It’s just the ticket for a fun train ride – the Cape May Seashore Lines, which run to and from the Tuckahoe Train Station. Tony Macrie, owner of the trains, was a recent guest speaker at the April meeting of the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township, which maintains the Tuckahoe Station.
Macrie, of Hammonton, who’s been a “railroad guy for 32 years,” spoke about the “vintage trains,” which are the original trains that were “operated in South Jersey by the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, the Reading Co., and the Penna. Railroad.”
Macrie mentioned that the “newest piece of equipment we have today was built in 1955.” He added that “most of our locomotives are General Motors,” and that they still manufacture parts for these. Oil changes are done every 5-6 years.
Macrie takes “great pride in the equipment.” He even has a man who “comes in and waxes them once a year.” The conductors are “rail enthusiasts,” and old-time posters of Atlantic City and Steel Pier are placed in the trains to “create an experience of nostalgia.”
The biggest event of the year for the Cape May Seashore Lines is the Santa Express. When I rode the Express, I sat in one of the trains, which had been built by the Budd Company in Philadelphia. In talking about the Budd trains, Macrie said that they were “stainless steel and great pieces of equipment.”
In his closing remarks, Macrie stated that it was “very rewarding” for him “to hear people make comments,” such as, “‘my grandparents used to ride to the shore in these cars.’”
For further information about the Cape May Seashore Lines, including schedules and fares, visit www.capemayseashorelines.org.
The Upper Township Historical Preservation Society’s next meeting will take place at the Upper Branch of the Cape May County Library on Tues., May 10. Snacks are served at 7 p.m., and the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Dick Regensburg, a retired archeologist, who will speak about archeology and geology in South Jersey. Visitors are most welcome to attend the meetings.
The 22nd Annual Strawberry Festival and Craft Show will take place on Sat., May 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gandy Farmstead, Route 616, in Greenfield. Visit www.uppertwphistory.org for more information.
The Annual City-Wide Yard Sale will take place this Sat., May 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle Grounds, Fifth and Asbury Avenue and throughout the city. For more information, call 609-398-4662.
The Ocean City High School Crew is also sponsoring a community yard sale on Sat., May 7, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Intermediate School grounds, 18th and Bay Ave. Spring flower flats will be sold for Mothers’ Day. For more information, call Sharon at 609-553-4728.
Cape May County Earth Day Celebration is taking place this Sat., May 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cape May County Park and Zoo, Route 9 North, Cape May Court House. Events include a 5K race at 9 a.m., one mile walk at 11 a.m., music, exhibits, eco-shops, lectures, craft show, food court, and a great time of the year to tour the zoo. For further information, call 609-465-5271 or visit www.capemaycountygov.net.
14th Annual Mothers’ Day Concert, in honor of Esther Weil, takes place this Sun., May 8, at 4 p.m. in the Ocean City Music Pier, on the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. This free concert features The West Chester Strings under the direction of Charles dePasquale. Contact Judy Perkins at 609-391-1208 for more information.
For a complete list of upcoming events in the county, go to the Herald calendar, in print and online, at www.capemay countyherald.com/ calendar.
If you would like to make the public aware of happenings in your town, classroom, group, or club, please email me at RWhelan@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Will there be mostly peaceful protests? All of Jordan Neely's issues – murdered mother, mental issues, homeless, drug addiction, poverty, abandoned by his father – were brought up at the trial…
