Rotary Kicks Off GoFundMe To Bring Back Miniature Railroad

GREENPORT, NY — It's full steam ahead for a fundraising campaign aimed at bringing a popular miniature train back to Greenport.

A new GoFundMe page, "The Greenport Express," was created by Patt Rudder, with proceeds to benefit the Rotary Club of Greenport Charitable Fund, Inc., to help breathe new life into the train.

The Rotary Club of Greenport is leading the project to rebuild the miniature train which operated in the Village of Greenport for 27 years "to the delight of thousands of children," the page said. "Unfortunately, it stopped operating in 2012 but now we have the opportunity to bring it back."

The Greenport Express project includes the acquisition of a miniature train with an engine and three passenger cars, the construction of a quarter mile track on land provided by the Village of Greenport, the construction of a facility with a passenger area, public restrooms and a maintenance area for the train, organizers of the fundraiser said.

The 16 gauge train, circa 1954, has a capacity to carry 36 children; the planned track will run through the woods on property owned by the Village of Greenport, the page said.

"Our plans are to start construction this spring. The Greenport Rotary Club has already purchased the engine and passenger cars and the next step will be to start laying the track. The final phase of construction will be the train station itself."

For 30 years, former railroad employee and Greenport resident Frank Field delighted scores of children and families with his Peconic County Miniature Rail Road, which operated in the village, taking guests on rides that will live forever etched in memories and hearts.

When Field decided to stop operating the miniature railroad in 2012, some felt the chance of boarding the miniature train might well be gone forever.

But the Village of Greenport and the Greenport Rotary Club teamed up to bring the attraction back to Greenport, buying the equipment from Field, building new tracks and siting the railroad in village property in Moore's Woods.

A fundraiser was held in November, organized by George Giannaris, owner of the Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant and a member of the Greenport Rotary Club.

"We are trying to raise enough money to give the railroad a permanent home and manage its maintenance and operation, in addition to public restrooms," Giannaris said. "Unfortunately, this is a costly endeavor."

He added: "Frank took donations to run the miniature train for decades. Whatever money was left, he donated to Eastern Long Island Hospital. Frank had approached Greenport Rotary and explained to us that other miniature trains were being run by other Rotary clubs and suggested that we should look into it," he said.

The project resonates deep in Giannaris' heart.

"Growing up, although all the seasons of my life were always blessed by the North Fork, my fondest memories are of my childhood years growing up out here. The wineries, restaurants and boutique shops are wonderful, but my fear is that there will be less and less activities to attract families with young children. I would hate to see that facet of the North Fork glaze over. I am hoping that the train will inspire other business people to invest in family-friendly, permanent attractions that are closer to Greenport. I think it would make Greenport so well-rounded."

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard Greenport said the village is donating approximately 1.5 acres in village land to the project that has so many enthused.

"This is an attraction in Greenport that every generation talks about. People who are 80 years old say, 'I remember going to that train with my kids.' Everyone knew about that train," he said. "My kids, my grandchildren haven't had a chance to see it because it's been shut down now for a few years. This is a way to bring it back to another generation of Greenporters, of North Forkers."

The miniature railroad can even be a destination for out of town visitors, he said.

When the railroad was operating, it was part of the fun on Halloween, along with a hayride and a visit to the old jail, Hubbard remembered.

The mayor said the village is pleased to be partnering with the Rotary; about a dozen meetings have taken place and conceptual plans have been drawn. The village will also allocate manpower to the project.

The Rotary is raising funds to purchase some of Field's excess equipment; Don Fisher of the Riverhead Railroad Museum has been very helpful, the mayor said.

Plans will include rest rooms not only for those using the railroad but also for those attending softball games and other events, Hubbard said. "It will be a multi-use building with nice features," he said, including a work room and a place for ticket sales.

"This project has captured imaginations," Hubbard said. "It's one of the nice things about Greenport that everyone remembers. It's coming together and it's going to be really nice."

Rotarian Joe Cherepowich, who has championed the project since first speaking with Field, said the railroad has touched countless hearts in Greenport — and bringing it back is a mission many have embraced.

"We wanted to put smiles on children's faces as they enjoyed the miniature railroad as well as to remind the adults of the great memories they have of the railroad," he said. "This was something that was in the community for 30 years."

The exact location of the new railroad will be on the west side of Moore's Lane between the skate park and the water tower, he said.

The family friendly attraction will be a way for kids and parents to share old memories and make new ones, Cherepowich said. "It's always good to bring back treasures from the past that meant so much to our community."

And the Rotary is the perfect organization to spearhead efforts, Giannaris said.

"Rotary is a phenomenal international organization; however, I am so honored and proud to be a member of Greenport Rotary," he said. "The organization as a whole, is all about service above self. The Greenport Club does all that it can to benefit our local community. We're all about family and serving each other. The beautiful thing about Rotary is that we do not keep a dime of what monies are raised. When we were presented with the opportunity to continue the miniature train, it was really in line with what we are all about — community and family."

Tax deductible donations can be made to the club's 501c3 corporation, The Rotary Club of Greenport Charitable Fund, Inc. or by clicking here.

Patch photo courtesy Greenport Rotary Club.