|
MOUNT VERNON Photo Scrapbook
After 40 months of repair and refurbishment, the shop work was finally completed; it was time for MOUNT VERNON's inaugural trip! Since this was also a shakedown trip to test the car, the participants were members of Dominion Rail Voyages, family and friends. We used Amtrak's Carolinian and Adirondack trains for the international journey, spending 2 nights in New York City and 2 nights in Montreal. Since the Amtrak schedules did not provide much time in New York City, the scenic highlights of the trip were the Hudson River, Lake Champlain and Montreal. In general, we were pleased that all systems worked as intended, although we discovered a few "bugs" that were corrected. The car rode smoothly at 110 MPH on Amtrak's NorthEast Corridor between Washington and New York.
After breakfast, there is an
opportunity to read the newspaper, play cards, and relax while MOUNT
VERNON heads north along the east shore of the Hudson River on the
rear of Amtrak train 71, The Adirondack.
Barbara and Katherine enjoy
a game of cards as MOUNT VERNON rolls along the Hudson River's east
shore.
Amtrak train 71, The Adirondack,
from New York City to Montreal, arrives at Albany-Rensselaer NY. MOUNT
VERNON is the rear car in the consist. Albany-Rensselaer's new train
station - an impressive structure worthy of a state capitol with a
substantial volume of Amtrak service/ridership - is visible in the
photo.
Chef John Mickey prepares another
tasty meal in MOUNT VERNON's kitchen.
Via Rail Canada welcomes travellers
to Montreal.
MOUNT VERNON spent two nights
parked on track 16 at Via Rail Canada's Central Station in downtown
Montreal QC. A private car can serve as your hotel at many major destinations
served by Amtrak and Via Rail Canada.
While visiting Montreal, we
entertained Richard Longpre from St Hubert, QC. Richard is General
Manager of the Sleeper Line - the previous owner of MOUNT VERNON.
On the right is Bob Willetts, who manages the Lancaster & Chester
Railway's passenger operations and who was Project Manager for the
refurbishment of MOUNT VERNON in L&C Railway's passenger car shop.
Elizabeth enjoys her first
trip on a private railroad car.
Dan and Luis relax on the southbound
journey from Montreal to New York City. Although both are primarily
interested in aviation, railroads have a strong appeal. |
