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Train’s a Coming This Year, Promises Macrie

Tourism | Wed, 07/08/2009 - 8:12 am | Read 2987 | Commented 16 | Emailed 11
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By Al Campbell

A.C. "Tony" Macrie, president-general manager, Cape May Seashore Lines, Inc.

RIO GRANDE — A.C. “Tony” Macrie is waiting for the train; not as a passenger, but as president and general manager of Cape May Seashore Lines, Inc.

“Trains will be running to Cape May this year,” said Macrie without equivocation.

With the zeal of a youngster who awaits Christmas, and unswerving faith of an evangelist, Macrie anticipates the day when his beloved collection of six vintage locomotives and 10 coaches will again rumble along the rusted, but solid, rails from Tuckahoe into Cape May.

“We’ve had three years of bad luck, that’s all,” Macrie said.

It was his lifelong love of railroads that led Macrie into the Cape May Seashore Lines venture that has captivated the imaginations of railroad aficionados and incurred the wrath of some local officials.

Macrie stood in the fenced railroad yard here where a blue and white observation car rests on a siding at the Route 47 grade crossing to discuss his plans and problems. He was accompanied by Paul Mulligan, a West Cape May resident and Seashore Lines volunteer and supporter.

“We are working on bringing the trains back,” said Macrie. “We cut brush into Cape May at the railroad’s expense,” he added.
Estimated cost of that latest venture, in which Macrie took a physical role, was $15,000.

“We get no subsidies to do anything. We do it on our own,” said Macrie.

“It is what it is,” said Macrie, sporting a black baseball cap and shirt with railroad logos.

Not only does Macrie cut brush from the railway links the Nation’s Oldest Seashore Resort to points north, he’s also well versed in “beating the bushes” seeking transit grants to help fund upgrades to the tourist attraction.

It irks Macrie when people sneer and accuse him of getting rich from those grants.

Yes, he agreed, it would take about $30 million in grants to get the track into shape to support regular rail service, but after such improvements are made, the state Department of Transportation, “Not Tony Macrie,” he stressed, would benefit from the upgrade. That’s because the ballast, ties and rails belong to that state transit agency, not his railroad company.

“If it was not for me, there wouldn’t be trains to Cape May,” said Macrie. “That’s how close the state was to removing the tracks.”

The same state contract that demolished the Crook Horn (railroad) Bridge into Ocean City also had the Cape May Canal Bridge listed for demolition, Macrie said.

He unveiled his vision of a railroad into Cape May to the state agency, which spared the swinging bridge.

Macrie termed Cape May Seashore Lines as a “nice fleet” of classic, vintage cars from the 1940s and 1950s.

Some of that rolling stock makes 40-minute, 15-mile Saturday runs between Richland in Atlantic County and Tuckahoe.

According to the railroad’s Web site, the next such trips will be made July 11 and 25.

He estimated that on average, between 150 and 250 take those Saturday rides, pulled by a red Lehigh diesel engine. During Santa Express runs, numbers swell to between 400 and 500, Macrie said.

Macrie pointed to some experience running trains between the Cape May County Park and Zoo, 4-H Fairgrounds, and points south to Historic Cold Spring Village as how popular rail transit was for those who took the ride.

“We ran two cars, and there were not enough seats,” said Macrie.

When he was presented a $13,000 bill by the County Park for taking riders there on a shuttle from the nearby station, he paid the sum, and ended the service. He contended it bolstered park and zoo attendance by 350 to 500 per day while adding nothing to its parking woes.

“The irony of that is that, in the past year, Cape May County instituted a traffic study for the zoo,” Mulligan added.

The most serious need of the railroad is track repair in the Dennisville marsh area, Macrie said.

Still, he believes every dollar invested on the rail line would add seasonal dollars to local economies.

Macrie sees such a train as feeding small businesses along the route with passengers who would stroll the nearby streets, eat in local establishments, and buy merchandise and other souvenirs.

Cape May Seashore Lines is one of 13 such small railroads in the state. Each expects some funding from dwindling state funds, thus government aid is limited, Macrie said.

