Sunday's Excursion sold out in record time,
so we've added a second trip on Saturday, October 13, 2012!

Don't miss Mass Bay RRE’s exclusive rare-mileage ...
‘Advance Willimantic Special ’
on the Providence & Worcester Railroad

Worcester - Plainfield - Willimantic - Plainfield - Worcester

Saturday, October 13, 2012 ONLY!!

Mass Bay RRE’s ‘Advance Willimantic Special’ train excursion over the Providence & Worcester Railroad’s Willimantic Branch offers the public its first opportunity to ride this line from Worcester to Willimantic in over two generations.

The ‘Advance Willimantic Special’ departs from the P&W’s operating headquarters on Hammond Street in Worcester, MA at 9:00 AM. After picking up passengers at Worcester’s restored Union Station (see box below)we’ll travel down the P&W’s Norwich route main line through Putnam, where passengers may also board the train, to Plainfield, where we’ll turn onto the P&W’s newly-restored Willimantic Branch for the westbound run to Willimantic, following the valley of the Shetucket River for much of this route.

At Willimantic, our train will stop adjacent to the grounds of the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, where passengers may visit the museum’s collection of rolling stock and vintage railroad buildings, including a six-stall roundhouse, and ride over a 0.6 mile segment of the famed NYNH&H “Air Line”, the route of the legendary white-painted “ghost train”.

Our excursion train will then return to Worcester, arriving around 6:00 PM. Two or more photo stops are planned along our route during the day.

Our train will consist of the P&W’s fleet of refurbished former Amtrak passenger cars. In addition to standard coach seats (below, far left), Deluxe Coach Seating is available in the parlor car "Massachusetts" (below, left center) for a modest supplemental fare. First-Class Seating (including swivel or lounge chairs) is available in the "Massachusetts" (below, right center) and the round-end observation car "New Englander" (below, far right). The Deluxe and First-class supplemental fares include complimentary light snack and beverage service throughout the trip.

Box lunches, catered by Gerard’s of Dorchester, are available for advance purchase, or you may bring your own food. Also, the snack counter in the dining car of our train will offer freshly-cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, snacks and beverages.

Train capacity is limited! All seating aboard this train is reserved and will be assigned in advance. Passengers wishing to sit together should order tickets together as a group.

The 'Willimantic Special ’ operates ONE DAY ONLY, rain or shine. All sales are final and tickets are not refundable. Alcoholic beverages and smoking will not be permitted aboard this train. Tickets will be mailed to you in early October along with driving directions to the departure point in Worcester.   Special discounted fares and preferred seating are available for Mass Bay RRE members only. Please notify us before ordering if special accommodations (handicap seating, etc.) are required.

THE COMMUTER RAIL CONNECTION:

Take MBTA train P553 from Boston & western suburbs to Worcester Union Station (departs South Station 7:25 AM, arrives Worcester 8:54 AM) for a guaranteed "across-the-platform" connection to the 'Willimantic Special'. Return to Boston on train P560, departing Worcester at 6:20 PM, or train P562 at 8:00 PM.  See complete MBTA Worcester line train schedule here: Worcester train schedule

FARES:

Saturday, October 13, 2012 'Willimantic Special':
Adult MBRRE Member Coach Fare................................................................ $69*
Adult Non-member Coach Fare................................................................... $79
Child Coach Fare (ages 12 & under) ........................................................... $39
Deluxe Parlor Car Coach Seating Supplemental Fare.................................... +$25  Sold Out as of 9/25!
Deluxe Parlor Car Seating (reserved swivel chairs) Supplemental Fare............ +$60  Sold Out as of 9/25!
Deluxe Observation Car Supplemental Fare................................................ +$60  Sold Out as of 9/25!
Box Lunch................................................................................................$12
*One discounted seat per Mass Bay RRE member, except as noted in our Member Benefits policy.

BOX LUNCHES:

The box lunch from Gerard's of Dorchester will consist of two finger sandwiches (one ham & cheese, one turkey), Cape Cod potato chips, seedless grapes, cole slaw, deluxe brownie and a beverage. Passengers are encouraged to swap sandwiches to obtain a matched set if desired.

ACCOMMODATIONS IN & AROUND WORCESTER:

There are a number of major hotels in a variety of price ranges located in Worcester and in Auburn, which is south of Worcester along the Massachusetts Turnpike at I-290. We suggest you try the following searches in Google: hotel Worcester MA and hotel Auburn MA

Please use the order form to order your tour ticket and box lunch. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope for return of your tickets. Full particulars of the tour will be sent with your tickets about seven to ten days before the trip. For further information please call our information line at 978-470-2066, or send e-mail to: trips@massbayrre.org.

To download a printable copy of the trip flyer and order form, Click Here.

Mass Bay RRE is a non-profit [501(c)(3)] Massachusetts educational corporation.