Volunteer Railroader Association Inc.

"So close, only the paycheck is missing."

Volunteer Railroader Association Inc.

VRA chosen Hawthorne Chamber Member of the Year

Each year, the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce honors a business or member, which have made outstanding contributions to the Hawthorne community over the years.

We are proud to announce that the Volunteer Railroaders Association has been chosen this year as a Company of the Year.

We would be thrilled if our valued supporters and friends could join us as we receive this honor.

Tickets will be held for you at the registration table.

Please contact Meg at the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce if you have any questions.

There will be a dinner and basket raffle on Friday, January 25, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at Macaluso’s Restaurant in Hawthorne.

(Tickets are $60 per person and the deadline to purchase tickets is January 18th. )

Checks should be made payable to the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce and mailed to 471 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506.

You may reach her at info@hawthornechamber.org or call 973-427-5078.

If you are not able to join us at the dinner, but you would like to make a donation for the basket raffle representing your group, that would be greatly appreciated.

Please contact Meg at the Chamber Office for details and drop-off information.

Operation Toy Train in northern NJ & southern NY for 2018

The VRA is very proud to once again be part of Operation Toy Train and the collection of toys for thousands of children in our area that might not otherwise get a toy for Christmas.

We are also proud to partner with the following businesses, municipal and civic organizations, who have graciously agreed to serve as collection points for you to drop off new, unwrapped toys. We encourage everyone to visit these locations prior to November 30th, drop off a toy and thank them for participating.

The train will arrive at our historic station on Saturday, December 1st at 9:50 am. On board will be U.S. Marines, our volunteer staff and of course Santa, who will pick up all the toys collected and also accept toys from anyone who would like to donate to this very worthy cause. Bring your cameras and take a picture with Santa and the Marines. The train departs at 10:20 am so be sure not to be late. The station is located at 80 Royal Avenue in Hawthorne.

Andy’s Corner, Billy’s Midway Arcade, Celtic Corner, CEO Barber Shop, Diamond Bridge Barber Shop, Fair Lawn American Legion #177, Glen Rock Physical Therapy, Glen Toyota, Hair Hub, Hawthorne Auto Lab, Hawthorne Boys and Girls Club, Hawthorne Chevrolet, Hawthorne Fire Department, Hawthorne Library, Hawthorne Municipal Building, Hawthorne Press, JB Pet Supply, Johnny & Hange’s, John’s Boy Pizza, Learning Tree Pre-School, M & P Foreign Used Cars, Mr. Cupcakes, Olsson’s Pharmacy, Salon TG, Snoopy Nails, St. Clemens Episcopal Church, Star Sunoco, Stewarts Deli, Tastee Pizza, Whims & Wishes, Wyckoff YMCA.

Motorcar rides at Cape May on Saturday & Sunday October 13th & 14th

The motorcar trains are coming back to Cape May on, Saturday and Sunday, October 13th and 14th. The popular trains will be operating out of Cape May station on Lafayette St. for a 45-minute trip to the Cape May canal and back. Please note that the trains will not operate on the dates originally announced (Oct. 6 & 7) but instead will operate on Oct. 13 & 14.

The Cape May Seashore Lines along with the assistance of the Volunteer Railroaders Association are again presenting a unique rail adventure that features views of the area not normally available and a narrated history of the railroads and maritime that served Cape May.

Trips will depart every hour on the hour starting at the earlier time of 9:00 am with the last departure now at 2:00 pm.

Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 (2 and younger are free). Tickets will be available on the platform starting at 8:30 each day. Tickets are first-come. All ages are welcome. Cash or credit cards are accepted.

If you can’t make it this weekend? Mark your calendars for November 3rd and 4th when the trains will operate (weather permitting) , same times and pricing applies.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING: Parking at the Cape May station is limited to visitors to the Welcome Center and bus passengers. If you cannot find street or lot parking nearby, there is a free Park & Ride lot a few blocks away. The Park & Ride Lot is located at 921 Lafayette Street, Cape May (Cape May Elementary School) 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. daily during the summer season, Customers will be able to use Parkmobile’s mobile applications for iPhone, Android, and Windows phones to conveniently pay to park on-the-go. To use the Parkmobile system, customers can register for free through the app or at www.parkmobile.com Once registered, they can use the mobile app, internet, or call the toll-free number listed on the Parkmobile meter stickers and signs to pay for parking. Enforcement officers will be able to see that a motorist has paid with Parkmobile using a wireless handheld device.

Hope to see lots of you then!

Station Location

Cape May City Rail Terminal – Lafayette St. & Elmira St. – 609 Lafayette St, Cape May, NJ 08204

Motorcar trains are coming back to Cape May Labor Day weekend, Saturday & Sunday, September 1st & 2nd

The motorcar trains are coming back to Cape May on Labor Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 1st and 2nd. The popular trains will be operating out of Cape May station on Lafayette St. for a 45-minute trip to the Cape May canal and back.

The Cape May Seashore Lines along with the assistance of the Volunteer Railroaders Association is again presenting a unique rail adventure that features views of the area not normally available and a narrated history of the railroads and maritime that served Cape May.

