BOONTON, N.J. — The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey has scheduled 48 departures for its Hudson River Rail Excursions between February and November, including the addition of special trips tied to Valentine’s Day and the 75th anniversary of the 1948 edition of the 20th Century Limited.
The 48 trips is double the 2022 schedule. Most excursions operate on Amtrak Empire Service trains between New York City and Albany, featuring 20th Century Limited observation car Hickory Creek and tavern-lounge car No. 43. The 75th Anniversary Special will offer a round trip between New York and Chicago.
The Valentine’s Special will offer five departures Feb. 10-14 featuring a special tasting menu with fine wine pairings. Tickets, starting at $399 for the Hickory Creek and $299 for the tavern-lounge, will go on sale Jan. 20, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Hudson River Rail website. Tickets for the standard Hudson River Rail Excursions, starting at $349 for the Hickory Creek and $149 for the tavern-lounge, go on sale Feb. 17, 2023, at 10 a.m.
The 75th Anniversary Special, making the first run of the Hickory Creek and the 1948 version of the 20th Century Limited, will depart Sept. 17, 2023, will take 30 passengers on a five-day round trip via Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited. Tickets are all inclusive and start at $2,500. More details, including an on-sale date, will be announced later.
“We take pride in offering the most authentic experience possible to our passengers on our day trips,” said Kevin Phalon, the society’s executive director. “From fine dining to the overnight shoeshine, we intend to incorporate every historic detail we can to provide an immersive overnight journey.”
More information on all the excursions is available at the Hudson River Rail website.
The Hickory Creek has four bedrooms, the tavern lounge none. How will they accommodate 30 passengers for a five day trip?