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Special steamtrain excursion to honor veterans

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Mon, Sep 25th 2017 11:50 am
Half-priced tickets for vets, active military & auxiliary members
During World War II, America's railroads helped to defeat the Axis by moving millions of tons of raw materials, wartime goods and massive numbers of troops. As America's second-largest railroad hub and a key producer of aircraft, vehicles and other critical wartime supplies, Buffalo's homefront efforts and successes were tied to trains. More important than supplies, railroads transported parents, grandparents and relatives far away from home to boot camp, training bases and eventually off to war.
This Nov. 11-2, the Buffalo, Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway in Hamburg will offer train excursions behind a vintage 1920s-era steam locomotive to honor veterans of all eras and to remember the vital roll the rails had in victory. Trains will depart the Village of Hamburg's historic Erie Railroad Depot (4 Scott St.) for a 12-mile round trip to Eden. Departure times for the 90-minute journeys are 10 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m.
The steam locomotive that will pull the excursions is Viscose Com. No. 6. It was originally constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the American Viscose Co. of Roanoke, Virginia. In the early 1960s, the engine was sold to the Gem City Iron & Metal Co. of Pulaski, Virginia. In September 2004, No. 6 was purchased by Scott Symans of Dunkirk, who restored the locomotive to operating condition.
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. An open-air car will be available for those who want to photograph the sights along the way.
Tickets for these trips are $10 for veterans, active military and auxiliary members. Additional pricing is $20 for adults and $18 for children. Children who sit on a parent's lap are free. Tickets may be purchase online until midnight before departure date at www.bcjrailroad.com. Remaining unsold tickets may be purchased at Artcraft Toy Trains located inside the Hamburg Railroad Depot the day of the trips. For information and ticket availability, call 716-649-3079.
Passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time for parking and boarding.
The trips are being conducted by the Buffalo, Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway Co. The BC&J was founded in 2011 is chartered as a New York state 501(c)(3) 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, which manages the property. Buffalo Southern Railroad, a locally owned class III common carrier shortline railroad, operates the line.

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