It steadily grew throughout the remainder of the 19th century, gobbling up the H&CV in 1882 and acquiring total control by 1892. The New York, New Haven & Hartford system was formed in 1872 through the merger of the New York & New Haven and Hartford & New Haven railroads forming one of southern New England's largest systems. It was reorganized as the Hartford & Connecticut Valley Railroad (H&CV) on Jalthough future independent operation was short-lived. Unfortunately, unfulfilled traffic potential resulted in financial troubles finding its way to the Connecticut Valley Railroad when it defaulted on its loans and entered receivership in 1876. one mixed (passenger and freight) and four passenger trains each way daily (except Sunday) with fifteen stops along the way.' By the summer of 1871 the route was completed with regular service commencing on August 24th.Īccording to the Essex Steam Train's website, the first scheduled trains included '. Thanks to relatively gentle topography no tunnels or significant bridges were needed and the project moved swiftly. While the entire line would only stretch 45 miles its construction was broken down into three phases.įrom north to south these segments included: the Northern Division between Hartford and Middletown the Middle Division to Goodspeed Landing and finally the South Division completing the line to Saybrook Point.

The line's groundbreaking took place at Higganum, located at roughly the halfway point. Survey work on the CVRR began later in 1868 with actual construction commencing in April of 1870. The idea for this route was a long-sought project of Walkeley's who first drew up the idea in the mid-1840s. Walkeley, was granted a chartered by the state with intentions to construct a new line from Hartford, south to Saybrook Point near Old Saybrook, along Long Island Sound. The history of the Essex Steam Train begins on Jwhen the Connecticut Valley Railroad Company (CVRR), headed by successful businessman James C. Today, the railroad offers trips during much of the year, including special events for the holidays, and also features boating galas. It offers one of the only locations within the state to ride a heritage railroad, and the only excursion to do so using authentic steam locomotives over a distance of more than 20 miles.Īs a result it has grown into a popular attraction over the years since it first began hosting public excursions in the early 1970s. The Essex Steam Train is the name for the Valley Railroad's popular excursion operating on a former New York, New Haven & Hartford (the 'New Haven') in south-central Connecticut.

Essex train ride