Locomotive No. 40

Built by the AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY at their Dunkirk (N.Y.) works in August 1920, No. 40 has had a long and interesting career. It was one of an order for three identical units constructed for The Portland, Astoria & Pacific Railroad and hauled train loads of logs and lumber. Later it was sold to the Minarets & Western Railway for similar service. When that railroad could not pay its debts, the locomotive was given to the Southern Pacific Railroad, which sold it to a used locomotive dealer which in tum sold it to The Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad in North Carolina.

On the A&R it pull freight and passenger trains until about 1950 when it was retired and stored in a small shed. Here it remained until it was discovered by an employee of the Valley Railroad. It was purchased in 1977 and loaded onto flat cars for it's trip to Essex and a new career pulling trainloads of tourist for the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat.

No. 40 is one of less than 200 steam locomotives in the United States which remain in operable condition. It burns about 2 tons of low sulfur coal for fuel each day and evaporates about 6000 gallons of water pulling a 400 ton train a total of 50 miles. It takes two people to operate a steam locomotive: an "engineer" to run it and a "fireman" to shovel coal into the firebox and maintain the proper level of water in the boiler.

The original Connecticut Valley Railroad was built in 1871. Today the tracks are owned by the state of Connecticut and leased to the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, which provides the traveling public with a historic and enjoyable means of experiencing the Connecticut River valley.

J. David Conrad
Vice President
Valley·Railroad Company

Eagle Flyer – a Fresh, Relaxing Perspective on the Conencticut River Valley.

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

Along the Line: Snow Plowing for Eagle Flyer

The Blizzard of 2013 gave the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat an opportunity to put its theory of “Accessible History” to a real test. Nearly 30” of heavy, wet snow deposited itself upon our tracks from Essex to Haddam just ahead of our winter Eagle Flyer series. Like most other railroads in the northeast, we found ourselves snowbound, as our diesel locomotives would only move about 50' before a pile of hard snow was packed ahead of the coupler.

The allure of running the Eagle Flyer series in deep snow, the desire to train new people in snow removal operations, and the need to test our newly refurbished 1896 Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington snow plow all added up to the decision to open the rail line for the February series. While we’ve cancelled the Eagle Flyer in the past due to snow, this year we were motivated to take on the challenge.

The first step was a comprehensive track inspection prior the storm, to ensure the safety of the rails prior to becoming impossible to see. After the storm, our payloader was dispatched to clear the railroad crossings of up to 10' of accumulated snow. Then General Electric locomotive 0901, believed to be the oldest regularly operating diesel in the country, nudged up against what certainly must be one of the oldest wooden snowplows in the world and gingerly pushed its way 9 miles north through the snowpack. What an experience, riding in a 120 year old wooden box, with 500 horsepower and 80 tons breathing down the neck, and seeing nothing but a sea of white splitting ahead of the silver and orange wedge. This was the first time in the 42-year history of the company that a plow was needed to clear the line.

 

Railfans at Deep River Landing capture the spectacle of snow plowing with classic equipment!

The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat is thrilled to have been able to safely open the line, and provide this up-close access to the Connecticut River and its marshlands at a time when just getting to the mailbox was a challenge. The Eagle Flyer ran as scheduled. Wildlife was in abundance, and yes – we did see eagles!

Rob Bradway
V.P. Track and Property

Clearing the Line

In preparation for this weekend's Eagle Flyer excursions, we coupled our snow plow to one of the diesel locomotives and set to work. Lee Carlson was there to take the picture!

We're all set for the annual Eagle Flyer - two daily trips (11:00 am and 2:00 pm) each day this weekend (February 16 & 17).  Should be a beautiful weekend, with the snow on the ground providing a nice setting for some serious eagle viewing!

More info and purchase tickets here.

Car 601 **UPDATE**

It's been a while since the Engine House blog has been updated.  It's hard to believe, but over the next few weeks we're preparing for North Pole Express.  It seems that this operating season has gone by in a flash.

We have accomplished quite a bit this year.  We've put roller bearing wheels on several cars, including 501--which is just about ready to leave the shop.

Car 601 continues toward completion of its cosmetic restoration.  Here you can see the inside and the windows being installed. 

 

To give everyone an update on what we've done so far:

• North and south end stairs and vestibules repaired and rebuilt with new steel.
• Outside sandblasted, primed, and painted.
• New windows were made by New England Joinery.  They're been stained and painted.
• Window glass from original Adlake windows was cut to fit new sashes and installed.
• New bronze window latches were cast, machined, assembled, and installed in the windows.
• Window sill was cut and fit.
• Doors were removed, repaired, sandblasted, painted, and being installed.

Charlie at work on window stops and latches. 

As North Pole Express approaches, we'll be finished with 601 fairly soon.

New "Half-round" cocktail tables were made for Meriden.  This year for North Pole Express the Meriden will be converted from dining car to Parlor car.  We have new, comfy leather chairs to make this a true first class experience.  We'll be converting the car in the next week.  After NPE and the Eagle Flyer the Meriden will be converted back to a dining car.

Wallingford will receive the same treatment this year.  Its tables will be removed and converted to a Parlor car for NPE.

