March 2, 9, 16, 23 (11am-2pm)

The Friends of the Valley Railroad provide FREE rides (first come, first serve) in the Valley Railroad “Hi-Rail” van Saturdays in March. Parties of up to eight persons (age 4 and up) will enjoy a four mile round-trip on scenic trackage along the Connecticut River. Much of this is on newly-opened trackage in the Shailerville section of Haddam. Bring binoculars for wildlife viewing.

Parking is behind the Goodspeed Station Country Store in the Town of Haddam’s Overlook Park. Please note, there are no restrooms available at this location or the store.

We encourage you to make a day of it and expand your visit by patronizing the Goodspeed Station Country Store and consider lunch at local favorites: The Cooking Company, LaVita, Gelston Hourse, Two Wrasslin’ Cats or Town Tavern.

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & September 7, 21, 28 (9am-12pm)

The Friends of the Valley Railroad provide FREE rides in the Valley Railroad “Hi-Rail” van Saturdays in June and September. Parties of up to six persons (ages 4 and up) will enjoy a 3-mile round-trip ride on the Valley Railroad tracks, starting from Haddam Meadows State Park (Rte. 154, Haddam). Rides run between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and are on a first come, first served basis for each trip. This is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with Valley Railroad equipment and operations – a treat for young and old rail fans alike!

Directions and information about Haddam Meadow State Park can be found at the Dept of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) website here.

A PDF document of the Valley Railroad tracks and ongoing work to clear, repair, and maintain the right-of-way has been developed by the Friends of the Valley Railroad and can be viewed here.

A Hi-Rail vehicle is a vehicle that can operate both on rail tracks and a conventional road. They are called hi-rail, from highway and rail, or variations such as high-rail, HiRail, Hy-rail, road-rail, etc.