What's New at the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

The Gift of Time and Togetherness!

2011-12-23T08:38:00.001-05:00

Perhaps the most heartwarming quality of the North Pole Express and Santa Special events is that they embrace ALL the simple pleasures of an Essex Steam Train & Riverboat journey - - Tradition, Togetherness, Relaxing, Reconnecting, Loving, Laughing, and Learning. Add those to the magic of steam against the nighttime sky and the wonder in children’s eyes as they look up at Santa! Wrap them all up, and you have the perfect gift for yourself, family and friends.

Life moves quickly these days. While we scramble to juggle work and other obligations, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s wish for all our customers in 2012, is to take time for oneself and others.

“Life is not just an obligation…it’s an adventure.”

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah & Happy New Year!

~ Susan

A Halloween Event to Die For!

2011-10-12T15:17:00.002-04:00

Riders Beware! It's a mystical, foggy evening...there's a strange feeling in the air........ It's the anniversary of the horrific train wreck of 1925 on the Valley Railroad line.... and you're traveling aboard the Fright Train! Will the restless souls and ghosts from this terrible tragedy appear?

TWEENS...thought you grew out of the Essex Steam Train...you’re in for wicked good time! ADULTS...scare up a group for the creepy show, then head out to dinner for a full and festive evening!

The 2nd Annual Fright Train pulls out of Essex Station...October 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, and 31. Trains depart into the deep, dark night at 6:30pm and 8:00pm.

Produced in collaboration with Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s “theater-in-the-rectangle” partner, Riverway Studio, the Fright Train goes beyond just another scary Halloween event. In addition to LOTS of gore, this is a professionally created show that intertwines the fictional legend of a romantic love story and the gruesome train wreck of 1925.

Tickets for The Fright Train are $20.00 per person. Event is approximately 1 hour long and includes Coach Seating only.

Join Us If You Dare...

~ Susan

What were those fireboats doing on the Connecticut River?

2011-09-21T11:10:00.004-04:00

Becky Thatcher Riverboat Initiates Multi-Agency, Emergency Exercise

On Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00pm, the Becky Thatcher Riverboat organized a multi-agency emergency exercise in the Brockway Ferry Channel of the Connecticut River. Operating under the observation of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard, the Becky Thatcher and crew worked together with 5 fire departments and emergency vessels from Chester, Essex, Deep River, Haddam, and Old Saybrook.

Bob Bell, President of The Valley Railroad Company, says, “I’m extremely proud of our Becky Thatcher Captain, Paul Costello, and Captain Emeritus, Bob Schulte, for taking the initiative to coordinate an on-water drill to ensure the life-saving proficiency of a multi-agency response to an emergency aboard the Becky.”

Paul Costello and Bob Schulte designed a drill that focused on multi-agency communication and response time in the event of a REAL emergency. To that end, participating fire departments were not informed in advance of the type of emergency or location.

Thanks to Paul, Bob and participating Fire Crews! A special thanks to Chase Smith for the great photos!

~ Susan

You Have to See It to Believe It!

2011-07-26T13:55:00.004-04:00

Yes . . . I’m talking about The Valley Railroad Circus Train & Big Top Show - - an amazing and heartwarming family event!

The fun begins as soon as circus goers climb aboard the festive Circus Train, complete with Billboard Car and Circus Wagons atop Flatcars. During an exciting ride to the Circus Grounds . . . passengers join the the circus show when the Ringmaster leads the “Clown Shout and Wave” and each child receives his or her very own Clown Nose.

Upon arrival at the Circus Midway, children delight with friendly clowns performing imaginative skits. At the Punch & Judy Show, both young and old share the laughs in a petite outdoor semi-circle theater. Next stop is the best Petting Zoo I’ve ever visited . . . complete with Jacob Sheep, Mini Horses, and Polly Anna the Camel. Have you ever seen a Z-Donk?

Of course, no circus would be complete without a Big Top Show! In a spectacular Red & Yellow striped Big Top Tent, Bucky and Gigi are the ultimate circus show hosts. Garvekio is the hilarious Trampoline Clown and Sladek is a sophisticated and thrilling Acrobat Artist. This show has it ALL - - humor, terrific music and choreography, creative costumes, audience interaction, suspense, and top-notch talent. And, what would a Big Top Show be without Popcorn and Cotton Candy too!

