Valley Railroad

The Valley Railroad in Essex offers train rides, which can be combined with a riverboat cruise for a two and one-half hour excursion through the Connecticut River Valley. Passengers board a 1920’s vintage steam locomotive at the depot in Essex, where there’s a gift shop and snack car, and displays of antique locomotives and cars. The ride north to Deep River delivers passengers to the multi-decked riverboat, The Becky Thatcher, that will take them past the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam and the unusual swing bridge in Haddam, as well as Gillette Castle. Refreshments are available on the boat and the steam train will be waiting when the boat docks again. The train/boat excursion as well as just a train ride are available on a weekend schedule until June 26, then daily through Aug. 28.

Trains run Friday to Sunday and on Labor Day Sept. 2-25 and Thursday to Monday during foliage season, Sept. 29-Oct. 24. Train-boat tickets are $26/adults, $17/children (2-11); train-only prices are $17 and $9. For a special ride, people may opt for the Parlor Car, Open Car or Caboose for an extra fee. There are frequent special events.

Details

Take I-95 to Exit 69; go north on Route 9 to Exit 3. Follow signs to 1 Railroad Avenue. For more information, call 860-767-0103 or visit the Web site, www.essexsteamtrain.com, where tickets may be ordered.