©2007: All rights reserved by The Valley Railroad Company. Any reproduction or distribution of the text or artwork presented here without the prior consent of the company is strictly prohibited.
©2003 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

News

May 10, 2008

The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat and other railroad destinations are featured in a recent Boston Globe travel Section / Boston.com article
- 10 Ways to Ride the Rails

April 04, 2008

We've uploaded a roster of Valley Railroad rolling stock in PDF format as well as RTF format

September 29, 2007

Last week, visitors to the Essex Steam Train were startled to see a huge “bag” in the parking lot and wondered what it was doing there and what was inside.

The “bag” was actually a temporary containment structure to enable the sandblasting and painting of New York, New Haven & Hartford box car number 35386 owned by The Friends of the Valley Railroad..

Prior to the development of the Interstate highway system and the rise of the trucking industry, the box car was used by the railroads to haul many commodities. In addition to items that were boxed or crated, these cars were used for carrying lumber, grain and other non-perishable food stuffs. Specialized box cars were used to transport automobiles. At one time the New Haven owned box cars by the thousands. Today, less than a dozen survive. No. 35386 was last used by Amtrak as a storage shed at New London, Connecticut. When it was learned that the car was to be scrapped, The Friends purchased the car and quickly trucked it to Essex. Volunteers repaired the rusted car and made reproduction parts to replace lost or damaged ones.

Brian DeWolf, a local sandblasting and painting contractor was retained to refinish it. The “bag” is homemade, stitched together with numerous zippers to allow for entering. The “bag” was placed over the boxcar and then secured to the ground with stakes and ropes. Two large electric blowers are placed at the bottom and once turned on, inflate the “bag”, and create an enclosed work space. Once the box car was sandblasted, primed and painted (in a authentic New Haven paint scheme), the “bag” was floated off and folded up for storage. Once the “bag” was removed, the work area was cleaned up and the used sand disposed of.

Next month, the box car will be lettered and the moved to East Haddam for display adjacent to the former New Haven Freight Station.

J. David Conrad

September 20, 2007

In the September 20, 2007 issue, the article Rethinking railroad food aboard the Essex Clipper dinner train. By Kara Arsenault.

September 01, 2007

A nice article on the Essex Clipper Dinner Train in the Fall 2007 issue, here. (Pages 8-10)

July 13, 2007

A scene for a yet untitled motion picture was filmed at Essex Steam Train on July 5, 2007. Descending on Essex Station for the “shoot”, were hordes of set designers, landscape artists, lighting and sound technicians, costumed extras, caterers, assistants, gaffers and grips . . . not to mention assorted Directors, Producers and two major Hollywood Stars!

A special “Movie Train" consisted of Steam Locomotive #97, Parlor Car "Great Republic", Passenger Coach #’s 503, 501 and 602, L&NE Gondola Car (for generators) and a Caboose. The train made short moves for cameras along the station platform throughout the 12-hour day. Regular Essex Steam Train service was maintained with Steam Locomotive #40 and Diesel Locomotive #0901 at either end of a 5 car train, operating from Track 7. Two locomotives eliminated the need for a locomotive to run around the train at Deep River (saving time) and Essex (leaving the main track for filming). The day went smoothly as both the Movie Train and Regular Train experienced no delays.

When we learn the name of the movie and/or a release date, we'll post the information here.

J. David Conrad
VP, Chief Mechanical Officer

Photo courtesy of Tom Nanos at Nanosphoto

June 26, 2007

Valley Railroad Co. steam locomotive No. 40 operated under it’s own power today for the first time since December 22, 2002 following the extensive (and expensive) renewing much of it’s firebox and other repairs.

VRR Locomotive Foreman Wayne Hebert headed up the team of Employees and Volunteers who performed virtually all of the work within the Company’s small shop at Essex. The most complex part of the project was forming of a new firebox door sheet. This is the rear end of the firebox and has an opening in it to allow coal to be shoveled in for the fire. The door hole and the outside edge are “flanged”. The “flanging” was done by heating the edge of the 3/8” steel by means of torches totaling 2 million BTU. Once heated, the steel was formed over dies using large wooden mallets. It took a crew of six a full day to “heat and beat” the outside edge. Although the process appeared crude, the newly formed part was within ¼” in it’s major dimensions once trimmed.

After each of the three major sections were fit into place, the locations for staybolt and rivet holes were carefully transferred, the sheets were removed, drilled and then reinstalled. The new sheets were welded in place by Bob Carlson, a retired welder from Electric Boat Co. Two large air powered riveting hammers were used to drive over 100 steel rivets which had to be heated to a bright yellow color before they were hot enough to be driven. The nearly 500 new staybolts were installed cold, they too required being driven with air hammers to make them water and steam tight. Other major work included rebuilding the locomotive’s air compressor (necessary for the brake system) and rebuilding the trailing truck, which supports a portion of the weight of the rear end of the locomotive.

