation. I took some photos of 110 and then a video of it driving past the intersection.

 

 

 

 

            I had to leave here. I said goodbye to everyone and took two more photos of 110.

 

 

 

            I then walked back to the Crowne Plaza and got my suitcase. I then took a taxi to the Greyhound station. I wished the Greyhound station was still downtown! When we hit the highway, I caught a glimpse of 110 heading back to the garage.

 

            We soon arrived at the terminal. I got a baggage take for my suitcase and waited. While waiting, I took one last photo of an RTA D40LF.

 

 

            I looked the building from the outside knowing that RTA’s historical fleet was inside. I wasn’t sure if 110 would return there in the near future.

 

            After awhile, the bus arrived. I boarded and we were soon off. This bus looked slightly better than the bus I rode into Dayton on.

 

            The bus hit the highway and soon we were out of Dayton. The bus made one stop in Springfield before we arrived 5 minutes early into Columbus. I took a photo of the bus.

 

 

            I got my suitcase and caught a taxi to my hotel. My hotel was near the airport. I checked in and watched the Simpsons and the Cleveland Show. I also bought dinner from a nearby McDonald’s. I also saw there was a computer with internet access which I used to get directions from my hotel in Charlotte to the Amtrak station. I went back to my room and asked for a wake-up call at 7:00 am and called it a night.

 

May 24, 2010:

 

            I got up at 7:00 am and got dressed. I had breakfast and then went back to my room and finished packing. I then went to the lobby to check out and call for the complimentary airport shuttle. The shuttle arrived and took me to the airport after making a couple more stops.

 

            I would be flying Southwest Airlines to Baltimore. This would be the first time I’ve flown with Southwest. They are one of two U.S. airlines that don’t charge to check the first bag. I checked in and checked my suitcase.

 

            I went through security and had to take off my shoes. I had a minor problem in security as they wanted to check the contents of my money belt. I showed them and was quickly able to prove I had no ill intent. I got my stuff together and left the security checkpoint.

 

            I went into a store and bought some candy. I also paid $5 for a 15 minute massage in a massage chair.

 

            After awhile, the plane arrived at the gate. I took some photos of it.

 

 

 

            The plane was a Boeing 737-300 in a special livery. Southwest only uses Boeing 737s. Soon, it was time to board. Unlike most airlines, Southwest does not assign seats. Instead, they give passengers boarding positions and they choose seats on their own initiative.

 

            I took a window seat in the third-last row of the plane. From my plane, I photographed another Southwest 737.

 

 

            The plane left the gate a few minutes late. I filmed the takeoff run. The flight was uneventful. Part of the time, I watched my seatmate playing Bookworm and giving him hints.

 

            Soon, we were approaching Baltimore. I filmed the landing and photographed some planes including a Northwest DC-9 and a US military plane.

 

 

 

            The plane arrived on time. Once I got off, I took some photos of it.

 

 

 

            I then went to get my suitcase. My bag was the fifth one to emerge. I knew I had about 5 hours to get to Baltimore Penn station which was plenty of time to get there on public transit. I knew I could either take an Amtrak or MARC train from the BWI Airport station or light rail. I figured I’d take the light rail. The light rail station was at the other side of the “U” shaped terminal.

 

            I walked to the light rail station and bought a day pass. While waiting, I photographed an Omni Air International DC-10.

 

 

            A few minutes later, a light rail train arrived. I photographed it.

 

 

            I boarded the front car of the train and we were soon off. I saw anti-terrorism ads in the car that among other things said to report people taking pictures of equipment. However, it didn’t say that photography was prohibited and no one gave me problems while I was in Baltimore.

 

            I took a few photos from the train. One passenger said that one neighborhood was full of crack heads. The train stopped by Camden Yards where I photographed a RPO painted in MARC colours at an adjacent MARC commuter rail station.

 

 

            I got off the train at where Baltimore’s three light rail lines connect to the subway. I got off and filmed my train departing.

 

            I walked a couple blocks and bought lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch I phoned home and then went on the subway. I waited for an Owings Mills bound train; I filmed a train going in the opposite direction and photographed the last car.

 

 

            When I boarded, I noticed that four car trains were running. A train came going in my direction and I rode to Reisterstown Plaza stop. I filmed my train pulling out. I walked over to a nearby Wendy’s and bought a coke because it was hot and I was thirsty. I also charged the batteries for my digital camera.

 

            Once my batteries were charged, I walked back to the Metro to head back downtown and onto Penn Station. I saw they were now running six car trains to get ready for the afternoon rush hour. I boarded a train heading downtown.

 

            The train passed the yard where the subway cars are stored and maintained. I saw that they had an ex Conrail transfer caboose in the yard. I’ve never seen a subway system with its own caboose before! I also noticed on the out of service trains, the destination sign read “Not in Use” as opposed to “Not in service” or “Out of service”.

