Essex Steam Train - Gillette Castle Connection

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©2003 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

Gillette Castle Connection

Ride the Essex Steam Train . . . Hike to Gillette Castle!

For outdoor enthusiasts! The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat offers a unique hiking experience to Gillette Castle, home of the late William Gillette, famous for his stage portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.

Description of Hiking Adventure

Gillette Castle Connection hikers enjoy a 30-minute train ride through the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. Then passengers detrain at the Ferry Road flagstop for a short hike to the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry. The Ferry transports hikers to the base of Gillette Castle State Park, in Hadlyme, for a hike up a hill of moderately graded trails to one of Connecticut's most famous destinations. The entire trip (train ride / hike to ferry / ferry ride / hike up hill to castle) takes about an hour each way. Total hiking distance is approximately 3/8 mile each way, or 3/4 mile roundtrip.

This hiking adventure is recommended for those in good health, with average hiking skills, and appropriate footwear/clothing. It is not suitable for families with small children or strollers due to the hiking terrain.

The Gillette Castle Connection is available to hikers on operating days of the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, May 24 - October 13, 2008. (See Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Schedule) This hiking connection is only available on 2 outbound trains, 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Hikers return to Essex Station on either the 2:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. train. In order to ensure that hikers board the return train on time, the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat will provide a map and train schedule with the purhase of a train ticket at Essex Station. (Please note that train tickets do not include fees for the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry and the Gillette Castle tour.)

The availability of this program is contingent upon the operation of the Chester / Hadlyme Ferry Service, operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation.

North Bound (Departs Essex Station)	Train & Boat	Train Only	Train Only
Train Departs	11:00 a.m.	11:00 a.m.	12:30 p.m.
De-Train / Chester	11:30 a.m.	11:30 a.m.	1:00 p.m.
State Ferry & Park Hike	approx. 40 minutes	approx. 40 minutes	approx. 40 minutes
Arrive Gillette Castle	12:10 p.m.	12:10 p.m.	1:40 p.m.

South Bound (Departs Castle Grounds)	Train & Boat	Train Only	Train Only
Depart Castle	1:45 p.m.	1:45 p.m.	3:15 p.m.
Hike & Ferry	approx. 40 minutes	approx. 40 minutes	approx. 40 minutes
Board Train / Chester	2:25 p.m.	2:25 p.m.	3:55 p.m.
Board Boat	2:40 p.m.	N/A	N/A
Board Train / Deep River	4:00 p.m.	N/A	N/A
Arrive Essex Station	4:35 p.m.	3:05 p.m.	4:35 p.m.
Note: Chester / Hadlyme Ferry runs as required. On the return trip, hikers must allow for possible waiting time for the Ferry. The train does not stop at the Ferry Road flagstop, unless hikers are there at the scheduled pickup time.

Fees

In addition to Essex Steam Train & Riverboat fares, tickets for the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry are $1.00 (subject to fare change by the CT Department of Transportation). Gillette Castle, interior tour fees: $5 for adults; $3 age 6-17, Free under 6.

The Gillette Castle Connection is limited to 20 persons per trip -- so be sure to arrive early, and call ahead if you have a large group.