Volunteer Railroaders - VRA

04/28/2026

KC (Kenneth Clay) Smith
November 30, 1960 - November 18, 2025

View Kenneth C. Smith's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/16/2025

About 15 years ago we moved Hawthorne Station about 75 feet away from the corner of Royal and Diamond Bridge Ave and onto a new foundation with a basement it never had, completed restoration of the exterior and painted the building in a color it once wore back when the NYS&W Railroad was controlled by the Erie Railroad. We also added a small pocket park where people can sit and enjoy what we did or just relax before/after shopping or dining in the area.

After 15 years the building needs a new coat of paint and we are looking for help to get it done. So in the spring on 2026 we will be planning a couple if weekends to get this job done. Will you help us? Message us for more details.

10/19/2025

If anyone is available next weekend and would like to come out and help with the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Pumpkin Patch trains please contact us. The trains are running during the day Saturday and Sunday.

The 1309 steam engine is not on those trains but is running Friday and Saturday evening and may have seats available if you would like to ride. Visit www.wmsr.com for tickets.

10/10/2025

NOTICE! The Pumpkin Festival has been canceled due to the impending weather, so we will NOT be running the Motorcar Train on October 11th. No date has been announced for rescheduled. Thank you for your interest, see you on a future Motorcar Train

10/10/2025

STOP THE PRESSES!! We just found out that the Festival has been canceled due to the impending weather. Hope to see you all at at future Motorcar Train.

The weather forecast is not great for tomorrow, but we are still planning to be at the Pumpkin Festival at Coldspring Village in Cape May with our Motorcar Train. Trips will run every 30 minutes or so between 10am and 4pm. Remember to dress for the weather.

Please remember to bring some non-perishable goods for the food drive. See you all tomorrow.

09/29/2025

STOP THE PRESSES!! We just found out that the Festival has been canceled due to the impending weather. Hope to see you all at at future Motorcar Train.

It’s the spookiest time of the year at the Cold Spring Village in Cape May NJ and they are planning to celebrate all things Halloween and autumn at the Annual Lower Twp. Rotary Pumpkin Festival on Saturday October11th.

This fun event will take place on the grounds of Historic Cold Spring Village and is presented by the Lower Township Rotary Club. Admission to the Village is free! Guests are encouraged to donate non-perishable goods to the ‘Share the Harvest’ Food Drive.

To help raise money for this very worthy cause the Cape May Seashore Lines, with the help of the VRA, will be running Motorcar Trains starting at 10am with departures approximately every half hour until 4pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased on the platform, located at the Rt. 9 entrance to the Village. You can use your credit card or pay cash.

We encourage all passengers to bring a non-perishable food item to help feed the hungry. For every ticket sold a donation ($5 adult and $2 child) will be made to this very worthy cause.

Families can enjoy pumpkin painting and games throughout the day. A variety of crafters will sell their wares along the Village’s shell-paved lanes. Vendors will be selling hot dogs and other snacks. Plus you can visit a haunted house at the Village Barn!

For more information please contact us by sending a message. Hope to see lots of people on October 11th for this very worth cause.

09/19/2025

Did you get your tickets yet to our Motorcar Trains at Cold Spring Village in Cape May tomorrow, Saturday, September20th.

These trains are running are part of Historic Coldspring Billages Old Fashioned Games and Crafts day.

Rides start at 11:15 with departures approximately every half hour until 3:45pm. Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for kids and can be purchased on the platform starting at 11am on both days or online at www.vratrips.org .
Please note: you will need to have a ticket to the Village to ride the train.

As always, these rides are brought to you by the Cape May Seashore Lines railroad with the VRA volunteers operating the trains.

The boarding location is located on the east (US Route 9) side of the Village. Just look for our signs and banners. Tickets to the Village can be purchased at either of their entrances, Motorcar Train tickets are sold on the train platform.

We are looking for new members interested in getting involved in the motorcar operations. Just see one of our volunteers for more information or send us a message here or email us at [email protected]

09/13/2025

We are excited to announce that will once again be running our Motorcar Train at Cold Spring Village in Cape May next Saturday, September20th, as part of there Old Fashioned Games and Crafts day.. Rides start at 11:15 with departures approximately every half hour until 3:45pm. Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for kids and can be purchased on the platform starting at 11am on both days or online at www.vratrips.org .
Please note: you will need to have a ticket to the Village to ride the train.

As always, these rides are brought to you by the Cape May Seashore Lines railroad with the VRA volunteers operating the trains.

The boarding location is located on the east (US Route 9) side of the Village. Just look for our signs and banners. Tickets to the Village can be purchased at either of their entrances, Motorcar Train tickets are sold on the train platform.

We are looking for new members interested in getting involved in the motorcar operations. Just see one of our volunteers for more information or send us a message here or email us at [email protected]

09/13/2025

If you are in the Cumberland Maryland area this weekend come join the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad at Railfest and see things like this. If your not in the area get in your car and get here.

09/06/2025

ATTENTION: Due to the rain forecast for tomorrow the Car Show and our Motorcar Trains have been canceled. The car show has been rescheduled to September 14th. If we can get a crew for the day we will run the Motorcar Trains, please watch this page for updates.