The O-town Scene

Blues, Booze, Good Times The Cooperstown Blues Express is an adults-only three-hour musical train ride Story by Karen Miritello, Photos by Genevieve Pedulla The Train Every Saturday night from May through September, a passenger train boards at the Milford train depot. Although Cooperstown is the official destination, passengers along for this ride will go there and back without ever stepping off. That’s because this experience is more about taking a mu- sical journey than it is about reaching a physical destination. Welcome to the Cooperstown Blues Express. Departing promptly at 7 p.m., this train is all about keeping passengers on their feet with live mu- sic, everyone swaying to the rhythm of the music and movement of the train. During the three-hour ride, bands groove and people dance while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Susquehanna River Valley. Fred Falco initially came up with the idea of using the train as an entertain- ment venue, and created the Coo- perstown Blues Express, contracting rail service from the Leatherstock- ing Railway Historical Society. The business was purchased in 2004 by Paul Fish, who now runs the business as a sideline to his main income as a general contractor. “It was something to do,” Fish said. “What else are you going to do on a Saturday night? Stay home?” The train is usually seven cars long for the Blues Express. It includes the engine, two coaches, a commissary car (where souvenirs and food are sold), the dining car (where the bar is located), an open-air gondola (where the band performs) and a caboose. When the train reaches Cooper- stown, the engine is shifted to the opposite end to pull the cars back, with the caboose acting as a sound buffer between the engine and the music car. The train is staffed with a mix of regular volunteer railroad workers who serve as engineer, conductor and brakeman. Fish and his part- ner, Kathy Coughlan, organize the entertainment, and set up and clean up the show. This summer, Fish and Coughlan’s two sons are home visit- ing from Florida, and they occasional- ly pitch in, along with their daughter in law, Matia, who tends bar. Continued on Page 17 Micah Resney and Hilary Taylor Fannin stroll in the parking lot before passengers board the Blues Express on July 2. It is common that people come early to tailgate and enjoy the pre-train buzz. Drinks are served in the dining car. Train conductor Rae Anne Clark takes Erik Beck- ley’s ticket for the The Horseshoe Lounge Playboys ride July 2. 16 O-Town Scene July 21, 2011

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