The trains of summer

Tammy Layman / News Virginian
Published: May 30, 2007

The train is now open every Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. and every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with its season now running since April until Oct. 31.

Tickets are just a $1 a person.

Designed to carry children and adults, the train is running with two fully-loaded cars with passengers young and old eager to ride the train through the park and its two tunnels. The mini-train is operated by Gypsy Express Incorporated, a non-profit group composed of volunteers.

"We have a group of about 60 volunteers," said Gypsy Express Incorporated volunteer Bob Roger. "We do it to help out and the smiles and thanks we get make it all worthwhile.

"We have quite a bit of diversity and skill in our volunteers which makes taking care of the train much easier," Roger added. "This is a real train. It is just 1/5 the scale of a normal train. It is built and operated like a real train. There are only about 100 trains of this sort running or fewer and most of them are in private hands on private estates. We couldn't do what we do with out the number of volunteers we have. We are lucky to have a very caring group of volunteers that care about our community and this train."

The majority of the money collected for the $1 rides goes back in the maintenance and repair of the train.

"If there is anything left over then we purchase picnic tables and duck feeders to enhance the experience for the children in the park," Roger said.

The history of the train dates back to 1957, when George and Linda Bartley brought a mini-train to Gypsy Hill Park. They operated the Gypsy Express until 1991, when they sold it to the city of Staunton. The city continued to operate the mini-train until 1998, when it was taken out of service for safety reasons. City leaders were considering whether the train could be safely operated or whether it should simply be removed from the park.

In the summer of 2000, a group of area residents held an open meeting at Montgomery Hall Park to discuss saving the train. About 50 local citizens attended, and the group formed a non-profit corporation named Gypsy Express Incorporated (GX). The group contracted with the city to repair and bring the train back to safe service standards and to provide volunteers to operate the train. The City originally provided some funding, but the bulk of the considerable expense of rebuilding and operating the train has been obtained from private and corporate donations.

Volunteers began the rebuilding process in the spring of 2001 by moving the station house to higher ground and refurbishing it. They then enlarged the track and replaced most of the roadbed, added drainage pipes, and added stone riprap to hold the roadbed in place.

The volunteers also put in all new ties, tie plates and drove in all-new spikes, one at a time. They designed and built two new bridges, replaced the engine house, rebuilt the engine and refurbished the cars. The engine and cars were repainted in Santa Fe Railroad colors, and a newly designed Gypsy Express logo was added.

Dedicated volunteers also landscaped the grounds, added a switch and siding, rebuilt the crossings and added a crossing signal. A flagpole, new fencing, and gates were also installed.

The Gypsy Express again came to life on August 5, 2001, in a "drenching rainstorm" with Mrs. Linda Bartley and Staunton Mayor G. John Avoli in attendance.

The group's latest endeavor was designing and building a third car that accommodates larger people and wheelchairs. It is the first of its kind in the US, and began operation in 2003. The upper bridge has been made into a covered bridge for storage of this new 'handicapped' car. The loading platform was extended to allow for easy loading of wheelchair riders and paved walkways were built for easier access to the train. The newly designed handicapped car allows all children to benefit from the train rides.

"We consistently run two cars and have a third car as a spare," Roger said. "We are trying to preserve the train there is a lot of pressure with the upgrade and by running two fully loaded cars that's a lot of work on the transmission. The line is capable of running three cars at a time but that is a lot of pressure on the train. It's in as good a shape as it is because it's been well maintained."

The train offers four free ride days a year - on Kids Matter Day in May, on the 4th of July, on Labor Day and on Halloween, the last operating day of the year.

The train accommodates special groups of school-aged children during the week with reservations.

The volunteer organization that runs the train is also looking for a few good helpers to sell tickets and conduct the train, as well as engineers. No experience is necessary. Training is provided. Call Roger at 885-0513 for more information..

"It would really help us out, and it's a lot of fun," said Roger.

A $15 video ride through the history and rebirth of the Gypsy Express is now available in VHS format at Staunton Trains and Hobbies on Beverley Street downtown Staunton.

Gypsy Express caps and train whistles are also available now in the G.C. Bartley Train Station beside the Express track in the park. A video about the history of the Gypsy Express is also available.

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