Submitted by Paul Tenney
On Friday afternoon, June 1, 2012, a group of Mystic Valley Railway Society members, 42 strong, set out on a voyage into American transportation history utilizing the trains from Amtrakwith our final destination being Syracuse, New York, a total of approximately 275 miles.
We reached Syracuse after some delay at Albany, but not before we were given a good deal of railroad history and lore from the President of MVRS, a nationally respected expert on old trains and railroad history.
Our first stop on Saturday June 2nd was the Rosamond Gifford Park Zoo in Syracuse. It has many delights including an aquarium and a nice selection of animals.
There were also many species of birds including penguins but clearly the stars of the show were the elephants, especially the elephant family of Romani, Kirina and Tundi. We had a nice box lunch on the grounds.
Our next destination was the Camillus (N.Y.) Erie Canal Park. At the Canal Park we spent some time examining an honest to goodness steam engine similar to the ones used to power the barges and boats on the Erie Canal.
They even blew its old-time whistle to entertain us, but it was, in its time, a serious warning to any one in its path.
We also had a round trip ride on the Erie Canal in a pontoon boat with more description of life on the water. The sign across from the Park headquarters said “Albany 175 miles (East) and Buffalo 175 (West).
The Erie Canal, when completed in 1825, was, therefore, 350 miles long with 13 more miles added for a total of 363 miles.
Soon after the Canal, we visited The Salt Museum on Lake Onondaga in the community of Liverpool, NY. This was a thriving industry in Syracuse for a number of years. We were all impressed by the hard work of the men at the Salt plant.
The industry suffered with the mining of salt from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Earlier we spent some time in the Erie Canal Museum in Clinton Square in Syracuse. It is small but packed with interesting bits of canal lore, railroad history and Syracuse early history.
Last but certainly not least, we enjoyed a dinner cruise on Lake Skaneateles. The weather held off for the most part and all had a nice dinner and a narrated tour of this millionaire’s row of houses that linethe lake.
It was a truly unforgettable experience.
This trip was most rewarding and illuminating. You do not have to be a history buff or a railroad maven to enjoy this experience, but it sure helps.
Speaking for the group we all had a great time. Thanks to our guides and bus driver for a special trip.