I came across three more images from Saturday's trip that I wanted to share with you...
Before leaving the Medina depot I was able to get a photo of museum's NYC E8s. The story behind them is that in 2007 the museum acquired NYC 4080 and NYC 4068 still in their original paint scheme. Both units were built in 1953 and are currently being restored as funding becomes available for future excursions between Medina and Lockport.
Heading back across Lockport's upside down bridge, GVT 2035 has in tow a NYC baggage car (RPCX 9640) followed by the two Pullman cars "Raymond C. Roe" (RPCX 1919) dining car and "Thomas M. Reynolds" (RPCX 1950) in an NYC paint scheme. RPCX 9640 received in 2016 a fresh coat of paint to match the newly restored Roe car and "United States Mail" was printed on the side to mimic the ubiquitous mail cars of the early to mid 20th century.The Roe car was dedicated in October of 2016 to honor Air Force veteran and longtime friend of the museum Raymond Roe for years of service in the military and his many generous contributions to the museum. The Thomas M. Reynolds Dining Car (RPCX 1919) was named for Congressman Reynolds' contributions in obtaining and restoring the E8 locomotives and the 20th Century Limited passenger cars.
Lockport's Union Station - In the late 1880s Lockport was still a busy stop on the Erie Canal and a hub for train traffic. The New York Central Railroad, owned by the Vanderbilts, decided that Lockport’s train station should reflect its importance as a major city. Construction began in 1888 and the station was opened to the public in late 1889. The 1950s and 1960s saw the station abandoned and vandalized. Broken windows and falling brick and stone caused a hazard to those who ventured near the derelict building. Finally, in 1967, Union Station was purchased by John Saraf Jr. for $13,000. Saraf saw potential in the structure and decided to turn it into a restaurant. Despite his efforts at restoration, he could not get the project off the ground. This is when David H. Goldstein entered the picture. Goldstein, who had restaurant experience, bought the property from Saraf in 1971. He completely remodeled the interior and decorated it with train memorabilia and antiques from the 1890s era. Union Station restaurant was a huge hit with the public. A menu from the restaurant features most dinners for under $5 with desserts for under $1. For over two years, Goldstein was able to keep the restaurant going. However, tragedy struck in 1974, when a fire of unknown origin destroyed the restaurant and heavily damaged the building. All that remains of this station is what you see!
Sometimes the best part of taking a railroad trip is researching what is seen so a person learns about what they have seen on that trip...
