All aboard!
Reservations are now being accepted for the Third Annual Yuletyme Tyrone Train Ride scheduled for Dec. 14. Those interested are encouraged to contact the Tyrone Chamber of Commerce at 684-0736 for availability.
“Right now, we have about 130 tickets still available,” said TCOC director Bonnie Patton, noting that 30 reservations have already been made. “These tickets are hot and selling fast.”
The annual train ride, which departs from Railpark at approximately 9 a.m. on Dec. 14 will arrive in historic Bellefonte just in time for arguably one of the most festive holiday events in the area – Victorian Christmas Day.
Tickets are $18 for adults and children’s’ fare is $12 and must be purchased by Thanksgiving.
Prior to departure, the Tyrone Area Historical Society will hold a get-together time with coffee, hot chocolate and donuts. The social hour begins one hour before the diesel train hits the rails.
“We really had a wonderful time last year,” said Tyrone resident Grace Gonzalez, who was accompanied on the trip by her 31-year-old developmentally disabled son Scott Renwick. “Scott really enjoyed the trip. We met some really good people and had some pretty good laughs along the way. It was a terrific time and something I would recommend to anyone.”
The Tyrone couple of Linda and Larry Strong also enjoyed the trip. Linda said they were fortunate that it actually snowed that day and riding along the rails with the snow falling was “just beautiful.”
“The entire trip was totally relaxing,” she said.
Strong also noted the beauty of the Victorian Christmas Days celebration in Bellefonte. Events there included crafts, a Santa house, the Festival of Trees, a Christmas museum and musical presentations.
“Bellefonte was absolutely beautiful,” she said. “We really enjoyed the horse-drawn carriage ride and just walking through all the little stores and doing some shopping. I’m sure we’ll go back.”
John Benn, an self-proclaimed “armchair train buff,” took his family, which included his wife Tammy, his then 12-year-old son Josh and his then 7-year-old daughter Shannon.
“I was really surprised that Josh enjoyed it as much as he did,” said Benn. “I would have never believed he would have enjoyed it as much as he did, but he, like the rest of us, just thought it was wonderful.
“We’re hoping to go back this year.”
Currently, reservations are being accepted via phone or by stopping in the Chamber of Commerce office on Logan Avenue. Soon, physical tickets will be printed and will be for sale at Gardner’s Candies and the Tyrone News Agency.
