Your chance to ride historic train cars out of New York’s Penn Station along the Hudson River is back for 2023
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
The Hudson River Rail Excursion is back again this year. It gives train and history buffs the chance to take a journey along the Hudson River aboard one of two restored railroad cars dating back to 1948; the cars were once part of the “Most Famous Train in the World.”
Starting in February, travelers can board the Hickory Creek or Tavern-Lounge No. 43 from Pennsylvania Station’s Moynihan Train Hall in New York City. The train will travel to the Albany-Rensselaer station as part of Hudson River Rail Excursions’ 2023 schedule.
Tickets for standard Hudson River Rail Excursions departures will go on sale at 10 a.m. EST on Feb. 17.
2023 schedule: 2 themed rides
In addition to the regularly scheduled departures between April and November, the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey will offer two special trains this year, starting in February.
From Feb. 10 to 14, there will be five departures for the Valentine's Special train, which features a six-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Passengers will receive first-class service for $399 on the Hickory Creek and $299 on the Tavern-Lounge No. 43. Tickets for Valentine’s Special departures go on sale at 10 a.m. EST on Jan. 20.
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the first Hickory Creek run in 1948, the URHS will re-create the original train for 30 passengers on an all-inclusive, overnight excursion from New York to Chicago for $2,500 per passenger. Anniversary trains will run Sept. 17 to 21, and ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
Regular tickets
Outside of the aforementioned themed rides, regular trains depart Penn Station at 11:20 a.m. and arrive at Albany-Rensselaer at 1:50 p.m.; there is a brief layover before it departs at 4:30 p.m. and returns to New York for a 7:05 p.m. arrival.
These rides on the Hickory Creek cost $349 per person, plus approximately $20 in taxes and fees; rates include a full-service meal, appetizers, beer and wine, and a dedicated staff.
Or you can get more bang for your buck and travel the route via the Tavern-Lounge No. 43 car. For $143, riders can expect buffet-style sandwiches, snacks, nonalcoholic beverages and a bring-your-own-alcohol opportunity.
Tickets will be available to purchase online starting at 10 a.m. ET on April 22, and they're available for travel Friday to Sunday on select dates in April, May, October and November. There’s no assigned seating.
Reservations for group travel, including full-car rentals and events, are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
History of the trains
The Hickory Creek car stems from the 20th Century Limited, which debuted nearly 75 years ago at Grand Central Terminal; it carried passengers such as then-Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and celebrities including Marilyn Monroe and Walt Disney.
Today, Hickory Creek is the only remaining restored passenger car from the 20th Century Limited collection.
“Built in 1947 by the Budd Company, the No. 43 was one of 13 tavern-lounge cars that New York Central used on its daytime long distance passenger runs,” per the historic society. “With comfortable lounge chairs and cozy tavern booths, it offered passengers a reprieve from their coach seats, where they could drink, eat and socialize with other passengers.”
Bottom line
In addition to the train travel itself, tickets also include access to Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge, which offers a full-service bar with alcoholic beverages, La Colombe coffee and food.
Tickets for Valentine’s Special departures go on sale next week, while standard ride ticket sales begin next month.
More information is available online via Hudson River Rail Excursions.
Read more: Moynihan Train Hall brings modernity to NYC's Penn Station with skylights galore
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.