May 20, 2013:
Kids Ride Free on the Essex Steam Train on Connecticut Open House Day
| Press Releases |
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Contact: Nicole Anllo
KIDS RIDE FREE ON THE ESSEX STEAM TRAIN ON CONNECTICUT OPEN HOUSE DAY
(ESSEX, CT) May 20, 2013 - The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is proud to join in the Connecticut Office of Tourism's 9th annual Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday, June 8th. All Connecticut children ages 11 and under can enjoy a free ride on the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat when accompanied by an adult. Free children's tickets can be claimed at the ticket booth on Open House Day. Trips depart at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm. The one-day statewide Open House event is designed to showcase Connecticut's diverse world of history, art and tourism and to encourage residents to discover or rediscover all that is happening in our state. By offering free children's rides, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat hopes to encourage exploration of the Connecticut River Valley and inspire appreciation for local history. An adult passenger with a valid Connecticut Driver's License must accompany children riding free. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information visit essexsteamtrain.com or ctvisit.com. ### April 22, 2013:
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Opens for the Season on National Train Day ESSEX STEAM TRAIN & RIVERBOAT OPENS FOR THE SEASON ON NATIONAL TRAIN DAY
(ESSEX, CT) April 22, 2013 - The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat officially launches the attraction's spring season on National Train Day, Saturday May 11, 2013. Opening weekend will feature the Essex Steam Train's popular 1-hour train ride and 2-½-hour combo train and boat ride aboard the Becky Thatcher Riverboat. Neighbor Appreciation Weekend will also take place the same weekend and will allow all residents in the five towns along the Valley Railroad's operating line (Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam and Old Saybrook) to ride for free. "We are very excited for our upcoming season and events this spring and summer," said Bob Bell, President of the Valley Railroad Company. "When guests come to the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, they enter into a time of the past. It's an adventure to ride the steam locomotive and tour the Connecticut River past landmarks like the Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle. This year, we're thrilled to host our opening day on the sixth annual National Train Day," he said. Coinciding with Opening Weekend, Neighbor Appreciation Weekend is a great opportunity for members of the local community to experience the adventure of the Essex Steam Train and Becky Thatcher Riverboat. All residents of Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam and Old Saybrook may elect a free 1-hour train ride or 2 1/2-hour train and boat ride at 11:00am, 12:30pm or 2:00pm; or a 1-hour train ride at 3:30pm. Neighbor Appreciation tickets are available for all 5 departures, on a first come, first served basis. Adult residents must present picture identification at the Essex Station Ticket Window. General admission tickets for opening weekend are now on sale at www.essexsteamtrain.com and can also be purchased at the Essex Station ticket window the day of the event. Tickets for only the Steam Train cost $17 for adults, $9 for children ages 2-11 and free for those under 2-years-old. Steam Train and Riverboat Connection combo tickets cost $26 for adults, $17 for children ages 2-11 and free for those under 2-years-old. During the first operating weekend each month passengers can also enjoy the Saybrook Special, a no-extra-charge trip south to Old Saybrook, departing at 10:00 am. With a donation to the Friends of the Valley Railroad, guests can also enjoy a ride in the little red Ralph Gibson Caboose. Opening day this year marks the start of an exciting spring and summer along the Valley Railroad. From a summer Circus Train in July to an exquisite new menu for the Essex Clipper Dinner Train, this year is packed with fun new experiences and classic Essex Steam Train charm. For more information about the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, visit www.essexsteamtrain.com, or follow @essexsteamtrain on Twitter and www.facebook.com/steamtrain97 . ### April 4, 2013:
Safety Notice: The Essex Steam Train begins Seasonal Operations this week. RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY
(ESSEX, CT) April 4, 2013 - The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat would like to make all local residents aware that seasonal train operations have begun today, April 4, 2013. The Valley Railroad Company is looking forward to an active and exciting season, and would like to remind all to be aware of railroad crossing safety. We advise all motorists and pedestrians in Old Saybrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam and Middletown to be aware of the trains and railroad crossings now in operation. Please renew your sense of caution and alertness when traversing the crossings of the railroad. All Railroad STOP signs, flashing lights, and gates carry the full weight of the law. Pedestrians are also not permitted, by law, to walk along the tracks of an active railroad. Thank you for your attention. Please find more information about our upcoming season on www.essexsteamtrain.com and follow us for updates on Twitter @essexsteamtrain and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/steamtrain97 ### March 2013:
Thomas The Tank Engine™ Pulls Into Essex Steam Train & Riverboat April 27-28 and May 4-5 FOR MORE INFORMATION:
READY, SET . . . GO, GO THOMAS!
