Railroad Nation

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge steam train’s 52 mile round trip winter excursion travels through the breath taking back country winter wonderland of the San Juan Mountains in the comfort of heated coaches. The wilderness destination of Cascade Canyon Pavilion is the perfect setting for a fire-side lunch, photo opportunities, or a walk along the Animas River.

Lunch items are available for purchase on the concession car. You may also pre-order Tamale lunches, which feature locally grown, organic ingredients. These $10 Tamale lunches may be ordered up until 4:00 pm the day before your ride by calling 888-872-4607.

For reservations, visit http://www.durangotrain.com/ride-us

For more on Colorado Train Rides, visit: http://scenicrailexcursions.com/colorado_trainrides.php

A combined celebration of the 100th birthday of the historic Bartlesville, Ok  Santa Fe station and the homecoming of AT&SF No. 940 will be held for the public on. Thursday, Dec 17, at the depot. Built in 1903, this Santa Fe type 2-10-2 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive works. Originally, the engines were  built as 2-10-0’s.  They worked well as pushers but getting them back down the hills was difficult because of their long rigid wheelbase. To solve this problem the AT&SF ordered more 2-10-0’s with trailing wheels to help guide them while traveling backward. This resulted in a new wheel arrangement — the 2-10-2 or “Santa Fe” type because of their long rigid wheelbase.

The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m.

Children and adults will be able to enter the cab of No. 940 and ring its bell, which has been silent for more than 50 years while the historic locomotive stood behind a high fence in Johnstone Park. Last week the 150-ton locomotive was moved back to the depot, which itself is a historic landmark that opened on Dec. 17, 1909.

For more, visit http://www.bartlesvillelocomotive.org/index.html

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

OWOSSO, Mich. — The Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225,  made famous in the movie Polar Express starting an animated like Tom Hanks, has been sidelined again with the same problems it had  during Trainfestival 2009 last July, another  blown  boiler tube.

While Pere Marquette 1225 was under steam and the star of the show for the first trip on opening day, during a routine inspection of the locomotive at the North Pole a mechanical issue was found. The crew decided that in the interest of preserving the locomotive and keeping the North Pole Express trains operating, as planned, it was best to remove 1225 from service. “We would love to continue to run the locomotive,” said Greg Udolph, Chief Mechanical Officer of the Steam Railroading Institute, “but the truth remains, the 1225 is a 70-year old piece of machinery that was built on an assembly line the same way an automobile is built. During its career the engine has racked up well over a million miles. The boiler on 1225 has shown the crew that it is ready for some serious work. Next year starts a major rebuild of the locomotive to try to put some of the miles back into her. With the current mechanical issue at hand it is best for the locomotive and the schedule of the North Pole Express trains to bring the engine down and prepare for her rebuild.

The steam engine will not make any additional Polar Express trips this year, however,  the train rides for the Polar Express will continue to run behind diesel power.

This past July, during TrainFestival 2009, the engine had a couple of tubes that cracked and released some steam. After being taken out of service, the crew was able to fix the problem by replacing the tubes. The engine then successfully ran a two-day photo charter, hourly excursions during Hamburg Railroad Days and an all-day excursion to Cadillac, Michigan, in conjunction with the Ft. Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s Nickel Plate Road 765. Unfortunately, this repair was not enough. It is time to fully inspect the boiler and figure the cause of these problems. This process will be costly, intense and take a minimum of one year.

In order to continue to give the passengers the experience they deserve SRI has decided to bring 1225 out of her storage building and put her on display for all to see. She will be fully visible and located next to the Christmas trains. Volunteers from SRI will be on hand to answer questions, show off different parts of the locomotive and provide cab tours. Passengers will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the engine. Kids will have the rare and unique opportunity to sit in the engineer’s seat and ring the bell on the locomotive.  Should make for some great holiday photo opts.

Due to the Federal Railroad Administration’s-required 15-year inspection scheduled for May, additional operations in 2010 before that deadline will take place only if funds to replace the failed tube can be raised.

All 2009 Polar Express train rides are currently sold out.

Take the family on a magical train ride to the North Pole! Ride behind
 Pere Marquette 1225 Steam Locomotive for an evening of Christmas fun
for the entire family. Riders depart from the Steam Railroading Institute
in Owosso, Michigan behind the locomotive selected by Warner Brothers
as the image for the Polar Express animated movie. This four-hour journey
includes a visit with Santa, live entertainment, hot cocoa and indoor
carnival rides at the North Pole.
This roundtrip excursion is only $70 per adult and $40 per child
(12 and under).
Dates and times are limited so book your tickets today and help create
a lifetime of magical memories by visiting www.michigansteamtrain.com
or calling the Steam Railroading Institute at 989.725.9464.

               

For more on train rides in Michigan, visit: 
http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/michigan_trainrides.php

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Virginia Railway Express board recommended a French company be hired to operate VRE commuter trains effective next summer, a move that would end 17 years of contracted operations by Amtrak, the Washington Post has reported. Keolis Rail Services of America, a U.S. arm of a French company, received the contract under a unanimous vote by the VRE operations board.

VRE spokesman Mark Roeber said four companies submitted bids to operate the trains, and that Keolis rated highest, based mainly on its customer service, plus its management and operations plan. It also underbid Amtrak, offering to take over running the service for $18.5 million versus Amtrak’s $19.6 million plus its $2.2 million mobilization fee (versus Keolis’s $1.7 million). He said the agency also wanted a more “hands-on” approach from its operator.

Amtrak spokesman Steve Kulm said the railroad is “saddened and disappointed in the recommendation, as our employees have invested a great deal of heart, energy, and effort in providing excellent service to VRE passengers since 1992.”

The Northern Virginia and Potomac and Rappahannock transportation commissions will have the final say on whether the board’s recommendations come to pass. If approved, it would be Keolis’s first commuter train operating contract in the U.S.

VRE’s weekday commuter trains run on two lines south of Washington Union Station. The 35-mile Manassas Line uses Norfolk Southern trackage from Alexandria to Manassas, and the 55-mile Fredericksburg Line uses CSX Transportation from Washington to Fredericksburg.

VRE officials said the switch should impact operations from a customer perspective. However, he said because Amtrak controls railroad operations in and out of Washington Union Station, it would have the ability to retaliate. “The critical question will be how things change at Union Station,” Roeber said. “We expect the same level of service, but whether there is any animosity there, you never can tell. We hope it will be a smooth transition.”