Connecticut Valley Delight
Saturday May 10th was National Train Day and also the opening day of the Connecticut's Valley Railroad's (DBA: Essex Steam Train and Riverboat) 2025 excursion season. They operated three regular steam powered round trips as well as a diesel powered Mother's Day lunch train and then an evening dinner train. While of course steam was the main impetus for this visit I wasn't above raising my lens for the passage of internal combustion power.
The lunch train is seen returning south at MP 8.9 on the old New Haven Valley Line as they cross the short deck girder bridge over Pattaconk Brook with 80 tonner VRR 904 leading the way. This locomotive is relatively new to the line, having been acquired in 2023 in a government auction after beeing stored serviceable at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach where they had last served. 904 still wears its USN yellow paint but received a green cab with nee number and logo that mirrors but does not match the green and orange New Haven style colors of the rest of the road's original. GE center cab fleet. To learn more about this unit check out this article:
railfan.com/ex-navy-80-tonners-find-new-home-in-connecticut/
This view was taken from the bow of boat moored at the Pattaconk Yacht Club thanks to a gracious owner who invited me aboard as he readied his vessel for another summer of boating on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.
Chester, Connecticut
Saturday May 10, 2025
Connecticut Valley Delight
Saturday May 10th was National Train Day and also the opening day of the Connecticut's Valley Railroad's (DBA: Essex Steam Train and Riverboat) 2025 excursion season. They operated three regular steam powered round trips as well as a diesel powered Mother's Day lunch train and then an evening dinner train. While of course steam was the main impetus for this visit I wasn't above raising my lens for the passage of internal combustion power.
The lunch train is seen returning south at MP 8.9 on the old New Haven Valley Line as they cross the short deck girder bridge over Pattaconk Brook with 80 tonner VRR 904 leading the way. This locomotive is relatively new to the line, having been acquired in 2023 in a government auction after beeing stored serviceable at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach where they had last served. 904 still wears its USN yellow paint but received a green cab with nee number and logo that mirrors but does not match the green and orange New Haven style colors of the rest of the road's original. GE center cab fleet. To learn more about this unit check out this article:
railfan.com/ex-navy-80-tonners-find-new-home-in-connecticut/
This view was taken from the bow of boat moored at the Pattaconk Yacht Club thanks to a gracious owner who invited me aboard as he readied his vessel for another summer of boating on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.
Chester, Connecticut
Saturday May 10, 2025