“I hope everything works out for [Autumn Colors Express] and people have a good time,” says Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society President Skip Reinhard.
Reinhard says the group has a short amount of time to sell tickets, referencing how the previous New River Train benefited from having multiple bus groups booked months in advance. Those operators have likely already solidified their plans for fall travel.
Reinhard offered no other comments on the new excursions, only saying he wished the society would have received more political support from those who shared the same interests in saving the society’s 52-year tradition.
When asked about the society’s current financials, Reinhard says the group is having its insurance reinstated so that its museum and narrative services can continue. The group has traditionally provided onboard narrative services for Amtrak’s tri-weekly Cardinal through southern West Virginia, however those services were halted when the group could not pay for the insurance. Resuming that insurance coverage will enable the group to resume those services and focus on opening its museum to the public.
The nonprofit society’s financial issues stem from cost overruns and cash flow issues as a result of what the society alleges as increases in Amtrak charter and tariff rates. The group decided in early 2019 that it would not operate its fall excursions after it suffered a financial loss at the conclusion of its October 2018 excursions.
In July 2019, it was announced that Minnesota-based Rail Excursion Management Co., had reached an agreement with Amtrak and other stakeholders to resume the New River excursions under the Autumn Colors Express brand. The new management group is debuting ticket sales on Aug. 5, 2019. The diesel-powered excursions will operate Oct. 25-27, 2019 on the same Huntington-Hinton route as the traditional New River Train.
As for the future of the Collis P. Huntington group, Reinhard says the society is still trying to pay down its bills and is considering a smaller office than the two-story building they currently own in Huntington. Those interested in supporting the society are asked to reach out via the society’s postal box at PO Box 393 Huntington, WV 25708.
This smells funny. If a non profit looses money, a for profit can only make money if prices are raised. I checked the website, tickets go for 150-600$. The NRHS chapter provided a wonderful product for decades, and it seems they were callously cast aside. Amtrak has not shown itself noble in this affair.
Historical Society reaches < $1.00 from AmazonSmile.