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Great American Railroads 2015
2 • Byways
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ŠCopyright 2015 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher.
Byways Magazine is celebrating its 32ndyear of publication in 2015, featuring the leading travel destinations along the highways and byways of North America. Byways is published in two versions, a free Turn-Key edition on the web for viewing on Computers, Android, iPhone and iPad. An Apple Newsstand/App Store edition including sound and interactive video is also available. All advertising and editorial is included in both versions of the publication. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine 502-785-4875 http://bywaysmagazine.com
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PREVIEW
By Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher
elcome to Byways Great Railroad. In West Virginia, the Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad American Railroads issue of 2015. Each year Byways has taken over operations of Cass Scenic Railroad. The takes us back to the golden age of rail- combined operations will offer numerous trip options of roads, featuring a number of opportuni- interest to consumers, with the goal of increased ridership and customer satisfaction. ties to ride the rails in North America. The lease agreement is the first step toward creating a This year we begin in Alaska, where 90-mile rail excursion loop using West Virginia Central Pat Woods takes us on a tour of spectacular scenery on and Cass Scenic Railroad track. Track will be relaid the Alaska Railroad, a 470-mile journey from Seward to from Cass to Durbin along the Greenbrier River, and Anchorage and ultimately the Denali National Park. For over 90 years, the Alaska Railroad has connected from Durbin to Bemis along the route of the West Fork Alaska’s most popular destinations. While much of the Rail Trail. Connecticut’s Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a scenery remains unchanged, the service has grown to unique historic attraction in the Connecticut River include glass-domed railcars, full-service dining and a Valley. The Valley Railroad Company has operated range of travel options from day trips to multi-day vacatoday’s well-known steam train and riverboat for over 40 tion packages. years on a line that was originally laid in 1871. In Northern California, we visit a mother and daughter Passengers with riverowned railroad which has boat tickets can board been making memories in the the Becky Thatcher at Santa Cruz Mountains for this station. The more than 50 years. The Thatcher will bring you Roaring Camp Railroad is on a 1.25 hour trip on the based in the town of Felton Connecticut River up to and has recreated an 1880s the East Haddam Swing logging town with trains operBridge and back to Deep ating every day but Christmas. River Landing. The train Roaring Camp is a heritage then picks up passengers railway with authentic 1880s to bring them back to steam locomotives operating Essex Depot. The whole the Redwood Forest Steam trip takes about 3.5 Train excursion and 1920s era hours. Canadian National Engine at Steamtown. Beach Trains to Santa Cruz. In What’s Happening, Mother Nature’s beauty is we returne to Bowling on display along the route of the Texas State Railroad as it winds through the cool shade of the forests and the Green, KY to the National Corvette Museum a year after warm sunny vistas of hay meadows dotted with cattle the country gasped at the sight of eight Corvettes tumand horses. The Texas State Railroad is the official bling more than thirty feet into the depths of a sinkhole Railroad of Texas. The railroad traces its heritage to the inside the museum’s Skydome. Not only did the museTexas State Prisons, which established the railroad in um survive, prime time news coverage across the globe 1881. Its most famous steam engine, number 400, was resulted in a 67% increase in attendance for the year. Then we travel to Pigeon Forge, TN to learn about the used in the making of the movie How the West Was Won new look of Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. in 1962. “I want to dazzle our guests in 2015 with a completeSteamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA ly new atmosphere,” Dolly says. “My team is hard at offers a large collection of standard-gauge steam locowork creating a new set, powerful new music, lots of motives and freight and passenger cars assembled by amazing special effects and a few other surprises.” New England seafood processor F. Nelson Blount in the We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways! 1950s and 1960s. The museum is built around a working turntable and a roundhouse that are largely replications of the original Delaware, Lackwanna and Western 4 • Byways
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Volume 32, Issue No. 1, 2015
On the cover. The Texas State Railroad is featured on the cover of Byways annual Great American Railroads issue. To learn more about the state of Texas’s Official Railroad, turn to page 20. Our railroad coverage begins on Page 8.
