Reliving the Great Days of the Pullman Company: An exclusive circle tour aboard historic heavyweight Pullman Dover Harbor.
September 15-20, 2004
Itinerary
Wednesday, September 15 (D)
After independent arrivals in Washington, D.C., meet Karl Zimmermann in the afternoon at Washington Union Station, a Beaux Arts gem completed in 1908 and spectacularly restored 15 years ago. After a brief tour of the station, board Pullman Dover Harbor for a 6:30 p.m. departure in the consist of Amtrak's Carolinian for a fast ride up the Northeast Corridor to New York City. Cocktails and a lavish dinner will be served aboard while passengers enjoy views of Chesapeake Bay, Philadelphia's handsome skyline, and much more.
Dover Harbor is a beautifully restored and authentically appointed sleeper-buffet lounge from the "heavyweight" or "standard" Pullman era that predates streamliners. This car, owned by the Washington Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, was built in 1923 by Pullman as Maple Shade, then rebuilt in 1934 into its current configuration. With riveted flanks of Pullman Green and "Pullman" branded across the letterboard, riding on six-wheel trucks, the car is a time machine-an evocation of first-class rail travel of a more leisurely and gracious era, a time when The Pullman Company was America's greatest hotelier. The handsomely appointed dining-lounge area will be our daytime home-away-from-home for much of the trip, offering an abundance of comfortable space for our small group. Dover Harbor is unique; it's the only heavyweight Pullman revenue-service car still in its original configuration that is certified for operation on Amtrak trains.Overnight: Southgate Tower, a stylish and historic suite hotel, originally the Governor Clinton, that stands just across Seventh Avenue from New York's Pennsylvania Station.
Thursday, September 16 (B, D)
After breakfast, we'll walk to Grand Central Terminal, recently restored and returned to the splendor of its early years. Grand Central is a Beaux Arts monument to rail travel. "A triumphant portal to New York" is what Whitney Warren, one of its architects, called the station when it opened in 1913. Few who have seen it since have disputed this description. After a private guided tour of Grand Central, featuring behind-the-scene glimpses of spaces that ordinary travelers never get to see, plus a detailed recounting of the splendid restoration just completed, we'll lunch at the famous Oyster Bar, a Grand Central tradition since its opening. This great, bustling room beneath arched Gustavino tiles has echoed with the voices of celebrities and other travelers since the station was opened. Enjoy an oyster pan roast or any number of other succulent selections.
The first substantial part of our Pullman journey begins when Dover Harbor departs New York at 2:50 p.m., bound for Chicago as part of Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited. As the train glides up the Hudson River toward Albany, the views are spectacular. This route, hugging the river, is among the country's most scenic. We'll see the rock face of the Palisades, followed by the "Highlands of the Hudson," with Bear, Storm King, and Breakneck Mountains, then West Point and Bannerman's Castle. Later, along the Mohawk River, with afternoon slipping into evening, cocktails will be served in the lounge. As dusk falls, we'll enjoy an elegant dinner in the Pullman tradition, served on the stylish Indian Tree china used for many years by The Pullman Company.Overnight: Dover Harbor, en route to Chicago.
Friday, September 17 (B)
Enjoy breakfast aboard Dover Harbor as the Lake Shore Limited skirts Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline soars in the distance. Arrival in Chicago is at 9:20 a.m.
We'll have a few hours at leisure in downtown Chicago before an early lunch at The Berghoff, a Chicago classic with oak-paneled rooms evocative an earlier era. Then a Metra Electric local train will whisk us south along the Illinois Central right-of-way to the Pullman Historic District-the route George M. Pullman, the great sleeping-car entrepreneur himself used to get to work more than a century ago. Among the country's first planned industrial towns, Pullman was designed by architect Solon S. Beman and landscape architect Nathan Barrett. About 1,740 residential units were built between 1880 and 1885 (95 percent of which survive), along with a hotel, churches, library, markets, businesses and social halls-everything you'd expect in a complete community (except saloons).
At Pullman, we take an interpretive tour of the Pullman Historic District to experience this fascinatingly hierarchical, paternalistic community. A guided walk through the town and a video at the visitor center tell the fascinating, controversial story of George M. Pullman and his town. We'll also be welcomed into the home of a current Pullman resident to see the restored interior of one of the row houses.
Afterwards, a Metra train will carry us back downtown. Dinner will be at the elegant Atwood Café at the Hotel Burnham, where we'll spend the night. This elegant, European- style hotel opened in 1999 in the impeccably restored, landmark Reliance Building, built in 1895. Daniel Burnham, among the foremost practitioners of the "Chicago School" of architecture, which pioneered skyscraper design in America, was the building's architect.
