This is a view inside the Valley RR's "New Haven" No. 3025's smoke box. The locomotive is in the middle of rebuilding and is slated for a 2011 steam-up. The screen, the stack, the superheater tube... (more)

The Valley Railroad's final train of the day races the setting sun on this early October evening.

Valley Railroad Number 40 hauls 8 cars, the first of which is aptly named "Riverview" on the day's first train out of Essex.

A chartered caboose brings up the rear of a Valley Railroad excursion train.

While #40's engineer oils the running gear in preparation for the night's Santa trips, an oil lantern of New York Central vintage sits on the stepwell on the fireman's side.

It's always a melancholy moment when a steam operation drops the fires for the last time in an operating season. Alas, that time has come for Connecticut's Valley Railroad. The last of ... (more)

Veteran Valley Railroad Engineer Bruce hangs the first of a pair of kerosene-burning classification lamps as he prepares to take a special B-section of the railroad's "North Pole Express" from Ess... (more)

Christmas lights reflect off VALE 97, hot from a run up and down the Connecticut River tonight for the Polar Express Excursion.

The North Pole Express prepares to depart Essex Station by doing a brake test after running around the train.

A friend and I were driving home when he spotted this shot. ALCO/Brooks 2-8-2 #40 owned by the Valley Railroad rests for the evening.

Valley Railroad crewmembers Ken and Fred strain for a good look at an unguarded grade crossing ahead as they take the last trip of the day southbound toward Essex Depot. Their mount today is the ... (more)

Out of the ashes of the Knox & Kane fire, this rusty hulk is destined to rise like a phoenix and once again ride the rails. This Chinese-built SY locomotive, which was damaged in the engin... (more)

All is quiet in the yard as the clouds roll by. One of the 80 ton GE switchers used for the Essex Clipper dinner train sits next to a line of coaches and some vintage track equipment.