Cape Cod Tracker

Happy Fathers Day & Community Apprecation Days!

(Cape Cod Central Railroad's Elegant Dinner Train crossing the Cape Cod Canal on June 5th,2011 @ Ryan's Photography)

On Saturday June 18th, 2011 the Cape Cod Central Railroad is offering a 50% discount to passengers traveling aboard the Family Supper Train. The Family Supper Train departs from West Barnstable Station on Route 149 in West Barnstable. Reservations are highly suggested for this special train. The train travels from West Barnstable down by the Cape Cod Canal and across the Buzzards Bay Railroad Bridge (Above). This train departs West Barnstable around 7PM and arrives back around 9PM.  On Sunday June 16th, 2011 Dad's ride on the Narrated Scenic Train or 50% off on the Sunday Brunch Train. The Narrated Scenic Train and Sunday Brunch Train depart from Hyannis Station on Main Street in Hyannis.  Both trains depart Hyannis at around 11:30AM and arrive back around 1:30PM. On Monday June 20th, 2011 all passengers ride the Narrated Scenic Train for just $10.00.  The Narrated Scenic departs from Hyannis at around 11:30AM and returns back around 1:30PM. This year reservations are also being taken for the Narrated Scenic Train as well as the dining service trains. For more information check out the Railroad's official website http://www.capetrain.com or call 888-797-7245.

Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts' Day Cape Codder II

On May 14th, 2011 the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts will be operating a special charter aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad. This one day only special charter will operate between Hyannis and the Middleboro/Lakeville MBTA station in Middleboro. Passengers will be able to board the train at either Buzzards Bay, West Barnstable, or Middleboro/Lakeville. The train will arrive in West Barnstable around 7:25 AM, Buzzards Bay around 8:30 AM, and Middleboro/Lakeville at around 9:35 AM. Please note that passengers will not be able to board at Cape Cod Central Railroad's Hyannis Depot. Once all passengers have boarded the train will travel from Middleboro/Lakeville down the Cape Main to Hyannis. Upon arrival at Hyannis around 12:20 PM the train will make a "second arrival" in which, once all passenger have gotten off the train, will reverse and pull back into the station. Passengers will have the option of either staying at Hyannis for one hour or getting back on the train to West Barnstable to visit Cape Cod Chapter National Railroad Historical Society's museum in the restored depot there. Passengers who opt to visit the museum using the shuttle will arrive around 1:05 PM and have around 15 minutes to look around before departing back to Hyannis or they can get off at West Barnstable at 11:55 AM and have 1 hour and 15 minutes at the Museum. The train will then depart West Barnstable at 1:20 PM and return to Hyannis to pick up passengers who chose to stay in Hyannis. Once all passengers are boarded the train will proceed down the Cape Main dropping passengers off at West Barnstable around 2:25 PM.  Passengers who visited the NRHS Museum may also board at this time. The train will proceed to make two photo runbys at Hoxie Pound and the Bourne Bridge area around 3:00 PM. The train will return to Buzzards Bay at 4:10 PM and then will go on to the Middleboro/Lakeville MBTA station, arriving at 5:35 PM.  Passengers who to board at Middleboro/Lakeville will not be able to board via a commuter rail connection as the MBTA has temporarily suspended weekend service to Middleboro / Lakeville due to the ongoing tie replacement project. Passengers who wish to board at Middleboro/Lakeville may instead take a connecting bus from South Station or Braintree for $20 round trip. The bus leaves Boston's South Station at 8:00 AM and the MBTA Red Line station in Braintree  at 8:20 AM. The bus will return to South Station around 6:30 PM. Round-trip fares for the train excursion, from any departure point, are $29.00 for children 12 and under, $59 for adult Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts members and $69 for non members. Box lunches are available for $11 each.  Passengers are allowed to bring their own food and drinks on board the train.  Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.  Please see this page for more information: http://www.massbayrre.org/DayCapeCodder.html. For more details please visit the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiast's website , send an email to trips@massbayrre.org, or call 978-470-2066.  Tickets may be ordered by mail or phone only.

Nobska Point Light

Nobska Point Light (Copyright @ Ryan's Photography)

Nobska Point Light in Falmouth has long been an icon for the town of Falmouth being at the Woods Hole Harbor Entrance. The Nobska Point Light Station was established in 1829. The current tower constructed of cast iron with brick lining stands at 40 FT and is seen by many entering and exiting Woods Hole Harbor each year. In 1985 the station became automated and there for a keeper was not needed to light the light each evening. The keepers home-built in 1876 currently serves are a home for the commander of Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. The grounds of the Light House are open to the public and during the Spring, Summer, and Fall guests can climb the tower free of charge. These tours are conducted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-2. The beacon which flashes white every 6 seconds with a red sector illuminates the area at night and can be seen by mariners all around the area of Woods Hole Harbor. In the event of fog the light also has a fog signal that makes two blasts every 30 seconds.

Scallop Festival 2010!

(Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge Copyright 2010 @ Ryan's Photography)

hTis coming weekend marks the 41st Bourne Scallop Festival taking place in downtown Bourne. The carnival rides and the food are both highlights of this event each year and many can't wait to go back again. This year the Cape Cod Central Railroad will be operating special trains to and from the Scallop Festival crossing over the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge (Above)! Trains will depart from Hyannis on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:30AM. These trains will arrive at the festival at 10:45AM and Depart back to Hyannis at 2:30PM reaching Hyannis at 3:45PM. Fares for these trains start at $10.00 for kids and $25.00 for Adults special package deals are available!  The Cape Cod Central will also operate the Scallop Festival Express from the grounds of the festival to Wareham. These trains will run for one hour departing at 11:30AM and 12:45PM on all three days. People of all ages can ride these trains for just $5.00 for a one hour train ride! For more information regarding the Scallop Festival please visit it's website by clicking here or for more information regarding train service please visit the Cape Cod Central's official website by clicking here.

(Cape Cod Central at Hyannis Copyright 2010 @ Ryan's Photography)

Audio Tours of Olde Cape Cod

(Uncle Tim's Bridge) Copyright © Ryan's Photography

Many people come to Cape Cod but don't have a clue about the hidden gems or the most fascinating museums found on Cape Cod. Wouldn't it be great to just pop a CD into the CD player and be off on a tour of all the necessary places to visit? Vising Hyannis for a day or two and thinking about a walk around down town?, you can download a free audio tour for downtown Hyannis from the Cape Treks Website: http://www.capetreks.com/. Thinking of coming to the Cape for the first time consider Driving 6A from Sandwich to Orleans. This tour includes the Sandwich glass museum and other historic places found in these areas. Once you have explored 6A to Orleans consider Driving Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet this tour will explore downtown Wellfleet and Wellfleet harbor among other places. Visiting Chatham looking for the seals or a great white shark, why not visit some on the unique elements of Chatham with Driving Chatham. If you're lucky enough to get through that Province town traffic consider walking Province town which covers Commercial Street.and beyond. Nantucket can be a great place to visit on a quiet day but do you know what to look for? Consider walking Nantucket as a great way to explore the island.  If your visiting Wellfleet Harbor consider visiting Uncle Tim's bridge for a nature walk on the land mass on the other side.