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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
Timeless. Beautiful. Captivating. This year, step back in time to historic 1892 Essex Station and embark on an unforgettable 2.5-hour journey into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. A steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches on a narrated round-trip through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester.
It's fun for everyone... with all the bells and whistles.
Essex Steam Train offers unique access to several coves and preserves, immersing passengers in an onboard eco-excursion. Don’t forget your camera. When you arrive at Deep River Landing, your steam train & riverboat excursion continues aboard the multi-deck, Becky Thatcher riverboat for a relaxing 1-1/4-hour cruise along the Connecticut River before returning to Essex Station via steam locomotive.
Essex Station is more than a family railroad attraction with a train-themed gift shop. We’re a destination for your special events, weddings, and other facility rentals with plenty of parking. Need your event catered? We do that, too. Visit our website for details.
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1 Railroad Ave. Historic Essex Station Essex , CT 06426 United States
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Essex Steam Train and Riverboat profile
| Last updated on August 4, 2023
The Essex Steam Train is unusual in offering a train ride that can be combined with a connecting riverboat excursion.
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The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat offer train rides hauled by either steam locomotive 2-8-2 No. 40, which dates from 1920; 2-8-0 No. 97, built in 1926; or the far newer Chinese-built 2-8-2 No. 3025, while the Becky Thatcher , a replica of a three-deck Mississippi-style riverboat, handles the water excursion. A number of seasonal events and excursions take place, including a wildlife-viewing trip in February, as well as sunset cruises on Saturdays and a lunch train. On some weekends, a caboose is available for rides. Fall foliage steam specials now travel 4 miles north beyond the normal route as additional trackage has been returned to service on the railroad.
Trains operate from the historic 1892 Essex depot from May through late October. Special events including Day out with Thomas take place in spring, and both Santa Special (afternoons) and North Pole Express (evenings) holiday-themed trains run in both November and December. Spring and fall are fine times to visit as well, with the leaves either a new green or in brilliant autumn colors.
Good to know
Essex is a historic seaport village, with lots of white-clapboard New England charm. The Victorian Goodspeed Opera House in nearby East Haddam presents productions of classic musical comedies.
Worth doing
Nearby Gillette Castle is a whimsical faux-medieval mountaintop estate built for actor and playwright William Gillette, most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Visit it on your own or as a train-ferry-hiking package offered by the railroad.
The diesel-hauled Essex Clipper Dinner Train operates seasonally and offers a four-course dinner on the rails. One of its dining cars is a special treat: the heavyweight Pullman parlor car Wallingford, built in 1927 for the New York, New Haven & Hartford .
Getting there
Essex is located on Route 9 just 3 miles from Interstate 95.
Location: 1 Railroad Avenue, Essex, CT Phone: 860-767-0103 or 800-377-3987 Website: essexsteamtrain.com E-mail: [email protected]
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Phone: 860.767.1776 | Fax: 860.767.0481
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The Valley Railroad Company The Valley Railroad Company - operating the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - has been serving the lower Connecticut River Valley since 1971. Our company's mission is to keep alive the rich mechanical, industrial, and transportation heritage of our state through ... Essex, CT 06426. 860-767-0103 or 800-377-3987 ...
Contact. (860) 767-0103, (800) 377-3987. email. visit website. Timeless. Beautiful. Captivating. This year, step back in time to historic 1892 Essex Station and embark on an unforgettable 2.5-hour journey into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. A steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches on a narrated round-trip through the ...
By train and by river. Sep 2020 • Family. Essex offers the best of both worlds a train ride along and boat ride on the Connecticut River. We started with a fun ride on the train with a live narration of the trains history and then we climbed aboard the riverboat that was also narrated whimsically with history.
Enjoy a scenic and historic journey through the Connecticut River Valley on the only steam train and riverboat connection in the U.S. with the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. Board the train at Essex station and ride to Deep River Landing, where you can board the Mississippi-style riverboat Becky Thatcher for a sunset cruise, a four-course meal, or a visit with Thomas the Tank Engine.
SOLD OUT- Saturday, March 30, 2024. The Easter Bunny will join you as you enjoy a 45 minute train ride in the Connecticut River Valley. Before returning to Essex Station he will have the engineer stop the train in a secluded meadow for an Easter Egg Hunt and photo opportunities! All children will get a small basket to fill with the eggs they ...
There is a gift shop (pricy) and picnic table at Essex Station if you want to bring a lunch or snack. It is wise to use the bathroom at Essex Station before your excursion, even though bathrooms are available on the train and the boat; they are small & tight but clean. Sit on the right-hand side for the steam train and the riverboat ride; the ...
The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868.The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex, and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line.It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex ...
Specialties: The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a nostalgic and exciting tourist destination operating live steam trains in the Connecticut River Valley since 1971. Our regular operating season is May through October. In addition to our venerable Steam Train & Riverboat excursion, we operate a Dinner Train (weekends), and special events such as Day Out with Thomas, Your Hand on the Throttle ...
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat adventure is perfect for large groups - a beautiful train ride to the docks of the Becky Thatcher riverboat to a relaxing cruise on the Connecticut River and a return train ride back to Essex Station (2.5 hours total time). 2023 Schedule. May 13 - June 18: Saturday & Sundays AND Monday May 29
GREAT WAY TO SPEND THE DAY. The Essex Steam Train, located in Essex Connecticut, offers a variety of options. We chose the 2.5 hour steam train & riverboat ride, which made for a pleasant, entertaining ride. Also available, however, is a slightly longer lunch train, a Gillette Castle trip, a romantic dinner train, as well as special events and ...
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Essex, Connecticut. 70,970 likes · 470 talking about this · 115,236 were here. Share your favorite pictures & memories from the only steam train+riverboat connection in...
The Essex Clipper Dinner Train includes a four-course meal on the 2.5-hour ride through the valley in 1920s Pullman cars. Dinner trains operate on weekends during the excursion season. If you'd ...
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Essex: See 756 reviews, articles, and 598 photos of Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, ranked No.6 on Tripadvisor among 6 attractions in Essex. ... CT. 6. On the Water. from ₹55,687.56. per group (up to 4) LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour with Breakers Admission. 910. Historical Tours. from
About. Take one or both tours in combination for a delightful sightseeing excursion through some of the most scenic areas of Connecticut: scenic train ride in restored railroad cars pulled by a coal-fired locomotive and a ride up the Connecticut River by riverboat. Essex, Connecticut. Contact.
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat offer train rides hauled by either steam locomotive 2-8-2 No. 40, which dates from 1920; 2-8-0 No. 97, ... Location: 1 Railroad Avenue, Essex, CT Phone: 860-767-0103 or 800-377-3987 Website: essexsteamtrain.com E-mail: [email protected]. See more Northeast tourist railroads you must visit. Comments +
Connecticut River Valley Journey Video for the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, Essex, CT. Created for the 2011, 40th Anniversary operating season.
GRISWOLD INN © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Griswold Inn. 36 Main Street Essex, CT 06426. Phone: 860.767.1776 | Fax: 860.767.0481
Specialties: The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a nostalgic and exciting tourist destination operating live steam trains in the Connecticut River Valley since 1971. Our regular operating season is May through October. In addition to our venerable Steam Train & Riverboat excursion, we operate a Dinner Train (weekends), and special events such as Day Out with Thomas, Your Hand on the Throttle ...
Canvas Sky features a relatable tale exploring the themes of self acceptance and uplifting one another. We follow the story of a circus troupe where the clown struggles to 'fit in' and find his voice, until he gets a little help from a friend who has already figured out how to embrace what makes her wonderful and unique.