Features
Great American Railroads 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Alaska Railroad Provides Spectacular Scenery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Roaring Camp Railroad - Making Memories for 52 Years in the Santa Cruz Mountains . . . . . 14 The Texas State Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Scranton’s Steamtown National Historic Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Durbin & Greenbrier RR to Operate Cass Scenic Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Connecticut’s Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Becky Thatcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Departments
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What’s Happening
National Corvette Museum Survives Sink Hole Trauma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 New Look for Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Coming in future issues of Byways…. . .Mountains & Valleys, Ocean destinations along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf, Rivers and Lakes, Great American Roads, and much more! View of Catskills overlooking the Hudson River and Hudson Valley near Rhinecliff, NY. Photo courtesy Daniel Case.
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Alaska Railroad Provides Spectacular Scenery By Pat Woods
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The Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star train on its northbound journey to Denali. Photo courtesy Rob Woods.
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Scenic view from the train. Photo courtesy Rob Woods. 10 • Byways
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he narrator shouted “All Dall sheep on the right!” as 20 heads swiveled and hands fumbled with the cameras. Earlier we spotted moose, a beaver dam, soaring bald eagles, four pairs of trumpeter swans and fishermen vying for salmon. Husband Rob and I were on an Alaska Railroad trip through worldclass scenery inaccessible to automobiles or motorcoaches. The train is a comfortable and relaxing way to see the wilderness of Alaska. On the Seward-to-Anchorage Coastal Classic train, we watched 114 miles of nature’s beauty: glaciers nestled in towering evergreen-clad mountains, cascading waterfalls, pretty mountain meadows drizzled with colThe Train Station in Fairbanks. Photo courtesy Ron Reiring. orful wildflowers. For over 90 years, the Alaska Railroad has connected Alaska’s most popular destina- tan centers such as Anchorage, Fairbanks and other comtions. While much of the scenery remains unchanged, the munities throughout south central and interior Alaska. The train climbed step mountain grades and crossed service has grown to include glass-domed railcars, fullbridges and trestles over rushing rivers on its 470 mile service dining and a range of travel options from day journey. As gorgeous scenery glided by inches from the trips to multi-day vacation packages. In operation since 1923, the Alaska Railroad dining car windows, we enjoyed a relaxing dinner. The Corporation is a full-service freight and passenger rail- ride was smooth and relaxing. The train seats were comroad linking ports and communities to major metropoli- fortable with generous legroom.
Alaska RR at the Spencer Glacier. Photo courtesy Frank Kovalchek.
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Healy Canyon is in a coal mining region near Denali National Park. Photo courtesy Rob Woods. Following a gorgeous lingering sunset, we arrived in Anchorage at 10:15 pm. This progressive city’s handsome new buildings are accented with bright summer flowers. 12 • Byways
For the Anchorage to Denali and Denali-Fairbanks segments, we upgraded to Gold Star service in a double deck dome car with outdoor viewing area, non-alcoholic beverages and an exclusive dining car.
Low clouds obscured Mt. McKinley. The northbound train followed the serpentine banks of the Susitna River, an area frequented by bears. We crossed the 914-foot Hurricane Bridge spanning a creek 296 feet below. As we approached Denali National Park, the sun broke through the clouds. Free Denali buses took us to the Grand Denali Lodge where the restaurant and bar offer incredible views. In the morning, we left our bags outside our room for train station delivery for the return trip. Scenery was spectacular as the train pulled away from the Denali Park station and entered Healy Canyon where surging waters of the Nenana River cut though steep cliffs. While bi-level Gold Star cars have steep spiral staircases, Alaska Railroad strives to be accessible. An elevator and lift are available.
Train service terminates in Fairbanks, home to the University of Alaska and a bevy of spiffy new buildings, definitely not the frontier town we were expecting. Adventure packages include premium accommodations and sightseeing tours to make planning an Alaska rail tour seamless. Alaska Railroad day tours combine rail journeys with fun excursions to make the most of your Alaska vacation. The friendly hospitality, born of Alaska’s frontier spirit, lives on at the Alaska Railroad. The Alaska Railroad is now one of Alaska’s most popular attractions, and is one of the best ways to see Alaska. http://www.alaskarailroad.com
About the Author. Based in the Phoenix area, Pat Woods has penned scores of cruise, rail and travel features. You can see more of her work at: www.clippings.me/users/patwoods
The dining car. Photo courtesy Rob Woods.
