Railroad Nation

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

Hamburg Festival and Railroad Days

All Aboard! The Pere Marquette 1225 is heading for the Hamburg Festival & Railroad Days in Hamburg between Howell and Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 12th.
Smell the coal and feel the thunder as the 1225 steam locomotive heads to Osmer on the Great Lakes Central Railroad for these family fun excursions. The Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso and the Hamburg Historical Society are excited to offer one hour excursions with departure times at 10 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.
“The presence of a vintage steam engine will best capture Hamburg’s history as a passenger railroad destination,” said Suzanne Hines, president of the Hamburg Historical Society.
“We’re happy to collaborate with another like-minded organization that focuses its efforts on preserving history. It’s important for our organization and members to align our talents with good people like the Hamburg Historical Society,” said TJ Gaffney, executive director of the Steam Railoading Institute.
When the 1225 rolls into town make sure to have your ticket because seating is limited for only $25 per seat. For ticketing information visit www.michigansteamtrain.com.

For more information on Michigan train rides, visit:

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

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The R.J. Corman Railroad Group’s steam locomotive “Old Smokey” will make its first public appearance under steam since its May 24, 2008, inaugural trip at the 35th Annual Midway Fall Festival.

The steam locomotive and train arrive at 10 a.m. Sept. 19 in downtown Midway, Ky., and will be on display through 6 p.m. at the North Gratz Street crossing. Joining the Chinese QJ 2-10-2 on display will be one of R.J. Corman-RailPower’s Tier II certified genset locomotives, a heavy duty service sand gondola built new in 2008. The Kentucky Operation Lifesaver grade crossing safety program and Corman’s “My Old Kentucky Dinner Train” will provide displays. The locomotive and train will be on display Sept. 20 until noon, when the consist will travel west to Lewis siding, turn on the wye there, and pass eastbound through Midway about 4:15 pm. Expected arrival in Lexington, Ky., is 5 p.m.

For more information on Kentucky trains, visit: http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/kentucky_trainrides.php

For more on the Chinese QJ
(more…)

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon Railway will bring back steam to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its rebirth on Sept. 19 with a special roundtrip run to the Grand Canyon with 2-8-2 No. 4960 fueled by recycled vegetable oil. The event will feature live music, photo opportunities with the locomotive, a ribbon cutting, and remarks by local dignitaries.

The 65-mile-long excursion from Williams, Ariz. to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and back departs Williams at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at the Grand Canyon Depot at 11:45 a.m. The return trip departs the Grand Canyon at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Williams at 5:45 p.m. Tickets for adults range from $70 to $190, and children’s rates range from $40 to $110. Children 15 and under are permitted only in the coach and first classes.

In addition to the run to the Grand Canyon, the 4960 will also make several eight-mile trips out of Williams on Sept. 5 and 6 using Harriman cars built in 1923. Tickets for the “Cataract Creek Rambler” will be sold on-site for unreserved seating and will cost $15 for adults and $10 for children 15 and under.

The railroad operated steam from Memorial Day to Labor Day but in 2008 discontinued regular runs because of environmental considerations. Operating an all-diesel fleet of locomotives year-round saves fuel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

For more information about the railway and the steam runs, go to www.thetrain.com

For more information on Arizona train rides, visit:

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