Watkins Glen NY - Any train-related things to do in the area?

Rail excursions near there......

 

http://www.iloveny.com/things-...-rides/#.VAXznWK9KSM

 

Peter

Watkins Glen is about 100 miles from the closet museums or excursion trains in Utica, Syracuse or Rochester. You might want to check out the Finger Lakes RR though on the north end of Seneca Lake (the Glen is at the southern end). Their motive power is painted in retro schemes.

 

Pete

NS has a yard in Gang Mills, just SSW of Corning, NY. Back in the late 70's there used to be a lot of RR traffic up the line from Corning, but, not any more.

 

I guess you could go to the State Park in downtown Watkins Glen and hike back into the gorge and watch the trestle rust. Or, do like I'm going to do, go to the race track and watch the vintage sports cars this weekend. There will be a lot more action there than on the rails.

Big Jim is absolutely correct about the Vintage Grand Prix weekend -- Friday afternoon downtown and Saturday/Sunday at the track.  Also of note at the track is the Ferrari Challenge the following weekend.

 

In terms of railroading, NS runs a daily (HO-6) roundtrip from Gang Mills to Geneva with interchange traffic for Finger Lakes Rail.  This operates on the old NYC Pennsylvania (Fallbrook) Division track that basically parallels Rte. 414 between Corning and the hill above WG.  Unfortunately, it usually leaves Gang Mills around 8 PM which by now is after dark.  NS' Southern Tier line is good for railfanning but it's kind of far from WG.

 

Your best bet for daylight action around WG is the Finger Lakes run from Himrod to WG on the former PRR track.  Most of the FGLK traffic is for US Salt which is just north of WG but they periodically do switch Cargill Salt which is just east of downtown WG (Rte. 414) and across from Wal-Mart.  If they are going to Cargill, the train will pass between the Harbor Hotel and the lake and cross Rte. 414 twice (the second crossing being a back into Cargill.  

 

FGLK runs to WG on M/W/F and usually departs Himrod mid-morning and will work Cargill (if on the schedule) around noontime.  There are plenty of places to catch the train on its way to WG -- Rte 14 crossing about twelve miles north of WG and Salt Point Road (off Rte.14 just north of downtown) are two of the easiest to reach.  And the lakefront and Wal-Mart areas if they are going to Cargill.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Poppyl

We stayed at the Harbor Hotel resort about two years ago for a wedding

It's on the lower/southern shore of Lake Senaca in the borough of WG

Absolutely beautiful---highly recommend it

 

The railroad cuts right through the property---ex NYC or PRR---couldn't get an answer

 

Perfect time of the year---have fun

Joe S  

Don't forget the wineries! Enough wine tasting and you will forget about trains for the night!!!

At last count just over 90 wineries around Seneca Lake.  And one distillery (off Rte. 414 near Hector), several craft breweries, and one cheese farm.

 

Poppyl 

Visit the Glenn H Curtiss Aviation Museum in Hammonds Port.Small amount on railroad history,but a very impressive collection of planes,early production cars and boats.Also,drive up to BULLY HILL Winery for lunch.Enjoy the FINGER LAKES.

TJ

Thanks for the ideas guys!

I'm heading up there to enjoy my complimentary "SRT Experience" that I got with buying my Challenger.   Not a wine drinker,  but I do like beer!   The museum also sounds pretty cool.   I've basically got a half day to putt around.