Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

A Heritage Steam Railroad On The 1868 Valley Railroad Line Up The Connecticut River, Operating Since 1971, With A Connecting Riverboat At Deep River Landing For A Combined Rail And River Trip · Essex, Connecticut

The Valley Railroad was built up the west bank of the Connecticut River in 1868, carried freight and passengers for a century, and was reopened as a heritage operation in 1971. Steam locomotives now haul restored coaches from Essex north through Deep River to Chester and back, about twelve miles through river marsh, woodland and small Connecticut River towns that the road does not reach. The distinctive part is the connection: at Deep River Landing passengers can step off the train onto a riverboat and continue up the river past Gillette Castle on its bluff and the Goodspeed Opera House, then return to the train. It is a two and a half hour round trip done that way. The operation is seasonal, roughly May to October, with a large Christmas programme that sells out months ahead. Buy the combined ticket rather than the train alone: the rail half is pleasant, but the river is where Gillette Castle appears on its bluff and the Goodspeed Opera House comes into view, and it is the reason the trip is worth the drive.

1 Railroad Avenue, Essex, Essex, Connecticut, 06426, United States

SEASONAL. Trains run roughly from May to late October on a daily or near-daily summer schedule and a reduced one at either end, with the riverboat connection operating within that window and stopping earlier. The North Pole Express in November and December is a substantial separate operation that sells out months ahead. There is little or no service in winter and early spring. Departure times vary by day - check before travelling.

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