Railroad Nation

EUSTIS, Fla. - Just when we need “shovel ready” projects to receive stimulus money to create jobs, this sure sounds like one to me.  The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel has reported that Florida Rail Adventures is having to  shut down its Mount Dora Meteor  due to inadequate tie condition.  The train, which operates over Florida Central Railroad tracks, is shutting down in the middle of its tourist season.

Owner and general manager Neil Bagaus said at least 1,000 ties need to be replaced before the branch between Mount Dora and Tavares, Fla., could meet Federal Railroad Administration standards. Bagaus said the railroad replaced 400 ties at a cost of $30,000, but said it doesn’t have the money to replace the rest. So, let’s see. To replace  the 1000 ties, at $75 per tie, they will need about $75000. Almost sounds like a bargin.

“This is our season,” he said. Unfortunately, “we just cannot afford the cost.”

Trains over the main line between Eustis and Tavares and on to Orlando will continue to operate as normal. Those trains include the dinner train, rail rambles, Gunfight at the OK Corral, trips to the Orlando Magic games, and a lunch train.

Mount Dora Mayor Melissa DeMarco said the town plans to look for ways to assist Bagaus restart the train.

Floridians and tourists don’t often get to ride live steam trains outside of Disney World.  So during the month of February, for a steam train ride experience outside of the Magic Kingdom,  a little railroad that could and will, the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, Fl will be running steam excursions for four weekends. Pulling the steam train rides will be the 1930 Flagg Coal Company’s  No.75 Vulcan 0-4-0T coal burning tank engine. This is the fourth year the FRM has run these excursions.
After acquiring the #75  in 1991 and performing a 10 year restoration,  the this little steamer has now traveled all over the country to various museums and tourist railroads.

The #75 participated in TrainFestival 2009 in Owsso, Michigan and appeared again last fall  double heading steam train excursions in October on the scenic Hope Valley Railway in North Carolina.

This is a truly a unique chance to get up close and experience a live steam train ride in central Florida for the whole family.

Lots of extra activities are planned this year including the Party Caboose, Rent-a-Freight Train and the NEW opportunity to be a Steam Engineer.

Party Caboose - available for charter on every trip

Rent-a-Freight Train - Take charge of a 1,500 horsepower diesel locomotive and five car train for one hour.

Steam Engineer - NEW for 2010! At the end of each day, a limited number of participants will be able to operate the throttle and run the #75 on our railroad for 15 minutes.

The Museum is located 25 miles north of Sarasota and 35 miles south of Tampa off Interstate 75 at exit #229.

For more on Florida Train rides, visit: http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/florida_trainrides.php

Begin the  2010 New Year with this  photographers’ special train, featuring  steam locomotive #7470, operated in conjunction with the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc. The 4-hour trip includes numerous scenic “run-bys” for photo opportunities.

The #7470 is coal-fired, steam locomotive  (0-6-0) that was built in the Montreal shops of the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1921. It was acquired by Dwight Smith in 1968 and joined the start-up Conway Scenic Railroad in 1974.

This annual Steam in the Snow rail excursion will run January 2, 2010.

Reservations are strongly recommended. This event sold out last year.

For reservations, visit: http://www.conwayscenic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome
For more on New Hanpshire train rides, visit: www.scenicrailexcursions.com/newhampshire_trainrides.php

Inspired by the award winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, you can now experience the magic of The Polar Express™ at the Texas State RR . Read along with the story as the train makes a round trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate and a treat. And, for those who believe, a special gift for each child. Everyone is encouraged to wear their pajamas!

Although seating may limited in the  The Polar Express™ Train Ride’s First Class private car, it a first class experience fit for any holiday traveler. You will be served at your table by Chefs,  enjoy a variety of cookies served on silver trays, drink delicious hot chocolate with whip cream and chocolate sprinkles in collectible Polar Express™ mugs as well as an additional choice of coffee, tea, or sparkling cider.  Table seating for 2 and 4 individuals.

The Texas Polar Express train rides will run December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27

For more information on Texas Train Rides,  see http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/texas_trainrides.php

Take a ride aboard the Santa Express with Santa Claus himself, Mrs. Claus and Santa’s friendly elves for an hour and twenty minutes of family fun!

You will travel along the scenic Naugatuck River, in warm and comfortable 1920s vintage coaches. Santa and Mrs. Claus visits with each child on board the Santa Express.

At the conclusion of your train ride, you can visit  the gift shop inside the historic 1881 Thomaston Station, where you can find that perfect gift for that special someone this holiday season!  They feature a large selection of railroad books and memorabilia to choose from as well as plenty of children’s gifts including Thomas the Tank Engine™ merchandise!

The Railroad Museum of New England is located in Thomaston, CT.