I’m not clowning around . . . The Valley Railroad Circus Train & Big Top Show is certain to create lasting family memories and leave you craving more wholesome experiences like this one. Tell ALL your friends . . . there are only two Circus Days left . . . this Saturday and Sunday, July 30 & 31. The 4 Big Top Shows each day are at 11:00, 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30pm.

Let the show begin!

~ Susan

Reserve Seats Now for a Hilarious Whodunit!

2011-07-15T10:49:00.000-04:00

Again tonight . . . Dead-End Rodeo: The Buckin’ Stops Here, has sold out for the 2^nd week in a row! But, I don't want anybody to miss out on a rockin' good time . . . there’s still 6 nights in July and August to get in on the Murder Mystery action.

Aboard the Meriden dining car, you’ll be ridin’ high with the Wagon Train Follies Traveling Rodeo Show - - a zany band of ropers and riders on its way to the Land o' Goshen Stampede. As the characters ride the rails, hidden secrets, jealousies, treacheries, and sins come to light - and soon, somebody done goes and gets bumped off! Whodunit? How dey dunit? Why dey dunit? It's up to you to help solve the crime!

Round up your gang and become part of the family! Which character will be your kin? What clues point to his or her possible guilt? What motive might she or he have to bump off ? To find out, you'll just have to saddle up for Dead-End Rodeo: The Buckin' Stops Here!

I recommend Western Attire for even more fun! Boards Friday evenings at 7:00 PM, July 22 & 29, August 5, 12, 19, & 26.

Giddy Up!

~ Susan

Board the Circus Train to the Big Top Show & Circus Midway!

2011-07-08T12:45:00.000-04:00

It's the biggest family event of the summer and the highlight of Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 40^th Anniversary celebration . . . The Valley Railroad Circus Train & Big Top Show is coming to Essex Station on Saturday & Sunday, July 23, 24, 30 & 31.

The circus fun begins as soon as families park their cars . . . OFF-SITE, at The Lee Company parking lot at 55 Bokum Road in Essex.

That’s where the Circus Train will arrive to welcome passengers and transport them to the circus grounds at Essex Station. The vintage Circus Train will be pulled by a Diesel Locomotive and will include 3 Passenger Coaches, a Circus Billboard Car, 2 Flat Cars carrying 6 Circus Wagons, and a Caboose. The Ringmaster will accompany circus goers on a short train ride to the circus grounds for the thrill of an Acrobat Show in the “Big Top Tent”. The Circus Midway will be bustling with “Punch & Judy” Puppet Shows, Clowns, Carnival Food and Rides. Imagine how the little ones will delight at the Petting Zoo when they see a real live Camel and Z-Donk (half Zebra/half Donkey)!

Tickets are $25.00 a person and available in advance at www.essexsteamtrain.com.

All Aboard for Circus Fun!

~ Susan

School is Out . . . Enrichment is In!

2011-06-27T16:39:00.000-04:00

There’s no doubt that children learn best while having fun! And now that school is out, summer is a great time to take advantage of those enrichment activities that are fun and educational too!

So why not plan a trip to the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat? Imagine the fun your kids will have learning transportation history aboard the only steam train & riverboat connection in the United States. If ecology is your child’s fancy, our narrated tour through the scenic Connecticut River Valley offers an abundance of unspoiled natural beauty and wildlife. And, nothing brings geography to life better than our riverboat views of Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House, the Swing Bridge, and Selden Island.

If you’re like me, now that school is out, I’m planning the activity calendar for the summer. Most of all I want my kids to relax have fun…but a little enrichment can go a long way, especially while everybody is having a good time together.

Happy Summer!

~ Susan

“A Love Letter to the Steam Engine”

2011-06-17T16:20:00.000-04:00

In honor of its 40^th Anniversary season, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is proud to exhibit Requiem for Steam: The Railroad Photographs of David Plowden. These stunning black and white images documenting the final years of steam locomotives will be on display from June 24 – Labor Day.

