Wisconsin to South Carolina

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It seems like forever since my last trip, but I will soon return on the rails. I took a spring trip out West in the past, but I am going to the South this year. This article is on my trip planning for this trip.

This post includes my tentative packing list and list of trains.

This trip is for a few weeks, and I am breaking the adventure into three posts:

1. Off to Charleston, SC (this post)
2. Heading to Disney World
3. Going back to Wisconsin

Let’s start part one

We are taking our first family vacation to the land of giant mice and fictitious royalty, aka Disney World.

Mackenzie, my niece, and I are the only ones in the family that have not been there. Mouse World has never been my priority, but an opportunity arose this year, and I decided to take advantage.

My folks, sister, and niece are going to Disney for two weeks while my brother-in-law and I take turns. He has week one, and I have week two.

The “interesting” part of the trip is that we all stay with my Aunt & Uncle in their RV.

Time with Abby

The first part of my trip is puppy-sitting Abby (the Newfie) until her human dad returns.

Abby and I will enjoy our walks, the dog park, playing, and enjoying a quiet apartment. I think Abby will appreciate this.

Since my niece was born in July 2018, Abby has been adjusting to the new sounds and excitement of a new baby in the home, and she may enjoy some quiet time away from little Mackenzie.

Okay, my favorite part of traveling is trip coordination

Me:

This trip has many moving parts because of the people involved, but I could make my rail travel work out.

I can leave for Charleston after playing the organ on Sunday morning. If you didn’t know, I am an organist for a church. Leaving at the beginning of the week will give me time with my sister’s family and more playtime with Mackenzie before they go. It will also provide a chance to get used to Abby’s schedule.

I am looking forward to this solo train trip. All of my train rides are solo on this trip. This trip’s first part includes three trains I talk about below.

Everyone else:

My folks are piling into my Aunt and Uncle’s motor home and heading for Florida from Wisconsin. Their 22-hour road trip starts on the Friday of the week I leave.

Paula and her family leave that Saturday and meet up with everyone else later; it only takes 6 hours to get there.

In part two, I will go over how I got to Florida.

What am I packing?

I include links for products I use, and if it is no longer available, I suggest what I would consider.

Luggage:

• Tortuga travel backpack
  • This particular bag is no longer in production
  • Click here for the latest on what Tortuga has to offer

Travel tools

• Packing Cubes (The brand I use is no longer available) 
• Amtrak Comfort kit
  • Includes
    • Blow-up neck-pillow
    • Small blanket
    • Earplugs
    • Eyemask
    • And all come in a handy pouch
    • Available at some stations and café cars
• Blow up pillow
  • I highly recommend this pillow
  • Compact size and easy to pack
  • Easy to inflate
• Extension cord
  • For uses on the train
  • One of those things you always wish you had packed
• Electronics
  •  iPad (I have the mini)
    • Download with movies
      • You can often temporarily download entertainment with Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
        • Amazon Prime Video is part of your Prime Membership.
  • Computer (I need a new one)
    • To work on the site
  • Extra cables and chargers
• “3-1-1 bag” toiletries
  • Gotoobs filled with (silicone squeeze bottles; these are the best I have seen and used)
    • Bronner’s Soap
      • The traveler’s secret friend
      • Useable to wash all of you
      • Works for laundry soap, especially if washing clothes in your sink.
    • Mouthwash
  • Toothbrush
    • A new toothbrush is a great idea, especially if you are not traveling often.
    • Or clean it between trips
  • Toothbrush cover
    • A simple cover works well
  • Toothpaste
    • When flying, you can take up a 3 oz size tube in your carry-on
  • Deodorant
    • If your everyday deodorant container is 3 oz, you can pack it in your 3-1-1 TSA bag.
• First aid kit
  • You can make you your own as well
  • Bottle opener (in case of emergency)

 Clothing

• Quick-dry Clothing
  • Three short-sleeved shirts
  • A short-sleeve collared quick dry
  • Two pairs of shorts
• Something for swimming (could be a pair of the shorts above with something to wear under them)
• Jeans (often only one)
• A quick-dry dress pants I usually wear these to the station
• Socks and underwear
• Athletic shorts for sleeping or swimming

Transportation

The second section of the journey is free because I used my Amtrak Guest Reward Points. For more information on how to do this, check out my article on saving money with Amtrak.

My Trains

My first train: The Hiawatha

• The train goes from Milwaukee, WI, to Chicago Union Station
  • Traveling from Sturtevant Depot to Chicago Union Station
  • Run time: 66 minutes
  • Miles: 63
  • Single level equipment
• This train does not have food or beverage service
• Wifi is available
• This train has unreserved coach seating
  • Meaning any seat open could be mine
• I use this train more than any other Amtrak train

Chicago layover

Union Station has several places for me to grab lunch or a drink, and because I have a room on my next train have access to The Metropolitan Lounge.

I could take Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line to Chicago, but I do not want to park my car in Fox Lake for that long or get a ride.

My second train: The Capitol Limited

• I am traveling from start to finish, from Chicago, IL, to Washington, DC.

• Scheduled times
  • Departure: 6:40 pm
  • Arrival: 1:05 pm
  • Run Time: 17 hours 25 minutes
  • Miles: 780
• Bi-level, aka Superliner equipment
• Train accommodations
  • Coach Class
  • Sleeper accommodations
    • I have a roomette on this train
• Food on the train
  • Café Car
  • Dining Car (only for sleeping car passengers only on this train, click the link for more info)
• Observation car
• Anyone onboard can use this car
  • The Cafe is on the lower level.
• Highlights of the trip
  • Follows the old Baltimore and Ohio Route (B&O)
  • Potomac Valley
  • Harpers Ferry
  • The Allegany Mountains

I have been on The Capitol Limited every year since 2013!

Washington, DC Layover

Between trains is a 6-hour 20-minute layover at the beautiful and historic Washington (DC.) Union Stations. Weather permitting, there is time to see a few sites, and paid baggage storage is available. You can store your bag unsupervised in the Club Acela Lounge if you have a sleeper car reservation.

The Washington Union station has shopping and food available. Food can range from fast food to nice sit-downs and everything you can enjoy. I often forget about a food court in the lower area when hunting for food. Shopping ranges from high-end brands to souvenir shops.

The US Postal Museum is across the street and is a fun way to spend time between trains. The museum offers

• Stamp research and display areas
• Interactive displays
• Gift Shop and a working Post Office
• And my stamp of approval (okay, it’s a bad joke)

I am trying to convince a friend to join me in DC to pass the time.

The last train of this part: The Silver Meteor

My final train for this trip

• Train Runs daily from New York, NY, to Miami, FL
• I am taking the train from Washington, DC, to Charleston, SC.
  • Scheduled Times for this section
    • Depart: 7:25 pm
    • Arrive: 4:51 am
    • Run time: 9 hours 25 minutes
    • Miles: 503
  • Single level equipment
• Train accommodations
  • Coach
  • Sleeper accommodations
    • I have a Viewliner Roomette now
      • I upgraded from coach
• Food
  • Café
  • Diner
• Lounge seating is available in the café car
• I have no highlights on this part of the trip because it will be dark.

In closing

I am excited that I will use the new Charleston Amtrak Station! It is not that often I use less than a year-old station. They were finishing the station up the last time I was there.

After I arrive, my sister and possibly Abby (if she wants to wake up and go) will pick me up.

Safe Travels!

Kev

For more information about traveling on Amtrak, check out my Amtrak series. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about traveling by rail or air. If you are interested in supporting TWK, here is how.