2009 Public Rail Excursions
Chicago Historic Pullman trip
Private rail car trip from Cincinnati to Chicago and return.
May 13-17, 2009
4 day / 3 night Private Rail Car Excursion
Join the Cincinnati Railway Company on a private rail excursion to Chicago for a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Pullman State Historic Site, home of the town of Pullman. This trip is excellent for rail fans and history buffs alike! Founded in 1884 on an area of land east of Lake Calumet, The town of Pullman was built by industrialist and inventor George Pullman. This fully functioning company town was built adjacent to his new factory, complete with its own housing, shops, churches, theaters, parks, hotel, school, hospital and library for his employees.
Travel from Cincinnati to Chicago aboard our private luxury rail cars, The Observatory and the Birch Grove. Upon arrival in Chicago you are free to spend the day as you like touring the city. The second day of our trip will be a tour day. We will spend the day at the Pullman Historic Site, where we will visit the Pullman Museum, the Visitor’s Center for a presentation and video and enjoy a catered lunch, then on to a tour of the factory, the Florence Hotel (built by George Pullman and named after his daughter) and a neighborhood walk through the town that Pullman built. We will see the Greenstone Church, Market Hall, Public Parks, and a full range of executives, middle managers and workers homes. We will even get to tour inside two homes by special invitation. You will again have more free time in Chicago to explore the city on the third day before our evening departure. We suggest visiting the Illinois Railway Museum, a must see for any rail fan!
For more information on the Pullman State Historic site please visit: www.pullman-museum.org.
Itinerary
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
7:00 p.m. Board the rail cars at McCullough Rail Yard in Norwood. Enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the lounge of The Observatory as we celebrate the start of the rail excursion with a Bon Voyage party. Retire to your private sleeping quarters late that evening as the cars are moved to the Cincinnati Union Terminal for an early morning departure behind Amtrak's westbound Cardinal to Chicago.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
1:03 a.m. The train will depart Cincinnati behind Amtrak's Cardinal to Chicago.
Awake in the morning and enjoy a gourmet breakfast prepared by our private chef as we near our destination.
10:35 a.m. Arrive at Chicago Union Station located at 225 Canal St. Chicago, IL. 60606.
This is a free day. Upon arrival, the day is yours to spend as you like sightseeing and dining in Chicago. Lunch and dinner are on you own.
Retire to the rail cars and your private accommodations in the evening.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Pullman Tour day!
Upon waking in the morning grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the light continental breakfast the chef has laid out and get ready to depart for the Metra Station!
| 9:15 a.m. |
Leave Downtown-Millennium Park Station aboard the Metra train |
9:46 a.m. |
Arrive at Pullman – 111th Street Station - We will be met at the station by our guide for the day from the Pullman State Historic Site |
| 9:50 a.m. |
Meet at Hotel Florence – across the street from the Station
Meet & Greet, Bathroom break, etc. |
| 10:15 a.m. |
Tour the Hotel Florence. (A 1980s gem from the past.) |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Historic Pullman Foundation Visitor Center – see a film and visit the museum |
| 12:15 p.m. |
Catered lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Factory Tour (We will tour the surviving portion of the factory, most was burned down in the 1960s.) |
| 2:30 p.m. |
Return to the Hotel Florence briefly for a bathroom break |
| 2:45 p.m. |
Neighborhood Walk, viewing Greenstone Church, Market Hall, Public Parks, and several types of employee's housing. (1 Executive House, 1 Workers house) |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Return to Hotel Florence for final comments, bathrooms, etc. |
| 4:43 p.m. |
Catch the Metra train at 111th St. returning to Millennium Park Station |
| 5:19 p.m. |
Arrive at Millennium Park Station |
Upon arriving back at the Millennium Park Station the rest of the evening is free to spend as you like. Dinner is on your own. Retire to the rail cars and your private accommodations in the evening.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Enjoy one last free day in Chicago. Upon awaking in the morning grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the continental breakfast the chef has laid out before departing for a morning and afternoon of sightseeing. Lunch is on your own.
4:30 p.m. Re board the rail cars and prepare for our return trip home.
5:45 p.m. We will depart Chicago behind Amtrak's eastbound Cardinal towards our final destination.
As we depart the windy city enjoy a gourmet meal prepared by our private chef as the breathtaking Chicago skyline slowly fades into the distance.
Enjoy the rest of the evening in the dome or the lounge and socialize with your fellow passengers whom you've gotten to know during the trip or enjoy the rest of the journey from the privacy of your private accommodations and watch the night time landscape pass by.
Retire to your private accommodations in the evening.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
3:29 a.m. As our cars arrive back at Cincinnati Union Terminal, continue to slumber peacefully in your bed and de board at your leisure in the morning at McCullough Rail Yard after enjoying a cup of coffee and a light continental breakfast. If you prefer, you can de board at Cincinnati Union Terminal upon arrival.
Accommodations and Pricing
The Observatory
Master Bedroom A:
$1,250.00 per person based on double occupancy.
$1,670.00 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include a private shower & toilet.
Bedroom B:
$1,180.00 per person based on double occupancy.
$1,580.00 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include a full sized double bed, in-room sink and a jack and jill bathroom, shared with bedroom C, with toilet and shower.
Bedroom C:
$1,180.00 per person based on double occupancy.
$1,580.00 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include a full sized double bed, in-room sink and a jack and jill bathroom, shared with bedroom B, with toilet and shower.
Each of The Observatory’s bedrooms can accommodate two people on either a queen sized bed (in the master bedroom) or one of the full sized double beds in Bedroom B & C.
Birch Grove
Double Bedroom:
Bedrooms A - F are available
$1,080.00 per person based on double occupancy.
$1,440.00 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include two 6’ 4” twin beds that are stored in the wall during the day to create a private lounge and pulled down at night for sleeping. These rooms each contain a private toilet and share the public shower with the other Birch Grove bedrooms and roomettes.
Single Roomette:
With private toilet: $1,085.00
Roomettes: 1, 2 & 4 are available
Accommodations include a 6’ 4” twin bed that is stored in the wall during the day to create a private lounge and pulled down at night for sleeping. These rooms each contain a private toilet and share the public shower with the other Birch Grove bedrooms and roomettes.
Without private toilet: $1,035.00
Roomettes: 3, 5 & 6 are available
Accommodations include a 6’ 4” twin bed that is stored in the wall during the day to create a private lounge and pulled down at night for sleeping. These roomettes share the public toilet and shower with the other Birch Grove bedrooms and roomettes.
*The Cincinnati Railway Company reserves the right to cancel this trip should it not reach 80% occupancy 30 days prior to trip departure date.
To reserve your space please call: 513-791-RAIL (7245) or send an e-mail to: info@CincinnatiRailway.com
Trip Summary - Itinerary - Accommodations and Pricing |
