Only 4 weeks before we head out on a 4-5 week trip. We will be riding the ACA North Lakes Route all the way back to Cleveland.
Went to the Amtrak station last night to get a big bike box. They are bigger than the ones from the LBS so half of our tandem will go in this one and the other half + gear in the other box.
We worked out our new "sleep system" and the new bag is on it's way from REI. Went out today to Dick's Sporting Goods and found a dry bag that will hold our pads,tent, and few extras. Re-installed the front rack on the tandem and adjusted the front panniers.
This trip we are doing without the BOB trailer as it is a bit too big to go on Amtrak so we added the front panniers. My wife will be making up so nylon web straps with buckles to tie down the new dry bag on the rear rack.
Next week I will do a trial run of boxing up the bike to see what sort of packing material I want to include.
This will be our first trip with our bike on Amtrak so it was good to see the layout of the station last night. Only bad thing about the train is we have to be at the station @ 2:00AM! Oh well we will have a down day in the Twin Cities to recover before we start riding.

Note: Amtrak web interface has place you can check status of the train. If you aren't too far, I'd check to make things are on time before departing to the station.

I would not put anything small (e.g., pedals) in the bike box. If it develops a hole, things could fall out.

I was tninking of bagging the pedals and maybe taping the bag to the inside of the box. I plan to be VERY generous with the tape!

Phone number for train status info: 800-872-7245. Automated voice activated service that has worked exceptionally well for me. Best to know your train number.

Bene Sugg : using packing tape and/ or Zip Tie them. to the BikeFrame..

[LBS is re assembling lots of tourist ship aheads out here, now.. ]