GrandLuxe has unadvertised "repositioning moves" that sometimes get the train from one advertised segment to the next. They do carry passengers on some of these moves, but it's essentally by invitation only. Some repeat customers get invitations for these trips.

Also, in addition to sometimes inviting journalists and travel agents to travel on advertised segments, they also invite journalists and travel agents on these reposition moves. It's my understanding that by inviting specific audiences to these reposition moves, they can give presentations targeted either to journalists or travel agents. (No, I have not been invited to one of these yet.)

I assume that most people on the list are aware that this winter the train will be split up and up to seven cars will run on the backs of scheduled Amtrak trains on three routes. This is explained on their Web site -- and in the "Amtrak Vacations" brochure. This is NOT the Amtrak America regular Amtrak guide, nor the National Timetable -- but rather a third publication available at Amtrak stations.

Of course, the GrandLuxe cars will not be on the designated Amtrak trains every day, as they don't have enough cars right now and the cars will have to complete the lengthy runs before returning to their point of origin.

-- Ernest