October Steam Train Excursions: Hoboken NJ to Port Jervis NY
Rich Dean
FALL FOLIAGE STEAM TRAIN EXCURSIONS!
For three weekends this October, passenger train excursions are scheduled
to be pulled by an historic Chesapeake & Ohio steam locomotive from
Hoboken NJ to Port Jervis NY and return! The dates are October 12, 13,
19, 20, 26, and 27.
Departing the historic Hoboken Terminal on the Hudson River waterfront
the train will travel the scenic and historic rail line to Port Jervis,
on the Delaware River where the tri-states of New York, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania meet.
At Port Jervis, the engine will (hopefully) be turned around by a rare
working turntable (which has been successfully tested since it has not
been regularly used in many years).
The trip is being operated by Iron Horse Enterprises, One Railroad
Avenue, Lebanon NJ 08833. The phone is 908-236-2200.
Rich Dean
In my original post, I forgot to include the ticket prices which are $59
for adults and $40 for kids under 12 in coach with first class available.
I have received numerous requests from interested people for the
information. I am just a railfan and am not affiliated with the Iron
Horse Enterprises which is the operator of the trips.
I have also been asked about the time length of the trips. From what I
know departure from Hobken is between 9 and 9:30 am. In 1986 I was
aboard a steam train ride on the same route which took 3 hours in each
direction with at least a layover of several hours in beautiful historic
Port Jervis.
Whether or not you can afford to ride on any of the trips, as long as you
can drive why not join the hundreds who will be chasing these trains?
The route from Hoboken will take the train across the Meadowlands past
Giants Stadium then through the Bergen County towns to the west of NJ
Route 17 to Mahwah. The line then enters New York State at Suffern,
paralleling both NY Route 17 and the Thruway to Harriman.
One of the most spectacular sites for train watching is the 3,000 foot
long Moodna Viaduct at Salisbury Mills NY, off NY Route 94. The bridge
traverses serene pastures with sections being nearly 200 feet high.
Other good spots for watching, videoing and photographing are at Campbell
Hall, Otisville and Port Jervis itself.
Gary Kazin (PBMA)
The trains are scheduled to leave Hoboken at 9:15AM and return at 6:PM, with
3 hours in Port Jervis. Passengers may also board at Waldwick, 45 minutes
west of Hoboken. The trains are due to arrive in Port Jervis at 12:30PM and
leave at 3:30PM. There will be a street festival at Port Jervis that day as
well. Photo runbys and photo stops are planned. The consist will be NJT
'Comet' commuter cars and privately owned first class cars. HEP is planned
to be provided by 'Erie' 834, an E-8A on the tail end of the train.
Those who intend to chase the trip can contact me directly for my comments.
The route is not easy to chase: in NJ, route 17 is a little too far from the
railroad to be able to overtake the train and get into position for later shots;
in NY the fast roads don't let you get back to the railroad quickly. Track
speed on this line is 69MPH and NJT does it normally with ease, fastest legal
road speed is 55 anywhere near this trip (ok, I-84 is 65 from Newburgh through
Port Jervis into Pennsylvania, but that only helps you get between Otisville
Tunnel and PJ.). Better to decide on a place before the runby (north/west of
Suffern, NY), go to Moodna, and then go to Campbell Hall, Otisville, or PJ,
then do the same for the return.
Also, there are 'regular' NJT/MetroNorth trains between Hoboken and PJ on the
weekend now:
Sats leave Hoboken 9:07AM, 12:50, 6:40PM arrive PJ 11:14AM, 3:16, 9:05PM
leave PJ 7:29, 11:55AM, 5:22, 9:37PM arrive Hoboken 9:50AM, 2:20, 7:30, 1
11:45PM.
Suns leave Hoboken 9:07AM, 6:40, 9:45PM arrive PJ 11:14AM, 9:05PM, 12:08AM next
day.
leave PJ 7:29AM, 6:17PM, arrive Hoboken 9:50AM, 8:25PM.
Round trip fare is $17.25 on NJT, no photo runbys or photo stops.
Rich Dean
RE: FALL FOLIAGE STEAM TRAIN EXCURSION RIDES IN NJ & NY
In response to the many email requests received for ticket price
information, coach fare for adults is $59, kids under 12 $40, and first
class is available also. I am posting this as a service to all who are
interested in the historical and technological aspects of railroading
from the early woodburning locomotives of the 1830's to the high tech
locomotives, rolling stock and trafic control systems of today.
From what I understand the trips will depart Hoboken between 9 amd 10 am
on the days scheduled. From my past experience with railfan trips from
on this route usually take about 3 hours each way with a layover of
several hours in historic, scenic Port Jervis NY on the upper Delaware
River where New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania come together.
I have no connection with Iron Horse Enterprises.
For those who can't afford to ride, but would like the chance to chase
the steam trains, the route is the NJ Transit/Metro North Bergen County
and Port Jervis lines. From Hoboken Terminal, the train will cross the
Meadowlands past Giants Stadium then through the Bergen County NJ towns
just to the west of Route 17 from East Rutherford to Mahwah. Then it
will enter NY State at Suffern, for the next 20 miles paralling NY Route
17 and the Thruway. One of the most scenic locations for train watching,
photographing and videographing the trains is the 3,000 foot long Moodna
Viaduct in Salisbury Mills NY (between Newburgh and Washingtonville on NY
Route 94); some sections of the long bridge are nearly 200 feet high over
serene meadows. From there other good spots are at Campbell Hall,
Middeltown (Route 17 by Crystal Run Galleria Mall), Otisville with a long
tunnel, and ultimately the City of Port Jervis where there will be food
and other fun things available.
Rich Dean
Rich Dean <rich...@intercall.com> wrote:
>
> FALL FOLIAGE STEAM TRAIN EXCURSIONS!
>
>For three weekends this October, passenger train excursions are scheduled
>to be pulled by an historic Chesapeake & Ohio steam locomotive from
>Hoboken NJ to Port Jervis NY and return! The dates are October 12, 13,
>19, 20, 26, and 27.
>
>Departing the historic Hoboken Terminal on the Hudson River waterfront
>the train will travel the scenic and historic rail line to Port Jervis,
>on the Delaware River where the tri-states of New York, New Jersey and
>Pennsylvania meet.
>
>At Port Jervis, the engine will (hopefully) be turned around by a rare
>working turntable (which has been successfully tested since it has not
>been regularly used in many years).
>
>The trip is being operated by Iron Horse Enterprises, One Railroad
>Avenue, Lebanon NJ 08833. The phone is 908-236-2200.
>
Update: I forgot to include the prices in the original post. For coach
the adult tickets are $59, kids under 12 $40. First class is available
at higher fare. I am not connected with Iron Horse Enterprises, NJ
Transit, Metro North or Conrail. I am just a railfan who is posting the
information for those interested in either riding the trains or chasing.