Following the May 13th resignation of Jack Roberson as Executive Director of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, ASR Board of Directors President Bill Branson appointed Justin Gonyo of North Creek as interim Executive Director.
In an email to the Board of Directors, Roberson cited his reason for leaving as a “difference in management styles.” Branson confirmed that our railroad offerings will continue as scheduled, including Polar Express.
Gonyo served most recently as General Manager of the Saratoga & North Creek Railroad and has his own company, Hudson Consulting & Project Management, LLC
The ASR has recently acquired new rolling stock. At the ARPS Annual Meeting on May 14th, Branson revealed that Amtrak had gifted the railroad a recently retired dining car. In addition, the ASR recently purchased a former Union Pacific dome car. Currently in Minneapolis for refurbishing, the expected delivery of the dome car is late this fall, while delivery of the dining car is expected sometime in June.
The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is operated by the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with main offices at 421 Broad Street, Suite 7, Utica, New York.
The dome car might come in handy for the fall season running from Utica to Old Forge, but a dining car. You already are lousy at the food you have right now. I guess you really want to go down hill now!
Thanks for the positive contribution Ben. Just what the ADK Scenic and this web-site needs, more haters.
Best wishes to Mr. Gonyo, the railroad, and the hard working volunteers for a successful 2019 season!
Scott K. Willis, Saranac Lake NY
It’s a cost decision, where are they going to come up with the money to staff & do all that is needed to run a full service dining car. They barely survive now. They have trouble paying the polar express licensing fee; they failed to pay their 1/3 for the shuttle service in Old Forge last year, causing it to be shut down after the labor day weekend.
They run trains to Remsen from Utica – too short of a trip for a full service dining car. Holland Patent – again too short of a trip for a full service dining car. Old Forge – maybe they could get away with it, but then again I guess you want to screw Van Aukens, Tony Harpers, Slickers, Steak House & all the other restaurants in Old Forge over. I say go for it, if it puts a knife in the death spiral of the ASR that much quicker, do it.
Sooo……..feed folks on the train. By the time they buy tickets, souvenirs at the station and now a meal,; will there be anything left for the local economy?
Rest rooms that don’t rock?
This RR debate that has gone on here and at other media outlets has really shown how badly people can behave these days and how much just pure hate there is out there. It is evident in projects like this just like it is in US politics. It’s really sad.
I wonder when the NYS DOT will have the latest RR track wash out fixed