Overnight: The Hotel Burnham, Chicago
Saturday, September 18 (B, D)
This day's highlights are two tours operated by the not-for-profit Chicago Architecture Foundation. First is "Architecture from the 'L,'" with Chicago Transit Authority's elevated trains providing a unique vantage point for seeing the city's internationally renowned architecture. Here we'll learn the history of the "L," whose circle route through downtown gives that area its nickname: "the Loop."
Next is CAF's Architecture River Cruise, which offers sparkling vistas of the Chicago River and its wonderful drawbridges while spotlighting more than fifty historic and architecturally significant sites. The boat offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
In the evening we reboard Dover Harbor for cocktails and dinner. At 7:30 p.m. we leave Chicago for Washington as part of the Cardinal, which will travel the former Chesapeake & Ohio route across West Virginia, perhaps the East's most scenic.
Overnight: Dover Harbor, en route to WashingtonSunday, September 19 (B, L)
This long, leisurely day on the rails is the perfect way to wind up our tour, with both breakfast and lunch served in the best dining-car tradition at Dover Harbor's elegant tables. Early risers may see the little Ohio River town of Maysville, Kentucky. The scenic highlight of the runthe winding traverse of the spectacular New River Gorge, which will take the better part of the morningwill be just a few hours ahead. Much of the Gorge, which begins at Gauley Bridge (where the New and Gauley Rivers meet to form the Kanawha) and continues on to Hinton, both in West Virginia, can be seen only by rail passengers and white-water rafters. We'll pass Hawks Nest and Thurmond, the ghost town that lines the tracks deep in the Gorge.
After leaving the New River Gorge, we'll traverse Big Bend Tunnel, where John Henry, the legendary "steel-driving man" of folk song, lost his battle with the steam drill. The landscape eases from fierce to bucolic as the Cardinal passes by the Greenbrier Hotel, the famous resort developed by the C&O in White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, then runs through the University of Virginia campus at Charlottesville, Virginia. The last vistas of the trip are magnificent: the great monuments and memorials of Washington illuminated in the gathering dusk, seen from the bridge over the Potomac River.
At a festive farewell cocktail party aboard Dover Harborperhaps tinged with the melancholy of last nights and partingour small band of travelers will compare notes and plan future trips before the Cardinal's arrival at Washington, scheduled for 8:10 p.m. For many, the substantial hors d'oeuvres accompanying cocktails may be a sufficient evening meal. Otherwise, the food court and fine restaurants at Washington Union Station provide a myriad of opportunities for dining.Overnight: Phoenix Park Hotel, adjacent to Washington Union Station. A little gem, the elegant Phoenix Park is a member of the Historic Hotels of America group sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Monday, September 20 (B)
After breakfast, we say goodbye to our scenic and historic circle tour encompassing 2,105 miles of rail travel, featuring much of the East's finest scenery. Independent departures-by air or by Amtrak-will take us back to our homes and 21st century lives, having stepped back briefly into the unhurried, opulent era of George M. Pullman and his historic cars and company.
To our travelers: The intimate size of our group, a product of the capacity of Dover Harbor, allows us to make this an extremely exclusive tour. It will be different from the typical tourrather like a group of friends traveling together. As the above itinerary makes clear, we'll sometimes be using public transportation, and a certain amount of walkingup to perhaps a dozen blocks in cities. Please note that Mr. Zimmermann will be happy to help you arrange taxi transportation if you wish.
Sleeping accommodations aboard Dover Harbor are essentially as-built in 1934: double bedrooms with upper and lower berths and a sink and toilet in the room. In a compromise between history and utility, a shower has been added at the end of the car. We have four of these compartments. In the attached Amtrak sleeper, we have arranged two Deluxe Bedrooms. Each takes two people comfortably, with ensuite bathroom and shower. All participants have full use of Dover Harbor public areas.
For off-train lunches and dinner, we'll be dining together in the main dining rooms of outstanding restaurants with excellent and varied menus. Rather than arbitrarily pre-selecting one-size-fits-all menus and including these meals in the tour price, we've chosen to let participants order food and beverages of personal choice off the regular menus and pay directly. On the other hand, all meals and beverages (including wines and liquor in the open bar) aboard Dover Harbor are included in the tour price. Further, all train staff gratuities, transfers to/from station in Chicago, porterage of all luggage in/out of all stations and in/out of all hotels is included.
Inclusions:
- All accommodations in double bedroom on Dover Harbor or in Amtrak Deluxe Bedroom
- All gratuities for all included services, such as gratuities to the Dover Harbor train staff and Amtrak staff
- All meals and drinks, including wine and other alcoholic beverages, of any kind on board Dover Harbor
- All meals as specified in the itinerary, including breakfast daily.
