Friday, June 9, 2006

The Whittenburg boys were coming from St Louis on AmTrack to meet our troop & depart for Philmont. Their train was to arrive @ 9:05pm to meet the troop, & leave for Raton @ 10:30pm. Troop 376 was instructed to be at the station by 9:30pm.

Whittenburg's train left StL on time, but got behind a freight train somewhere in Central MO. Of course there's not a passing lane on the railroad, so they became very backed up. Sometime after 10pm, they arrived at their stop in Sedalia. Union Station officials said they would hold the main train to Raton, but it would have to depart by midnight. The troop is on a very tight schedule & don't have time in New Mexico to wait on the Whittenburg's to arrive on the next day's train- so if they miss this train, they may miss out on the entire Philmont trip!! 

11pm, AmTrack boards KC passengers of the Raton train. Still no Whittenburgs.

11:30, of course the Raton train is not straight thru to New Mexico, there are about 15+ stops scheduled between KC & Raton, the 1st of which being Lawrence. The entire train & all it's passengers are waiting on the Whittenburgs. Todd & Debbie Ott call Dale Whittenburg back in StL & come up w/Plan B & C: if the Whittenburg boys miss the Raton train, the Otts will race them to Lawrence, hoping to catch it. If they miss it, Plan C: Dale Whittenburg will drive from StL to KC, pick up the boys, & head for New Mexico.

11:45, AmTrack Train from StL arrives at Union Station in KC on track 2.

Friday, June 9th, Depart for Philmont
Saturday, June 10th, Arrive at Philmont
Thursday, June 22nd Depart for Kansas City
Friday, June 23rd Arrive in Kansas City

Photos from Philmont 2004 Trek