by Betsy Miller The clicking of the wheels on the rails. The breeze rushing through windows that actually open. The comfort of knowing this is one train ride with no office waiting at the end. It is a train ride to nowhere; better yet, a train ride through glorious Berkshires scenery with plenty of good wine on board! The Berkshire Scenic Railway, a non-profit committed to restoring a local branch of the Massachusetts railway network, is co-sponsoring, along with Hilltop Orchards and its vineyard, Furnace Brook Winery, a train ride/wine tasting that starts and ends at the 1903 Lenox Train Station, on June 25. While the 1950’s diesel locomotive pulls the vintage Pullman cars toward the trip's one stop at Stockbridge Station, representatives from Furnace Brook will pour their award-winning wines, including, among others, a Riesling that won the Big E Northeast Wine Competition Gold Medal in 2007, Silver in 2008 and Bronze in 2009 and 2010 and a Merlot Special Reserve that took the Bronze in 2009 and 2010. Light hors d'oeuvres (local cheeses and crudités) will accompany the wines.
Once the train arrives in Stockbridge, passengers will disembark for coffee, a slice of Hilltop Orchard's caramel-walnut apple pie, and a chance to explore the 1893 station, which is owned by Jack Fitzpatrick, former owner of the Red Lion Inn (his daughter Nancy now owns and operates the Inn). Then, it's back on board for the return trip to Stockbridge. Berkshire Scenic's entire team, including the engineer, conductor and special events manager, is volunteer, all dedicated to keeping this form of transportation alive. Berkshire Scenic RailroadDeparting Lenox Station 10 Willow Creek Road June 25, 5 p.m. Reservations required (must 21 or older) Tickets/$49 (partly tax deductible)
