Category Archives: FYI

Announcements, FYI, Meetings

Fun weekend planned for Aug. 9-11, 2013

Ahoy, MARP Maties!

MARP Members, Spouses, Family Members, and Friends

sailor1Have fun attending MARP’s August 10 meeting aboard a real (but retired) railroad ferry – the S.S. City of Milwaukee. The ship is designated a National Historic Landmark and is permanently berthed on Lake Manistee in the northwest Michigan vacation community of Manistee. We will meet on the rail car deck of a vessel that once shuttled rail cars between Muskegon and Milwaukee for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. Members of the City of Milwaukee’s preservation group, meeting the same weekend, will attend our meeting and have invited us to attend their events.

You are invited to treat this meeting, and the weekend of Aug. 9-10-11, 2013, as part of your summer vacation. Decide now to attend, save your gas money, and get ready to enjoy a weekend of history and good company.

As a special treat, we have the opportunity to experience lodging aboard this 1920’s Great Lakes steamship. Most rooms are located in the historic passenger area which features beautiful oak paneling and polished brass. Other rooms are located in the Engineer’s hallway. You can fish from the ship, just enjoy lounging on the deck under the stars, or watch a movie in the observation room.

Passenger, crew, and officer rooms are available at $25.00 for a single, $15.00 per extra person in a room + 11% tax. Options include: 8 rooms with two single bunks, 8 rooms with one single bunk, 1 room with four bunks.

Don’t dawdle – there are 30 bunks total and the one room with a double bed is already rented. When gone, rooms will be offered aboard the former Coast Cutter Acacia at $25.00 person + tax.

For those wishing a less “historical” experience, there are a number of hotels or motels nearby. Because this is a mid-summer vacation weekend in this popular Lake Michigan community, hotel space is limited. You are advised to book early.

Downtown Manistee is 1/2 mile from the ship and restaurants are within walking distance.

Sadly, there is no public transportation to Manistee so carpooling is recommended.

To make reservations aboard ship:

  • Call 231-723-3587 during business hours on Mondays and Thursday-Sunday. Or go online to request booking information at http://carferry.com/contact

sailor2To make motel/hotel reservations:

  • Microtel   231.398.0008                                  near the ship
  • Super 8   231.398.8888                                    near the ship
  • Ramsdell Inn   231.398.7901                           historic downtown hotel
  • Manistee Inn & Marina   231.723.4000         downtown on the Manistee River
  • Days Inn   888.626.4783                                   opposite end of town
  • Arcadia House B&B   231.723.4042               15 miles north
  • Little River Casino Resort  888.568.2244      U.S. 31 and M-22, 2700 Orchard                                                                               Hwy. Manistee MI 49660

For more information about the ship, read Rosemary Horvath’s account in the Spring issue of The Michigan Passenger. Questions? Phone Jim Wallington 517-303-6038 or email marprail.org

SEE YOU IN MANISTEE !

ALERT — Chemical camp style toilets are provided in the communal/shared toilet facilities but the sponsoring group for the City of Milwaukee is striving to have flush toilets installed in June. There are no toilet facilities on the Acacia so guests will use facilities in the adjacent marina building. Showers are available in the marina building adjacent to both ships. The meeting area is handicapped accessible.

S.S. City of Milwaukee

http://carferry.com

Announcements, FYI

PH&D Historical Society announces Hobo Fest 2013 on Sept. 14

276912_336232406482190_1307999310_nThe Port Huron and Detroit Railroad Historical Society will host  Hobo Fest 2013 on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the former property of The Port Huron & Detroit Railroad, located at 2100 32nd Street in Port Huron. The event celebrates Port Huron’s history as a vital international transport center, the city’s struggle to overcome the economic depression and the courage and resourcefulness of those that rode the rails seeking work and adventure.

Featuring a Spam cook-off and carving contest, music, children …activities and much more  Hobo Fest is a family friendly educational event that brings people together of all ages to experience the life and adventures of the hobos.

Please bring lawn chairs and dress casually according to the weather.
Interested musicians who would like to perform must contact Entertainment Director Keith Menzies at 810.305.7075.

2100 32nd Street, Port Huron, Michigan 48060

https://www.facebook.com/events/336232406482190/

Announcements, FYI

Save 30% on Amtrak between Chicago and Grand Rapids

Save on Fall Travel on the Pere Marquette

BlobServerBook early to get these travel deals and save 30% on a trip aboard the Pere Marquette, anywhere from Chicago to Grand Rapids. Make your reservation now through July 31, 2013, for travel October 1 – 31, 2013 to save.