No. 40 will receive further “testing & tinkering & touch ups” prior to being placed in regular service, probably in mid-July.

- J. David Conrad

June 14, 2007

We're pleased to direct you to two recent articles in the Boston Globe:

It takes 3 villages: Variety of activity and commerce envelop historic town
By Ellen Albanese, Globe Staff | June 13, 2007

All aboard for glory days of steam trains
By Ellen Albanese, Globe Staff | June 13, 2007

December 20, 2006

Thanks to the Hartford Courant for this wonderful article!

Essex Steam Train's North Pole Express A Holiday Treat
December 20, 2006
By GAIL BRACCIDIFERRO, Special to The Courant

ESSEX -- With the steam train chugging back toward the station, Wyatt Jeffress was poised to take his turn in the "Christmas Idol" lineup.

There was just one problem: He didn't know the words to any holiday tunes.

It was a momentary glitch for the just-turned-3-year-old from Hatfield, Mass. With microphone in hand, he treated the folks packed into the Pullman on a mid-December ride on the North Pole Express to an enchanting rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

Wyatt, along with mom Rachel, dad John, and 22-month-old sister, Keene, had traveled more than 90 minutes to take his first trip on the Christmas-themed Essex Steam Train ride. He had already been treated to songs, games, a cookie and hot chocolate, plenty of bright white and multicolored lights and decorations, juggling elves and even a visit from Santa by the time it was his turn at the microphone.

The Jeffresses said they were having a great time, despite the balmy weather that made it feel a bit more like a ride into the tropics than to the frigid North.

"A friend came last year and just loved it," John Jeffress said of the family's decision to make the trek.

Susan Dee, marketing manager for the steam train, said the popular tourist attraction has conducted Christmas-themed excursions for 34 years. About 1,000 passengers each evening board the special after-dark trips to visit the Jolly Old Elf himself. Demand for the rides continues to increase and most are sold out well in advance of the time the train is scheduled to puff out of the station.

"Each year we add more and more trains," she said. "Last year we had 15 and this year we have 19."

Many families attend year after year, she said. Extended families, friends and whole neighborhoods take the trip together. One group from Greenwich books an entire train car every year, she said.

This was the first year the North Pole Express featured an interactive reading of the popular 19th-century Clement Clarke Moore poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," she said.

A 5 p.m. midweek ride recently was packed with families and young children ranging from babies in pompom-adorned hats to bouncing toddlers and young children decked in plenty of red and green.

Mike Frost, who tells visitors his brother is the famous Jack Frost, welcomed visitors even as he was dressed for a long winter's nap in a plaid, flannel nightshirt and tasseled night cap. His necklace flashed red and green lights, adding to the train car's twinkling silver tinsel garland and strings of holiday lights in the shape of snowmen, Santa, elves and icicles.

Frost is known as Michael Cartwright of Guilford when he's at his day job as a social worker.

"Are you all ready to go to Florida?" Cartwright asked the children as the train began to build up steam to leave the station. "No, we're going to a better place than that - the North Pole."

Jackie Odyniec of Madison, who was riding the train with mom Terri and 3-year-old brother Paul, was bouncing up and down in her seat and sporting the type of grin only a 5-year-old anticipating an audience with Santa can have. She would later treat visitors to a rendition of "Jingle Bells" and tell Cartwright she hoped Santa brought her a Polly Pocket doll for Christmas.

With the train now click-clacking past houses festooned in wreaths, laurel garlands and white lights, and yards decked with animated reindeer and Santas, plenty of cameras clicked and flashed inside the train car as visitors sang songs and listened to Moore's poem, and children wiped condensation from the train windows to try to catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer.

Although the closest things to snow outside were the white plastic tarpaulins covering dry-docked boats, when the train pulled into "North Pole Station" the children fell silent at the first sound of Santa's characteristic "Ho, ho, ho."

Soon, Santa was traipsing down the train aisle as the wide-eyed and smiling children greeted him.

While Cartwright encouraged train visitors to play and sing "The Reindeer Boogie," which was a Christmas version of the "Hokey Pokey," as well as a "Simon Says"-type game called "Santa Says," Mrs. Claus strolled through the cars with cookies and greetings for the children. Pairs of "sleepy servers," dressed in their bathrobes and slippers, carried trays of hot chocolate.

After Santa and his wife were safely returned to the North Pole, the train headed back to Essex and Cartwright encouraged the children to participate in "Christmas Idol." They soon lined up for their turn at the microphone and soprano voices filled the train car with the likes of "Holly Jolly Christmas," "Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and other songs, alternately sung and hummed when words escaped young memories.

When the train's whistle blasted into the foggy night, the conductor announced the train had returned to Essex from the polar ice cap.

But the night was far from over for Santa. The platform was packed with families awaiting their turn to board the train and head back to the North Pole.

August 14, 2006

On Monday afternoon, a collision between Essex Steam Train's faithful Engine No. 97 and a garbage truck left the garbage truck on it's side in the ditch. No. 97's tender sustained minor damage in the incident.