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Sonora Engine #7, a his greets passengers about to of the Santa Cruz Moun
Roaring Camp Railroad -- Making Memories for 52 Years in the Santa Cruz Mountains
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Mother and Daughter-owned Railroad Going Full Steam Ahead
oaring Camp is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Felton, California. Located just six miles up the hill from Santa Cruz lies a re-creation of an 1880s logging town, operating trains every day of the year except for Christmas Day. 14 • Byways
toric steam train in Roaring Camp Railroads’ fleet, o ramble through rare old-growth redwood groves ntains. Photos courtesy Roaring Camp Railroads.
Photo opps, not apps, make experiencing Roaring Camp Railroads magical for little ones, who get to meet their conductor and see living history throughout the recreated 1880s town that surrounds the station. Photo courtesy Chris Mark.
Roaring Camp is a heritage railway with authentic 1880s steam locomotives operating the Redwood Forest Steam Train excursion and 1920s era Beach Trains to Santa Cruz. Roaring Camp Railroads has taken visitors through the Santa Cruz Mountains since 1963 and has the engines stoked this year for its 52nd year in operation. For decades, its mother-daughter railroad team has operated two lines with trains departing daily from its historic station and re-created 1880s mill town, Roaring Camp. Whether steaming up narrow-gauge tracks past rare groves of old-growth California redwoods or rambling along the San Lorenzo River to the bustling Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroads invites passengers to come and celebrate with the historic railroad. “If folks have ridden our railroad before, we want them to reconnect with them this year. If their children haven’t explored Roaring Camp, we want to wow them,” said Roaring Camp Railroad CEO Melani Clark. “And for those who have yet to take a ride with us, we want them to experience why our family decided 52 years ago to preserve this piece of history in the Santa Cruz Mountains.” Santa Cruz & Felton Railroad began carrying tourists and picnickers to the Big Trees and the beach in 1875 and Roaring Camp Railroad has been operating along the original route since 1985. Preserving a piece of the 1880s and early California was the dream of Roaring Camp’s founders, Norman and Georgiana Clark. Georgiana served as the longtime Vice President of Operations and CEO. Leading Roaring Camp into the future, the Clark’s daughter, Melani Clark, serves the company as its CEO. Georgiana continues to advise Roaring Camp as Chairman of the Board of Directors and President.
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From sky to sea: Roaring Camp Railroads’ vintage diesel train pulls into the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk after a scenic ride along the San Lorenzo River through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Photo Courtesy Roaring Camp Railroads.
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Towering redwoods create a canopy over Roaring Camp Railroad’s scenic ride through the Santa Cruz Mountains and frame its iconic train trestle that leads to the summit of Bear Mountain.
Covered bridge at the gateway to Roaring Camp Railroad. Photo courtesy Joop Reubens.
After a scenic ride, passengers can hike nearby trails For more information, tickets and history on Roaring lined with redwoods and then kick their feet up at the Camp Railroad, visit RoaringCamp.com or call 831Chuckwagon Barbeque or Red Caboose for a hearty 335-4484. serving of Americana. Byways • 19
The Texas State Railroad
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Texas & Pacific 316. Engine 316 celebrates her 114th birthday this year. Photo courtesy Texas State Railroad. Byways • 21
Engine 300 is one of two surviving United States Army “Pershing” engines. This type of engine was named after General “Blackjack” Pershing and built for service in Europe during World War I.
