This spring will be your last chance to climb aboard a 20th century train from NYC to Upstate New York, after Hudson River Rail Excursions announced an indefinite pause to their day-trip service.
The press release claims Hudson River Rail Excursions were “forced into a hiatus due to Amtrak construction changes.” The construction is seemingly related to the rehabilitation of the East River Tunnels.
The United Railroad Historical Society of NJ (URHS) said in a statement:
To our valued passengers and supporters,
With a heavy heart, we must announce that, after our February excursions, Hudson River Rail Excursions daytrips will pause indefinitely. This decision is unfortunately beyond our control. Amtrak’s vital rehabilitation of the East River Tunnels and subsequent changes to the Empire Service have made it impossible to integrate our historic railcars into these trains for the foreseeable future. While this news is heartbreaking for all of us who have dedicated years to building this program, we refuse to see it as the end.
URHS encourages supporters to ride this February, as the sales will go towards maintaining the train cars and sustaining the nonprofit during the hiatus. Plus, passengers can submit notes at HudsonRiverRail.com/KeepUsRolling that will be brought to Amtrak in efforts to restore the excursions.
Bear in mind, the URHS is “actively pursuing new opportunities.” And while the day-trips come to a halt, passengers can still climb aboard the 20th Century Limited Experience overnight excursions through summer.
“Together, we’ll work through this challenge and bring these journeys back to New York,” promises URHS.
Tickets are now available for their “Farewell (For Now) Excursions.” The final excursion dates include: February 14 (Valentines Day), February 15, February 16, February 17 (President’s Day), February 20, February 21, February 22, February 23, February 27, February 28, March 1, and March 2.
Passengers will board one of the three historic New York lounge cars departing from New York’s Moynihan Train Hall, where white-jacketed stewards and period-appropriate details await guests in Amtrak’s Metropolitan Lounge. The train journey will follow along the Hudson, with lunch and beverages served on board and a two-hour layover in Albany, before turning around to arrive back in NYC around 7:05pm.
Find more details on the Hudson River Rail website.