Apr 02 2012
Matt PhalonAnnouncements, Easter Bunny Train, Excursions, February 2012, Newsletters, Santa Train, Toys For Tots
2011 Santa Train: The train was a resounding success. All together, we put 2,174 people on three trains from Wayne-Route 23 to Dover and back. We had a full train crew and parking lot crew. Thanks to Joe Phalon for picking up the lunch that day. Special thanks to Bob Lozanski, Senior Road Foreman with NJ Transit for his help, and to the NJ Transit train crew that day. Without their assistance and cooperation, we would not have had the success we did.
2012 Easter Bunny Train: This year’s Easter train is going to co-chaired by Carolyn Hoffman and myself. The March 31st date is confirmed by NJ Transit for Wayne-Route 23 to Dover and back at 9:30am, 12 noon, and 2:30pm. NJ Transit denied our request to run a trip over Metro-North’s Southern Tier line from Middletown, NY due to single-track territory and scheduling issues. Instead, we are waiting to hear back from NJ Transit about running east to West End or Hoboken from Glen Rock-Boro Hall. This would be an alternative to running west to Suffern in an attempt to lengthen the trip duration. For this train, we are going to need more help than ever, and the more hands the better. We need help with ticketing, putting up signs and banners, and posting the paper signs. Any and all help is greatly welcomed, and here’s to another successful VRA excursion!
Feb 14 2012
VRAAnnouncements, Easter Bunny Train
The Volunteer Railroaders Association has announced the return of their very popular Easter Bunny Train Ride to be held this year on March 31st and April 1st. Ticket prices remain only $9.00 for children under 12 and $13.00 for everyone else. If you purchase your tickets on line at http://easterbunnytrain.com you’ll save 50 cents per ticket.
On the March 31st the trains will depart from the NJ Transit Rt. 23 Transit Center at 9:30 am, 12 noon and 2:30 pm. These trips will run out through scenic Morris County and back. Along the way the trains will pass by the Boonton Restoration yard, where much of the railroad equipment destined for the NJ Transportation Heritage Center is being worked on or stored.
On April 1st the trains are scheduled to depart the NJ Transit Glen Rock Boro Hall station at 9:30 am, 12 noon and 2:30 pm. These trips will run up through Bergen County and beyond. Spring will be in the air as we ride along enjoying the scenes outside the windows and the activities inside the cars.
During the one hour and 30 minute ride the Easter Bunny will hop through the train and visit each child and give them a special gift from his basket. In addition each child can have his or her picture taken with the bunny so they can always remember their ride, so bring your cameras. Also on board will be other cartoon characters to entertain the kids and make for a great day out for all on board. For more information or to order tickets visit http://easterbunnytrain.com/ or call the VRA at 973-238-0555, major credit cards are accepted.
This year’s trips are funding the restor¬ation efforts of the Hamptonburgh NY Caboose Museum and the Middletown and New Jersey Railroad’s GE 44 Ton locomotive #1. Plus the VRA’s continued effort to help preserve NJ’s rich railroad history.
So why not gather up the kids and Grandparents and join the VRA and the Easter Bunny on these fun train rides. You will not only have a great time with your family you will also be helping to preserve history for generations to come to enjoy.
Tickets for these trains usually sell out quickly so don’t delay call or visit them on-line today. The ticket office is located at 80 Royal Avenue, Hawthorne in the train station. Ticket office hours – see the website. All other times just leave a message and we will call you back.
The Volunteer Railroaders Association is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Volunteer Railroaders Association Inc.
80 Royal Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506-1810
(973) 238-0555
http://www.vratrips.org/
Aug 24 2011
KC SmithAnnouncements, Easter Bunny Train
Volunteer Railroaders Association picnic,
Saturday, September 10th
To All who worked on the Easter Train,
As you might remember we did not have a dinner after the Easter trains because we were trying to save about $1600 that we desperately needed for the station. At the time we said we would have a picnic for all who worked and while it is much later than we had hoped for we have scheduled the picnic for Saturday September 10th at 2pm. Anyone who worked on the train is invited as well as their immediate families. If you can make it please write back to our vratrips@yahoo.com address and say how many people you will be bringing. Also we had a number of people work on the train that were not VRA members, please pass along an invitation to them to join us as well. We will need to know no later than September 7th how many people to expect.
