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Hudson River Rail Excursions Announces ‘Farewell (For Now)’ Excursions

The United Railroad Historical Society of NJ has been forced to suspend its popular Hudson River Rail Excursions due to Amtrak’s East River Tunnel Rehabilitation.

Hudson River Rail Excursions Announces ‘Farewell (For Now)’ Excursions

The United Railroad Historical Society of NJ announced Monday that it would be suspending its popular Hudson River Rail Excursions indefinitely following a series of “Farewell (For Now)” excursions next month. The suspension comes as Amtrak adjusts its operations around New York City to allow for the rebuilding of the East River Tunnel between Manhattan and Queens

In the coming months, Amtrak is reducing the number of trains it sends through the tunnels, including paring down the Empire Service from ten round trips between New York City and Albany to eight. The Hudson River Rail Excursions use historic New York Central equipment, including observation lounge car Hickory Creek, attached to the rear of Empire Service trains. During the service adjustment, trains will be operating with a locomotive on either end. The trains will also be serviced in Albany instead of Sunnyside Yard in Queens. 

“This decision is beyond our control,” URHS officials wrote this week. “Amtrak’s vital rehabilitation of the East River Tunnels and subsequent changes to the Empire Service have made it impossible to integrate our historic railcars into these trains for the foreseeable future.”

URHS will operate 12 excursions between February 14 and March 2. Tickets go on sale on January 29, and URHS encourages people to buy to support the organization in the years ahead. While the Hudson River Rail Excursions will not be run for the foreseeable future, URHS still plans to operate its 20th Century Limited Experience overnight excursions this summer. The non-profit is also encouraging people to submit letters of support at HudsonRiverRail.com/KeepUsRolling, to help the organization in its efforts to bring back the service. 

For more information and to buy tickets, visit HudsonRiverRail.com. —Justin Franz 

This article was posted on: January 27, 2025