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LEWISBURG, PA - The North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates (NSHR) will be pulling passenger excursions (for the first time) with the newly dedicated LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit), for the Inaugural Veterans Benefit Voyage. Train rides will depart from Hufnagle Park in Lewisburg, PA, on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Departure times will be at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. 100% of the ticket sales will go directly to two Veteran-support organizations: Expedition Orange and Lycoming County Hometown Heroes. The railroad will also be holding a basket raffle at this event (where 100% of the ticket sales will also go to these two nonprofits). Donations are being accepted now through November 1, 2024. If your business would like to donate to this cause/fundraiser, please visit www.nshr.com/raffle. Merchandise (t-shirts, hats, blankets, tumblers, etc.) will also be available at the event. T-shirt and hat preorders, as well as the train tickets, can be purchased at: www.northshorewarehouse.com/usa. About the (Veteran-Supporting) NonprofitsIt has been the railroad’s goal to use these units to not only bring awareness and reminders of the sacrifice of the United States Military members (in the viewing of these units in regular freight service) but to also be used to raise money for nonprofit organizations that support and help Veterans. This past summer, they opened an application process (which is still open for future consideration) to nonprofit Veteran organizations. Expedition Orange uses horse and rider to raise national awareness and bring support to Vietnam Veterans and their families suffering from Agent Orange exposure. They conduct an annual benefit ride (in a different state each year), with the purpose, to raise money for Vietnam Veterans living in state Veterans’ homes. Lycoming County Hometown Heroes, Inc. recognizes the contributions of our Veterans who have served or are serving and provides assistance to Veterans and their families in need. They provide financial assistance to Lycoming County Veterans and their families who have experienced a sudden loss of income or have an unexpected expense. Both of these organizations allocate 100% of their donations towards Veterans. Other nonprofits who support Veterans can apply for future fundraising at www.nshr.com/veteranapp. Passenger Excursion Ticket OptionsNSHR will be utilizing its newly renovated passenger equipment for these hour-long train trips. NSHR 285 is the coach car. Each seat is newly upholstered for an extremely comfortable ride. Seats are positioned in pairs. If the person sitting with you agrees, NSHR employees can help you spin your seat to face the opposite direction. Coach tickets are $25 each. NSHR 365 is the dining car. Each seat is placed at a table of four (seats are sold per seat and not by table). The large windows make for great viewing. Dining car tickets are $25 each. NSHR 300 is the open air car. In a hay-ride like setting, enjoy a trip with open-side windows. Open-air car tickets are not for specific seats. Seating will be on a first come, first seat choice basis. There is no temperature control on the open air car, so dress accordingly. Open-Air tickets are $20 each. NSHR 61312 is NSHR’s caboose. It has beautiful upholstered chairs and bay window seating in a more private setting. For this event, the caboose will be stocked with refreshments, and riders will receive a free gift! Caboose tickets are $50 each. Due to the historic nature of this equipment (being built in the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s), cars are not handicap accessible, as the doorways are between 24 and 25 inches wide. The Dedication/Unveiling of the UnitsThe new paint and artwork on LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit) were unveiled in May. For more than two years, NSHR worked behind the scenes to prepare the locomotives for their dedication to United States Military Service Members – past, present, and fallen. It was important to NSHR to make sure these units would be a clean and respectful salute that would compel anyone who saw them to stop, reflect, pay respect, and give thanks to the men and women who selflessly laid their lives on the line in service for our country. LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) portrays the silhouettes of three soldiers saluting our nation’s flag as a dedication to all service members past and present. This unit honors each soldier’s loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage, as they have chosen to commit themselves to the defense of our nation. The “All Gave Some” written on the side of the unit helps us reflect and remember the brave men and women who gave so much for us to be here today - enjoying the freedoms we have. LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit) echoes the shadows of two soldiers paying respect to their fallen comrade, now remembered with a Battlefield Cross, as a dedication to all service members who have lost their lives defending this great nation. The “Some Gave All” should make you bow your head and thank those who died - fighting for our freedom. Not all soldiers make it home, a reminder that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. NSHR knew there were many ways the locomotives could be decorated to pay homage. However, they felt the silhouettes that each locomotive now displays, would convey the most important message they could send. So, instead of using bright colors, camouflage, or red, white, and blue, the message is depicted in the silhouettes on each unit. When you see the Veterans Unit and Memorial Unit, please take a moment to pause, pay respect, and give thanks to our Nation’s Military Members. Our respect and gratitude will never be enough for what has been so selflessly given on our behalf. As a matter of safety, members of the public must remain on public property (at a safe distance from the railroad) and may not climb on the locomotives.
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