– The Adirondack Railroad will honor past and present volunteers with a celebration of its 30th anniversary on July 9, 2022, at the Thendara Station, 2568 State Route 28, in Thendara, New York. The public is invited to attend.
The events on July 9th will begin at noon, following the arrival of the regular excursion train from Utica and will continue with tributes, railroad themed music, and food and refreshments. Commemorative items that celebrate this milestone will be on sale. Community businesses and the leadership of the Town of Webb, Herkimer County, and Thendara / Old Forge have been invited to help honor and celebrate the volunteers who contribute to success in the region.
“Our success during the past 30 years of providing service is due to the hundreds of volunteers who have contributed tens of thousands of hours of time,” said Frank Kobliski, president of the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society Board of Directors. “Many of those being honored have volunteered time and effort since our beginning,” said Kobliski. “Keeping the right of way clear, answering questions from passengers on trains, operating locomotives and helping make smiles for children on the Polar Express are all part of making the Adirondack Railroad experience memorable,” he added.
The first revenue run of the railroad was on July 4, 1992. The small group of volunteers who cleared the track to make that run possible, as well as some of the train crews from the earliest days will be honored and thanked for their service during the planned ceremonies.
Today, the Adirondack Railroad has become the second largest tourism attraction in Oneida County and ties the Mohawk Valley to the Adirondack region.
The Adirondack Railway Preservation Society, Inc. (ARPS) operates the Adirondack Railroad. It is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer-based organization with main offices in Utica, New York. Since 1992 it has provided a successful tourist attraction, operating on the former New York Central Adirondack Division located in upstate New York.
Together with our staff, volunteers have donated approximately 300,000 hours to protect and refurbish our historic railway and enrich the Adirondack experience for residents and visitors to our region.
The Adirondack Railroad trains are available for private charter service and group events. Contact our office (1-800-819-2291) for details and pricing. Visit the website at www.adirondackrr.com.