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he Texas State Railroad is located approximately 2 ½ hours from Dallas and 3 hours from Houston. Both of its depots are located on US Hwy 84 between the cities of Palestine, Texas and Rusk, Texas. This historic railroad features the only steam engines currently functioning in the state of Texas with engines #316 and #300 pulling Piney Woods Excursions simultaneously from the Palestine and Rusk depots. These trains pass each other at the halfway point, to the delight of passengers of all ages. Mother Nature’s beauty is on display as the route winds through the cool shade of the forests and the warm sunny vistas of hay meadows dotted with cattle and horses. Sometimes attentive passengers will see deer, wild hogs, beavers, eagles and other wildlife. Passengers in autumn sigh at the sight of red, yellow, orange and every color in between that paints the landscape in late October and early November. 22 • Byways
Several dinner trains are offered throughout the year. The Texas state prison system established the railroad in 1881. Inmates built the line, which was used to transport hardwood which was used as fuel for the furnaces at the prison-operated iron smelter at the Rusk Penitentiary. The furnace supplied the State of Texas with iron prodThe Palestine Depot. Photos courtesy Texas State Railroad.
ucts, including the columns and dome structure for the capitol building in Austin. The original construction was a narrow gauge line but was later built in standard gauge in order to join into the main line. In 1906 prison crews extended the rail line to Maydelle and in 1909 reached their final destination of Palestine. Once the train line was completed into Palestine the line was easily accessible to the main lines and commerce in and around the area flourished. In 1921 the regular rail service was discontinued and the line was leased to the Texas & New Orleans (Southern Pacific Railroad). The Texas Southeastern Railroad leased the line in the early 1960s and continued operation of the line until 1969. The railroad was conveyed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1972 and state inmates were again brought in to help with the creation of the state historical park. The park and railroad were opened to the public on July 4th, 1976, as part of the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. In 1981, the Texas State Railroad acquired a turntable and installed it in Maydelle. This vintage piece of equipment is used to turn the engines around to go in a differ-
ent direction. In 2003 the of Legislature of Texas designated the Texas State Railroad as the Official Railroad of Texas. The state's parks and wildlife department successfully ran the railroad until the management was privatized in 2007. In 2012 the railroad was sold to Iowa Pacific Holdings. In addition to continuing passenger operations, Iowa Pacific Holdings has opened the track to the main line in Palestine offering freight services.
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Engine 400 was utilized in the 1962 epic MGM movie How the West Was Won. It was shipped by rail to Texas and underwent extensive repair and refurbishing. It went back into service in 1978. Photo courtesy Texas State Railroad. Today, roundtrip excursions with one of the historic engines depart from the Palestine and Rusk depots at 11:00am and return at 3:30pm. The trip is 1 ½ hours each way with 1 ½ hours lunch layover at the opposite depot for a total 4 ½ hour experience. Box lunches are available for pre-order, or you may bring your own lunch. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase in the concession car. For additional information, visit:
https://www.texasstaterr.com
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T & P engine 610 is the sole surviving example of super-power steam locomotives. The engine was built in 1927 at the Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio. Photo courtesy Texas State Railroad.
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Scranton’s Steamtown National Historic Site Grand Trunk Western #6039, assisted by NKP #514, moves from the turntable to Roundhouse for storage and display. Photo courtesy National Park Service.
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The line from Scranton to Moscow is built with a 1.8% grade. This may not sound steep, but to a train it is a tough grade. The steam engines need alot of power to get the train started up this hill, which begins in the Steamtown Yard. Photo courtesy National Park Service.
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teamtown National Historic Site occupies about 40 acres of the Scranton railroad yard of the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, one of the earliest rail lines in northeastern Pennsylvania. At the heart of the park is the large collection of standard-gauge steam locomotives and freight and passenger cars that New England seafood processor F. Nelson Blount assembled in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1984, 17 years after Blount's untimely death, the Steamtown Foundation for the Preservation of Steam and Railroad Americana, Inc., brought the collection to Scranton, where it occupied the former Five steam locomotives were posed in the RoundDL&W yard. When Steamtown National house. Photo courtesy National Park Service. Historic Site was created, the yard and the collection became part of the National Park tives range in size from a tiny industrial switcher engine System. The museum is built around a working turntable and a built in 1937 by the H.K. Porter Company for the Bullard roundhouse that are largely replications of the original Company, to a huge Union Pacific “Big Boy” built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company (Alco). DL&W facilities. The oldest locomotive is a freight engine built by The Steamtown Collection consists of locomotives, American Locomotive Company in 1903 for the freight cars, passenger cars, and maintenance-of-way Chicago Union Transfer Railway Company. equipment from several historic railroads. The locomo-
Downtown Scranton, PA. Photo courtesy Christopher Seliga.
