Yes, we have been there before, but it is a little different this time. We went to the Studebaker National Museum for the Amtrak Road Trip 2001. The museum was impressive then, and every MG owner/driver in our group was amazed by the dedication of a few die-hards to a marque that was obsolete. It is always illuminating to see yourself in another marque’s mirror.
This trip is to a new and improved Studebaker National Museum, one that opened just last year. We are very fortunate to live in an area where automobile museums are part of our heritage and where we can enjoy them on a carefree weekend where the driver literally must keep his vehicle on the rails.
The Museum is in South Bend, Indiana and the train service is frequent and fast. It is so fast the we need to consider any weather delay a positive asset to complete the traditional sharing of treats (generally, cheese, pickled peppers, pickled herring, more cheese, radishes, celery, sausages, cheese spread on crackers, chucks of ham and turkey, shrimp, maybe a beverage or so, and all washed down with cheese and maybe a little more beverage).
The hotel is the same standby we used before about three blocks from the Museum. The cost is only 95 cents more than 6 years ago.
We always use Amtrak starting at Union Station at Canal and Jackson in Chicago. The station has many food booths and even a pub or two, and generally we congregate on the lower level behind the main bar. This is an easy place to stake out a few tables and stash our baggage until an hour or so before the train leaves.

When: Leave on Friday 19 January 2007 from Union Station Chicago on train Number 30 (Capitol Limited) Lv 7:05 P.M. Ar South Bend 9:33 P.M.
Return on Sunday 21 January 2007 from South Bend on train Number 49 (Lake Shore Limited) Lv 8:49 A.M. Ar Chicago 9:45 A.M.
Make the reservations at www.amtrak.com or 1-800-USA-RAIL

Hotel: Holiday Inn Downtown, 574-232-3941 (213 West Washington, South Bend), Reservation code “chicagolandmgclub”, $69.95 per night plus tax. Studebaker National Museum: a few blocks from the hotel, admission price about $10

What to bring: Snacks to share on the train (if you like), bathing suit for the pool, good sense of humor for whatever tourist accommodations are still open in January.

Questions: Ann and Jake Snyder - 847-295-2753
snyder@chicagolandmgclub.com