Summer Train Riders transported to Local Communities

Rail travel in the Finger Lakes brings unique tourist appeal of local cities and villages

Geneva, NY – July 7, 2009 – Finger Lakes Railway (FGLK) transports 1,000s of carloads of goods annually to local businesses but unlike many freight railroads, FGLK also transports passengers. There are a variety of passenger trains from multiple boarding locations throughout the region.

FGLK provides freight and passenger services on 154 miles of track within the counties of Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Yates, and Schuyler. The rail focus is on promoting business within the neighboring towns, villages and cities. “Finding new freight customers requires a long term commitment to the local community,” says Mike Smith, FGLK president. “But this region offers such a unique tourist opportunity that we are able to provide passenger services to these great places long before a new freight customer might settle in.”

Event Coordinator, Judy Salone comments, “We work with local retail businesses, chambers of commerce, and tourism promotion agencies to highlight activities that will attract rail passengers to all these communities along our system.”

One such community is Phelps, NY where there are museums, art galleries, dining spots, shops, and even a brew pub and wine bar all located within a three-block walking distance of the boarding location at Church and Pleasant Streets.

Mayor Jim Cheney states, “We are happy to welcome visitors by car or train to our community. Hopefully, by fall we’ll have a new sheltered platform available for rail passengers to wait in. It’s a win-win for all of us. The passengers get to relax in our quiet little community and we get to show new visitors all the uniqueness that Phelps has to offer.”

Phelps will be the boarding location for the Big Dog Country 103.5FM Train Ride on Saturday July 18. The train ride is from 6pm – 9:30pm, with live music by JB & Company and cash bar, but the village businesses are rolling out the welcome mats from 3pm – 6pm for passengers to arrive early and enjoy some new experiences.

Another example is the next day, Sunday July 19 when the train will pick up passengers in Victor and take them to Clifton Springs for a unique layover that Clifton Springs in promoting called Super Sundays. The local businesses, in conjunction with the chamber of commerce, will put on an ice cream social, BBQ, and historic tours that are available to the passengers. The trip is sponsored by the Victor Historical Society and also features local history during the train ride to Clifton Springs.

FGLK is also featuring the Ontario County Commuter runs on select Wednesdays which operate in July and August, then again in October and November. This trip starts at Geneva Station, a boarding location at Railroad Ave and Wadworth St. across from the old rail building called The Shops at the Station. Travel opportunities include whistle stops for local pick up or layovers in Phelps, Clifton Springs, Shortsville, and Canandaigua. Some trips will offer a layover in Victor.

Then there is the The Montezuma Run that travels round trip from Seneca Falls to the Village of Cayuga and operates on select Thursdays in July, August, September and October. This trip features guest speaker, Audubon Center Director, Frank Moses highlighting the flora and fauna along the way.

For more Information visit the Excursion Page or call 315-374-1570. 

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