The Naugatuck RailroadThe Naugatuck Railroad is a subsidiary of the Railroad Museum of New England and is actually a real railroad that was merged into the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad (better known as the just the New Haven) way back in 1906. The reborn Naugatuck Railroad has been in operation since June 1995 and operates over much of the original Naugatuck system. While the railroad could realistically haul freight again if the opportunity beckoned it probably won’t happen. Still, today the Naugatuck is becoming an increasingly popular tourist line operating through the breathtaking New England countryside in Connecticut between Torrington and Waterbury.
The New Haven Railroad, its complete name the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad (or NYNH&H), was a mid-sized Northeastern carrier that is best remembered for moving more people than freight (interestingly it derived a good portion of its revenues from commuter services). At its peak the New Haven Railroad stretched across most of New England (even owning the Maine Central and Boston & Maine) and served its largest cities from Boston and Providence to New York City. In the end, however, poor management would cost the railroad by the mid-20th century and forced it into bankruptcy by the 1960s. In an interesting twist as a condition of the merger the NH was forced into the ill-fated Penn Central Corporation and disappeared into Conrail in 1976 after PC and the entire Northeastern rail market collapsed. Once the Naugatuck Railroad became a part of the New Haven system it remained a branch of the railroad and passenger service continued until 1958 when it was abandoned due to lack of ridership. The line remained a part of the PC system but service became so bad and unreliable that customers were switching their transportation services to trucks.
After the Penn Central went bankrupt in 1970 and became part of the government sponsored and created Conrail system the Naugatuck Railroad system between Waterbury and Torrington was purchased by the State of Connecticut with Conrail remaining the operator. Six years later the Boston & Maine Railroad began to serve the line in 1982 but steadily declining traffic saw the company end service in 1995. As they say timing is everything and about this time the Railroad Museum of New England was looking for a new home. After working out negotiations with the state the RMNE was named operator of the line in October of 1996 and has provided passenger service ever since. 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!
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