This scenic route is even more striking in the autumn months. You’ll enjoy a relaxing ride with the natural beauty of Michigan’s West Coast on full display. The Pere Marquette includes stops in Michigan City, IN, St. Joseph, MI, Bangor, MI and more.

Maybe you’re looking for the excitement and energy of Chicago, or the peace and quiet of a cozy Lake Michigan bed and breakfast. Whatever your reason or destination along the Pere Marquette route, you can save 30% on your trip when you book early.

Terms and conditions:

  • Valid for 30% off the regular (full) adult rail fare.
  • Valid for sale July 1 – 31, 2013.
  • Valid for travel October 1 – 31, 2013.
  • Blackout date: October 11, 2013.
  • Up to 2 children ages 2 – 15 may accompany each adult at half the regular (full) adult rail fare.
  • Children and infants must travel with an adult who is 18 years or older.
  • Seating is limited; seats may not be available on all days.
  • Fares are subject to availability.
  • Valid for coach travel on the Pere Marquette service.
  • Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable; exchanges are permitted within the ticket validity period.
  • Not combinable with any other discount offer.
  • In addition to the discount restrictions, this offer is also subject to any restrictions, blackouts and refund rules that apply to the type of fare purchased.
  • Once travel has begun, no changes to the itinerary are permitted.
  • Fares, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice.
  • Other restrictions may apply.

You must use the following link to receive the discount:
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/Promotion

Source: http://www.amtrak.com/monthly-train-ticket-discount?MessageID=3000001556&UserID=30006900702&WT.mc_n=JulyAdvBkg2013&WT.mc_r=365&WT.mc_t=Advance+Booking+July+2013+Pere+Marquette_EMTR

Announcements, FYI, News

Indian Trails begins new Bay City-Flint-Detroit route

From an Indian Trails press release:

Click on map to enlarge.
Click on map to enlarge.

Indian Trails, which operates 33 scheduled motorcoach routes throughout Michigan and into Chicago and Milwaukee, has added a new Bay City- Flint-Detroit route, significantly increasing transportation options for communities between those cities—as well as those along the Lake Huron shoreline between Bay City and St. Ignace.

The new route began on June 1. It will be operated exclusively by Indian Trails once Greyhound discontinues service on June 18. The new Indian Trails service will make twice-daily stops in Bay City, Saginaw, Flint, Pontiac, Southfield and Detroit.

In the past, motorcoach passengers traveling this route often faced significant wait times for connections to continue their travel by train or another bus service. With this new route and schedule, wait times have been reduced to 30 minutes on average.

“This new route will make it far easier for passengers to travel by bus within Michigan, as well as connect with other travel options, such as Amtrak or Greyhound, for destinations nationwide,” said Indian Trails President Gordon Mackay. “By reducing the wait times for connections, we’ve opened up a lot of options for our passengers.”

The new route connects with Amtrak in Pontiac and Greyhound in Detroit. Additionally, Indian Trails has responded to passenger requests to make travel to and from vacation destinations in Northern Michigan much easier by offering through-service between Detroit and St. Ignace. Riders can travel between the two cities without needing to change buses, making travel much faster and easier just in time for the summer travel season.

Passengers can begin or end their travel at any of the stops along the route, which include Detroit, Southfield, Pontiac, Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, Pinconning, Standish, Omer, Au Gres, Tawas City, Oscoda, Harrisville, Ossineke, Alpena, Rogers City, Cheboygan, Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. The St. Ignace route connects with service to Sault Ste. Marie and all of the Upper Peninsula.

Fares vary by starting point and destination, and reduced advance purchase fares are also available. Example one-way fares for one adult are:

  • Detroit – Southfield $8
  • Detroit – Pontiac $12
  • Detroit – Flint $18
  • Detroit– Saginaw $24
  • Detroit – Bay City $27
  • Southfield – Omer $31
  • Southfield – Tawas City $36
  • Southfield – Harrisville $42
  • Southfield – Ossieneke $46
  • Pontiac – Alpena $46
  • Pontiac – Cheboygan $60
  • Detroit – St. Ignace $68

Tickets can be purchased at any of the on-site ticketing offices. Online ticketing is scheduled to launch later this summer.

FYI, News

Students Clean Dowagiac Train Depot

From WSJM-AM 1400 & FM 94.9:

2503123Spring cleaning is underway in Dowagiac. Choir Instructor for Dowagiac Union Schools Jeff Robinson and his students volunteered their time May 8 to clean the historic Dowagiac train depot. The group washed all 110 windows. The effort was coordinated by Ron Leatz, a volunteer of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers. The City of Dowagiac treated the students to ice cream after the cleaning. Built in 1903, the Dowagiac train depot is serviced daily by Amtrak.