Two hundred passengers on the train were delayed while State and Local officials investigated the accident. An additional 200 passengers on the Riverboat "Becky Thatcher" were delayed as well as 25 Gillette Castle hikers.

Train passengers and Emergency Workers were supplied with ice and bottled water by the Essex Steam Train office staff, while Riverboat passengers were treated to an extra hour and a half cruise prior to being bussed back to Essex. Train passengers continued on their journey after the accident investigation was complete. All affected passengers were offered complimentary tickets for another date. Two passengers asked for refunds.

The Essex Steam Train Mechanical Department worked into the night making repairs to insure that No. 97 would be ready to steam out of Essex on schedule Tuesday morning at 11:00.

Everyone at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat thanks all of the State and Local officials who helped us get through a most difficult day.

September 28, 2005

Due to high demand for the Essex Clipper Dinner Train during the Fall season, we're adding two daytime excursions -- Saturday, Oct 15th (SOLD OUT) and Oct 22nd at 12 Noon. These special trains board at 11:30 AM, and return at 2:30 PM.

Please contact our office to reserve your seats for this special foliage season treat.

July 04, 2005

It is with great sadness that the Valley Railroad notes the passing of one of our founders, Oliver Jensen. He was President of the railroad for many years and remained on it's Board of Directors until his death. You can read his obituary here.

Thanks Oliver, for your vision.

June 13, 2005

We're proud to announce the start of online ticket sales for our daily Steam Train & Riverboat service. By purchasing tickets ahead of time, you can be sure to have a seat, and avoid the line at the ticket window - simply pick up your tickets at WILL CALL!

As a reminder, tickets for our popular Day Out with Thomas™ event will be available via TicketWeb starting July 1. We'll also be selling tickets for the North Pole Express online, sign up for our mailing list to receive announcements when these special event tickets go on sale.

March 28, 2005

We had a bit of a problem with our mailing list manager, and fear we have lost some of the emails of persons who have signed up for the Essex Steam Train updates.

If you would like to be on our mailing list, please sign up again. If you are already on the list, you will not be subscribed twice - but if you've fallen off the list, you will be sure to get updates and announcements.

We apologize for the inconvenience....

August 30, 2004

May 12, 2004

Ever since we revamped the website, we've had complaints - where did the "All Aboard!" sound effect and the cute animated steam train go?" Well, we moved them to our Fun for the Kids page.

We also put together some Jigsaw puzzles you can solve online featuring the Becky Thatcher and the Steam Train, and found some new links of interest to kids of all ages!

April 30, 2004

You can find high resolution images of our locomotives, boats, and facility on our new press page.

February 29, 2004

The Friends of the Valley Railroad is the place for those who are seeking the ultimate in railroad experience.

If restoring vintage Railroad cars, working on locomotives (both diesel and steam), and rebuilding long-dormant track sounds appealing to you, then come see what the Friends are all about. Join this not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting awareness and appreciation of the golden age of railroads through preservation, education, and participation, and help preserve the past for enjoyment today, and the future!

February 27, 2004

Tired of getting left behind for our special trains? Sign up for our new Email List to receive an email when tickets go on sale. We promise to send out just a few short emails per year, and we will not share your email address with other companies. When tickets for Day Out with Thomas or North Pole Express go on sale - you will be among the first to know!

September 03, 2003

We are slowly putting together an online gift-shop. Check out the new gift shop pictures and browse through our online catalog - a selection of our souvenirs and merchandise. Right now, you can order by calling Toll-free: (800) 377-3987 or stop by out gift shop and browse!

July 4, 2002

Lights! Camera! Action!

Diane Smith's CPTV series Positively Connecticut(TM) opened the 2002 season this evening, with a special feature on Connecticut's Railroad Revival, including our own Essex Clipper dinner train! If you missed it, check for rebroadcasts on Saturday, July 6 at noon, Sunday, July 7 at 4 pm, Saturday, August 10 at noon, and Monday, August 19 at 10:30 p.m.

May 2002

Little Red Caboose Birthday Party

Want an extra-special way to celebrate the birthday of your railroad fan? We're proud to announce the Little Red Caboose Birthday Party. Your birthday child, 15 friends, and 2 adult chaperones can ride in our authentic caboose for a private party. Balloons, gift bags, extra-special fun!

March 2001

Essex Steam Train from Space!

Ever wanted to see Essex Station from a Satellite? We found this image on the Terra-Server. Odds are good you can find your home or neighborhood at this site, if you look hard enough!

September 2000

Our New Website

Essex Steam Train is proud to announce the launch of a new website, found at www.essexsteamtrain.com.

Fall 1999

The Bridges are Back!

The steam train ride will be longer than ever. That's because three bridges (at Deep River Creek, Chester Creek, and Waterhouse Brook) that were taken out of service in 1996 have all been rebuilt, and are once again open. The regular ride now travels 1.5 miles further north.