Macrie and Mulligan estimated a dozen people put life into the Tuckahoe-based railroad.

Macrie said that the equipment just received a three-year safety certification, something he takes seriously and personally, since he feels that is of utmost importance.

“This is not a failed project, it’s just three years of bad luck,” he reiterated.

Macrie’s quest to get train service rolling from Cape May County’s north to south began in 1984, when the dream hatched.

Then, in 1986, he entered formal negotiations with the state for rights to use the tracks.

The first train ran on those rails in 1996. Three years later, on June 12, 1999, at about 10:30 a.m., the first Cape May Seashore Lines train, with an engine pulling silvery Budd cars, crossed Cape May Canal on its way into Cape May.

In the ensuing decade, Santa Express and Halloween “ghost” runs were made, but they have not taken place within the past three to four years.

Time has been kind to the rails, which Macrie noted are “okay, they’ve been there since 1922, and surprisingly, they show very little wear.”

About 76,232 wooden ties atop rocky ballast, are another story, all need replacement, according to a 2007 report prepared by Mullligan entitled, “The Cape May Branch, an important New Jersey transportation asset,” prepared for the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers.

He estimated 39,000 bolts need tightening, with some needing replacement along that route.

Keeping it all in place would be about 43,000 tons of clean ballast, then raised two inches and align to proper elevation.

Mulligan estimated track and switch rehab of the Cape May Branch would be $14 million for 10 miles between Woodbine and Court House, for ties, and upgrading four small bridges.

From Court House to Cape May, 13 miles, $7 million. From the Cape May Canal Bridge capital renewal and Woodbine to Tuckahoe, five miles, $7 million.

Municipal leaders in Woodbine and Buena Vista Township have voiced support for train service, Macrie said.

If a “groundswell of support” could take place, Macrie believes funding could happen, and those aging ties could be replaced.
With a 27-mile ribbon of revitalized steel rails placed through the backbone of the county, Macrie said one, two and five-car trains could run to Cape May.

That, he said, would alleviate at least some of the crush of traffic and parking in seashore resorts.

Macrie, never short of hope, is heartened by the fact that President Obama rode the rails from Philadelphia to Washington for his inauguration in January, and Vice President Biden regularly traveled between Wilmington and the capital aboard an Amtrak train.

He believes if railroad coaches were good enough for the President and Vice President, why not residents and vacationers to Cape May County?

Macrie can hear the locomotive’s horn and click-clack of the coaches on the tracks as he awaits that train, he just can’t wait to hear those magical words, once again, “All aboard!”

Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com


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Comments (16)

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Fri, 07/10/2009 - 8:10am - Posted by: capemayal

Several years ago I had emailed Mr. Macrie about my father.

Dad was a testman, "Leaderman", for Budd's Red Lion Plant, in Philadelphia, where the silver Budd Cars (RDC's) were manufactured. I have pictures of him, stored away, testing the cars on live tracks. He was an expert on these cars, respected by Mr. Budd, and the Work's Manager (Plant Manager). They believed his judgement on repairs and design, and often agreed and followed his advice.

My email suggested that Mr. Macrie contact my dad for his wealth of information, and love, for the RDC's. I spoke to Dad, and he was thrilled for an opportunity to help with the cars.

I remember times, as a boy, going to the plant for family get togethers with other plant workers, hosted by Mr. Budd.

Dad worked for Budd's for 45 years, straight out of the WWII Navy, and stayed his entire working life.

Dad often said that the rail cards could travel at speeds that rivaled the European speeds, but the rails and track beds in the United States could not support those speeds.

Dad travled the United States, and sometimes overseas, to do warranty work on these cars, and others.

His name is on a brass plate at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasburg, PA.

Sadly, Dad passed away last year, at the age of 87. He never got the chance to work on the cars, as the email was never answered.

Although he didn't get that opportunity, he would spend time just driving to Rio Grande to look at them - just sitting, or standing, not saying a word, but looking.

I could only watch his reaction, and wonder what he thought, and the tears of love, forming in his eyes, for his and other's work, on his beloved RDC's.

