Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
Bald Eagle Image Eagle Flyer

February 13-14, 2010

Enjoy a wintertime eco-excursion along the Connecticut River, with special stops in Deep River, Chester, and Haddam for eagle watching! Bring your binoculars!

Train Throttle Image Your Hand on the Throttle

April 9-11 • 16-18 • 23-25, 2010

Get the thrill of a lifetime when you participate in the Valley Railroad's guest engineer program, Your Hand on the Throttle. Take an 80-ton, coal burning steam engine for an 8-mile, scenic excursion through the Connecticut River Valley with the assistance of an engineer and a fireman.

Bald Eagle Image Goodspeed Local

May 1-2, 2010

Opening weekend features a special local service train, with stops in Deep River, Chester, and Haddam. Come experience the good old days of local steamn service on the Valley Railroad!

Thomas the Tank Engine Day Out With Thomas™

May 8-9, 2010 • May 15-16, 2010

Is there a young child in America who is not a fan of the little tank engine that tries so hard to please? We're proud to bring Thomas the Tank Engine to the Valley Railroad for a day of rides, games, entertainment, and fun for the whole family. Thomas is sure he can pull the Valley Railroad coaches...so be sure to be on board!
Sign up for our Email List and we will notify you when Day Out with Thomas™ tickets go on sale: Month Day, 2010.

~ Spring Schedule: May 22 - June 27 and Memorial Day (5/31) ~

Saturday and Sunday (plus Memorial Day)
Steam Train & Riverboat Departures at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm.
Steam Train only departure at 3:30 pm.

Caboose Gillette Castle Connection

Starts Memorial Day

Attention Hikers! The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat will be making a flagstop near the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry, where hikers can detrain for a 3/8 mile hike to Gillette Castle.

Caboose Caboose Weekend

June 5-6, 2010

During the first weekend of each month (May through October), the Friends of the Valley Railroad bring out their bright red caboose for a special fund-raiser. For an extra $5, you can ride in the caboose, and help out this group of Valley Railroad friends and fans!

~ Summer Schedule: June 28 - August 29 including July 4th ~

Daily (Monday through Sunday)
Steam Train & Riverboat Departures at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm.
Steam Train only departure at 3:30 pm.

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival Hot Steamed Jazz Festival

June 25-27, 2010

Each year the hiss of steam and the clang of the locomotive bell are augmented by some of the sweetest traditional jazz one could ever hope to hear. We're proud to welcome the Hot Steam Jazz Festival to the Valley Railroad. The music, the volunteers, and the worthy causes this festival supports are all worth the trip! Don't miss it!

Caboose Caboose Weekend

July 3-5, 2010 • Aug 7-8, 2010

During the first weekend of each month (May through October), the Friends of the Valley Railroad bring out their bright red caboose for a special fund-raiser. For an extra $5, you can ride in the caboose, and help out this group of Valley Railroad friends and fans!

~ Fall Schedule: September 3 - September 26 plus Labor Day (9/6) ~

Friday through Sunday
Steam Train & Riverboat Departures at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm.
Steam Train only departure at 3:30 pm.

Caboose Caboose Weekend

Sept 4-6, 2010

During the first weekend of each month (May through October), the Friends of the Valley Railroad bring out their bright red caboose for a special fund-raiser. For an extra $5, you can ride in the caboose, and help out this group of Valley Railroad friends and fans!

~ Foliage Schedule: September 30 - October 25 ~

Thursday through Monday
Steam Train & Riverboat Departures at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm.
Steam Train only departure at 3:30 pm.

Caboose Caboose Weekend

Oct 2-3, 2010

During the first weekend of each month (May through October), the Friends of the Valley Railroad bring out their bright red caboose for a special fund-raiser. For an extra $5, you can ride in the caboose, and help out this group of Valley Railroad friends and fans!

Fright Train Fright Train

Oct 22-24, 2010 • Oct 29-31, 2010

Details coming soon!

Train Throttle Image Your Hand on the Throttle

Nov 5-14, 2010

Get the thrill of a lifetime when you participate in the Valley Railroad's guest engineer program, Your Hand on the Throttle. Take an 80-ton, coal burning steam engine for an 8-mile, scenic excursion through the Connecticut River Valley with the assistance of an engineer and a fireman.

Santa Special Image Santa Special

Nov. 26 - Dec. 19, 2010

Winter is a special time to ride the rails. And we make it extra special with Mr. and Mrs. Claus...direct from the North Pole! We're decking the halls to get you into the holiday spirit. Check our Schedule for departure times. Tickets go on sale Month Day, 2010.

North Pole Express - Photo by Steve Cryan The North Pole Express

Nov. 19 - Dec. 28, 2010

A nighttime steam train ride with live readings of Christmas stories, sing alongs, and holiday surprises. Special guest Santa Claus has a treat for one and all. Lots of fun, lots of extras. Reservations suggested.
Sign up for our Email List and we will notify you when North Pole Express tickets go on sale: Month Day, 2010.

This beautiful portrait of our Locomotive on a winter's evening is courtesy of Steve Cryan - you can see his work and inquire about purchasing a reproduction of this photograph at Cryan Studio Artists

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Logo

The Valley Railroad Company · One Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 452 · Essex, CT 06426
Phone: (860) 767-0103 · (800) 377-3987 · FAX: (860) 767-0104 · Email: valley.railroad@snet.net

Click here for the State of CT Tourism website! Visit the CT River Valley regional tourism website! Visit the new Mystic Country website!