Not to get too far ahead of myself but if we make it I was considering taking the Amtrak to Detroit and would stay at the Renasssance. Has anyone done this before?

I have following questions/concerns:

1. How do you get from the train station to the hotel? assuming cab? How much does that cost?
2. Are you there in time for the Alumni Association pep rally?
3. How do you get to and and from Ford Field back to the hotel?

Thanks in advance.

(11-24-2014 04:28 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  Not to get too far ahead of myself but if we make it I was considering taking the Amtrak to Detroit and would stay at the Renasssance. Has anyone done this before?

I have following questions/concerns:

1. How do you get from the train station to the hotel? assuming cab? How much does that cost?
2. Are you there in time for the Alumni Association pep rally?
3. How do you get to and and from Ford Field back to the hotel?

Thanks in advance.

3. There's a people mover/tram that goes from the hotel to the stadium and back to the hotel. Also, it's not a bad walk unless it's really cold.

(11-24-2014 04:28 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  Not to get too far ahead of myself but if we make it I was considering taking the Amtrak to Detroit and would stay at the Renasssance. Has anyone done this before?

I have following questions/concerns:

1. How do you get from the train station to the hotel? assuming cab? How much does that cost?
2. Are you there in time for the Alumni Association pep rally?
3. How do you get to and and from Ford Field back to the hotel?

Thanks in advance.

yes, we have taken the train the last 4 years. $57.80 rd trip. Take 7:20 on Friday morning and return Sat at 11 something. If we win they will probably have rooms through school. Train leaves you off just on the outskirts of the city and its about a$10 cab ride to the Hotel. Hotel within walking distance of Ford Field and can spend time at Cheli's prior to game. I have suggested to school to get an Amtrak package but has not happened yet. Another good restaurant is Slow's BBQ a short cab ride fron hotel. Can bring food and/or drink in comfortable seats.

(11-24-2014 04:41 PM)GCD70 Wrote:   I have suggested to school to get an Amtrak package but has not happened yet.

Wow wow wow, great idea. If we win, a Huskie fan train would be a BLAST.

(11-24-2014 05:10 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 04:41 PM)GCD70 Wrote:   I have suggested to school to get an Amtrak package but has not happened yet.

Wow wow wow, great idea. If we win, a Huskie fan train would be a BLAST.

Can someone send a note to the athletic department on this again?

(11-24-2014 06:44 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 05:10 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 04:41 PM)GCD70 Wrote:   I have suggested to school to get an Amtrak package but has not happened yet.

Wow wow wow, great idea. If we win, a Huskie fan train would be a BLAST.

Can someone send a note to the athletic department on this again?

Why don't you send one yourself?

(11-24-2014 08:58 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 06:44 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 05:10 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 04:41 PM)GCD70 Wrote:   I have suggested to school to get an Amtrak package but has not happened yet.

Wow wow wow, great idea. If we win, a Huskie fan train would be a BLAST.

Can someone send a note to the athletic department on this again?

Why don't you send one yourself?

I already did, but it won't be viable unless a few people do.

Last year, I took a plane to Detroit because I had a commitment for Saturday afternoon and needed to get home by early afternoon on Saturday. Not sure if I would do that again. Detroit's airport is in Romulus, which is a bit of a distance from downtown Detroit. A taxi to the hotel was around $55 before the tip. I spent a ton of money to see a totally miserable game and get pissed off. That seems to be status quo for most of the post season games I attend.

(11-24-2014 06:44 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 05:10 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 04:41 PM)GCD70 Wrote:   I have suggested to school to get an Amtrak package but has not happened yet.

Wow wow wow, great idea. If we win, a Huskie fan train would be a BLAST.

Can someone send a note to the athletic department on this again?

the turn around time is probably too short to get a train. Maybe if we clinched it last week. In any event, book the trip yourself.

(11-25-2014 09:23 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 06:44 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 05:10 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 04:41 PM)GCD70 Wrote:   I have suggested to school to get an Amtrak package but has not happened yet.

Wow wow wow, great idea. If we win, a Huskie fan train would be a BLAST.

Can someone send a note to the athletic department on this again?

the turn around time is probably too short to get a train. Maybe if we clinched it last week. In any event, book the trip yourself.

I think there may be time for them to put a travel package together for it. If we could have those reading the thread to please send an email that would be great. I sent mine to the travel company at NIU@AnthonyTravel.com with a cc: to Tim Rice. Actually I think this would sell pretty well, of course if they make it.

It might be possible to charter a private car for NIU fans from Amtrak even with the short turnaround time between the WMU game and the MACC. I would suggest calling Marc Magliari at Amtrak. Marc is the Media Relations Manager at Amtrak in Chicago and is also a Huskie. He worked in media (WNIU I believe) when he was at NIU. I'm sure Marc would do everything he could to help some fellow Huskies.

Cost-wise, there's a per-mile charge and also a fee to "park" the car at the Detroit station. The question is, is it affordable and how many fans would have to commit to make it feasible?

Ive taken the train from/to Detroit/Chicago. Was a great ride.

Detroit now has uber so thats also an option and its super cheap and friendly. Was in Detroit a few times this summer and used it the entire time. The people mover's ok if you're staying right downtown, but then walking isnt that bad either.

#partytrain

(11-28-2014 02:48 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  #partytrain

Nice video!