Heading out over the railroad to inspect the track prior to
it being buried in snow reminded me very quickly of why riding on the Eagle
Flyer train is such a unique and relaxing way to spend a leisurely 2½ hours in the stark, wintry Ct River Valley. With trees
lacking their foliage, additional clear views emerge of the surrounding forest,
river, and an abundance of wildlife. From the windows of this train we have
seen countless eagles, a harbor seal sitting on a log watching us watch him,
followed a harbor seal along the shore north of Deep River station, heron nests
in Haddam, red-tail hawks.
People have de-trained at Eagle Landing State Park
with their binoculars and headed down to the dock for nature watching; others
step off at Goodspeed Station Country Store in the old freight house in Haddam
to do some shopping. We have people board at our outlying stations; one couple
actually rode north on the 11:00 train, walked across the East Haddam Swing
Bridge to have lunch at the Gelston House restaurant, and returned on the later
train. Check the schedule on our website, and use the train as you wish! You
are limited only by your own imagination (and the train schedule, of
course....).
For 2014, it appears that ice on the river will be a given.
The railroad is covered in a blanket of snow which should hold through the
weekend. Our guest Master Wildlife Conservationists will be on-board to point
out all the natural wonder of the valley. In addition to our traditional
Eagle's Nest snack bar on the train, where snacks, soft drinks, cocoa and
coffee are all $1.00 each on the honor system, our Essex Clipper Dinner Train
chef John Evans will be aboard providing hot soups, and sandwiches made to order,
for a nominal charge.
Passengers may wander through the train at will, which
will feature five (5) warmly heated cars consisting of three coaches, one diner
car, and a parlor car with individual leather lounge seating – same ticket
price for all, sample all of the cars during your trip! The train will be drawn
by our two vintage diesel locomotives, one on each end of the train. Engine
0901 is widely regarded as the oldest diesel locomotive in regular service in
the country.
It's been a long, cold winter so far – treat yourself to a
day “outdoors” within the cozy confines of our vintage train, have lunch and
creamy cocoa with us, and marvel at the frozen splendor of your Ct River Valley
– aboard the Eagle Flyer!
Rob Bradway
Vice President of Track and Property
The Valley Railroad Company
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