Eclipse express: $4K gets you a seat, gourmet meals on NYC-Niagara Falls train to view the full solar event

Dean Balsamini
·4 min read
A composite photo of a vintage train, the inside of the trains and a map of the NYC to Niagara trip to see the solar eclipse on April 8.
Two vintage trains will head from New York City -- where the eclipse on April 8 will only be a partial 90% event -- to Niagara Falls, where the full eclipse can be viewed.

All aboard the solar eclipse express.

Four thousand dollars will get you a set on one of two vintage trains heading from New York City — where the eclipse on April 8 will only be a partial 90% event — to Niagara Falls, where the full solar spectacular can be viewed.

The Pullman cars Blue Ridge Club and Berlin will depart Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station just after 10 a.m. Sunday, April 7 on the rear of an Amtrak.

They’re scheduled to pull into the Niagara Falls station around 7:45 p.m., in plenty of time for the next day’s rare celestial event.

The eclipse — when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking the view of the sun — will start at 2:04 p.m. and last for about two and a half hours.

The full eclipse will occur between 3:20 and 3:23.

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states. NASA
The total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states. NASA

These sun-gawking straphangers will travel in style.

“The cool thing is you don’t have to worry about getting hotel rooms, ” explained Bill Gray, 66, president of the Pennsylvania Pullmans.

The Blue Ridge Club was built by the Pullman-Standard Company in Chicago in 1950 for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway’s Streamliners. Cortesy of Kevin Moore
The Blue Ridge Club was built by the Pullman-Standard Company in Chicago in 1950 for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway’s Streamliners. Cortesy of Kevin Moore
The Berlin was built in 1956 and served the Union Pacific Railroad. <br>The long-distance sleeper car spent most of its life traveling back and forth<br> from Chicago to the West Coast. Courtesy of Kevin Moore
The Berlin was built in 1956 and served the Union Pacific Railroad.
The long-distance sleeper car spent most of its life traveling back and forth
from Chicago to the West Coast. Courtesy of Kevin Moore
Sun-gawking straphangers will travel in style. Courtesy of Kevin Moore
Sun-gawking straphangers will travel in style. Courtesy of Kevin Moore

The trains accommodate 18 overnight guests in six master suites and three double bedrooms.

Travelers stay aboard Sunday and Monday nights and return to NYC on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

An onboard chef will serve gourmet lunch and dinner, and hors d’oeuvres at night — with a side order of stunning landscapes.

An onboard chef will serve gourmet lunch and dinner, and hors d’oeuvres at night — with a side order of stunning landscapes. Cout=rtesy of Bill Gray
An onboard chef will serve gourmet lunch and dinner, and hors d’oeuvres at night — with a side order of stunning landscapes. Cout=rtesy of Bill Gray
“The cool thing is you don’t have to worry about getting hotel rooms, ” explained Bill Gray, 66, president of the Pennsylvania Pullmans, and owner of the Blue Ridge Club. Courtesy of Bill Gray
“The cool thing is you don’t have to worry about getting hotel rooms, ” explained Bill Gray, 66, president of the Pennsylvania Pullmans, and owner of the Blue Ridge Club. Courtesy of Bill Gray

“The journey itself is fantastic, going up the Hudson River and following the Erie Canal essentially all the way to Buffalo. We’re praying for good weather, but even if it’s cloudy, we can assure it’s gonna get really dark.”

Included in the fare are a Gray Line bus tour and time to explore Niagara Falls.

The itinerary includes the 130-foot-high Cave of the Winds, Goat Island and Terrapin Point.

Lunch will be available at the Hard Rock Cafe and there will be a guided walking tour around Prospect Point.

Guests will check out the eclipse in Niagara State Park.

The Blue Ridge Club was built by the Pullman-Standard Company in Chicago in 1950 for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway’s Streamliners.

The Berlin was built in 1956 and served the Union Pacific Railroad.

The long-distance sleeper car spent most of its life traveling back and forth from Chicago to the West Coast.

The Pullman cars Blue Ridge Club and Berlin will depart Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station just after 10 a.m. Sunday, April 7 on the rear of an Amtrak. They’re scheduled to pull into the Niagara Falls station around 7:45 p.m., in plenty of time for the next day’s rare celestial event. Courtesy of Bill Gray
The Pullman cars Blue Ridge Club and Berlin will depart Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station just after 10 a.m. Sunday, April 7 on the rear of an Amtrak. They’re scheduled to pull into the Niagara Falls station around 7:45 p.m., in plenty of time for the next day’s rare celestial event. Courtesy of Bill Gray

The train’s claim to fame is transforming in 1977 to the “Peanut Special,” a charter train carrying President Jimmy Carter to his inauguration.

“This is a way for guests to immerse themselves in 1950s streamlined modern styled interior with period food and good company and beautiful scenery as we roll along the Hudson and the Mohawk Rivers,” Gray said.

There is one bedroom — double occupancy — still available on the Blue Ridge Club. For information, reach out to the NY Adventure Club.

Sun-gazing glasses are included.