Join the Cincinnati Railway Company for an exceptional trip aboard private cars The Observatory, the Oliver Hazard Perry, and the Birch Grove as we travel northward to the resort town of Petoskey, Michigan, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. Leave the stress at home and enjoy numerous small town stops between Owosso and Petoskey.
Our tie up spot in Petoskey
Photo courtesy of Roger Schmorr
Highlights include a visit to Marion, MI for their Old Fashioned Day celebration, Fife Lake, MI for swimming and lying on the beach next to the railcars, Boyne Falls, MI for the Boyne Falls Polish Festival, a side trip to Mackinac Island for the day along with our stay in beautiful Petoskey. This unique voyage offers the relaxation and frequent small town visits during the rail trip that you can't find on any other AMTRAK trip.
View from our railcars from our tie up spot in Petoskey
Photo courtesy of Roger Schmorr
Itinerary
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
- 8:00 p.m. following dinner on your own, Cincinnati passengers begin boarding cars at McCullough Rail Yard in Norwood. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the lounge of The Observatory and the Oliver Hazard Perry as we kick off the start of the trip with a Bon Voyage party. Feel free to have family members join us for this party. Retire to your private sleeping quarters late that evening as the cars are transported to the Cincinnati Union Terminal to be hooked up behind Amtrak’s westbound Cardinal Line to Chicago for an early morning departure.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Cincinnati- Chicago
- 1:10 a.m. Our trip begins as we depart Cincinnati behind Amtrak’s westbound Cardinal Line.
- 10:35 a.m. Scheduled to arrive in Chicago. Awake in the morning to enjoy a gourmet breakfast prepared by Chef Bill, our private chef as we arrive in the windy city. Upon arrival, the day is yours to spend sightseeing and dining in Chicago. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Retire to your sleeping quarters back onboard in the evening for the night.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Chicago-Durand, MI
Upon waking in the morning, may we suggest enjoying a light continental breakfast before de-boarding the train for the day to enjoy the sights, sounds and cuisine that Chicago has to offer. (All meals off of the train are on your own.)
Re-board the cars by 2:00 p.m. for the 3:00 p.m. departure from Union Station behind Amtrak’s Blue Water Service to Michigan. A gourmet dinner will be served by Chef Bill that evening en route. Retire to your sleeping quarters later in the evening for the night. We’re scheduled to arrive in Durand, Michigan at 9:07 p.m. Upon arrival our cars will be removed from the Blue Water Service and pulled from Durand to Owosso by the Great Lakes Central Railroad. The entire train will overnight in Owosso, MI just 10 miles north of Durand.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Owosso - Petoskey
Depart Owosso at 6:00 a.m., and arrive in Marion, MI at approximately 9:30 a.m. for a two hour layover for the Marion Old Fashioned Days. During this time, passengers can disembark and enjoy the small town booths and exhibits.
We will depart Marion at 11:00 a.m., and arrive in Cadillac at 12:00 noon. We will turn and service the train while our passengers enjoy lunch at one of Cadillac’s numerous restaurants. We will depart Cadillac at 2:00 p.m.
We will arrive at Fife Lake at 4:00 p.m., for a one and half hour layover. Enjoy the swimming hole and let the community of Fife Lake show you around town! We will depart Fife Lake at 5:30 p.m. and estimate an 8:00 p.m. arrival in Boyne Falls for a two hour layover while passengers enjoy the festival! Don’t forget to try one of their famous Kielbasa dogs! Most of the private cars will serve dinner to their guests between Fife Lake and Boyne Falls. We will depart Boyne Falls at 10:00 p.m. and arrive in Petoskey at 11:00 p.m. Retire to your sleeping quarters for the evening.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Layover in Petoskey, Michigan. After enjoying the continental breakfast our chef has laid out, the day is yours to enjoy beautiful Petoskey as you wish. Shuttles to local rental car agencies will be available. Downtown shopping is within walking of our tie up spot. Retire to your sleeping quarters in the evening for the night.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Layover in Petoskey, Michigan. After enjoying the continental breakfast our chef has laid out, our last day here is yours to enjoy as you wish. A charter bus will be available for the 40 mile ride to Mackinaw City for Ferry transportation to Mackinaw Island. Signups, specific times, and cost will be made available in the near future. Retire to your sleeping quarters in the evening for the night.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Petoskey- Durand
We will depart Petoskey at 8:00 a.m. and arrive in Cadillac at 12:30 p.m., while the cars are turned and serviced, please feel free to explore Cadillac for shopping and lunch. We will depart Cadillac at 2:30 p.m. and arrive in Mt. Pleasant at 5:00 p.m., for dinner at the Mountaintown Station www.mountaintown.com and a two-hour layover. Shuttle service will be provided to the local casino for anyone wishing to try their luck. We will depart Mt. Pleasant at 7:00 p.m., and arrive in Durand at 10:15 p.m. We will wait in either Owosso or Durand for AMTRAK’s westbound Blue Water at which time we will hook to the back for our trip to Chicago. Retire to your sleeping quarters in the evening for the night. (Schedule on this date is subject to possible change due to Amtrak requirements regarding our special train movement.)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
We are scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 11:14 a.m. In the event that the train is running late, lunch will be served en route. Upon arrival in Chicago passenger are free to de-board the cars for sightseeing and dining. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Retire at the end of the day to your private sleeping quarters.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
5:45 p.m. Depart Chicago behind Amtrak’s Cardinal towards our final destination, Cincinnati. Enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Bill as we depart the Windy City. Retire to your sleeping quarters in the evening for the night.
Friday, August 10, 2012
1:03 a.m. We arrive at the Cincinnati Union Terminal in Cincinnati. Passengers can deboard there or simply stay asleep and awake and deboard prior to 10:00 a.m. after enjoying a light continental breakfast.
Petoskey train heading south from Petoskey
Photo courtesy of Roger Schmorr
Accommodations and Pricing
The Observatory
Master Bedroom A:
-
$2,200.00 per person based on double occupancy.
- $2,940.00 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include a queen sized bed and a private shower & toilet.
Bedroom B or C:
-
$2,000.00 per person based on double occupancy.
- $2,670.00 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.
Oliver Hazard Perry
Master Bedroom C:
-
$2,200 per person based on double occupancy.
- $2,940 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include a full sized captain’s bed, in-room sink and a private toilet & private shower.
Bedroom B or A:
-
$2,000 per person based on double occupancy.
- $2,670 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include a full sized captain’s bed, in-room sink and private toilet. Shower is located down the hall to be shared with other OHP passengers.
Birch Grove
Double Bedroom:
-
$1,850.00 per person based on double occupancy.
- $2,470.00 per person based on single occupancy.
Accommodations include two 6’ 4” upper and lower 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 with sink and share the public shower with the other Birch Grove bedrooms and roomettes.
Single Roomette:
-
With private toilet: $1,800.00
- Without private toilet: $1,750.00
Accommodations include a 6’ 4” twin bed that is stored in the wall during the day to create a private room and pulled down at night for sleeping. Some of these roomettes contain a private toilet and share the public 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 email to: info@CincinnatiRailway.com