As a side note, Dad, who lived in Garden Lake Park, would hear the train whistles, and would say "there's going to be 2 more", then, "There's going to be 3 more". And, they were heard shortly thereafter.

So, people who naysay the railroad are entitled to their opinions, and perhaps, in a way I agree with them.

But, these cars, and others manufactured in the United States, are part of our Country's history. History needs to be preserved in a manner that can be appreciated by future generations.

That's my feelings, and like the naysayers, I'm entitled to it.

By the way, I've inherited my dad's love for those cars, but, unfortuneatly, not his knowledge.

I doubt that the Seashore Line will ever turn a profit, and cost more than it's worth to upgrade and run.

But, to be honest, I don't think that's the point of Mr. Macrie's project. I applaud him and wish him as much success as he can bare, knowing that my father, will be looking and "helping".

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Thu, 07/09/2009 - 8:05pm - Posted by: Localguy

This guy needs to give it up. This is just some kind of boyhood wet dream or something. yes he does get government grants. The train service will NEVER make money, and the old rusty trains are an eyesore!!

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 10:02pm - Posted by: BIGJOHNSON

Hey Tony, I think the Erma Fire Co. is still waiting for their donation from 2005. Remember the Thomas the tank engine event. Oh, don't remember, let me refresh your memory. Starting each day around 7am filling the engine up and staying for the whole event each day by the promise of a donation for the volunteers. About a dozen firefighters ajusted their schedule,took off work just so you could fill your pockets! I feel you lost the support of these guys. My feelings are you can take your trains and shove'em!!

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 8:01pm - Posted by: jknic

I'm not saying he's running it the best possible way, I'm just saying, the line is a viable one if run right. Most people In the Vineland/Buena area where it begins don't have a clue it exists because he barely advertises. Ripping up the rails is not the right thing, using them to transport tourists from surrounding areas is. The general consensus from most people (80ish) that I've asked in the Vineland area LOVE the idea once again having a train to Cape May. The market is there, all it needs is a little work, some TLC, and advertising. No offense, but you people sound like Cape May county does have anywhere tourists like to go. Cape May county beaches have been consistently ranked the best in the state.

Also, there were stories in every local newspaper heralding this as the second beginning of rail transport. However, three years no Cape May service and poor advertising tends to have negative effects.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 6:05pm - Posted by: ChuckMeyer

Does anybody even want to ride a train to Cape May? It has been how many years since it ran there and I don't think anybody cares if it ever goes there again. If this railroad was really wanted there would have been stories ib every newspaper in the area calling for the service to keep running. Please let this money go to hire and pay the teachers and law enforcement servces that are more important to all the people and not to just a few in summertime.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 4:43pm - Posted by: Lane Boggs

It will never happen. Sorry.

This is no way to run a railroad. Besides Santa trains, haunted halloween rides, and Thomas the Tankengine runs, Macrie will never be able to run a scheduled mass transit.

Sorry, but Macrie is not a businessman.

Yank it out, pave it over, and give us a bike/walking trail.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 3:26pm - Posted by: mullock477

It's amazing that Macrie has been able to withstand the constant barrage of obstrutionism that has been leveled at him from every quarter these many years. Good work , Al ,this has been a story that I had filed under "whatever happened to ...?"

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 2:41pm - Posted by: jknic

Personally, I'd like to see this train go all the way to the Atlantic City Line and be reconnected to Glassboro (where they're extending passenger rail to as well) via Millville. It would be FAR greener than the bike path, which more or less would run though the middle of the pines and NOT be second to none on the East Coast. If they fixed the rails allowing the train to run at a decent speed it would be faster than driving during summer traffic, and only somewhat shorter than regular traffic. It would encourage people to walk around town, spend their money in that town, and they would save money on gas. Thus, it would help local economies and the environment. It would be nice for trains to run to Wildwood again, but would take ALOT of time, work, and money. Personally I think a dedicated shuttle service or light rail would be nice, but direct service would probably see better ridership. I agree that the CMSL is not ridden by as many as he would like say do, but that's becuase at this point, people who ride that line, only ride it for the sake of riding a train. Also, the line is not a failure until he finally throws in the towel. The same was said for Atlantic City when it was founded, Christopher Columbus, and many other things. You can't say nobody cares when there's people, such as myslef and others, who are quick to say they want this and support it. Most of the people who will support this line going all the way from the Cape into Philly are not going to be from Cape May. They're going to be from Vineland, Millville, Buena, Philly, Glassboro etc. Also, these trains will increase the land value in Cape May County. The rusting freight cars are how he makes money, he stores them for other companies.

