Twenty-two passengers, many representing the Old Forge business community, boarded the vintage railcar, the Hickory Creek, on Monday, January 21 for a first class roundtrip excursion from Utica’s Union Station to the Amtrak Station at Hudson.
Don Chaudruc, road foreman of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad (ASR), arranged the trip aboard the luxury railcar so the passengers could experience for themselves what first class train travel could mean for the area.
Among those riding the Hickory Creek were business owners Dick and Roxanne Bird of Bird’s Adirondack Real Estate and Bird’s Marine.
Dick, who also serves on the Adirondack North Country Association board, is an outspoken proponent of the expansion of a rail route from New York City to as far north as Lake Placid.
He described the Hickory Creek, built in 1948, as a four-bedroom car with lounge and dining areas.
Porters served passengers beverages, snacks and a light lunch during the three-plus hour trip, he said.
Erica Murray, co-owner of the Old Forge Hardware, was accompanied on the excursion by her parents, Mike and Ellen Wilcox.
“It was nice to take a step back in time and see how people traveled the rails in 1948. It was gorgeous with huge picture windows.
“It made me confident in my decision to continue to support the railroad. We need to get behind it and move it forward into other parts of the Adirondacks,” Murray said.
Something she learned on the trip was that a large number of Adirondack Railroad volunteers are professionals with other careers.
They are so passionate about the railroad and devote much of their free time working at it.
“They need support from businesses in the area who benefit from the railroad. It would be nice to hear a lot more from the people who support it,” she said.
Town of Webb Publicity Director Mike Farmer was also aboard the luxury car and described the experience as “retro and relaxing.”
Farmer, also a supporter of the railroad, has seen for himself the positive impact the ASR has had on local tourism.
“The tourist traffic from the railroad is proven business. Many times throughout the summer and fall, I deal with people by the hundreds who’ve come up on the train.
“It’s a very important part of the tourism puzzle. I’m thrilled to see the mountain bikers and kayakers who come up on the train. And, in the winter, Christmas on Main Street folks come on the train, too,” he said.
Passengers paid $199 per person for the opportunity aboard the Hickory Creek, which Chaudruc said would be the estimated cost of a similar first class round trip excursion from Utica to Big Moose.
It is Chaudruc’s hope that the vintage railcar will be able to run from Utica to Big Moose from August through October this year.
To make this happen, ASR is collaborating with Star Trak, Inc., operator of the Hickory Creek, which is owned by the United Railway Historical Society of New Jersey.
Chaudruc said the first class car will be attached to the rear of a train, and that coach tickets will always be offered.
Stuart deCamp, co-owner of Moose River House Bed and Breakfast in Thendara, who took the Monday trip to Hudson Station, said the Hickory Creek would be a beautiful addition to the Adirondack Railroad.
“It’s restored to period, in mint condition, and it’s available for private parties. If you need to travel from New York City to Utica, and it’s available, by all means book it!” he said.