For more info, visit; http://www.rmne.org/santaexpresstrain.htm

For more on Connecticut train rides, you can visit; www.scenicrailexcursions.com/connecticut_trainrides.php

This holiday season take a train ride to the North Pole. The Polar Express comes to life when trains depart the Hood River depot for a memorable journey. As you travel through the quiet woods, listen to the story of The Polar Express and meet Santa and his elves at the north pole. Then,  Santa will greet each child on board the train and give each one, their own special Christmas bell. Guests will enjoy a train ride filled with warmth and laughter and Christmas carols as they are served hot chocolate and cookies by attendants. And, children are invited to wear their own special pajamas for this wonderful event. This is a special trip that families will want to make an annual holiday tradition.

Train rides run from Dec. 8-19.

The Mount Hood RR also offers Christmas Tree Trains and Holiday Brunch Trains  on the weekends during the month of December.

To see more on Oregon train rides, visit: www.scenicrailexcursions.com/oregon_trainrides.php

Enjoy a ride on the scenic New Hope Valley Railway behind double-headed steam locomotives. Double-headed steam is special because so few steam engines remain in operation today that being able to run two in tandem is quite rare. In contrast, when these iron horses ruled the rails, double-heading engines was common and sometimes necessary to get long heavy trains up mountainous inclines and high passes.

The New Hope Valley Railway is proud to announce that Flagg Coal #75 will visit the New Hope Valley double-heading with their very own #17 steam locomotive. The two Vulcan tank engines are very similar, built about 11 years apart at the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre, PA. These tank engines served industry lines and switched carloads of goods for decades. Double-head passenger train rides will run for two special days,  October 31 and November 1st.  Everyone is invited to come enjoy this special event and experience the sights, sounds, and memories of a lifetime!

For more on North Carolina Train Rides, visit:

http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/northcarolina_trainrides.php

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska Railroad announced last week it would lay off 127 employees and cancel it’s ski train excursions next spring, the Anchorage Daily News has reported. The state-owned railroad has lost business in the recession, forcing the cuts.

A tradition going back to the 1940’s, the train has carried thousands of skiers into the remote backcountry of Grandview, south of Anchorage, and Curry, near Talkeetna.

All winter excursions, except maybe the holiday train to Seward will be canceled. Wendy Lindskoog, the railroad’s associate vice president of corporate affairs, said the ski train could be a money-losing proposition depending on weather. “There is extra cost associated with running charters in the winter,” she said. “Weather can throw unexpected hurdles at you, and you often end up not making money. On some charters you make money, but on others you don’t.”

Regularly scheduled passenger service to Fairbanks will continue through the winter.

For more on Alaska Train Rides, visit:

http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/alaska_trainrides.php

MIAMI - The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is looking for grants to restore the interior of presidential private car Ferdinand Magellan as years of service have taken a toll on its condition.

“Hundreds of people have walked through the car and sat on the chairs for pictures,” said Executive Director Mike Hall. “The carpeting is badly worn and the upholstery has started coming apart.”

The car’s exterior already has received a lot of attention. Now, the museum is looking for financing to reupholster 12 chairs and a sofa and replace the carpeting. The estimated cost is $6,000.

“We can have the interior faithfully reproduced,” Hall said, “but it’s a question of money.”

The Ferdinand Magellan was built in 1922 by the Pullman Company as a private car. It was one of six similar cars named after famous explorers, Ferdinand Magellan, David Livingstone, Henry Stanley, Marco Polo, Robert Peary and Roald Amundsen. After the United States entered World War II, it was suggested by Secret Service agent Mike Reilly and White House Press Secretary Stephen Early that President Franklin D. Roosevelt needed a specially equipped and armored car rather than using standard equipment provided by the Pullman Company. The Ferdinand Magellan was selected, and the Pullman Company rebuilt the car. The Ferdinand Magellan became the first passenger railcar built for a President since the War Department had built a special car for the use of Abraham Lincoln in 1865

When the Ferdinand Magellan was rebuilt, the original six bedrooms in the car were reduced to four, and the dining room and observation lounge were enlarged. Two of the bedrooms were a suite for the President and the First Lady, with a fully equipped bathroom, including a bathtub, connecting the two bedrooms. The dining room could also be used as a conference room. It has a solid mahogany table that measures 38″ x 72″ (96.3 cm x 183 cm) and seats eight. The front end of the car held quarters for two stewards, a pantry, a galley, mechanical equipment, storage and ice bunkers.

President Roosevelt’s first trip in the Ferdinand Magellan was to Miami, Florida, where he boarded a Pan American World Airways flying boat for his trip to the Casablanca Conference in 1943. He traveled approximately 50,000 miles (81,500 km) in the car in the next two years, using it for the last time on a trip to Warm Springs, Georgia the day before he died.

For more on the Gold Coast Railroad Museum and Florida train rides and museums, visit; http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/florida_trainrides.php