The Naugatuck Railroad

The original Naugatuck system was formed in 1845 and completed its main line between Winsted and Bridgeport four years later in 1849. For almost the next fifty years it remained an independent operation hauling freight and passengers from its northern terminus of Winsted to a connection with the New Haven Railroad at Bridgeport. After just forty years of operation it was leased in 1887 by the New Haven and officially merged into the railroad in 1906. Here is a further history of the line courtesy of the Railroad Museum of New England:

Passenger service between Waterbury and Winsted was discontinued in 1958. Facing hard economic times as a result of the decline of its New England industrial base in the 1960s, the New Haven Railroad became a part of the Penn Central merger on January 1, 1969. The branch line suffered during the Penn Central years, losing freight customers and falling into disrepair.

In 1976, the State of Connecticut purchased the line between Waterbury and Torrington, and Conrail was named the designated operator. In 1982, Boston & Maine began its lease of the Naugatuck line. Traffic continued to decline, and Boston & Maine (now part of Guilford Rail System) discontinued regular freight service on August 2, 1995. The future of the line was in question.

After two decades of preserving and restoring New England's railroad heritage, RMNE was looking for a new home. The RMNE restored the original Naugatuck Railroad name from 1845 when it obtained a state charter for its new wholly owned operating subsidiary on June 7, 1995. The first passenger trains ran in October of 1996.

Today, the original Naugatuck system is abandoned between Winsted and Torrington. However, you can still catch the train from Thomaston (at the original Naugatuck Railroad station located there) anytime between May 25th and October 28th during the operating season. The railroad also has numerous specials operated throughout the year including the Easter Bunny Express, a Mother’s Day special, Haight-Brown Vineyard Express, Grandparent’s Day, a Father’s Day special, the Halloween Train, the Santa Express, and much more!

So, if you are ever in Connecticut or looking for something a little different and more relaxing you may want to consider a visit to the Naugatuck Railroad and taking a ride aboard the Railroad Museum of New England’s splendid operation between Torrington and Waterbury as you certainly shouldn’t be disappointed!

For more information on tourist trains like the Naugatuck Railroad might want to consider the book Empire State Railway Museum's Tourist Trains 2006 from the Empire State Railway Museum. Given excellent reviews this guidebook covers nearly all of the tourist railroads and museums operating in the country in fine detail. So, if you’re interested in locating a tourist train or railroad near you, or simply want to know more about a particular one, you will certainly not be disappointed in Empire State Railway Museum’s guidebook to tourist railroads and museums. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".