The Valley Railroad, also known as the Essex Steam train is special in that they maintain and operate three coal fired steam locomotives. During the busy Christmas season all three can be found un... (more)

Valley Railroad 97 runs around her train in Deep River, CT.

Valley Railroad 97 simmering in the station in Essex.

Valley Railroad 97 works her train over Dock Road

Valley Railroad 3025 simmers at the Essex station on a beautiful late afternoon.

Christmastime In Connecticut. VALE 97 (2-8-0, Alco, 1923) is a staple of the Christmas season at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, the most prodigious of seasonal tourist train operators i... (more)

This General Electric 80 Ton diesel was built in July 1940 by General Electric as United States Navy 65-00430, working in San Diego CA. In the 1960s it was sold to Pfizer, which renumbered it 2 a... (more)

Valley Railroad #40 leads a train north out of Essex.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat operates a 2½-hour train and riverboat tour, and 1 hour train only journeys begining at the historic 1892 Essex Station. The trips are a 12-mile, narrated round-trip... (more)

Valley Railroad's 80-Ton 0901 in the Essex Yard.

Venerable Valley Railroad #97 has the honors on the first North Pole Express as it rumbles through Old Deep River Road

Two Valley Railroad "North Pole Express" trains get ready for departure from Essex, CT 12/17/2022.

In times past, heritage steam railroads in the USA closed up shop at the end of Oct... (more)

VALE #2, a Porter 0-6-0, sits on display outside the Essex Station with a holiday train.

The cold Connecticut night cloaks many amazing creatures. The most coveted to me is the flanged-wheel steam machine. Its haunting cry, even miles away, pierces with chills my soul. Man's first mac... (more)

One of the Connecticut Valley Railroad's New Haven-inspired GE 80 tonners is seen parked at the yard in Essex.