Sunday, May 22, 2016

First Train in 48 Years!

Evidence of our on-going restoration of the line northward for enhanced viewing for the Essex Clipper Dinner Train, the Eagle Flyer, the Haddam Special Fall Foliage Day Trip, and other future scenic opportunities in Haddam.

The current limit of operable track is nearly adjacent to the popular Blue Oar riverside restaurant, with more to come in the very near future. This line extension north of Goodspeed Station (Route 82  /Bridge Road) has already provided stunning views of the Connecticut River, East Haddam Swing Bridge, historic homes overlooking the river in East Haddam, eagles dining from holes in the river ice, and the confluence of the Salmon and CT Rivers.

Video courtesy of Lee Carlson

This extension has been the culmination of years of hard work by the dedicated Friends of the Valley Railroad, working under the guidance and supervision of The Valley Railroad Company. The project is entirely privately funded - no public monies are being used on this project.

For folks that want to see or photograph the Dinner Train at this new northern stopping location, we kindly ask that they respect the private property of the adjacent marina.