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With a little advance planning, you can make the most Do and Directions. The Park is open year-round except of your trip to Steamtown. Be sure to check out the con- for three major holidays, some tours and all of the train tents of Steamtown's website, especially the Things to rides are seasonal. 30 • Byways
Union Pacific “Big Boy” #4012, on static display at Steamtown NHS, appears ready to depart with some of Amtrak’s modern Superliner II passenger equipment in this Railfest. Photo courtesy National Park Service.
Note that all children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult while at the Park and aboard train rides and excursions.
http://www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm Byways • 31
Durbin & Greenbrier RR to Operate Cass Scenic Railroad
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he Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad has taken over operations of the Cass Scenic Railroad, but the West Virginia operation will continue to operate under the Cass Scenic name. The changeover includes a 10-year lease with an option for renewal for another decade. The railroad has been owned and operated by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. The Durbin & Greenbrier will operate all Cass rail operations including the shops, depot, water tower, rolling stock, locomotives, and facilities at Whittaker and Bald Knob. Schedules of the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley and Cass Scenic will be coordinated to allow patrons to ride two trains with overnight stays at Cass and Elkins. “New events and activities will be added to the current offerings of both organizations to enhance customer experience through coordination of marketing, customer service, and regional partnerships,” Durbin & Greenbrier Valley President John Smith said. “The combined operations will offer numerous trip options of interest to a wider demographic with the goal of increased ridership and customer satisfaction.” Passengers will be able to spend the night in Cass, ride the Cass Scenic to Spruce and a connection with the
The Durbin Rocket. Photo courtesy Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad. Right, Cass Shay Engine #4.
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Cass Shay steam engines. WVC Cheat Mountain Salamander, spend the night in Elkins, and then return by the same route to Cass. The lease agreement is the first step toward creating a 90-mile rail excursion loop using West Virginia Central and Cass Scenic Railroad track. Track will be relaid from Cass to Durbin along the Greenbrier River, and from Durbin to Bemis along the route of the West Fork Rail Trail. West Virginia purchased the former Mower Lumber Company track from scrapper Midwest Raleigh Corp. in 1962, and opened it to the public as the Cass Scenic Railroad in the summer of 1963. Starting with two operable Shay locomotives and 4 miles of track, the railroad has grown to 10 locomotives, eight Shays of which one is a Heisler and another a Climax The Cass Scenic operates on more than 11 miles of track, including extensions to Bald Knob, one of the highest peaks in West Virginia, and Spruce, on the West Virginia Central Shavers Fork line. John Smith founded the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad in 1996 with his wife, Kathy. Operations began with a Whitcomb locomotive, a flat car, and a caboose, known as The Durbin Rocket over 2.2 miles of rehabilitated track along the Greenbrier 34 • Byways
Cass Shay #4 and #11 pull the Bald Knob train up the mountain.
Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad in winter. Photo courtesy Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad.
River south of Durbin. By summer 1998, the Durbin & Greenbrier had extended the track an additional 3 miles toward Cass. That same year, the Smiths submitted the successful bid to operate the 132-mile state-owned West Virginia Central, consisting of former Western Maryland and Baltimore & Ohio trackage. Their initial West Virginia Central route was ElkinsHigh Falls, the Cheat Mountain Salamander, using an experimental Leyland railbus and then a reproduction Edwards railcar. Since then, they’ve purchased a 35-ton Climax geared locomotive for the Durbin Rocket and expanded to now operate diesel-powered excursions over the length of the railroad. The Smiths have marketed freight traffic and operate the Virginia short line Shenandoah Valley Railroad. For additional information and schedules, visit: http://mountainrailwv.com
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The Essex Steam Train and the Riverboat Becky Thatcher on the Connecticut River. Photo courtesy Essex Steam Train and Jody Dole. 36 • Byways
Connecticut’s Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, the Becky Thatcher Byways • 37
U
nlike many railroad museums and excursions, Connecticut’s Valley Railroad Company has been in existence since 1868. In some ways, the history of this little railroad is as exciting as a ride on the railroad today, and reflects the ups and downs of the American rail system from the early days of steam to the present. Owned and operated by the Valley Railroad Company, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a unique historic attraction in the Connecticut River Valley. The Valley Railroad Company has operated today’s well-known steam train and riverboat for over 40 years on a line that was originally laid in 1871. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat transports people on exciting excursions through the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley, a place designated as “one of the last great places on earth” by the Nature Conservancy. This excursion starts with a 12 mile ride aboard the historic Essex Steam Train from the Essex Station with scenic views of the Connecticut River up to Chester. The train reverses direction back to the Deep River Station/Landing. Passengers with riverboat tickets can board the Becky Thatcher at this station. The Thatcher will bring you on a 1.25 hour trip on the Connecticut River up to the East 38 • Byways
The Essex Steam Train along the Connecticut River. Photo courtesy Essex Steam Train.
