Our 2024 AAPRCO convention special train will depart from Albany, New York, under Amtrak power. For the next 100 miles, we journey through the scenic and historic Mohawk River Valley. This valley is the only waterway between Maine and Georgia passing entirely through the Appalachian mountain range at essentially sea level. It was, and is, the route for the eastern portion of the Erie Canal, completed in 1825.
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Leaving the Mohawk Valley, our special travels through the upstate New York cities of Utica, with its restored granite and marble train station; Rome, the original home of Revere cookware; Oneida, original home of Oneida Silver; and Syracuse, meeting place of the tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. At Solvay, just west of Syracuse, we drop Amtrak power and transfer onto the Finger Lakes Railway.
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Mark your calendars for this enticing trip, and check back to our website for updates and more details about our convention special, off-train excursions, annual meeting, and keynote speakers.
Finger Lakes Railroad
Finger Lakes Waterfall
Downtown Canandaigua
2024 Convention and Special Train Schedule & Routing
June 11 - 15 | Canandaigua, New York
Tuesday, June 11th
Train Servicing: Top off water at Amtrak Yard prior to departure
8:00 a.m. Depart Albany-Rensselaer, NY, Amtrak Station 0
8:30 a.m. Pass Schenectady, NY 18
9:45 a.m. Pass Utica, NY 96
11:00 a.m. Arrive Syracuse, NY, Amtrak Station 150
Pick up passengers
11:10 a.m. Arrive CSX Solvay Yard 152
Interchange with Finger Lakes Railway
Pick up Finger Lakes Railway power
Retain Amtrak power HEP only
12:30 p.m. Depart CSX Solvay Yard as Finger Lakes Railway Special Train
4:15 p.m. Arrive Geneva, NY
Possible stop to pick up passengers 202
4:30 p.m. Depart Geneva, NY
5:15 p.m. Pass Shortsville, NY 219
6:00 p.m. Arrive Canandaigua, NY 225
Train parks between Ontario and Pleasant Street
6:00 p.m. Shuttle runs between train, convention hotel, and reception
Hotel Canandaigua, 205 Lakeshore Drive
7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception
Twisted Rail Brew Pub, 169 Lakeshore Drive
Walking time from hotel: 8 minutes
Walking time from train: 25 minutes, 1.75 miles
9:00 p.m. Welcome Reception concludes
9:30 p.m. Shuttle operation ceases
Train Servicing: Water, Ice, and Trash
Wednesday, June 12th
8:00 a.m. Shuttle begins between train and hotel
8:30 a.m. Convention Sessions Begin
Hotel Canandaigua, Canandaigua Room
12:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m. Convention Sessions Resume
5:00 p.m. Convention Sessions End
Dinner on your own
5:30 p.m. Board Meeting
Cove Restaurant private dining room
8:30 p.m. Shuttle operation ceases
Train Servicing: Water, Septic, Ice, and Trash
Thursday, June 13th
8:30 a.m. Shuttle starts at hotel to train and will service all activities below
9:00 a.m. Champagne Crepe Brunch with Chef Pierre
The Central on Main, 111 South Main Street
10:30 a.m. Brunch Ends
11:30 a.m. Boarding begins for Lake Cruise at dock immediately behind hotel
12:00 p.m. Steamboat Cruise on Lady Canandaigua
Luncheon offerings include roast beef, chicken Caesar, turkey, and Veggie wraps
2:00 p.m. Cruise ends
2:30 p.m. Wine & Chocolate Pairing
Aquilano Wine Cellars & Sweet Expressions; 143 South Main Street
25-minute walk from hotel
4:00 p.m. Wine & Chocolate Pairing ends
6:30 p.m. Car Party onboard DeWitt Chapple Memorial Special Train
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar
9:00 p.m. Car Party concludes
9:30 p.m. Shuttle ceases operation
Train servicing: Water, Ice, Trash
Friday, June 14th, 2024
8:00 a.m. Optional tour of Corning Glass Museum
Bus to Corning will pick up at Hotel and Train
10:00 a.m. Shuttle begins between hotel and train
2:00 p.m. Bus returns from Corning
2:30 p.m. Wine tasting and light hors d’oeuvres aboard special train
4:30 p.m. Wine testing ends
Dinner on your own
8:00 p.m. Shuttle service ceases
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Train Servicing: Water, Ice, Trash
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Saturday, June 15th, 2024
7:45 a.m. Depart Canandaigua 0
8:15 a.m. Arrive Shortsville 6
Passengers detrain to tour Lehigh Valley Station Museum
9:00 a.m. Depart Shortsville
9:45 a.m. Pass Geneva 23
1:45 p.m. Arrive Martisco
Passengers detrain to tour Martisco Station Railway Museum
3:15 p.m. Depart Martisco
4:00 p.m. Arrive CSX Solvay Yard, Syracuse, NY 71
Drop Finger Lakes Railway power; continue with Amtrak power
4:30 p.m. Arrive Syracuse Amtrak Station
Discharge passengers
4:35 p.m. Depart Syracuse as Amtrak Special Train
7:30 p.m. Arrive Albany-Rensselaer 225
Total Amtrak Mileage: 300
Total Finger Lakes Railway Mileage: 203
Total Mileage: 503