A bright, sunny day greeted us as most of our tour participants checked in at our South Station desk and boarded Amtrak Regional #99 (HHPS 661 and eight cars), leaving at 8:40 AM for Providence). Our Business Class seating was a welcome pleasure. By the time we left Route 128, we were 40 tourists strong.

"Trolley" transfer in Providence. Photo by Doug Scott, as printed in Callboy

Text by Vic Campbell

Clipping along the Corridor main at high speed - probably at or above 100 mph on the "Mansfield Straight" - we arrived at the "new" Amtrak station in Providence at 9:20 AM. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provided motor trolley service direct to the Point St. ferry dock or on the 10:20 regular run, giving some of us (guide maps in hand) a glimpse of downtown Providence in the interim. RIPTA supervisor Tom Laplante handled everything efficiently for us.