Thank you,
KC
Feb 14 2011
KC SmithAnnouncements, Easter Bunny Train, February 2011
As we have done for too many years to remember we will once again be running our Easter Bunny Trains Rides in 2011. This year we have asked for an eight-car train to be run on April 16th from Wayne and April 17th from Glen Rock with departures at 9:30am, 12 noon and 2:30pm. This will give us 2160 seats to sell each day and 4320 total for the two days. Selling these trains out will give us most of the money we will need to complete the work on the station, which of course is extremely important.
As with every other year, our first order of business is to get the word out about the trains. So, starting the first week in March we will need to get volunteers out to put up the posters and signs. Please watch your e-mail for dates and times.
With our Internet ticketing system working so well, our need to be at the station to help answer customers’ questions has been reduced – but not eliminated. We will still be looking for people to man the phone on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 to 8pm and also on Saturday afternoons from Noon to 3pm. Any and all help will be appreciated.
On each train day we will need people to wear the four bunnies and four other costumed characters. Plus we will need eight helpers, sixteen car hosts, six parking / platform attendants plus three crew chiefs – a total of at least 41 volunteers each day. So if you or anyone you know would like to help please call the station at (973) 238-055 or write to vratrips@yahoo.com and say you want to volunteer.
Apr 07 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5632 From: VRA Inc
Date: Wed Apr 7, 2010 9:22 am
Subject: EB Train wrap up meeting
Everyone,
Well we have once again run a very successful series of Easter Bunny trains and
as we have been doing the last few years we are planning a wrap up meeting for
Monday, April 12th to talk about the good and the bad and to go over the finances
with Tri-State. Anyone who has any input is invited to attend. We will start the
meeting at 6:30PM sharp so if you are going to want to get something to eat please
do so before that time. I am hoping the meeting will not last very long but you
never know, which is why I am calling for a 6:30 start. As always, we want to make
sure that we use the lessons learned to make the next trip even better.
Thanks,
KC
Mar 25 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5628 From: VRA Inc
Date: Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:50 pm
Subject: Pick up help needed at Hawthorne Station
Everyone,
KC, myself and Charles have completed packing out all the supplies for Saturday and
Sunday's trips. The last piece of the puzzle is that we need 3 or 4 SUV's or pick
ups with caps or covers to help pick up the boxes and totes with our supplies.
If you can help out, please be at Hawthorne Station at 6:00pm.
Thank you all, and I'll see you in less than 48 hours for the train!
Jon
Mar 25 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5627 From: VRA Inc
Date: Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:17 pm
Subject: Easter Bunny Crew Handbooks uploaded
All,
The hand books are loaded to both groups file sections. Please down load and
review. The crew list is also part of the book. If you have any questions please
feel free to contact either Jon or KC.
Thank you again for everyone's efforts in putting these trips together.
Jon
Mar 23 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5626 From: VRA Inc
Date: Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:52 pm
Subject: Crew Handbooks now online
Everyone,
The crew handbooks went online to both the VRA and Tri-State yahoo groups at 8:45
this evening. Please download and review them for the trips coming up this weekend.
As you can see, the positions for Character # 4 is still open, as well as that
character's assistant. and one Easter bunny assistant is still needed.
If you would like to print this, it is formatted for 8.5x14 (Legal) paper.
Thank you all for your time and assistance with this project. It means a lot to
both our organizations.
Jon
Mar 23 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5622 From: Carolyn
Date: Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:10 pm
Subject: Re: Update for crew help
Hi All,
The Sunday trains out of Glen Rock are sold out and have been closed out on the
website! Still working on the Saturday trips but we're getting very close.
Looking for a few more volunteers for various characters, if you or anyone you
know can come help out as always it will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again everyone and we'll see you this weekend!
Carolyn
--- VRA Inc wrote:
>
> Everyone,
>
> Updates are flying fast and furious as we get closer to Saturday. We now have
a 4th Easter Bunny. Sue Leone of Tri-State will be our fourth Easter Bunny.
Thank you Sue!
>
> The last positions needed to be filled are the 4th Character for both days and
the assistant for that character on Sunday. Again, if anyone is interested in
filling these positions, or know of someone that would, please contact me so we
can get the jobs assigned. The crew instruction sheet will be completed tomorrow
for both days and posted both organizations Yahoo groups.
>
> Again, my thanks to everyone who has volunteered.
> Jon
>
Mar 22 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5621 From: VRA Inc
Date: Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:55 pm
Subject: Update for crew help
Everyone,
Updates are flying fast and furious as we get closer to Saturday. We now have a 4th
Easter Bunny. Sue Leone of Tri-State will be our fourth Easter Bunny. Thank you Sue!
