Blue Star Express Through History

The Blue Star Express Through History

Non-profit Sponsors Train out of Canandaigua 

Geneva, NY, April 21, 2008 – On Sunday, June 22, 2008, Blue Star Mothers, Inc. is sponsoring two train rides out of Canandaigua with the Finger Lakes Railway. This event will focus on the history of America. There will be many riders dressed in costumes of days gone by and activities on the train that commemorate the services of our troops.  The train will depart from Canandaigua and head northeast on a 90-min trip to the Village of Clifton Springs. Riders will stay onboard for the entire excursion. Tickets are available for 11am & 1pm. Lapsitters 2 and under are Free. Children (3-13) and Seniors (62+ or retired) are $13 and Adults are $15. Call Blue Star Mothers, Inc. 585-705-3604 for presale tickets. 

The Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. formed their corporation in 1942 as a non-profit organization to fill the overwhelming need to care for our soldiers in hospitals and train stations. Members also concentrated on putting together packages to send overseas. In the spring of 2004, New York Chapter #1, sprang up in the heart of the Finger Lakes, and has grown by leaps and bounds since that first meeting of six area mothers. They still go to hospitals and airports now, and they still send packages overseas. Proceeds from this train ride will benefit the ongoing efforts of the NY Chapter. 

The Finger Lakes Railway Corporation began operations on July 23, 1995 when investors purchased 118 miles of track from the well-known train company, Conrail.

 

Since then, Finger Lakes Railway has grown rapidly from 6 to 50 employees; from 3 to 12 locomotives; and from an initial car movement of 5,600 to over 17,000 car loads per year. The freight lines serve a diverse customer base from Canandaigua to Solvay and Penn Yan to Watkins Glen. They handle a wide range of commodities including plastics, canned foods, grain, lumber, paper products, scrap and finished steel, along with minerals such as salt, sand, soda ash and fertilizer.

Recently, Passenger Services have gain popularity for special local excursions. For more information on FGLK services, please call the Geneva office at 315-781-1234 or visit the website at www.FingerLakesScenicRailway.com, www.fglkrail.com.  

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