Travel Back in Time at the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
Step into the past with my review aboard the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Cruise, and see why its the best way to beat the heat or enjoy the fall foliage.
It's remarkable to think that in earlier times, if you weren't walking, your only options for transportation were trains or riverboats. Nowadays, we often take for granted how easy it is to hop into a car or use buses and rideshare services. Trains were essential back then, providing a quicker way to move goods, cargo, and people. This incredible invention from the mid-19th century relied on tracks and rail cars that followed a timetable. It transformed travel, similar to how airplanes enable us to move items and people in just hours instead of days. In the northeastern United States, many rail lines were constructed, some of which have been adapted for cargo and passenger services, like the Metro North system near New York City, as well as for walking and biking trails such as the Walkway Over The Hudson. Furthermore, there's a delightful tourist attraction called the Essex Steam Train, which maintains the rail car and part of the rail line, taking visitors along the western shore of the Connecticut River from Essex to Deep River. This relaxing ride offers a glimpse into a time when trains and riverboats were the main modes of transportation, providing a wonderful chance to delve into the history of the towns along the Connecticut River.
The Evolution of the Valley Railroad into the Essex Steam Train
According to the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat website, this history museum on wheels has its roots in 1868. Back then, James C Walkeley, the president of the Charter Oak Life Insurance Company, laid the groundwork for this train by securing a charter from the State of Connecticut to create the Valley Railroad Company. The railway would run next to the Connecticut River, and since there were no bridges or tunnels needed, it was smooth sailing. By 1871, the 45-mile route from Hartford to Old Saybrook was operational. The Valley Railroad initially had one car for cargo and passengers, plus four additional cars for passengers, making 15 stops and running six days a week. However, the railroad faced financial difficulties soon after it started, and within ten years, it became part of the New Haven Railroad. Although the rail line continued to operate for several decades, interest began to decline shortly after World War I as cars became the preferred mode of transport. This decline continued into the 1950s and 1960s, leading to the end of service in 1968. After several ownership changes, Penn Central took over the line before handing it over to the State of Connecticut, thanks to a wave of local volunteers eager to save the rail line. In 1971, a 22-mile section of the rail line reopened as the Essex Steam Train, and it has been running ever since, giving passengers from around the globe a chance to step back in time and enjoy a train ride along the Connecticut River.
In fact, according to CTInsider, "The multicultural nature of the train’s visitors prompted changes such as the release of an informational pamphlet written in Mandarin, which is currently offered to Chinese passengers as an alternative to the English voiceovers spoken during the train ride."
How is the Experience on the Essex Steam Train?
