"Speeders" Visit Finger Lakes Railway

Rail Cars Visit Finger Lakes RailwayThe North American Rail Car Operators Association will bring 40 rail car operators to travel along the Finger Lakes Railway track system. These small track vehicles were once used for track inspection and repair, but now are only collectors items. Enthusiasts rehabilitate the vehicles for hobby use and travel the country to get the chance to ride on a variety of private rail systems.

According to their website, "Riding in a motorcar provides a perspective on rail travel that most people never experience. One is seated perhaps only two feet above the top of the rail and can see directly ahead and to both sides, similar to the view a locomotive engineer has, but even better.

Travel is relatively slow, generally averaging less than 20 miles per hour. Every culvert, bridge, road crossing, tunnel, and building along the rails is seen from an uncommon vantage point. Because motorcars are so uncommon, they attract much attention from people along the track."

The parade of rail cars, known as Speeders, will be lead by FGLK manager, Bruce Habberfield in the FGLK modern hi-rail truck beginning Saturday, August 16 at 8am in Geneva, NY. They will first head south down the FGLK Kendaia line (former LVR mainline) to the old Seneca Army Depot. They will return to Geneva Yard approximately 11am and then continue their run east to Auburn, passing through Waterloo, Seneca Falls, over Cayuga Lake and ending in Auburn on the Auburn Rd (NYC). There they will turn around and return with a stop at the Village of Cayuga Harris Park for lunch around 3:30pm. Spectators and questions are welcome.

An evening ride is planned for a return down the Kendaia line starting at dusk.

Sunday's ride will start at 7:30am and take the parade west through Geneva, across Exchange St, and on into Phelps and Clifton Springs. For the first time, they will take the ONCT lead to Victor (10am arrival). They will turn there cars there and return to Clifton Springs for a box lunch at the park. Final return to Geneva or the other origin in Waterloo should be around 3:30pm.

Special thanks to Steve Blowers of Blowers Ag in Waterloo, NY for allowing parking and use of the rail siding for the rail cars to set on. Also thanks to the Villages of Cayuga and Clifton Springs for use of their park facilities that are adjacent to the tracks.

For more information on these unique little rail vehicles, visit their webite by clicking on NARCOA.