Posted on September 3, 2019
BC&J to Run Vintage Steam & Diesel-Powered Trips on Southtowns Rails
Hamburg, New York – The Buffalo, Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway (BC&J) will offer a series of rail history, fall foliage and Halloween themed train excursions behind a variety of vintage diesel and steam locomotives this autumn. Trains are scheduled to operate out of the Village of Hamburg’s historic Erie Railroad Depot (4 Scott Street) on September 7th, 8th and October 5th, 6th, 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th. Trains on September 28th & 29th depart Zittel’s County Market.
On September 7th and 8th, the BC&J will travel into the City of Buffalo with a train ride designed around Western New York railroad history and “railfans.” This 26.5-mile diesel-powered train departs from Hamburg and travels to Buffalo Creek Junction in South Buffalo before returning to Hamburg. This 3-hour trip departs at 11am and costs $30 for adults and $20 for children.
Zittel’s County Market is sponsoring Fall Foliage trips on September 28th & 29th. Trips will depart Zittel’s located at 4415 Southwestern Boulevard behind a vintage diesel-powered locomotive at 10:00a, 12:30p and 3:00p for a round trip to Water Valley NY and back. These rides are 1-1.5 hours in duration and will travel 9.25 miles. Tickets are: Adults $18.00; Children (2-12) $15.00; Child on lap Free (Under 2). Tickets for this event can only be booked and purchased directly through Zittel’s Country Market.
Steam returns to Western New York for a special series of Fall Foliage train rides on October 5th, 6th 19th and 20th. The trips will be pulled by steam locomotive Viscose Company #6. The engine was originally constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the American Viscose Company of Roanoke, Virginia in 1925. Fall Foliage trips will depart Hamburg at 10:00a, 12:30p and 3:00p for a round trip to the picturesque Eden Valley. These rides are 1-1.5 hours in duration and will travel seven miles. Tickets are: Adult (12+) $18.00; Children (2-12) $15.00; Child on lap Free (Under 2).
Spooky Steam Halloween train rides will take place on October 26th and 27th at 10a and 2p. Each trip is 2.5-3 hours long and will depart from the Hamburg Depot pulled by steam locomotive Viscose Company #6 and/or a vintage diesel locomotive. There are pumpkins for the children (12 and under) riding the train and costumes are encouraged as each child riding and wearing a costume receives one free small bag of popcorn. The train route is Hamburg to Water Valley Trestle, then North to Zittel’s Country Market, then back to Hamburg. There is a stop in the middle of the trip for approximately one hour at Zittel’s Country Market, where we have fun activities for the kids such as face painting, a hay maze, and a petting zoo. Tickets are: Adult (12+) $20.00; Children (2-12) $15.00; Child on lap Free (Under 2).
NOTE – Trips schedule on the Buffalo, Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway in October will be the only steam powered train excursions operating in Western New York this fall.
Passengers will travel in vintage railroad equipment that includes two late 1920s era passenger cars that once shuttled commuters in New York City on the Long Island Railroad. The trip will also feature an open-air car for those who want to photograph the sights along the way as well as a snack bar car which will offer light refreshments for purchase. (Due to the vintage nature of the steam locomotive, the railroad reserves the right to substitute motive power without notice.)
The trips are being conducted by the Buffalo, Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway Company, Inc. The BC&J was founded in 2011 and is chartered as a New York State 501c3 not-for-profit corporation. The BC&J’s mission is focused on developing and operating educational steam and diesel-electric passenger train excursions in the Buffalo-Jamestown corridor as a way of promoting Western New York’s industrial, transportation and agrarian heritage. The railroad right-of-way is owned by Erie County and leased to the Erie County Industrial Development Agency who manages the property. Buffalo Southern Railroad, a locally owned Class III Common Carrier shoreline railroad, operates the line.
Tickets for these diesel and steam powered train trips may be purchase online until midnight before departure date at www.bcjrailroad.com. Tickets may also be purchased at Artcraft Toy Trains located inside the Hamburg Railroad Depot at 4 Scott Street Depot during business hours or on the day of departure based on availability. For information call 833-722-5778. Passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time for parking and boarding.