Join us for the Opening Reception in the Oliver Jensen Gallery

Friday, June 24, 6-8PM

Sponsored by the Center for Railroad Photography & Art (CRPA), Requiem for Steam is a companion show to David Plowden's book of the same name, released by Norton in October. The show touches upon all aspects of the steam locomotive era - - moving portraits of the machinery, the rails, and the people who worked on them - - creating an emotional tribute to the Industrial Age of America.

Even though Plowden had no intention of becoming a photographer, by his twenties, documentary and art photography had become a career. He assisted O. Winston Link and worked closely with Minor White, among other greats, to become one of the most dedicated photographers of vanishing America . . . capturing the beautiful expanses of the Great Plains, disappearing small towns, and engineering marvels from bridges to steel mills. Passionate about trains since childhood, the railroad has remained a subtle but consistent thread throughout his life’s work.

Hope to see you at the Opening Reception!

~ Susan

KIDS RIDE FREE . . . Saturday, June 11

2011-06-10T10:10:00.000-04:00

Do you have relatives or friends coming to visit this summer? If so, maybe you’re looking to plan a fun activity to do together. How about checking out Essex Steam Train & Riverboat . . . Saturday, June 11, Kids Ride Free All Day!

This special offer is part of the 7^thAnnual Connecticut Open House Day - - a statewide celebration designed to raise awareness among Connecticut residents of all that this wonderful state has to offer - - rich history, world-class art, family activities and opportunities for rest and relaxation. Ideally, citizens will discover Connecticut treasures and share their findings with visitors.

This season marks 40 years that Essex Steam Train & Riverboat has been offering unique train and boat access to the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. In other words, this is one Connecticut treasure you won’t want to miss!

All you need is a Connecticut Driver’s License to purchase tickets and earn our terrific Kids Ride Free discount.

~ Susan

Happy Anniversary

2011-05-06T14:28:00.006-04:00

It’s a NEW season . . . marking Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 40th Anniversary! We look forward to kicking off the celebration this weekend, Saturday & Sunday, May 7 & 8, with Neighbor Appreciation Days and the Saybrook Special.

Neighbor Appreciation Days
Community residents of Old Saybrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester and Haddam ride the TRAIN & BOAT for FREE. Tickets are available, on a first come, first serve basis. Adult residents must present picture identification at the Essex Station Ticket Window.

Saybrook Special
Into the woods we go aboard the Saybrook Special! Departing Essex Station at 10:00am, this unique train excursion will chug the historic 4 miles of track between Essex and Old Saybrook. The 50-minute, narrated journey travels through unspoiled forestland, glacial pathways, rocky ridgelines, and alongside “The Preserve" --the largest remaining inland coastal forest between Boston and New York. Passengers, please arrive at 9:45am!

That’s not ALL!
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat has a BIG season of special events planned for our 40th! Stay tuned for:

Day Out with Thomas (May 14,15, 21 & 22)
The Valley Railroad Circus Train & Big Top Show (July 23, 24, 30 & 31)
Requiem for Steam, David Plowden Photographs (June 24 – Labor Day)
On the Move, a new interactive exhibit recreating the story of the Valley Railroad Company

Ride the Fright Train if you dare...

2010-10-19T15:26:00.013-04:00

Riders Beware: Ghosts of a Train Crash on a Haunt!

October 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31

5:30 pm & 7:30 pm

It's a mystical, foggy evening, the anniversary of the Valley Railroad's 1925 train wreck...and you're traveling aboard the Fright Train...will the ghosts from this terrible tragedy appear?

That's the backdrop for a Haunting Halloween journey aboard Essex Steam Train & Riverboat's newest holiday entertainment experience - - the Fright Train. For all those Tweens (Ages 8+) and Adults who dare to ride, the Fright Train will pull out of Essex Station on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 22-24 and 29-30.

The Fright Train is yet again, another terrific example of how Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is continuing to evolve its entertainment experience forward. The Fright Train is produced in collaboration with Riverway Studio from East Haddam, CT, our production partner for the successful North Pole Express, Lomax: The Hound of Music, and Murder Mystery shows.

