Not set in stone yet, but if I do what is can't miss?
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Please don't come to Cape Cod. The traffic is already driving us locals crazy. It takes 20 minutes to get to work in the morning at 5:30. This afternoon it took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to get home. This is the only place in the world that you can get anywhere faster in a blinding snow storm then a nice summer day.
Any way Palmer Mass is a good rail fan spot. If you want tourist trains try New Hampshire. Then there is the Cape Cod Central with an AWESOME dinner train. Sorry you can't get here from there.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Stpo in Poughkeepsie NY and take a hike high over Hudson River on the old New Haven RR bridge. It's now part of a hiking trail.
First thing - go to your local bookstore and get the Michelin (as in the Tire Company) Guide Book for New England, they're easy to spot with their kelly green covers. These are the guide books of choice for those who want to see the sights and learn about the area - no reference to shopping or resturants. They classify sights as 1) worth the trip, 2) worth a detour, and 3) interesting. Also included are suggestions for tour schedules for a few hours, a day, etc.
I lived in Fall River, MA for a few years and traveled the area aggressively. Among my favorites are the historic mansions in Newport, RI.
The autumn foliage is awesome!!! Nothing else like it in the US - picture a mountain-sized firey explosion frozen in time. Peak time is typically around Columbus Day, but it varies from year-to-year.
Jim
Cog railway up Mt Washington, NH
Short train ride from Bellows Falls, VT to Chester, VT. Some nice scenery for a short ride. Occasionally they have longer trips, I'm not sure of the schedules.
Non-train and one I want to do sometime when I go to visit relatives. Battleship Massachusetts in Fall River, MA.
Old Ironsides, sailing ship in Boston, a battleship of its day.
As stated above, get a guide book and look up things that interest you.
Have fun,
retsignalmtr Stpo in Poughkeepsie NY and take a hike high over Hudson River on the old New Haven RR bridge. It's now part of a hiking trail.
I'll second that, even though New York isn't in New England. I used to walk over it when it was just an abandoned RR bridge, but the New Haven's Poughkeepsie High Bridge is not to be missed if you're interested in railroading.
Some things you might want to consider doing (mostly Southern New England, because that's where I live):
-- Stop at the Amtrak station in Old Saybrook CT (just off I-95). Enjoy a pie and a brew at Pizzaworks (in the old depot building at the station) and enjoy the two huge operating HO model railroads created and maintained by local artist Steve Cryan.
-- Essex Steam Train and River Boat in Essex, CT. I'll be hosting caboose rides on Sept 5 (Shameless plug!). Also have a model RR layout, but not as nice.
-- US Navy Submarine Museum and Historic Ship Nautilus in Groton CT.
-- Old Mystic Seaport, Mystic CT
-- New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport, Hartford, CT
-- Cliff Walk, Mansions, and Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport RI.
-- Battleship Cove and the USS Massachussets in Fall River, MA
-- USS Constitution and Faneuil Hall in Boston, MA. Bunker Hill monument is nearby, but because it's all built up, it's not that impressive.
-- Battle Road and Concord, MA.
-- Mt Washingon and Mt Washington Cog Railway, NH (the state, not the railroad).
As far as travel guides are concerned, I prefer the Dorling-Kindersley to the Michelen, although I don't have any personal experience with their New England guide, the others I've used were great.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
A couple places. I just love Google. Too bad more people do not know how to use Google or any search engine.
http://www.traintraveling.com/usa/tourist/usa_newengland.shtml
http://www.trainsnh.com/
http://ct-trolley.org/ctm/
http://www.bera.org/
http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/
The below is a cannot miss. Bring plenty of digital camera media.
http://www.thecog.com/
Have fun.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
For train stuff in New England or at least specifically in Connecticut there is also besides the Essex deal the Danbury Railway Museum right off Rt 84 (exit 5 - follow the signs), the Naugy near Watertown also has active rail rides. In Western Ct is another rail museum while Branford has its trolley museum. South Norwalk has SONO tower (a restored interlocking tower and museum). Plus just over the border is Grand Central Station in NYC.
I'm sure the residents further north will chime in but there are several other tourist railroads as well as a plethora of museums all over the northeast. Any specific likes/dislikes? J.R.
Oh yeah links, well the rest of those dudes are on their own but http://www.danbury.org/DRM/ is one I know.
Hey guys, put it click-able links. Makes it much easier for those who do not know how or do not want to search for places.
When are you planning on going?
Springfield PA
If I go, Saturday. My dad is driving through and neither of us have been. He arrives tomorrow. Total spur of the moment.
Depending on what route you take if your coming through NJ there is "The Model Railroad club" in Union NJ on rt.22 east. Allegedly the largest club layout in the country.There's really nothing too dramatic here as far as rail fanning goes Oak Island Yard is surrounded by the turnpike, The Seacoast line still exists but they run mostly electrics but do to the heat wave this past week they have been pulling diesels out of mothballs and putting them back in service.
