2022 Aaprco Express
Sept 3 - 6, 2022This year’s AAPRCO Convention in Chicago is different from years past, this year it will not be travelling to and from the convention site by special train. Metra, the local commuter rail agency in Chicago will be the host railroad. If you are not travelling to the convention on a private car, but want to participate in the convention and its unique rail trips, here is an opportunity to do so on private trip with the Caritas and Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53. The Caritas will be on the end of the train except when we cannot reverse direction, in that case we will be behind the engine.
The convention will be held at the Union League Club. This venerable Chicago icon has a block of rooms reserved for AAPRCO attendees. The meetings will be at the ULC. The attending private cars will be parked at LaSalle Street station, just two blocks from the ULC.
In order to participate in the train excursions you must be an AAPRCO member and you must register for the Convention. Registration, made through the AAPRCO website, is $375 before August 10 and $475 thereafter.
Day 1 – Saturday Sept 3rd
8:00AM Leave Chicago Union Station (CUS) for Elgin via ex-Milwaukee west main line; return to A5 and head to Fox Lake on the ex-Milwaukee via Rondout. Lunch in Fox Lake, then returning to Union Station around 4PM. Buses take participants to ULC for welcoming reception. (5-7PM).
Day 2 – Sunday Sept 4th
9:00AM Leave LaSalle St. Station for Blue Island via ex-Rock Island main line. Then a reverse move to Kensington where we pick up our Chicago, South Shore and South Bend RR diesel power. We then proceed to Michigan City and enter the former Nickel Plate branch to Dillon, about 20 miles southeast. Passenger service ceased on this obscure branch some 75 years ago! Lunch served on board. At Dillon we reverse direction, returning to LaSalle St. Station about 6PM. Passengers on their own in Chicago.
Day 3 – Monday Sept 5th
The annual meeting will be held at the ULC tin the morning. In the afternoon participants may go to the Pullman Museum either via Blue Island Avenue (from LaSalle St.–requires a connection there to the electric service to 111th St.) or go directly to 111th St. via the IC electric service from nearby Millennium station. Train tickets and Museum admission included in registration.
The annual Car Party will be held tonight at LaSalle Street station. (Included in registration).
Day 4 – Tuesday Sept 6th
0900 Leave track 1, CUS for Union, IL and the Illinois Railroad Museum, via UP (Ex-C&NW Rockford branch). We proceed all the way to Belvidere, 80 miles from Chicago, where the train is turned to head into the IRM siding at Union. Lunch at the Museum. 3:30PM leave museum grounds for Chicago Union Station.
Fares:
$1,395.00
Includes all museum entrance fees, lunches, Super Dome seats, access to Caritas platform, afternoon refreshments.
Caritas Sleeping Accommodations. For those wishing to stay on board we have limited sleeping accommodations on the Caritas. $1,500/per person; double occupancy, Friday, Sept. 2- Tuesday, Sept. 6.