- Porterage with gratuities of bags in Washington, New York and Chicago stations
- All included tours, such as the Grand Central Terminal Tour, the walking tour at Pullman and the Archicenter boat Tour Chicago
- Hotel stays in first-class hotels in New York, Chicago and Washington
- Porterage with gratuities in/out of all hotels
- Limousine transfer in Chicago to/from Burnham Hotel
- Services of full-time tour leader, Karl Zimmermann
- Services of Dover Harbor on-board staff, all taxes and fees
- Full tour documentation, luggage tags, daily itinerary
- All taxes for all included services including hotel staysNot included:
Any items of a personal nature; anything charged to your room in the hotel stays must be settled before checkout. Any items not specifically mentioned in the itineraryPrice: $3,250 per person, sharing double cabin; single in double cabin is $6,500
Terms and Conditions
How to Book: Call our tour desk at 1-800-478-4881 to make a reservation. We will hold your reservation for 7 days before deposit. A deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required and can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover). Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is due by 90 days before departure by check. A remittance advice form is required for all deposits made by credit card.
Cancellations: Notice of cancellations must be received by this office in writing. The administrative fee may be applied to a future trip taken within one year of cancellation.
Cancellation schedule:
Before 120 days: $300 per person administrative fee
120-90 days: Loss of deposit
90 days to departure: 100% of tour cost
Cancellations made within 90 days of departure are 100% non-refundable. No refunds will be made in the event of "no-shows" or cancellations the day of the trip. No refund will be given for unused portions of the tour. No refund for airline tickets once issued.Insurance: We strongly recommend that all passengers protect themselves with tour insurance to cover costs in the event of cancellation. Upon booking (or in advance upon request), we will send a brochure about Travelex tour interruption/cancellation insurance. We recommend purchasing coverage immediately upon booking. In order to cover pre-existing conditions or bankruptcy of any of the providers in this program, including your air, coverage must be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit.
Minimum Participants: This tour requires 11 passengers.
Prices: Prices listed are based on a minimumgroup of 11 participants.
Passport: A valid passport is required for non-U.S. citizens.
Price does not include: Airfare; passport and visa fees (if required); personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not listed in the included section; optional sightseeing excursions; services other than those specifically mentioned in the included section; accident; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges.
Extra charges: Some extra charges may apply. If we are required to send final documents outside the continental U.S., an additional international shipping fee will apply (rates depend on destination). After your booking is confirmed and a deposit accepted, we understand changes in your travel plans may occur. We will make the first change with no charge. All subsequent changes to your land program will accrue a charge of $25 per change. Bookings within 90 days of departure require a $50 late booking fee. Exceptions: All service fees are waived for members of the Pullman Club. For a complete list of service fees, please call our tour desk.
Medical: Any physical or mental condition that may require special attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking on the train itself and during tours. You must let us know, for example, if you use a cane or have any physical difficulties so we can plan ahead to accommodate your needs.
Baggage: Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip, and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Please note that baggage limitations vary on airlines. Luggage space on these cars is restricted to two suitcases and two smaller bags.
Responsibility: The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and Hardy Publishing Co., Inc. (HPC), parent company of The Society of International Railway Travelers, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to travel services. IRT and HPC do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, IRT and HPC are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom IRT and HPC has no control.
We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or the "included" section are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare or make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, changes in the itinerary, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
When issued, the air tickets shall constitute the sole contract between the air company concerned and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. Please note that advertised air rates can change before ticketing. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or events during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances.
By forwarding of deposit or final payment by either check or credit card, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. IRT and HPC reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
Behavior: Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, IRT personnel and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of our tour leader, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger the safety of other passengers, the tour leader will issue him with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter, a second, written warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning, then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untraveled portion of the tour will be entertained. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
Acceptance of terms: Upon payment of a deposit, by either check or credit card, tour participants indicate acceptance of all stated IRT and HPC terms and conditions.
Optional Activities that may be Dangerous: Depending on the itinerary you have selected, optional activities furnished by independent suppliers will be available at some of the places you will visit. Some of these activities carry with them the inherent risk of serious personal injury. These activities include, but are not necessarily limited to: walking safaris; horseback /elephant back/camel safaris; canoe trips, white-water rafting and river cruises; hot-air balloon trips and gorilla-tracking on foot; locomotive foot-plate rides, cab rides or photo run-bys; helicopter rides scuba diving; shark diving; boat rides. You should be aware that your safety cannot be guaranteed. Should you elect to participate in such activities while you are on tour, you are of course, free to do so. However, you must understand that such participation will be at your own risk, and that The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. assumes no responsibility for your safety.
Complaints: The stated mission of The Society of International Railway Travelers is to offer the very best in rail travel around the globe for our members. However, if you have a complaint during your journey, please bring it to the attention to your tour leader as quickly as you can. Should the problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205. Our desire is to set things right. We cannot accept liability for any claims not made to us in writing within two months of completion of your journey. We also cannot tender any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth above. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