Haddam Swing Bridge and back to Deep River Landing. The train then pickups passengers to bring them back to Essex Depot. The whole trip takes about 3.5 hours. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches through the quintessential New England towns of Essex, Deep
River and Chester, and the Becky Thatcher riverboat takes passengers on a 1.25 hour cruise on the Connecticut River past serene coves, marshes and historic sights including Gillette Castle, the East Haddam Swing Bridge, and the Goodspeed Opera House. The Riveroat Becky Thatcher at the railroad bridge. Photo courtesy Essex Steam Train.
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Engine 3025, back to work as the primary locomotive for the summer season. Photo courtesy Essex Steam Train.
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The Essex Clipper Dinner Train is a 2.5-hour train ride that departs Essex Depot and offers scenic views of the Connecticut River along the way. The train brings you to the northern end of the operable line in Haddam. A seasonal fourcourse meal is freshly prepared on-board and served in beautifully restored 1920s Pullman dining cars. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers various excursions and family themed events throughout the year. http://essexsteamtrain.com
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The Skydome at the National Corvette Museum houses the Corvette Hall of Fame, as well as an impressive display of cars, including the world’s only 1983 Corvette.
Photos courtesy National Corvette Museum.
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a H s ’ t a h W
ered from the hole, each receiving various degrees of damage. Only three of the cars were deemed in good enough condition for restoration. “General Motors came forward the day after the sinkhole collapse and offered their support in restoring the cars,” Strode said. The 2009 ZR1 ‘Blue Devil’ was ebruary marked the one-year anniversary of the repaired by GM this past Fall and unveiled at the SEMA day the car community collectively gasped at the Show in Las Vegas on November 4, 2014. The 1992 sight of eight Corvettes tumbling more than thirty ‘One Millionth’ Corvette began restoration at the GM feet into the depths of a sinkhole inside the National Design Center in Warren, MI in January. The process is Corvette Museum’s Skydome. expected to take six months. The Museum will be workWhat could have been disastrous for the Museum, ing with a private Corvette restoration shop to repair the which celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2014, turned 1962 Tuxedo Black Corvette. out to be a positive, landing the Bowling Green, KY Currently six of the Corvettes are on display in the attraction prime time news coverage across the globe and Museum’s Exhibit Hall. All eight are planned to be a 67% increase in attendance for the year. reunited later this year when the Skydome construction “We were fortunate the good Lord was watching over is complete and the building is re-opened to the public us,” said Wendell Strode, executive director, “because no for tours. The main portion of the Museum continues to one was in the Museum at the time.” Security cameras remain open for tours during the construction process, captured the first moments of the 5:39am sinkhole colwhich can be observed through a Plexiglas window. lapse, and the footage has garnered 8.5 million views The Museum’s Board of Directors had initially voted world-wide on YouTube, plus countless more via news to explore keeping a portion of the sinkhole open, but media outlets and television documentaries. ultimately it was decided to fill it in due to cost, safety Of the eight prized Corvettes claimed by the sinkhole, and appearance concerns. two were on loan from General Motors and the other six “We are currently working with Creative Arts were owned by the Museum. All eight cars were recovUnlimited of Pinellas Park, FL to develop a meaningful, 42 • Byways
National Corvette Museum Survives Sink Hole Trauma
g n i n appe When customers order a Corvette from the dealer, they can choose to take delivery of it at the National Corvette Museum. While in Bowling Green, KY they are often treated to a tour at the GM Assembly Plant, where they might get to be the first person to start a brand new Corvette!