Engine 3025 is currently in service with Your Hand On The Throttle.

Engine 40 is in good form and ready for service.

Preparations are underway for North Pole Express.  We've prepared spare injectors for the locomotives.  We have a supply of fresh brake valves for our coaches.  Coal supplies are being increased.  So, we should be in good shape as North Pole Express starts November 16.

It promises to be a good season for North Pole Express.  We hope that we have the same good luck with the weather this year as we did last year.

Along the Line

As soon as Essex Steam Train & Riverboat's busy, 7 day-a-week summer schedule relaxed after Labor Day, the facilities crew immediately embarked on its next “Accessible History” infrastructure project. Improving on April’s new Dickinson Crossing at Essex Station, the Main Entrance was completely re-graded and paved -- from Route 154 , across the tracks, and over to our main parking areas. For 41 years, this entrance was traditional gravel; depending upon the season, it could be dusty, bumpy, muddy, or any combination of the three!

To facilitate this project, a short unused section of Track 7 was removed where it passed through the driveway to allow proper grading for drainage.

This Main Entrance upgrade was a joint project with the owner of the Witch Hazel Works, an office condominium located across the tracks in the former Dickinson Witch Hazel Distillery building. By working in partnership, we improved the comfort and safety for patrons of both venues. Road markings and clearly denoted pedestrian pathways make future arrival at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat and the Witch Hazel Works, more welcoming and easy to navigate. 

Rob Bradway

VP, Track Superintendent & Property Manager

Rob Bradway directs passenger traffic around the Quarry Paving vehicles. 



Along the Line

While Essex Steam Train & Riverboat possesses many unique features, perhaps the most engaging is our "accessible history" - - up close and personal, not behind a rope barrier, not behind glass, not in a book. Unimpeded access to our active artifacts, people, and natural setting in the lower Connecticut River Valley, is a significant part of what makes a visit with us so engaging, exciting, and unique.

Along the Line...we've just completed 2 projects that further enhance visitor accessibility.  The Essex Station platform has been widened to provide a larger area for photography, chatting with our locomotive crews, or just standing in awe at the sight of a live steam locomotive. A new pedestrian ramp makes access to the platform from the parking area more direct and comfortable. And, a strip of green grass is growing nicely to separate the platform from the adjacent parking area.

Further up the railroad, select brush clearing has been performed along the tracks at Pratt Cove, the largest tidal estuary on the Connecticut River. Now, there are more expansive views of this pristine tidal preserve to enjoy during your Essex Steam Train and Essex Clipper Dinner Train excursions.

Visit us this summer, and see how we make history "accessible"...and more fun for you and your family!

 

Rob Bradway

VP, Track Superintendent & Property Manager

Along the Line

The Track Department has tackled another railroad crossing upgrade, this time at the Essex Hardware crossing. 

Smaller in size than the recently rebuilt Dickinson Crossing, the hardware store crossing posed a unique challenge -- performing the work as quickly as possible since the driveway is the primary access to the busy Essex Hardware Company. The Track Crew and some members of the Friends of the Valley Railroad put in a 12 hour day to remove the old pavement, ties, rail, and ballast, and build new track through the crossing, as well as tie upgrades on the approaches. A new ballast subgrade drain was installed to keep the foundation dry. Rubber rail-seal was used, and new pavement installed. Just a quick two-day crossing rebuild, but of VITAL importance to both rail operations and the convenience of a popular local business.

Rob Bradway

VP, Track Superintendent/Property Manager

Spring Training!

I would be remiss to talk Spring Cleaning without mentioning Spring Training.

Under the leadership of Bob Wuchert, Operations Manager here at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, 62 members of the railroad operating department completed a comprehensive Training & Rules Exam, March 31 and April 2. This dynamic training program and exam is the culmination of months of work by the Operating Committee, Supervisors of Locomotive Employees, and Trainmasters. Tailored to each individual railroad position, the training is integrated with the NORAC Rulebook, Valley Railroad Timetable and the new Valley Railroad Air Brake Rules book.

Once again, our qualified and skilled Train Crew is ready to roll in 2012!

~ Susan

Spring Cleaning

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is taking Spring Cleaning seriously... rebuilding the 40 year-old “Dickinson Crossing.” This crossing takes visitors over the tracks from Essex Station’s Main Entrance into the Parking Lot, as well as to offices in the original Witch Hazel Works building and to neighboring residences.

The project started when the track crew removed the crossing’s gravel surface with a backhoe. Next, a Kershaw Tie Handler was operated to pull up the rails and remove the old crossties. The track bed was prepared, new crossties were placed and rails were installed.

Rob Bradway, VP, Track & Property, says, “While modern machinery certainly helps, there is a huge amount of good ol' fashion back work including shoveling, spiking, bolting up the rails, lining and leveling the track, and tamping the gravel beneath the ties.” Perhaps that’s why we call Rob our Hero of the Rails!

A BIG thanks to the Track/Engine House crews, and the Friends of the Valley Railroad for their long, hard days. Essex Steam Train & Riverboat looks forward to welcoming our passengers in 2012 with a smooth crossing!

Happy Spring!

~ Susan