The Adirondack Scenic Railroad will mark their 20th anniversary during this first weekend in September, 2012. In celebrating the occasion, Thendara Station will host a massive railfan event on Saturday, September 1st and Sunday, September 2nd starting at 11am daily.

The two day, family friendly celebration will have over half a dozen locomotives from companies such as EMD and ALCO, private rail cars, snow plows, classic freight cars and other railroad maintenance equipment. Guests are welcome to tour the cars and locomotives, sit at the controls and even try their hand at operating the locomotive simulator. Caboose hops will be available throughout the day featuring New York Central’s 705 and a historic caboose from the Boston & Maine Railroad.

Guests from the Utica area can ride the Adirondack Scenic Railroad to the event. Round trip tickets are available on their website or by calling 1-800-819-2291, Opt 1. The train departs Union Station in Utica at 9:15am and leaves Thendara Station for the return trip at 4:30pm each day. Powered by the railroad’s RS18s and historic EMDF units, excursion trains will also run daily at 12:30pm and 3pm from Thendara to Otter Lake and back. These 20 mile trips offer riders beautiful scenery, breathtaking views of the Moose River and McKeever Trestle.

At 7pm on Saturday night, Stuart deCamp, owner of historic Thendara Town Hall, will host a slide show: “Adirondack Division—1930’s to Present.” Speakers Al Gorney, Doug Ellison and Dave “Wally” VanPelt will be sure to enlighten even the most diehard New York Central fan.

At 9pm on Saturday, railroad photography icon Steve Barry, editor of Railfan and Railroad Magazine will lead an evening photo session at Thendara Station. Guests are welcome to recreate the past, capturing iconic images of New York Central 8223, 705 and various freight cars.

In keeping with the nostalgic theme of the railroad, the event will also feature an onsite Classic Car Cruise starting at 11am on Saturday. Participants will be entitled to free premiere parking and discount excursion tickets.

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is operated by the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society, Inc. (ARPS) and its team of over 150 volunteers and a few full and part-time employees. ARPS is a 501c3, not-for-profit organization that was formed in 1992 for the purpose of promoting, participating in and contributing to the rehabilitation, maintenance and operation of the 118-mile Adirondack travel corridor.

In addition to exploring the Adirondack Scenic Railroad’s rich history, information will also be available regarding the line’s future, including Big Moose and Next Stop Tupper Lake.

For more information on the 20th Anniversary Weekend, to view a complete schedule of trains or to learn more about becoming a railroad volunteer, visit www.adirondackrr.com or call 1-800-819-2291.

Photo courtesy Bill Doerrer, RailPictures.net