Zeke the Train Switchman Photo: Kim Tyler

Getting back to the Fright Train storyline...as the legend goes, David, a working-class waiter in Fenwick, is traveling aboard the Connecticut Valley Line to visit his secret love Dahlia, the daughter of a wealthy Hartford family. In his hand, an engagement ring with which to propose marriage. But, another train is approaching. Zeke, the reliable Deep River switchman suffers a massive heart attack and never pulls the switch. The trains CRASH!

What's really creepy is what happens next...

Tickets: $20.00 Per Person

Recommended for Tweens, Ages 8 and Up

Scary enough for Adults too!

Farewell to Old 97

2010-09-15T10:10:00.005-04:00

In November 2010, “Your Hand on the Throttle” will celebrate Engine 97’s last run . . . until it’s rebuilt per federal regulations!

Periodically, steam locomotives have to be overhauled, typically every 100,000 miles. However, Engine 97 hasn’t been totally rebuilt since the 1940s and has run a remarkable 200,000 miles in Valley Railroad service since 1977. Therefore, upon completion of Engine 97’s current term of service in 2010, it will undergo a complete boiler inspection and rebuilding of all mechanical components . . . such as driving axels, crank pins, and crown brasses.

Join us for:

Farewell to Old 97

Your Hand on the Throttle, 2010

November 5-14

The cost for this special Farewell to Old 97 event is $500.00. A portion of the proceeds from your participation will help the VRR’s effort to defray costs of acquiring parts and rebuilding Engine 97.

Don’t forget to bring your camera…a VRR Engineer will be happy to take your photo in the cab of Engine 97, of course, with Your Hand on the Throttle!

Join us for a Book Signing of The Last Train

2010-08-23T16:24:00.004-04:00

Calling all grandparents, moms, dads and kids! On Saturday, October 2nd, join us for a Book Signing with the author and illustrator of The Last Train, an emotional tribute for train lovers of all ages. Meet the author and acclaimed musician, Gordon Titcomb, and the award-winning illustrator of over 40 books for children, Wendell Minor, who translate their vivid memories of growing up near small town railroad stations into a captivating emotional journey.

Essex Steam Train's Engine No. 40

is the "Big Iron Horse" in

The Last Train

And what better place to share The Last Train than the perfect storybook setting of Essex Steam Train & Riverboat -- located in the small, historic village of Essex, CT with its 1892 freight depot, Essex Station. Illustrator Wendell Minor even chose Essex Steam Train’s Locomotive No. 40 as the “big iron horse” for his paintings throughout the pages of The Last Train!

Bring The Last Train to life . . . aboard an Essex Steam Train ride pulled by Steam Engine No. 40. On October 2nd, the train will be operated by Engineer Paul Lewis, Road Foreman of Engines and Trainmaster of the Valley Railroad Company . . . not to mention the illustrated “railroad man" driving Engine No. 40 in The Last Train!

Highlights for The Last Train Book Signing on Saturday, October 2nd are:
• Book Purchase & Signing in the Oliver Jensen Gallery in River Valley
Junction, 12:00 to 3:30 pm.
• Vintage train ride pulled by Engine No. 40 at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30.
• Photo opportunities with Engine No. 40 when train is in Essex Station (15 minutes prior each departure).

The Last Train will be released mid-September by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. Click here for a Book Review and Video Trailer.

Happy Reading . . . Happy Memories (old and new)!

~ Susan

Engine No. 40 Celebrates its 90th Birthday!

2010-08-18T14:10:00.036-04:00

Ninety years ago this month, in August 1920, Steam Engine No. 40 was built by the AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY, at their Brooks Works in Dunkirk, NY.

No. 40 had a long and interesting career prior to its arrival at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. Originally, No. 40 was one of 3 identical engines constructed for the new Portland, Astoria & Pacific Railroad, however, the company building the PA&P went bankrupt before the line was finished. For over a year, the locomotive sat on the docks at Portland until it was purchased by the Minarets & Western Railway to haul loads of logs and lumber. When that railroad could not pay its debts, the locomotive was given to the Southern Pacific Railroad and then sold to a used locomotive dealer. Eventually, No. 40 was bought by The Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad in North Carolina.

