HISTORIC STEAM LOCOMOTIVE RETURNS TO WNY THIS WEEKEND FOR SCENIC FALL FOLIAGE TRIPS

HISTORIC STEAM LOCOMOTIVE RETURNS TO WNY THIS WEEKEND FOR SCENIC FALL FOLIAGE TRIPS

Tourist Railroad to Run Steam & Diesel-Powered Trips During October on Rails South of Buffalo

Hamburg, New York – The nostalgic sounds of a train whistle and “chug, chug, chug” of a vintage steam locomotive will be heard once again in Hamburg, New York for two weekends this October. The Buffalo, Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway (BC&J) is scheduled to run a series of fall foliage and Halloween themed train excursions with a special guest steam locomotive. Trips will operate out of the Village of Hamburg’s historic Erie Railroad Depot (4 Scott Street) on October 9th, 10th, 16^th and 17^th

The ONLY steam engine to operate in Western New York during 2021 will pull a special series of Fall Foliage train rides on October 9th, 10^th and 16^th, 17^th. 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. 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).

Halloween Train rides will take place on October 23^rd, 24^th, 30^th and 31^st Each trip is 2.5-3 hours long and will depart the Hamburg Depot pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive. There will be pumpkins for children (12 and under) riding the train and costumes are encouraged. The train route is from 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 on October 9^th, 10^th, 16^th and 17^th will be the only steam powered train excursions operating in Western New York during 2021.

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.