The last positions needed to be filled are the 4th Character for both days and the
assistant for that character on Sunday. Again, if anyone is interested in filling
these positions, or know of someone that would, please contact me so we can get the
jobs assigned. The crew instruction sheet will be completed tomorrow for both days
and posted both organizations Yahoo groups.
Again, my thanks to everyone who has volunteered.
Jon
Mar 22 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5620 From: Jonathan Berkemeyer
Date: Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:01 pm
Subject: Re: Volunteers needed in final push for Easter Bunny Train
All,
To further expand on what KC just posted about, we are now up to 200 tickets for
today. If this keeps up we'll be sold out by the end of the week. Considering the
pounding our main source of advertising (signs) took, this is really good news.
The station will be covered for our final Tuesday of ticket sales. I'd like to
thank Carolyn for volunteering to cover the station Tuesday night.
Any last minute additions to the crew are more than welcome to contact me via email
(personal or vra) or my cell phone which is .
Thanks,
Jon
From: VRA Inc
Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 7:43:00 PM
Subject: Re: [ilroaders] Volunteers needed in final push for Easter Bunny Train
Everyone,
To follow up on what Jon wrote....
Mar 22 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5619 From: VRA Inc
Date: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:43 pm
Subject: Re: Volunteers needed in final push for Easter Bunny Train
Everyone,
To follow up on what Jon wrote I wanted to let you all know that as of now the 12 noon and 2:30pm trains on Sunday are both sold out and the 9:30 train is not far behind. We have sold 170 tickets so far today bringing our total sales up to 3519. That means that we could end up selling both days of trains out, even with the slow start we got with all the snow. It is because of the effort of a few dedicated people and the help of a number of others that we have been able to reach this goal. We need to make sure that we are fully staffed both days this weekend and the most important positions left to fill are the 2 remaining characters. So please, if you or someone you know can help let Jon know. After all, what would an Easter Bunny Train be without an Easter Bunny.
Thanks, KC
— On Mon, 3/22/10, VRA Inc wrote: From: VRA Inc Subject: [ilroaders] Volunteers needed in final push for Easter Bunny Train
To: “VRA” , Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 2:22 PM
Mar 22 2010
VRAAnnouncements, Easter Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5618 From: VRA Inc
Date: Mon Mar 22, 2010 2:22 pm
Subject: Volunteers needed in final push for Easter Bunny Train
Members of the VRA and Tri-State,
We're in the final days of preparation for the Easter Bunny trips. The next few
days are going to be extremely busy, not counting the trips themselves.
We are still in need of people who can play characters. We have a spot open for
the 4th character, and the need for an Easter Bunny on Saturday. if you or anyone
you know would like to play the part of a character, please let us know.
Also, we need help at the station tomorrow night, from 6-9pm for people who will
be calling to ask questions, and possibly ordering tickets via the phone. If you
can help out, again please contact us.
Jon
Mar 18 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5615 From: VRA Inc
Date: Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:07 pm
Subject: Saturday Staffing Hawthorne Station
Hello VRA and Tri-State Members,
We are entering the home stretch of our Easter Bunny Train prep. This Saturday
is a very active day for the VRA with several different events. K.C. is presenting
at East Rail, Justin, Carolyn and I are selling models from the JK Weber collection
at the Black River Train show, plus Charles and Tom Scheffer of Tri-State will be
placing more signs in various towns.
This means we need volunteers to staff the Hawthorne Station for ticket sales and
to answer the phones. If anyone can be at the station between 12pm and 4pm on Saturday,
please let us know as soon as possible and we'll make arrangments for the station to
be open. Ticket sales are very strong, and not having the station open on Saturday will
hurt our momentum. Again, if you can help out, please let us know.
Thanks
Jon
Mar 18 2010
VRAEaster Bunny Train, Excursions, News 2010
#5614 From: VRA Inc
Date: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:35 pm
Subject: Easter signs
Hello VRA and Tri-State members,
This coming weekend will be the final opportunity for us to reach our potential
customers. Unfortunately, with the extreme weather we've experienced in the last
couple weeks many of our roadside signs and banners have been damaged or lost.
We have some remaining at the Hawthorne Station which need to go out. The station
will be open tonight from 6pm-9m and Saturday from 12pm-4pm. Please come and
pick up a few signs if you can.
Also, you do see a banner or sign that has been damaged, you can contact us at
this email address to let us know so that someone may go out to repair/replace
it.
In closing, I would ask that any Tri-Staters not on the Yahoo Group be forwarded
this message so they can be aware of our efforts. There is still time to make
this trip very successful so we can restore the F3 and move the Hawthorne
Station in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Charles Smith
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