On the A&R, Engine No. 40 pulled freight and passenger trains and was involved in one major derailment where it came to rest on its side (above photo). Around 1950, No. 40 was replaced by a diesel locomotive, retired and stored in a small shed. Finally, in 1977, No. 40 was discovered by an employee of The Valley Railroad Company, purchased and loaded onto flat cars for its trip to Essex, CT...and a new career pulling trainloads of tourists aboard the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat.

Today, No. 40 is one of less than 200 operable steam locomotives in the United States, versus the roughly 180,000 steam engines in operation at the height of the steam era. Each day it runs, No. 40 burns about 2 tons of low sulfur coal for fuel and evaporates about 6000 gallons of water, pulling a 400-ton train a total of 50 miles. This is pretty much the same distance that No. 40 has run for most of its life.

Happy Holidays in August!

2010-08-06T12:34:00.011-04:00

Our ever-popular North Pole Express tickets went on sale Monday, August 2nd, and we've been busy booking reservations all week long. Plenty of seats still remain...even though Saturday's in December are completely sold out.

I appreciate the incredible patience of ALL our LOYAL customers when making North Pole Express ticket purchases. While we had 10 phone lines dedicated to North Pole Express reservations, I know that many of you waited a long time to speak with a ticket agent. Our staff worked diligently to handle incoming calls...in fact, they received over 2,800 phone calls on Wednesday, the first day of sales for Coach Seating.

Thank you for your reservation...all of us at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat look forward to seeing you aboard the North Pole Express! And, don't forget about our family-friendly Holiday Buffet before or after your trip to the North Pole...it's convenient and delicious!

Until we journey again, I hope your family enjoys many summer pleasures together in August.

Sincerely,

Bob

All Aboard the 2010 North Pole Express!

2010-07-23T13:39:00.002-04:00

Happy Holidays in July! Tickets for the 2010 North Pole Express are about to go on sale August 2nd, and all of us at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat look forward to welcoming your family aboard.

But, FIRST, we’re happy to announce that there will be NO price increase for individual North Pole Express tickets this season.

• Parlor Car Tickets - $50.00 each

• Coach Tickets - $25.00 each

Staggered Ticket Sales start Monday, August 2nd!

To ensure a smooth and fair ticketing process for ALL our customers, Essex Steam Train will implement staggered ticket sales for the 2010 North Pole Express. Tickets will go on sale August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th as follows:

• Monday, August 2 – Purchase of the entire, 32 seat Parlor Car ($1,600.00)
       ~ Parlor Car Tickets:  Reserve by calling 800-377-3987.

• Tuesday, August 3 – Open Seating in Parlor Car
       ~ Parlor Car Tickets: Reserve by calling 800-377-3987.

• Wednesday, August 4 – Open Seating in Coach Cars
       ~ Coach Tickets for ALL Saturday Nights:  Reserve by calling 800-377-3987.
       ~ Coach Tickets for ALL Other Nights: Reserve online at:

www.essexsteamtrain.com/buytickets.html.

Note: Please have 1 or 2 back-up dates readily available to ensure a more speedy reservation if your first choice of date is unavailable.

The North Pole Express will depart at 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm on the following dates:

November 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 30
December 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5,7, 8, 9,10,11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28

Additional departures will operate at 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm on Friday & Saturday nights as follows:

November 26, 27
December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18

Holiday Dinner at Essex Station is a “Delicious and Convenient” enhancement to the North Pole Express!

Back for a 3rd season…Olde Tymes Catering will be serving a family-friendly, Holiday Buffet in the Oliver Jensen Gallery, right here at Essex Station. Previous customers said the on-site buffet was “delicious” and the “perfect complement” to their holiday tradition aboard the North Pole Express.