first-class exhibit to tell the story of our sinkhole,” said Katie Frassinelli, Museum Communications Manager. “The construction team installed a manhole which leads into one side of our cave. The exhibit will incorporate a kiosk which connects to a camera and lights inside the
cave, allowing visitors a live view of what lies beneath their feet. The exhibit should be educational and entertaining with plenty of hands-on and interactive features.” Learn more at www.corvettemuseum.org or call 80053 VETTE (83883).
From left to right: 1953 Corvette (First year); 1977 Corvette (500,000th Corvette); 1992 Corvette (1 millionth Corvette); 2009 Corvette (1.5 millionth Corvette).
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New Look for Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge
olly Parton’s Dixie Stampede has opened to record audiences and celebrated a season debut unlike any before. New lighting, music and incredible special effects were unveiled for the first time, as part of a $2.5 million renovation investment and upgrade to the dinner attraction’s show and arena. With tickets for this special weekend in high demand, Dixie Stampede officials added two additional shows over the weekend to accommodate as many guests as possible. Once inside, the audience is treated to a new and refreshed opening music score, while the traditional friendly competition between the North and South came 44 • Byways
One of the new sets at Dixie Stampede in Pigeon forge, TN. Photos courtesy Dixie Stampede.
to life in front of an innovative and unique staging backdrop. It features an expansive wall of 12.5 million LED bulbs and mountain range giving guests the sensation of sitting underneath a full moon on a star-filled night in the middle of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Additionally, the video wall and video mapping technology on the arena floor allows guests to be transported seamlessly from scene to scene while making them feel like part of the show more than ever before. “I want to dazzle our guests with a completely new atmosphere,” Dolly says. “My team is hard at work creating a new set, powerful new music, lots of amazing special effects and a few other surprises.” Along with all of the technological enhancements, the multi-million dollar investment, the largest in the show’s Byways • 45
history, includes a new aerial act, as well as a number of other cosmetic updates to the interior of the arena. “This has been the largest project we’ve undertaken since opening here in Pigeon Forge in 1988. Our team has been hard at work over the past few years, planning these enhancements and making sure we get everything just right,” said Jim Rule, president of Dixie Stampede. “After watching the shows and seeing our audiences’ reactions, we’re extremely pleased with the results.” Long-time fans of Dixie Stampede can take assurance in the fact that while the changes and updates are vast, many aspects of the show have remained the same, highlighted by performances from Dixie Stampede’s talented cast of trick riders and performers, as well as its stable of 32 magnificent horses. Known as “The Most Fun Place To Eat In The Smokies,” guests are served the traditional four course family feast featuring Dixie Stampede’s original creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuit, 46 • Byways
whole rotisserie chicken, hickory smoked barbecued pork loin, corn on the cob, a herb-basted potato, and specialty dessert. For show times and reservations call 1-800-356-1676 or visit www.dixiestampede.com.
Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America. Byways is emailed to more than 4000 tour operators plus selected travel agencies through the internet. Subscriptions are complimentary. An iPad & iPhone version is available for consumers in iTunes and Newsstand in the App Store. Byways’ distribution includes motorcoach companies, tour operators, and selected travel agents, bank travel managers, school band and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine at 502-785-4875. ©Copyright 2015 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher. Editor and Publisher Stephen M. Kirchner
Advertising Director 502-785-4875
Internet: bywaysmagazine.com byways@motorcoach.com Byways on Facebook Byways on Twitter
Advertisers Index Bedford Welcome Center, VA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Brenham/Washington County, Texas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Byways Magazine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 City of Galax Tourism, VA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 PA Dutch Hotels, Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Randolph County Convention & Visitors Bureau, WV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau, West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Byways • 47
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48 • Byways