My plan is to ride on Saturday and participate in all the scheduled events (I've gotten the all-day pass), then return on Sunday and just observe the action for free. I hope good weather prevails. In any event it will be a remarkable weekend for a long-time A&A enthusiast who never dreamed there would ever be a 'strange' iron horse galloping down the line along with 18 or 14. Honestly, I wasn't even aware of another operating steam locomotive in New York, much less one so nearby, so this has all taken me by quite a surprise.
Green coaches, a covered gondola, a visiting steam engine, steam equipment at Curriers, Old No. 18, and heaven knows what else they have up their sleeves...and all at such a reasonable price!
Whomever the management are these days really deserve a round of applause for their remarkable efforts. The railroad just seems to get better and better with more and more to offer each year. And hats off to Pat Connors, too, whom I have to think must have had a great deal to do with all of this.
Incidentally, Pat, I saw you Memorial Day weekend but I didn't recognize you right away, I'm afraid. It's been about 15 years, after all, and we both look a bit different...back then you had long, curly locks. I didn't recognize you until at one point during the return trip you sat directly in front of me and we locked eyes for a moment...but at that point you were having fun with your family and I didn't want to interrupt.
But I'll be sure to say 'hello' on the 27th.