A GREAT family value … the cost for the Holiday Buffet is $21.99 for Adults and $6.99 for Children (kids under 2 are free). Seating Times are 5:30pm (prior to the 7:00pm train ride) and 6:30pm (immediately after the 5:00pm train ride). Reservations are highly recommended by calling or e-mailing Olde Tymes at:

Phone: 860-887-8515

Email: reservations@oldetymes.com

Merry, Merry,

~ Susan

"Sitting Across the Table from My Beautiful Wife"

2010-07-18T18:16:00.002-04:00

This is my favorite response ever to the customer survey question, "What did you enjoy most on board the Essex Clipper Dinner Train?".

While the most common answers to this question are “romantic atmosphere”, “outstanding service” and “scenic views”, ultimately the Essex Clipper recognizes the value of time together with a loved one and translates that precious time into a truly special occasion.

Therefore, I invite you to make a dinner reservation aboard the Essex Clipper this summer, my favorite time of year to enjoy a romantic journey during the longer daylight hours. Consider it an occasion to simply spend time one-on-one, to relax and renew the bonds that brought the two of you together in the first place. Trust me, you'll arrive back to Essex Station from your mini-vacation totally refreshed and in love!

The Essex Clipper pulls out of Essex Station 3 days a week in July and August:

Friday - Boards 7:00 pm / Departs 7:30 pm
Saturday – Boards 6:30 pm / Departs 7:00 pm
Sunday – Boards 3:30 pm / Departs 4:00 pm

Choice of entree includes: Prime Rib Au Jus, Chicken Francais with a Lemon Buerre Blanc, or Filet of Salmon with a Lemon Dill Sauce. Also included is Mixed Green Salad, Chef’s Seasonal Accompaniments, Dessert and Coffee/Tea.

For romance, relaxation, and meal selection . . . please call 800-377-3987.

~ Susan

Happy Anniversary to the Pride of the Rails

2010-07-07T22:31:00.052-04:00

It’s only fitting that we recognize the Great Republic's 80th Birthday early in the 2010 season. Certainly this unique Parlor Car is deserving of a season-long celebration...it happens to be 1 of only 14 Pullman cars built for the Yankee Clipper, the fastest, Boston-New York express train of its day on the New Haven Railroad.

The Yankee Clipper, named in acknowledgment of the gallant clipper ships that carried America to its peak in sail powered commerce, made its first duo run between New York and Boston on March 18th, 1930. The 4-hour and 45-minute excursion was 15 minutes quicker than any previously scheduled train on the New Haven Railroad. Each of the 14 coaches was named for a famous clipper ship; the Great Republic commemorates the largest clipper ship ever built.

The Yankee Clipper included the most advanced equipment and technology of its time. Luxurious interior furnishings included mohair-covered plush seating and Georgian walnut paneling, tables and trim. The quality of the workmanship was outstanding; the bottom of every table and chair had the car name carved into the wood. Individual lamps and call buttons were provided. Each car had 1 or more Pullman attendants, serving beverages at the passengers’ seats.

The Yankee Clipper service lasted for 20 years, but by the 1960’s, the original cars were being scrapped. That’s when a postal employee named Jim Bradley, who lived near the Amtrak line in Stonington, Connecticut, decided to save some of the Yankee Clipper’s railroad heritage. In 1962 - 1964, Jim purchased 6 cars marked for destruction. Bradley built a spur track on his property and maintained the equipment for 30 years. By keeping roofs and windows weather tight, each car became a time capsule from an earlier era.

Upon Jim’s death, the Valley Railroad purchased the Great Republic from his nephew, David Bradley. Valley Railroad employees and “Friends” volunteers spent thousands of hours making extensive exterior and interior renovations to restore the Great Republic to as close to its original condition.

In 1991, when cinema director Spike Lee was preparing to film his movie “Malcolm X", the Valley Railroad was contacted for the use of a car that would resemble the Pullman on which Malcolm Little worked as a young man. Spike Lee's crew had come to the right railroad...the Great Republic was most likely one of the actual cars Malcolm was a porter on for the New Haven Railroad. With some fast cosmetic work by the movie’s creative team, the Great Republic was taken to 125^th Street Station in New York for filming.

Today, the Great Republic proudly carries thousands of visitors aboard the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. This first-class Parlor Car features individual swivel seats for maximum comfort and viewing pleasure of the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. It also continues to be a highly sought backdrop for for movie shoots, magazine layouts and wedding photography, as depicted in this stunning photo by Melani Lust.

