These are pictures taken from the Berkshire Limited train ride from Canaan, CT to Great Barrington, MA. (If you click on the picture, you can see them larger, just use the back arrow to return.) We started this sunny day with breakfast at the "famous" Collins Diner in Canaan (omelets and home fries for both of us, yum!) Then we had a scenic train ride which is only being offered this weekend and next Sunday. It is worth the trip. It is 40 minutes one way. You have the option of getting out in Great Barrington and taking a later train back, if you please.
The ride goes through wooded area, farm land, swamps, brooks, mountains in the distance, residential areas, a junk yard and back of buildings (which my husband, for some reason finds fascinating), and more woods. Since this train doesn't usually run, people along the way were taking pictures as we rode by. A heard of cows were shocked and began to run away as we rode by. There was a crane in a swamp, and someone saw a deer in the woods.
The train was not as hot as I thought it was going to be. They had as many windows open as they could, though when they said to keep all arms, feet, fingers, heads inside, they meant it. We seemed to be inches from some trees and especially some other railroad cars. We were jostled back and forth as we moved along. I think this is the fastest scenic train ride that I have been on--I think it got up to 25 mph. but don't quote me. It was $15 for adults with the proceeds going towards rebuilding Canaan Union Station. Children are $5. and it is worth a leisurely ride if you can make it next Sunday, 10 am 1 pm and 4 pm.
It is quite interesting to me, the number of people you pass by while riding the train that wave to you. What is it that makes people wave to strangers on trains and boats? Don't get me wrong, it's nice, but I wonder why. It's just like a natural reaction. We never do it when people drive by in a car. We saw people stopped waiting to take pictures. We saw two women who had parked their car along the side of the nearby road and stood in a field just to wave at the train and then to laugh and run like children back to their car. Promote peace, take the train--thus, the peace train?