The start up of daily passenger service to Cape May from Philly through both rail lines connecting to Cape May is the greenest solution for South Jersey. Yes, the start up coasts are heavy, but overall we will benefit from it.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 2:19pm - Posted by: cmc1jr

These guys are full of ___________. How many times has he said train service will be starting in the past couple of years into Cape May. This is just what we need to do is give him millions of dollars for a failed business plan. There are a lot of better projects where that money would be well spent instead of being used for three months a year. Maybe they should investigate where all the money the state gave him went to. It seems like he always has his hands out looking for money to play trains that nobody cares for.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 1:43pm - Posted by: Me

It would be great if a train like that ran from Wildwood to Philadelphia and back, i would ride the train to the shore, rather than deal with the traffic on the roads.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 1:23pm - Posted by: smily2248

well said amberjack

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 1:20pm - Posted by: smily2248

I've been around this area for quite some time, since the trains started back up in 1996, I don't think they were full as much as the article leads one to believe. I went on it twice, both times it was basically empty. I could get to the zoo from cape may faster than the train (too slow because of too many crossings). The halloween ride was bogus. This is just a mans dreams being fulfilled at the tax payers expense. The money spent on doing this project could easily put up a few parking lots where needed for the tourists. I'm not about destroying this mans dreams - I'm just agains paying my tax dollars for this project. "what was the string of bad luck for three years"? He couldn't get state funding so it had to shut down, it is not a profitable source unless backed by the state (your tax dollars)

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 1:09pm - Posted by: amberjack

This is a lovely, romantic fantasy that is in fact a failed business experiment headed no where. Take a look at the junk that was piled up near Rte. 47 and Railroad Avenue for months and tell me the wonders and magic of trains. Or the rusting freight cars stockpiled on track near Dennisville Road.

Let's cut the crap - A couple of bulgeing Santa trains and Halloween cars do not disguise a miniscule riding public. Cold Springs Village is another failure that is about to removed from county and state tourism life support in this bad economy - another nail in the train's coffin.

You want green, eco-tourism for South Jersdey? Have the feds and state come in, rip up the railroad tracks, and put in a bike trail from Cape May to Woodbine that would be second to none on the East Coast. (Yeah, we'll figure out how to do a bridge over the Cape May canal.) Now THAT''S a shovel-ready public works project that puts people to work.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:59am - Posted by: tuckahoekid

I'd volunteer for this as well.

One thing that doesn't sit well with me is that the County Zoo charged him 13,000 dollars for a shuttle to run from the train station(4H fair grounds) to the Zoo which is no more than a 1/4 mile away. I would gladly walk this, its not far at all. This is terrible on the part of the Zoo when he was only aiding in getting the Zoo more visitors.
I think the County, Cape May, and the State need to assist with this. It doesn't exactly benefit any other city in Cape May County other than Cape May-there are no other stops(unless it stops at the 4H fair grounds which would be the County).
Also more parking in the Upper Township(Tuckahoe) section must be provided. If people are going to be boarding there, chance are they're going to park there. With 100-200 people thats 50-100 cars that need to be parked somewhere.
Lets also see the line into Woodbine get finished so the businesses can begin using it for freight.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:39am - Posted by: MrReasonable

It's unbeliveable that the county and the state can't get behind this project. The Herald has run articles about no parking in Cape May. The rails parallel the Parkway and Route 9 and no one needs a car in Cape May proper - this should be the ideal park and ride set up, easy in, easy out if it's done right.

If Mr. Macrie is looking for volunteers for the venture, sign me up.

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Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:02am - Posted by: Bigj08081

I too would love to see train service. I love trains and would own one if I could. I love to visit New Hope, PA and ride there train. Very classic.





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