ARCADE, N.Y. — A piece of Western New York history is back on the rails, giving riders the unique opportunity to see fall colors or take a haunted train ride.
The iconic whistle is seven years in the making for the Arcade & Attica Railroad, which recently recommissioned its newly rebuilt steam engine.
The train was taken out of commission in October of 2017 and required a lot of work, according to shop supervisor Dean Steffanhagen.
"Not quite a full rebuild but close to it," Steffanhagen said.
The running gear had gone and the boiler needed repairing. Parts were shipped to Indiana and Syracuse but made it back to Arcade this fall.
"It was only supposed to be like a two or three-year process but COVID hit, everything else, everything shut down, so it took longer than expected but you know we finally made it, we're up and going. Putting smiles on everyone's faces, that's what we're here for and that's what we're here to do," Steffanhagen said.
The train set off on its maiden voyage on Sept. 28.
While there have been some kinks, as expected with a 1920 steam engine, the train is picking up steam.
The crew and riders are feeling nostalgic about its return.
"I'm just filled with nostalgia, remembering how wonderful it must have been to take the trip on this train," Christine Rust of Camillus, N.Y., told 2 On Your Side.
Added Chris Lester, president of the railroad: "We're just proud of the history, since the board of directors that thought of this in 1961 and we just want to keep it going for many, many more years to come."
When the train is running smoothly, the fall foliage excursion on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday takes about 2 hours, 15 minutes with a break halfway.
Tickets are available for it and the Halloween Express, a haunted train ride through the end of October.