Trips will depart every hour on the hour starting at the earlier time of 9:00 am with the last departure now at 2:00 pm.

Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 (2 and younger are free). Tickets will be available on the platform starting at 8:30 each day. Tickets are first-come. All ages are welcome. Cash or credit cards are accepted.

If you can’t make it this weekend? Don’t worry, the trains will operate both Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) the first full weekend of every month through October, same times and pricing apply.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING: Parking at the Cape May station is limited to visitors to the Welcome Center and bus passengers. If you cannot find street or lot parking nearby, there is a free Park & Ride lot a few blocks away. The Park & Ride Lot is located at 921 Lafayette Street, Cape May (Cape May Elementary School) 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. daily during the summer season, Customers will be able to use Parkmobile’s mobile applications for iPhone, Android, and Windows phones to conveniently pay to park on-the-go. To use the Parkmobile system, customers can register for free through the app or at www.parkmobile.com Once registered, they can use the mobile app, internet, or call the toll-free number listed on the Parkmobile meter stickers and signs to pay for parking. Enforcement officers will be able to see that a motorist has paid with Parkmobile using a wireless handheld device.

Hope to see lots of you then!

Station Location

Cape May City Rail Terminal – Lafayette St. & Elmira St. – 609 Lafayette St, Cape May, NJ 08204

Motorcar trains are coming back to Cape May this Saturday + Sunday August 4th & 5th

The motorcar trains are coming back to Cape May this Saturday and Sunday, August 4th and 5th. The popular trains will be operating out of Cape May station on Lafayette St. for a 45-minute trip to the Cape May canal and back.

The Cape May Seashore Lines along with the assistance of the Volunteer Railroaders Association is again presenting a unique rail adventure that features views of the area not normally available and a narrated history of the railroads and maritime that served Cape May.

Trips will depart every hour on the hour starting at 10:00 am with the last departure at 3:00 pm.

Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 (2 and younger are free). Tickets will be available on the platform starting at 9:30 each day. Tickets are first-come. All ages are welcome.

If you can’t make it this weekend? Don’t worry, the trains will operate both Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) the first full weekend of every month through October, same times and pricing apply.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING: Parking at the Cape May station is limited to visitors to the Welcome Center and bus passengers. If you cannot find street or lot parking nearby, there is a free Park & Ride lot a few blocks away. The Park & Ride Lot is located at 921 Lafayette Street, Cape May (Cape May Elementary School) 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. daily during the summer season, Customers will be able to use Parkmobile’s mobile applications for iPhone, Android, and Windows phones to conveniently pay to park on-the-go. To use the Parkmobile system, customers can register for free through the app or at www.parkmobile.com Once registered, they can use the mobile app, internet, or call the toll-free number listed on the Parkmobile meter stickers and signs to pay for parking. Enforcement officers will be able to see that a motorist has paid with Parkmobile using a wireless handheld device.

Hope to see lots of you then!

Station Location

Cape May City Rail Terminal – Lafayette St. & Elmira St. – 609 Lafayette St, Cape May, NJ 08204

Cape May motorcar rides return the 1st full weekend of every month!

The motorcar trains are coming back to Cape May! This Saturday, June 2nd and Sunday June 3rd, the popular trains will be operating out of Cape May station on Lafayette Street for a 45-minute trip to the Cape May canal and back.

Can’t make it this weekend? The trains will run the first full weekend of every month from now through October and also at the Cold Spring Village Railroad Days on July 21st and 22nd.

The Cape May Seashore Lines along with the assistance of the Volunteer Railroaders Association are again presenting a unique rail adventure on Saturday May 5th, departing Cape May station (the Welcome Center) and traveling north to the canal.

Trips will depart every hour on the hour starting at 10:00 am with the last departure at 3:00 pm.

Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 (2 and younger are free). Tickets will be available on the platform starting at 9:30 each day. Tickets are first-come. All ages are welcome.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING: Parking at the Cape May station is limited to visitors to the Welcome Center and bus passengers. If you cannot find street or lot parking nearby, there is a free Park & Ride lot a few blocks away. The Park & Ride Lot is located at 921 Lafayette Street, Cape May (Cape May Elementary School) 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. daily during the summer season.

Customers will be able to use Parkmobile’s mobile applications for iPhone, Android, and Windows phones to conveniently pay to park on-the-go. To use the Parkmobile system, customers can register for free through the app or at www.parkmobile.com Once registered, they can use the mobile app, internet, or call the toll-free number listed on the Parkmobile meter stickers and signs to pay for parking. Enforcement officers will be able to see that a motorist has paid with Parkmobile using a wireless handheld device.

Hope to see lots of you then!

Station Location

Cape May City Rail Terminal – Lafayette St. & Elmira St. – 609 Lafayette St, Cape May, NJ 08204

We had a very productive weekend

We had a very productive weekend. Saturday we took part in the first Cape May Motorcar Train operations of 2018 and Sunday Toby and KC did some much needed work to straighten up the container and built new ramps to get the cars in and out.

The next weekend of Motorcar Trains is June 2nd and 3rd and volunteers are needed to help make it a success. If you are interested in finding out more message or email us at volunteerra@yahoo.com