 

            I got back to Lexington Market station and filmed my train pulling out. I noticed I had lost my daypass. Like the Washington Metro, the Baltimore subway requires the pass to be used for both entering and leaving the subway. I went to the fare collector and explained what happened and she let me out. I bought a one-use ticket because I was just going to Penn Station.

 

            I walked over and waited for a light rail train to Penn Station. While I was waiting, I filmed a light rail train in MTA’s new livery.

 

            Soon, a Penn station bound train arrived. I boarded and rode to Penn Station. When I got off, I photographed the car.

 

 

            I then went upstairs. I had an hour and 45 minutes before the Crescent was scheduled to depart. I walked over to an area a couple blocks from the station and photographed Amtrak GP38H-3 #523 and filmed a northbound Regional and the New York bound Silver Star arriving 30 minutes early.

 

 

            I went back to Penn Station. A little while later, I returned to film Acela Express train #2121 depart. When I saw it in the station, I saw two railfans photographing it. I filmed the Acela departing and went back to the station to see if I could see if I could meet these railfans without success.

 

            I also saw the Crescent was now running over 40 minutes late. I was a bit annoyed since this is the Northeast Corridor where Amtrak owns the tracks. I was forced to wait. While I was waiting, I photographed a couple MARC commuter trains.

 

 

 

            I also filmed a southbound Acela Express. At one point, I withdrew $40 from an ATM in the station. I asked why the Crescent was delayed. I was told track work. About 35 minutes later, passengers waiting for the Crescent were allowed onto the platform. While waiting for the train to pull in, I photographed a MARC commuter train.

 

 

 

            The Crescent pulled in 38 minutes late led by AEM7 #905. As it arrived, I filmed it pulling in.

 

 

            I was seated in Amfleet 2 coach #25083, a refurbished coach. The train was very full and I was assigned seat 18, an aisle seat. The train soon departed. I went to the lounge car three cars back.

 

            The train raced past BWI airport. Soon, we were approaching Washington DC.  This would be a smoke stop while #905 was swapped out for a pair of P42s. I stepped off and took some photos.

 

 

 

            We were next to train 85 which was waiting to depart. When it left, I filmed it pulling away and saw the southbound Silver Meteor behind it. I photographed the Silver Meteor and wandered to the front of the Crescent and took some more photos.

 

 

 

 

            I filmed two P42s coupling up to train 19. I didn’t get the number of the lead locomotive, but the second unit was 123. After, I got back on the train. A new crew had boarded and they required passengers to take their seats. I found out that when I got on in Baltimore, the crew had assigned me to an already occupied seat! The person who was originally in seat 18 was sitting in it. We went to the crew and the guy who originally had seat 18 found a new seat.

 

            Power was soon restored and the train departed. We went through a tunnel and shortly after we exited the tunnel we passed the L’Enfant Plaza commuter rail station near the Smithsonian. We crossed the Potomac River and I got a glimpse of the Pentagon.

 

            Outside of Alexandria, Virginia, we stopped. A commuter train had broken down ahead of us. From the train, I could see the Washington Metro. I observed several 1000 series cars being run in the middle of trains. They were confined to the middle of trains as a result of a 1000 series train hitting a 5000 series train and the 1000 series telescoped killing many people last summer.

 

            The delay made us an hour late. I went to the dining car and made a reservation for 8:30 pm. I went between the lounge car and my coach seat. I bought some pita chips to tide me over until dinner.

 

            The train stopped at Manassas. 8:30 pm came and I went to the dining car for dinner. This was the first time since my Cleveland Make-up Trip that I had a meal in a Heritage dining car. Just like my Cleveland Make-up trip, this was a Temoinsa refurbished diner.

 

            After dinner, I went back to my coach. By now, the sun went down. The train stopped at Culpeper.

 

            A little while later, we stopped in Charlottesville, Virginia. This was a smoke stop. I stepped off and took some photos.

 

 

 

            I got back on and the train soon left. I bought some milk from the lounge car and tried to sleep.

 

            I was awake when the train stopped at Lynchburg. I saw an Amtrak Northeast Corridor train sitting on an adjacent track in the station. Amtrak recently extended a couple corridor trains to Lynchburg.

 

            I tried to sleep as the train continued on it journey. We stopped at Danville and then Greensboro. At Greensboro, several people got off the train. I asked if I could move to a pair of seats which were freed up. An Amtrak employee said I could. I moved over and lay down across the two seats after the train departed.

 

            Another Amtrak employee asked where I was seated originally. I told her seat 18 and she said I may have to move back should more people get on. However, no one got on that would require me to move.

 

Click here for my day in Charlotte and my trip back home:           North Carolina trip