Chip,
If your travels take you anywhere near Whitefield, NH, stop off and see the old B&M/MEC diamond ball signal. (It was actually still functional as recently as the early 2000s.) A unique bit of history - that's for sure - and definitely a place I plan on visiting someday. Worth a quick visit.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
South Station in Boston, where the Acela ends, and North Station, if you have the time. Unless you are entirely comfortable with the traffic and parking situation at Philadelphia's station, don't try to drive into Boston. Park at an outlying MTBA station and ride in comfort.
Route 128 Station near the intersection of Interstate 95 and Interstate 93 south of Boston. There are signs directing you to the station. All the Northeast Corridor trains to Boston go through there, but you avoid the hassle of the city traffic. There is another 95/93 intersection northwest of Boston; that's not it!
Hoosac Tunnel in western Massachusetts. I haven't been there for 50 years, so I don't know how good a visit that may be.
Enjoy.
Charles Ro Hobby Shop. On State Rt 16 in Malden. Vast stock of HO and O
NorthShore Model Railroad Club on Main St Wakefield. They are under Brother's Restaurant, they have a web site, and Thursday evenings is the regular work night, people are there, and they are pleased to have visitors.
Clark's Trained Bears. North Woodstock NH, right on US Rt 3. They have geared steam locomotives pulling excursion trains.
Hobo RailRoad, Lincoln NH. Good collection of rolling stock, excursion trains. Diesel
Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway NH. Classic Russian style station, first generation diesels in new paint, excursion train up Crawford Notch with fabulous views. Classic wood roundhouses in Conway and Bartlett. Functional turntable at Conway.
Drive the Kanacamagus Highway between the Hobo and Conway. Spectacular drive.
Ride the Cannon Mt Aerial Tramway.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Another unique venue: The Mt. Washington Cog Railway. Bring a jacket for the summt because the winds can be ripping up there.
Well, allow me to plug my own club, the South Shore Model Railway Club (www.ssmrc.org) in Hingham, MA. It's located across the street from the West Hingham MBTA commuter rail station (and about a 15 min. walk into Bare Cove Park).
If you want to see fast trains, come to Mansfield, MA to the MBTA station. Located near the interchange of I-95 and I-495, Mansfield is in the high speed zone and the Acela whips through at 150mph...it's a rush! The RoW is only double track, and you can stand on the platform just a few feet away from the track as it blows by at a buck and a half. If that doesn't make your heart pound, then I don't know what will. There's also a near-by ice cream shop that's pretty good. Local freight action is generally in the morning or evening.
For the most trains in Mass. for your buck, try Readville, MA (located on the MBTA). During the morning and evening rush, there are around 17 trains per hour for 3 hours straight. They come at you from all directions as there's an MBTA rail bridge overpass over the electrified RoW of Amtrak. There are 4 different MBTA commuter rail lines, plus Amtrak to NY and CSX freight yard action at Readville. I just wouldn't hang out there after dark. Not that it's wicked unsafe (Boston's Mayor lives nearby), but it isn't some quiet suburb, either. One can also see what's left of the New Haven's major shops from 1900 to 1957.
Not mentioned about Battleship Cove (a truly 1st class Naval Museum) in Fall River, MA is the Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum located across the street. It's a static display (no running equipment) that includes the only named RDC car (NH #42, the "Firestone"). Some cars are open and have displays set up inside or even a little movie theatre in a boxcar.
About the Cog RR, be advised that they have gone mostly diesel. I think only the 1st train of the day is steam.
Paul A. Cutler III
Paul3About the Cog RR, be advised that they have gone mostly diesel. I think only the 1st train of the day is steam.
Thanks for that info, Paul. Here's a blurb about it from the WMCR web site and a picture of it off their home page:
The new locomotives operate on biodiesel fuel. Although they don't look bad, they don't have the ambiance of the coal-burning locomotive.
My hope is that the WMCR will still continue to operate their coal-burners and not phase them out completely. Perhaps that will allow the older locomotives to go longer between rebuilds and preserve them for future generations.
If you're down in the Willimantic area of Connecticut, you should stop by the little railroad museum there. I can't remember what it's called unfortunately. Don't go out of your way to see it though, it's not very big, but if you're down in the area, why not? It was a great experience for a teen model railroader like me.
Modeling New Haven despite what his user name says...
HOn21/2Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, the Narrow Gauge Museum in Portland and the Museum on the way to Boothbay, all in Maine.
Seaashore Trolly Museum, Kennebunkport, MEhttp://www.trolleymuseum.org/
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum, Potrland, MEhttp://www.mngrr.org/
Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington (WW&F) Railway Museum, Alna, MEhttp://www.wwfry.org/
Boothbay Railway Village, Boothbay, MEhttp://www.railwayvillage.org/
Chip, sorry for the late update; I guess you are leaving today. If you do end up in the midcoast area of Maine, let me know. I voluenteer with the model railroad group at Boothbay Railway Village, and would like to meet you.
One note if you go to the Mt Washington Cog RR, check waether conditions on top before you get tickets. It may be 80s at the base, but could be 40s or less with a stiff wind on top.
If you get in that neighborhood see the Conway Scenic Railroadhttp://www.conwayscenic.com/They have a lot of early diesel and some steam equipment and trips up Crawford Notch on the old MEC Mountain Division
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch