On October 26th and 27th, restored steam locomotive no. 765 will operate a round-trip excursion between Fort Wayne and Lafayette, Indiana, retracing the route of the famous Wabash Cannonball passenger train. Sponsored by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in cooperation with Norfolk Southern Corp, the excursion will feature economy and coach class seating aboard vintage passenger cars. Passengers will enjoy a day long trip behind steam locomotive no. 765, lunch and layover in downtown Lafayette along the Wabash River, on-board entertainment, and more. Visitors to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s Open House this weekend at 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven will be able to tour the locomotive up close. Tickets will go on sale at 6:00PM EST on September 1st. Ticket prices will range from $89 and $99 for economy coach seating for children and adults and $109 and $119 for deluxe coach. Railroad historical society members are eligible for a 10% discount on all coach class tickets. Additional accommodations to be announced. Boarding and parking locations yet to be determined.
NS Excursion Schedule!
from: http://tvrail.com/pages/21st-Century-Steam
September 7 & 8 ~ Chattanooga TN to Cleveland TN
Railfest – two round trips per day; 10am & 2pm – In conjunction with TVRM’s “Railfest”, round trip mainline excursion trains will operate from Chattanooga to Cleveland. Departing from TVRM’s Grand Junction Station, the train will travel to Cleveland through Ooltewah, using NS’s Knoxville route. The train will turn on the wye track in Cleveland. Passengers will remain on the train until it returns to Grand Junction. It is expected, as with past Railfest trips, excursions from Chattanooga to Cleveland wiill feature #630 without diesel assistance. Tickets are $45 for the excursion, which includes Railfest admission.
September 14 & 15 (mornings) ~ Birmingham AL to Parrish AL. Steel City Rail Adventure – Approximate 4-1/2 hour, 82-mile round trip rail excursions depart at 8:00am and return around 12:30pm. These trips operate northwestwardly on the Norfolk Southern mainline toward
Sheffield, and return. Passengers will remain on the train for the complete round trip, including the turn around point in Parrish. The boarding location will be the old Southern Railway Terminal Station property (now a vacant lot with parking) located at 2680 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
All times shown are Central Time. Tickets are $45 for adults and $35 for children age 3-12. Children under age 3 not occupying a seat do not require a ticket.
September 14 & 15 (afternoons) ~ Birmingham AL to Wilton AL. Steel City Rail Adventure – Approximate 4-1/2 hour, 98-mile round trip rail excursions depart at 2:00pm and return around 6:00pm. These trips operate southwardly on the Norfolk Southern mainline toward Selma and Mobile. Passengers will remain on the train for the complete round trip, including the turn around point in Wilton. The boarding location will be the old Southern Railway Terminal Station property (now a vacant lot with parking) located at 2680 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
All times shown are Central Time. Tickets are $45 for adults and $35 for children age 3-12. Children under age 3 not occupying a seat do not require a ticket.
Submitted by Don Clayton