All Aboard for Mass Bay RRE's Rare Mileage

'BERKSHIRE FLYER'
over trackage of the Housatonic Railroad

Lenox, MA to Pittsfield, MA & Canaan, CT & Return

Saturday, May 17, 2008 ONLY!!

TRIP UPDATE - April 3, 2008: Sorry, the trip is now SOLD OUT.

Don’t miss Mass Bay RRE’s Berkshire Flyer special excursion train over the ex-New Haven Railroad “Berkshire Line” between Pittsfield, MA, and Canaan, CT. Operated in cooperation with the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum and the Housatonic Railroad, this will be first publicly-offered passenger train to traverse this entire line since the 1980's.

Our train will depart from the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum’s headquarters at the restored Lenox Station at 10:30 AM. We’ll first head north to Pittsfield, reversing direction at the CSX yard limit at CP150. We’ll then head south, following the banks of the Housatonic River through the towns of Stockbridge (the terminus for BSRM’s regular trains) Housatonic, Great Barrington and Sheffield before arriving in Canaan. Several photo opportunities will be scheduled during the southward trip. At Canaan you’ll be able to view the restoration of the historic Victorian-era Canaan Union Depot, which was nearly destroyed by fire in 2001. Our return to Lenox will be at around 6:00 PM.

Our train will consist of up to six of the Berkshire Scenic’s vintage coaches, depending on demand. Motive power will be provided by a diesel locomotive at each end of the train. Mass Bay RRE members receive discounted fares and preferred coach seating. See our web site for complete details and membership information (MBRRE membership is not necessary to ride this trip).

Train capacity is limited! We will assign seats by car only and will reserve blocks of seats for groups of four or more. Passengers wishing to sit together must order tickets together at the same time. Box lunches, from the legendary Joe’s Diner in Lee, are available for advance purchase, or you may bring your own food. Limited light snack beverage service will be available on board during our trip.

Save the hassle and expense of driving! Our connecting bus or van will provide a convenient, guaranteed connection to our train at Lenox from the Boston area. The bus departs from South Station in Boston at 7:15 AM and the Riverside MBTA Station in Newton at 7:30 AM. Return to Boston will be approximately 8:30 PM. An additional stop for passengers may be made at the Auburn Mall near Worcester (please call if interested).

This trip 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 about two weeks prior to the trip; we will send driving directions to the departure point in Lenox with your tickets. Please notify us before ordering if special accommodations (handicap seating, etc.) are required.

FARES:

Saturday, May 17, 2008 'BERKSHIRE FLYER' Special Excursion Train:
Adult MBRRE Member Coach Fare..................................................... $65
Adult Non-member Coach Fare.............................................................$75
Child Coach Fare (ages 12 & under) ....................................................$35
Box Lunch (indicate menu choice on order form when ordering)...........$9
Boston Bus or Van Connection (if sufficient demand)............................$40

Members of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum and the Amherst Railway Society may also take advantage of discounted member fares. See links to special order forms below.

BOX LUNCHES:

The box lunch will consist of a sandwich, chips, apple, cole slaw, brownie and a beverage. Sandwich choices are as follows:

- Ham & Swiss on a soft roll.
- Fresh Turkey on a soft roll.
- Vegetarian

ACCOMMODATIONS IN LENOX:

Lenox, MA is a major summer vacation destination, located near the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home at Tanglewood, the Norman Rockwell Museum and many other attractions. There are numerous hotels, inns and B&B's within a reasonable distance of our boarding location at Lenox Station. For a partial listing of accommodations in the area, we suggest that you visit the Lenox Chamber of Commerce's web site or the Berkshire Visitors Bureau web site.

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 two weeks before the trip. For further information please call our information lineat 978-470-2066, or send e-mail to: massbayrre@comcast.net. Mass Bay RRE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Massachusetts corporation.

Members of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum may obtain discounted member fares by clicking HERE.

Members of the Amherst Railway Society may obtain discounted member fares by clicking HERE.

Orders are accepted by mail or telephone only. Mastercard & Visa accepted for all orders. For telephone orders please call 978-470-2066. No calls after 9:00 PM Eastern Time, please. The ticket agent needs his sleep.

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