Greenport Miniature Railroad: 'Preserving A Piece Of Our Legacy'

GREENPORT, NY — It's full steam ahead for the Greenport Express, a miniature railroad that's sparked both an outpouring of nostalgia and excitement for the beloved train's next chapter.

A groundbreaking will be held Saturday, October 15 at 3 p.m. on Moores Lane in Greenport for "The Greenport Express," a miniature railroad. For years, the Greenport Rotary has been fundraising to breathe new life into the railroad, which so many remember fondly.

The Greenport Express project has included 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, and the construction of a facility with a passenger area, public restrooms and a maintenance area for the train.

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

"We are working to preserve a piece of our local legacy," said a letter from the Greenport Rotary. "The miniature railroad in Greenport was the inspiration of Frank Field, who moved to the Village in the early 1970s. After a long career with the Long Island Rail Rod, Frank retired and began his dream of building a miniature train. In 1984 Frank Field began offering train rides to the public on weekends and holidays. Halloween became the most memorable. The miniature train delighted thousands of children and families until 2012."

In 2015, the letter continued — Rotarian Joe Cherepowich — Walker's father — conceived of the idea of bringing the railroad back to the village. He met with Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard and the village board soon also expressed support. He then presented the idea to the Rotary Club of Greenport and the project commenced.

The Village of Greenport and the Rotary Club formed a partnership with the agreement that the club would purchase the train, and construct the track and facility — and the village would provide the land and operate it on weekends and holidays.

"To date the train has been completely restored and refurbished," the Rotary said. "We have received New York State Department of Environmental Conservation approval and the contract with the village has been signed. The land has been cleared, the sub-base has been put down and the required bridge has been built. The restrooms and train station have been designed. The next step will be laying of the track and construction of the train depot."

Sponsorships are available to help the Greenport Express reach its final destination, the Rotary said. In addition to all gifts being tax-deductible through the organization's 501(C) 3 Rotary Club of Greenport Charitable Fund Inc., donors' support will be doubled thanks to a challenge grant, where every dollar up to $125,000 will be matched and used to directly support the project.

"We look forward to providing a fun activity for all ages to enjoy in our village for many generations," the restoration committee of the Greenport Rotary Club said.

Nicknamed the "Joe Cherry Choo Choo" after Cherepowich, the miniature railroad has seen a grassroots effort blossom as many work together to bring the beloved train back to the village.

"Two wonderful individuaals have stepped forward and offered us $125,000 if we can raise the other $125,000, which would be the total of $250,000 that we need to complete the project. We just began and have raised about $18,000 so far," Walker said. "This is in addition to the approximate $300,000 we have already raised."

Reflecting on the hometown support, Walker said: "The community response has been incredible. Raising $300,000 by local community members, a little at a time, is proof. Many community members have stepped up and volunteered their time and expertise to the project, as well."

The goal is to have the train up and running again by next summer, Walker said, adding that proposed plans include operating the train on weekends and holidays during the spring, summer and fall.

While some have raised concerns about a fence, part of the project, and how it will impact access to a nature trail in Moores Woods, Walker said the issue is not yet resolved.

Those protesting have said that they support the train, just not the location. A petition, Protect Moores Woods Greenport, was created by Greenport Civic. "We ask Greenport Rotary and Village of Greenport to relocate the mini-railroad and its 6-foot, chain-link perimeter-fence to the dump area just north of the nature trail and not south off the trail adjacent to the wetlands within Moores Woods. We protest forcing walkers to the edge of the main nature trail for 350-feet next to this 6-foot fence," the petition reads.

"We are working with the village to make it as unobtrusive as possible — and it will be minimalized. It is just for safety," Walker said.

Walker said the project touches an emotional chord in many hearts.

"We feel that this project will impact the community in a positive way. We are preserving a piece of our legacy," she said. "The miniature train delighted thousands of children and families for 27 years. My parents enjoyed taking their children and grandchildren on many Sunday train rides. We created family memories with the time we spent together. My dad was very active in the community and always tried to make it a better place. He believed reconstructing the train would benefit the village and provide a fun activity for generations to come."

Sadly, Walker lost her father in 2019.

"While it is difficult for me to know my dad was unable to see the fruition of his labor, he was honored having the train renamed the Joe Cherry Choo Choo just prior to his passing. My dad taught me to have perseverance and a relentless belief in your goals. All of our Rotary Club members have used these two attributes for this project."

A fundraiser was held in 2018, 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 has said in a past interview that the village was 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.

"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."

Before he died, Rotarian Cherepowich, who championed the project since first speaking with Field, said the railroad has touched countless hearts in Greenport — and bringing it back was 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 family friendly attraction will be a way for kids and parents to share old memories and make new ones, Cherepowich said at the time. "It's always good to bring back treasures from the past that meant so much to our community."

To donate, to the GoFundMe page, click here, or donate on the Greenport Rotary page here. Proceeds will be directed to the organization's 501(c)3 charitable fund.