CCC 1501 with the Day Cape II in Hyannis yard
Photo by Vic Campbell

The Day Cape Codder II

Once boarding was complete, we headed for Hyannis. Unfortunately, due to our earlier delay at the Canal Bridge, a photo stop at Buzzards Bay had to be cancelled. Many passengers ate their lunches with a fantastic view of Buzzards Bay from Buttermilk Siding, where we waited again for the Canal traffic to clear and the bridge to close.

At West Barnstable passengers detrained to visit the restored West Barnstable station and museum, maintained by the Cape Cod Chapter NRHS. Visitors inspected the 1911 Spanish-style structure and viewed the Chapter’s railroad exhibits. Passengers could also visit the Cape Cod Model Railroad Club in its nearby ex-New Haven baggage car and caboose. The club, in its 41st year, features the “Cape Cod Central,” an HO-scale layout designed to simulate the New Haven between Boston and Hyannis.

Our special arrived in Hyannis at 1:04 PM under partly cloudy skies, for a 70-minute layover. While riders enjoyed the shops and restaurants, the train crew made a round trip shuttle run to West Barnstable. This gave passengers who wanted to visit West Barnstable the opportunity to explore the museum and model railroad and still collect all the mileage for the day.