The Saratoga & North Creek Railway (SNCRR), based in North Creek, is a division of Iowa Pacific Holdings of Chicago. The SNCRR has secured a special arrangement with the Leviathan’s owner David Kloke and the Historic Railroad Equipment Association of Illinois to bring this historic, full-sized standard gauge replica steam engine east for the very first time.
The Leviathan No. 63 is a model of the original locomotive built by the Schenectady Locomotive Works in 1868, one of four originally commissioned by the Central Pacific Railroad. Kloke and his team have spent thousands of man hours over 10 years to build the Leviathan, faithful to every detail. Railroad buffs of all ages will relish the attention to historic detail from its five-foot diameter cherry red driving wheels to its 88,000 pounds of rolling iron and steel. Spokespeople from Iowa Pacific expect national attention among railroad buffs and historians, and anticipate that riders will come from around the Northeast to experience this trip first hand.
At the North Creek Rail Station, passengers will be treated to the Leviathan being used on the rare and historic railroad turntable—one of only a few still operational in the country. The North Creek Rail Station complex includes original circa 1874 old station, freight house, round house, tool house, turntable and horse barn, all a remarkably intact record of railroad history. The special excursion train will consist of the Leviathan No. 63 and one vintage 1928 Canadian National, open window day coach, which will be painted and lettered in quintessential 1870’s Adirondack Railway color scheme.
Saratoga & North Creek Railway general manager Steve Torrico notes, “Having this amazing replica of the Leviathan No.63 is truly like a homecoming party. The original was built right here in New York State and similar steam engines of this vintage were the first to ply the rails opening up the Adirondacks to tourism and hauling freight along the very route that our Railway uses today from Saratoga to North Creek.”
Special Leviathan Excursion Package Tickets include an 82 mile round trip from Corinth to North Creek, complimentary beverages and snacks on train, a BBQ lunch in North Creek and admission to the North Creek Depot Museum. Additionally, there will be multiple meets with regular SNCRR passenger trains and photo run bys for Leviathan passengers. During the weekend of September 14 and 15 the railway is also hosting a Teddy Roosevelt event in North Creek for passengers and general public.
For more details, pricing information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.SNCRR.com or call (877) 726-RAIL (7245). Advance reservations are strongly suggested as seating is limited.
