In Lenox, Massachusetts where Crystal Street meets Housatonic Street life is at a crossroads -- its where you'll find the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum. The all volunteer staff will greet you upon arrival for an on-time departure to Lee or to Stockbridge and back. We took the trip to Lee, about an hour excursion, and, as the train began its push forward, you back track in time. Museum curator Jack Trowill said, "we try to make it a historical experience, we have narration on the train and it gives a little bit of history of the area and it truly is, not only an educational experience, but, at this time of year, it's a very scenic experience as well."

The Berkshire Scenic Railway began with just four cars in 1984, since then the crew has built up steam or diesel, in this case, there are rail cars of all kinds and a refurbished station house turned museum. "Right now we have 4 locomotives and 7 coaches," Trowill said. On our train trek to Lee, spectacular foliage whizzed by as the diesel electric locomotive circa 1953 pulled 5 coaches from the 1920's. Our engineer, Tom Delasco said, "we use all vintage equipment, the coaches are from the 1920's." He added, "the locomotives we have were all built when the steam locomotives were being phased out."

As the train pulled back into the Lenox station, there was plenty to look back on. Visiting with her family from Yorktown Heights, N.Y. , ten year old Maci Kazin said, "it was really fun because it was my first train ride ever and it was fun because I thought it had a great view too."

The Berkshire Scenic Railway is open on weekends and holidays only, they run through Halloween weekend...Tickets for the ride from Lenox to Lee are $12 for adults, $5 for kids

The trip from Lenox to Stockbridge is $15 for adults, $8 for kids. They also are starting up "Polar Express Trips" for 3 weekends after thanksgiving, by reservation only. www.berkshirescenicrailroad.org