Wedding Train

The Strasburg Rail Road has 2 big advantages, as follows: (1) locomotives and cars  that would make a grand wedding train (Hello Dolly open air cars and Reading Business Car No. 10 come to mind); (2) The Red Caboose Motel between the first grade crossing and the TCA Museum has a honeymoon caboose and regular cabooses available. My beautiful and charming wife, Beverly, suggested we have our honeymoon there. We had a GREAT time! You could ride Amtrak's Keystone Service between Philly and Lancaster. It would be great to get off at Lehman Place Junction and board the Strasburg there. That would be a special stop but maybe it could be arranged.

 

A historic train that really stands out commenced operations in June, 2013,  between New Freedom and Hanover Junction south of York on the Northern Central Railway, about 6 miles west of Exit 4 (Shrewsbury) on I-83. No. 17 (the YORK) rolled out of Kloke Locomotive Works in May, 2013! A matching wooden combine and coach were built by the Reader Railroad in Arkansas this summer. President Abraham Lincoln rode this route when he delivered his Gettysburg Address during teh dedication of a National Cemetery there. This train will run Saturday through Monday on Presidents' Day weekend. A private charter will run on Sunday. Go to www.steamintohistory.com. Click on "Buy Tickets" in a red banner. Go to a February calendar for schedules and fares. Also click on "Contact Us."

Brian:

 

I've never done a wedding train but, I did rent an office car train from a short line about 14 or so years ago for a rolling reception and dinner for a sales meeting. 

 

The one cautionary note I can share may be applicable if you decide to have your reception on the train.  Make certain the railroad's insurance will allow alcohol on the train.  I thought I had all my "T's" crossed and "I's" dotted and wasn't aware of the booze prohibition until 4 hours before we were scheduled to board.

 

We did the train ride and dinner but, I had to quickly arrange an alternate location for the "lubrication" to take place.  At the time, I was convinced I'd made a "career decision". 

 

Curt

 

 

My beautiful wife of 22 years and I were married aboard a train.

 

I attanged for a "caboose hop" between Newark Valley and Harford Mills, and return, on the Tioga Central which  then operated on the ex LV  branch between Owego, New York and Newark Valley, New York. This was  before the TC relocated to the Wellsboro, PA area. The Sayre built Lehigh Valley caboose, #95019, which resided on a siding at the Newark Valley station was garnished with roses on the rear platform and was handled  by Tioga Central's LV inspired S2, #14.

 

Beside a few select guests and the train crew we had a minister and photographer on board. The uniformed conductor graciously served as my best man.

 

It was a peculiar request of the railroad and they didn't know what to charge me for equipment use, fuel, and the train crew......they asked if $300 was OK.....I didn't even blink.

 

Of all the train rides in my life this was the best and I wouldn't change the grease stained wood floors and diesel exhaust for anything else.....

 

Just last October we drove up to Newark Valley and the caboose, with a fresh coat of paint, still resides there, and the Owego and Harford is going strong  in a very impressive manner with considerable funds invested in their operating plant.......I suspect they will be doing even better when our 50th anniversay comes along.

 

I was considering requesting of the railroad if it was possible to again "rent" the caboose for renewed vows, this time with our 2 beautiful daughters on board.  Unfortunately the switch between the "main" and the siding, on which the caboose resides, was pulled .....so while the caboose could likely be put back on the "main" it would involve considerable work, regardless of the expense.

 

One of the benefits about getting married on a train is that no matter what engine I bring home I have a ready made excuse.....even if I walk through the door with a Clinchfield Challenger or a C&O Allegheny all I say is "Look sweetie, just like the engine that pulled our train".........full well knowing that she knows better, but it stll elicits a smile..........   

Wow guys...thanks for the information so far. I really love the Lincoln train. I forgot about that train. I am really hoping for a small wedding (immediate family), however her idea of small and my idea of small are completely different. 

 

Curt, thank you for the information about the alcohol. Good thinking. I know the New Hope train has their own license. NEPA, I wish that it would only cost $300 to rent. Hopefully I will find something that will not be crazy priced, but I think once you say wedding, the price triples. I like the idea of being able to buy an engine and use your excuse, that made me laugh. 

 

I know there are ways to rent just the caboose and ride on the end of a train. I am sure that would be a big savings, but I have a feeling the future wife will not go for that because she will want it more elegant. Thank you so far for the information guys! Brian

Hey Everyone...so we have see two trains so far, New Hope & Ivyland, as well as the Steam into History. Both are beautiful trains and a lot of fun. My vote is for the Steam Into History because the engine is beautiful. If you have a chance to ride this train, please do and the volunteers are so passionate about what they are doing. NH&I was a lot of fun too, prices for a wedding seem to be a bit higher here, but again, the scenery is really nice, the engines are beautiful, and a big plus, they have a dining car. We have not made our minds up yet and hopefully will go look at one more train company. Thank you for the suggestions. Please go support these companies, they are a lot of fun, great people, and beautiful trains! 

As I recall Jim Barrett, our backshop foreman. was married on a train in Arizona. 

Also, I am aware of wedding receptions that have been held on the Napa Valley Wine Train.  (In fact one time the conductor of the Wine Train required everyone at the reception to get off the train at the midpoint of the trip because of too much drinking and a problem with a number of wedding reception guests being intoxicated.)

Now how the heck did people get intoxicated on a Wine Train!!??

How the heck did they return to the City of Napa because they were thrown off the train half way up the valley?   The taxi cab drivers had a big pay day!

If you go anywhere that offers a coal fired steam locomotive, make sure she and her bridesmaids are fine with it.  A white satin dress and all the finery do not mix with coal cinders and soot.  This is supposed to be the happiest day of her life, so don't blow it by upsetting her with a soiled memento.

You could also look at the Wilmington and Western, in Wilmington, DE...I know they have charters available as well.  Maybe the Black River & Western in Ringies, NJ...they do charters too...and both have operable steamers you may be able to use.