Hop on board the Great Republic to relax in style, sip a cool beverage, and revel in the stunning vistas...all while enjoying a piece of rail and maritime history. For a modest extra fare of $5.00 per person, the Parlor Car is the way the way to celebrate...anyone's birthday or anniversary!

All Aboard,

~ Susan

Murder Mystery Madness . . . Every Friday Night in July and August!

2010-06-29T21:49:00.027-04:00

Back by wildly popular demand…the Essex Clipper’s Murder Mystery entertainment starts this Friday night! Dress rehearsal for the NEW show received RAVE reviews. Tickets are selling fast…7/2 and 7/23 are already SOLD OUT!

The Band Slayed On: A Murderous Musical Mystery Tour, written by Anna Maria Trusky with Ira Sakolsky, weaves together an intriguing tale about a newly formed rock band including a colorful cast of characters -- a ravishing Russian percussionist, a fiery Spanish former matador, and a washed-up British rock star. They're on their first U.S. tour, and the Essex Clipper is their ticket to success and superstardom. But secrets, rivalries, and creative differences threaten to throw the tour off course!

The Band Slayed On is yet another innovative collaboration of the Arts and Tourism! Since Riverway Studio’s successful implementation of Essex Steam Train’s "theater-in-the-rectangle" concept aboard the annual North Pole Express, Riverway has also produced first-rate entertainment for our Lomax, The Hound of Music and Murder Mystery trains. The popularity of last year's Murder Mystery series says again, that the Valley Railroad and Riverway Studio are onto something BIG...reinvigorating the Essex Steam Train passenger experience!

Round up the Gang for Friday Night Lite . . . Lite Dinner, Lite Entertainment, Lite Price, and a whole lot of FUN!

Murder Mystery is the theme for our Friday Night Lite program for the 2010 summer season. So get a group together and leave the stress of the work week behind...at a cost that’s easy on the wallet too! For the lite price of $45.00 a ticket, you’ll enjoy a 2½-hour train journey, 1 hour of lite entertainment, and a lite dinner - - Chicken Caesar Salad or Vegetable Wrap, Fruit and Brownie. Full bar service is available on board with Cash or Credit Card. Train boards at 7:00pm for 7:30pm departure. Reservations are a MUST! Call 800 – 377 – 3987.

Happy 4th of July!

~ Susan

Come Spend a Summer Day With Us!

2010-06-25T09:24:00.018-04:00

Happy Summer! Tomorrow is the first day of Essex Steam Train & Riverboat's Daily Summer Schedule, which will operate through August 29th. So gather your friends and family and come immerse yourselves in the natural beauty of the lush Connecticut River Valley. Swivel in a comfy Parlor Car chair while sipping a cool drink and enjoying panoramic views...delight in summer breezes and blue skies aboard open decks of the Becky Thatcher Riverboat...and savor the simple summer pleasure of a good hot dog with mustard and relish. Most of all, we hope you'll come and spend quality time reconnecting with loved ones.

For a different twist on our nature excursion, try the Gillette Castle Hiking Connection. Travel by train to the Ferry Road flagstop, where you'll disembark and ride the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry across the Connecticut River. Explore nature up close on a 3/8 mile hike up to Gillette Castle...and be sure to pack a picnic lunch.

Back at Essex Station, don't forget to stop by our interactive museum in River Valley Junction. Go "sightdoing" through the Connecticut River Valley via hand-on exhibits presented by local museums and attractions. Ring the bell, toot the horn and make the engine roar in a Diesel Locomotive Replica and have fun pushing the buttons to operate a Model Train Layout.

Finally, as we celebrate the start of our daily summer schedule, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat also welcomes you to our first "What's New" blog. "What's New" is for visitors to our website who are not subscribers to our monthly e-blast for event news. And for you loyal e-blast subscribers and enthusiasts, "What's New" promises to go beyond event updates and deliver weekly info and insider access from The Valley Railroad.

Here's to the Joys of Summer!

~ Susan