Vacationing in Orleans MA. I see Charles Ro is about an hour and a half drive. Anybody have any info on any other Train shops or train sights to see?
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There was a member of the forum (cape cod northern?) doing open houses with his layout on the cape a while ago...
Cape Cod has a dinner train...
I see that your from PA. There are a number of train museums between PA and MA. I've been to the Essex Steam Train in Essex CT a few times.
If your currently on the cape, I'd recommend you stay there for the weekend. Traffic is typically terrible getting to/from the cape. I assume its worse on a holiday weekend.
Thanks for the info Matt. Traveling tomorrow so I want to get there, get settled then explore as time permits and I secure a pass from the wife!
Check out Snow's Home & Garden right there in Orleans! It's sort of an old-fashioned "sells everything" kind of store that has a good-sized train and hobby department. Nice operating layout, too.
We also vacation on the Cape every summer, and Snow's is one of our annual stops. Really cool store...and my wife loves it, too. We have never walked out of there without buying SOMETHING...and it's not always train or hobby related!
As for Charles Ro, they're in a league of their own when it comes to train stores! An absolute must-see if you have the time to make the round trip off Cape.
I'll second Snows.
There is also a flea market on the cape. I was only there once, I did not purchase any trains.
Not train related, But if you like Italian I might
suggest the Nauset Beach Club for dinner.
Have a wonderful trip. Mike http://www.nausetbeachclub.com
James and all others who are lucky enough to visit the Cape.
No open houses but the house is always open. Last time I looked, my layout was up and running. We live out in Wellfleet and I work in Orleans. Have a fairly large 30'x40' operating layout. Feel free to contact me here or at my email listed in my profile.
Snow,s does have some trains and an operating layout but it is now somewhat reduced in size as well as their inventory. There is a nice train club in Orleans, Nauset Model RR club that is open to the public at certain times during the summer. They have 4-5 operating layouts in different gauges.
In Hyannis, you have the Cape Cod Railroad that runs tourist trains and a very good dinner train.
You can also take bike rides on the Cape Cod Rail Trail which follows the old abandoned railroad right of way.
I'll third the Cape Cod Dinner train... Now run by our friends at Iowa-Pacific! Your wife will love the food & views of the canal and marshes. You get to ride some vintage iron!
Jon 
Dinner train is good, did that back 2008. Good luck getting over those bridges to the Cape.
If you are coming from out west, yes the Valley railroad in Essex, Ct is a must do. Only active standard gauge steam in New England at the moment.
I'm about 5 minutes from the junction of the Mass Pike and I95 (Route 128) If you have the
time feel free to stop by and see my collection and layout.
lewrail
Thank you all for your info and invites. We arrived yesterday, traffic was a nightmare but still enjoyed the drive. No matter where I have vacationed I always seem to run into trains so I knew putting out the call on the forum would generate get feedback. This is our first trip to the Cape so lots of exploring to do.
The Nauset model RR Club has an open house every Wednesday evening in July and August. They have O,S,N, and HO layouts. Well worth the visit and I go every year. A trip there and an ice cream afterwards makes for a nice evening, especially if you have any kids to entertain.
Ed Kazarian
When you go home, if you are taking I 95, I am in Stratford, CT. We have a club layout in the town park that I can open for you , if you have the time.
It has been a few years since I was in Orleans. There was a firefighting museum not too far away
Just came back from the cape, m daughter has a home at Dr. Lourdes beach and scar go lake, tour rt 6 A. Your wife will love it, but hang onto your wallet. There are loads of small shops for her to see, especially Edens right at scargo lake on 6a. For a bracelet. Jack Tylenda
Not sure if somebody mentioned this - but the Chatham Railroad Museum is excellent, not far from Orleans at all. And while, there are no longer trains running on it, the Cape Cod Rail Trail rocks!
http://www.chathamrailroadmuseum.com/
Oh, and how I could forget, the Cape Cod Canal RR bridge. Fingers crossed you may see it in action!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...anal_Railroad_Bridge
I am in Dedham. You are welcome. If you travel on and off the cape, choose your travel time very carefully.
Found this site listing rail museums by state a few weeks ago:
A special Thanks to the Nauset Model Railroad club. We attended their open house last night. Beautiful layouts, great members and great family atmosphere. They even had magazines to give to the kids on the way out. My time was limited so I didn't get a chance to speak to all the members and find out who may be on the forum but I'm sure several members are and if so, Thank you.
JamesZ,
CoolJ is absolutely correct the Cap Cod Dinner Train is an absolute must ride, coming back thru Pa stop and ride the Tioga Central Dinner Train out of Wellsboro, Pa, both have web sights to purchase Tickets from!
Have a great vacation!
PCRR/Dave
trooperty@comcast.net posted:Just came back from the cape, m daughter has a home at Dr. Lourdes beach and scar go lake, tour rt 6 A. Your wife will love it, but hang onto your wallet. There are loads of small shops for her to see, especially Edens right at scargo lake on 6a. For a bracelet. Jack Tylenda
I grew up in Yarmouthport just off 6A. We go back every summer for two weeks and take the kids and grandchildren also. Getting onto the Cape on Saturday can be miles of stop and go.
The DOT runs the Cape Flyer from Boston to Hyannis on weekends. You may get the opportunity to see the lift bridge over the canl in operation. I saw it a couple of weeks ago, and it's pretty neat to see the entire span (544') over the Canal lowered and lifted "with the greatest of ease." Check the schedule and look for times when it will be at Buzzards Bay. http://capeflyer.com/reservati...sthash.Pt5kaSr9.dpbs