Thomas The Tank Engine™ Pulls Into
Essex, CT April 27-28 and May 4-5: All aboard for a Day Out with Thomas! The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, a local historical attraction in the Connecticut River Valley, will host Day Out With Thomas™: The GO GO Thomas Tour 2013 on April 27-28 and May 4-5, 2013. This family-friendly event offers young train fans and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook character, Thomas The Tank Engine™ and enjoy a day of music, carnival rides, midway food and fun, all at a real, historic railroad yard. Bring your preschoolers to take the ride of their lives! Seen on the pages of favorite storybooks, in playrooms, and on the television screen, Thomas The Tank Engine™. is adored by little engineers everywhere. The event, now in its 18th year, is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company, and all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels. The day starts out with a free shuttle train ride from the parking lot (located at 55 Bokum Road Essex, CT) to Essex Station. Families can then hop aboard Thomas The Tank Engine™ for an exciting 25-minute train ride filled with music. Children will enjoy meeting characters from the Thomas The Tank Engine™ storybook series, and Sir Topham Hatt, the controller of the railway on the Island of Sodor. When your ride with Thomas ends, spend the rest of the day at the Essex Steam Trainfs authentic railroad yard for a complementary tour of the engine house and enjoy a free interactive music show by LaLa, the local children's musician known for her "Music Together" program. The railroad yard will also offer free carnival rides, temporary tattoos, various play areas, storybook reading and coloring crafts at Imagination Station. Fried dough, ice cream, hot dogs, cheeseburgers and other midway food will also be available for purchase on site. Thomas The Tank Engine™ rides depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine. Departure times begin at 9:00 am through 3:30 pm each day of the event. Tickets for the Day Out with Thomas™: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013 are $21 plus tax for ages two and up. Tickets are on sale now by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.ticketweb.com/thomas.html. For more information and directions, contact the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat at 860-767-0103 or www.essexsteamtrain.com. For general information or to find a Day Out with Thomas™: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013 event near you, visit www.thomasandfriends.com/dowt. Guests are welcome to follow the Essex Steam Train on Twitter (@EssexSteamTrain) for updates and use the hashtag #ThomasEssex to share feedback, photos and questions. Other Important Links:
About Thomas & Friends™ Thomas The Tank Engine™ was created by a father for his son over 65 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas & Friends makes tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS®, Sprout® and with downloadable episodes available through iTunes. For more information, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com. Follow Thomas on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @TrueBlueEngine. About HIT Entertainment HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading preschool entertainment companies, specializing in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment's world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends®, Mike the Knight™, Fireman Sam®, Bob the Builder, Barney®, Angelina Ballerina®, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®. HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families. This is achieved through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality character-based products and experiences with best-in-class partners. HIT Entertainment's lines of business span television and home entertainment production, content distribution, digital media, publishing, consumer products and live events and attractions. HIT Entertainment is a division of Fisher-Price and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information visit www.hitentertainment.com # # # February 25, 2013:
An Exciting Year Planned for the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat announces calendar of events. (ESSEX, CT) February 25, 2013 – The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, a beloved local historical attraction in the Connecticut River Valley, has finalized an exciting event calendar for 2013. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is well known for its romantic dinners aboard the Essex Clipper Dinner Train, family-friendly trips and tours, and seasonal excursions for all ages. This year, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat has the following events planned: Your Hand on the Throttle - April 4, 5 and 12; Nov 1 - Nov 3; Nov 8 - Nov 10 The “Your Hand on the Throttle” program offers a unique opportunity to operate a steam locomotive. Participants receive on site safety and operation training, and then get to operate a powerful and historic steam locomotive themselves for one hour along the Valley Railroad along with the experienced engine crew. Each registrant gets a full hour operating the train themselves, so spaces fill up quickly. A Your Hand on the Throttle reservation makes a great gift for train enthusiasts, history buffs and adventure seekers. For more information visit http://essexsteamtrain.com/throttle.html Day Out with Thomas™ - April 27-28 & May 4-5 This family event offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country. The Essex Steam Train will transform into a storybook setting as families embark on a journey through the Connecticut River Valley aboard Thomas The Tank Engine™. Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared experience with his son, Thomas & Friends™ is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching the life lessons of friendship, exploration and cooperation. Tickets are now on sale at http://essexsteamtrain.com/dowt2013/main.html Spring Season Opening & Neighbor Appreciation Weekend - May 11 & 12 As the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat officially opens for the spring season, riders will enjoy catching sight of springtime flora and fauna throughout the Connecticut River Valley. Opening weekend will feature trips on the Becky Thatcher riverboat, train rides through the tidal wetlands of Pratt Cove and Chester Creek, and trips past historical landmarks including the Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle. Local residents will also get to enjoy free train and boat rides during the much-anticipated Neighbor Appreciation Weekend. All residents in the five towns along the Valley Railroad’s operating line (Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam and Old Saybrook) can select a 1 hour train ride or 2 ½ hour train and boat ride for free during opening weekend. During the Spring Season the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat operate Sat-Sun and Memorial Day (May 27). For more information visit http://essexsteamtrain.com/opening_weekend.html Essex Clipper Dinner Train – May 11- October 27 During the weekends from May through October, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers a romantic dinning experience aboard the elegant Essex Clipper. Guests enjoy a four-course meal served in beautifully restored 1920's Pullman diners, pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive. The 2½-hour, scenic journey paired with our attentive staff transports guests back to the day when rail travel was king and "dinner in the diner" was a delicious special occasion. To buy tickets visit http://essexsteamtrain.com/dinner.html Summer Season Opening - June 22 When the weather gets warm, the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat launches trips every day of the week! The summer schedule features excursions Monday-Sunday, including Labor Day. Circus Train - July 20-21 & 27-28 The annual Circus Train comes to town this July. Visitors will ride aboard the Circus Train to reach the midway and big top shows. Experience the thrills of an Acrobat Show in the "Big Top Tent" and laugh along with a "Punch & Judy" puppet show. Partake in amusement rides, have fun with clowns, and enjoy our petting zoo, live entertainment and circus food. This unique event brings a historic circus train to life, and offers a fun family event right in the Connecticut River Valley. Tickets Available Online - April 1, 2013 http://essexsteamtrain.com/circus.html Fall Season Opening - September 6 During the early fall months, the Essex Steam Train offers excursions Friday-Sunday. It’s a great time of year to see the last signs of summer and the early stages of colorful fall leaves. Foliage Season - Oct 3-27 The Connecticut River Valley never looks more beautiful and colorful than it does in autumn. During the month of October, the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat offers the ultimate Foliage journey through the unspoiled River Valley. This 2-1/2 hour nature excursi on is guaranteed to reawaken all of your senses. Relax and soak up the colorful sights while gently rolling through the countryside aboard vintage train coaches. From the open decks of the Becky Thatcher Riverboat, you'll revel in stunning views of the hills bursting with Fall Foliage and reflecting on the river water. Tickets will be available beginning April 1, 2013 online. Excursions are held Thursday-Monday. http://essexsteamtrain.com/foliage.html North Pole Express, Evening Excursion - November 15 - December 29 All aboard the North Pole Express! During the holiday season the Essex Steam Train turns into a locomotive-powered sleigh, perfect for a magical nighttime journey to the North Pole. Every coach becomes a stage for a live musical performance of The Night Before Christmas. Celebrate the spirit of the season with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing-a-longs, hot chocolate and sugar cookies. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa. Children are invited to wear their favorite pajamas to add to the excitement of a trip to visit Santa! Tickets go on sale in August 2013 online and go fast! TO purchase tickets visit http://essexsteamtrain.com/northpole.html Santa Special, Daytime Excursion - November 29 - December 23 The Essex Steam Train also offers a special daytime holiday excursion. The Santa Special is a one-of-a-kind holiday experience, complete with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus right on the train! Enjoy the spirit of the season as you relax with family and friends aboard festive railway cars adorned with vintage decorations. Rudolph and Pablo the Penguin will also be on board to spread holiday cheer. Plus, each child will receive a small holiday gift from Santa's Elves! Tickets can be purchased online in September 2013 - http://essexsteamtrain.com/santa.html ### January 28, 2013
Essex Steam Train's Annual Eagle Flyer Swoops in President's Day Weekend An annual eco-excursion will take place along the Connecticut River, traveling to Eagle Landing State Park. (ESSEX, CT) January 28, 2013 – The Essex Steam Train will operate its annual Eagle Flyer co-excursion on President's Day Weekend, February 16 & 17, 2013. This unique journey through the Connecticut River Valley is a great way to enjoy fresh air and catch a glimpse of local wildlife with the whole family. The 2 ½ hour trip begins with a Vintage Diesel Locomotive 0900 at Essex Station. Train riders can hop ab oard along with a group of Master Wildlife Conservationists from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. These expert naturalists will act as guides, teaching riders about our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, and its migration south to the Connecticut River Valley. The Essex Steam Train operates the Eagle Flyer every year to help the people of Connecticut explore their local environment. The trip is perfect for all adults and children over the age of 2. Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras to capture beautiful photos of Connecticut’s birds and wildlife. After the event, guests can post their best photos on the Essex Steam Train’s Facebook page - www.facebook.com/steamtrain97 Coffee, tea, hot cocoa and snacks will be available onboard. The train is scheduled to make local stops in Deep River, Chester, Eagle Landing State Park and Haddam. The 16-acre Eagle Landing State Park is one of Connecticut’s newest state parks, and is an ideal location for scenic and bird watching tours. Tours depart at 11am and 2pm from Essex on Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17. Passengers are accepted at Deep River, Chester, Hadlyme & Haddam on a space-as-available basis and tickets are cash only at these local stops. Tickets can also be purchased online or at the Essex Station where all forms of payment are accepted. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 2-11 (children under age 2 are free). For more information, and to buy tickets online, visit www.essexsteamtrain.com/eagleflyer.html ### About the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Owned and operated by the Valley Railroad Company, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a unique historic attraction in the Connecticut River Valley. The Valley Railroad Company has been in existence since 1868, and has operated today’s well-known train and riverboat for over 40 years. The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat transports people on exciting excursions through the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley, a placed designated as "one of the last great places on earth" by the Nature Conservancy. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches at 20 mph through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester, and the historic Riverboat takes visits to the undeveloped Selden Neck State Park. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers various eco-excursions and family themed events throughout the year. For more information visit www.essexsteamtrain.com or connect with the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat on social media: Facebook and Twitter Press releases from previous years here. |
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The Valley Railroad Company · One Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 452 · Essex, CT 06426
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