Connecticut St. Patrick's Day Train Rides
Published: February 1, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The Railroad Museum of New England keeps a living slice of regional railroading alive—not only through exhibits and restoration work, but by doing the thing railroads were built to do: run trains. Headquartered at Thomaston Station in Thomaston, the museum operates seasonal excursions and special events on the historic Naugatuck Valley route via its operating subsidiary, the Naugatuck Railroad. For St. Patrick's Day the museum hosts a special excursion, the Leprechaun Express.
A museum that runs on real railroad history
The museum’s story stretches back to the preservation movement of the late 20th century. RMNE traces its roots to 1968, when it was founded as the Connecticut Valley Railroad Association; over time it broadened its mission and collection to represent New England railroading more fully. Today, the organization describes itself as a nonprofit educational and historical group focused on telling the region’s railroad story through educational exhibits and by operating scenic and historical train rides.
That “operating museum” identity matters. Rather than being a static display of artifacts, RMNE’s locomotives and passenger cars are part of an ongoing, hands-on interpretation of railroading—maintenance, safety inspections, volunteer training, restoration planning, and the day-to-day realities of keeping heritage equipment viable. The result is a visitor experience that feels tangible: you’re not just looking at history; you’re riding behind it.
The Naugatuck line
The route RMNE calls home has deep roots. The original Naugatuck Railroad was chartered in 1845 and opened in 1849, threading along the Naugatuck River and connecting communities that grew up around waterpower, manufacturing, and (later) heavy industry. Over the decades, ownership and traffic patterns shifted, and by the late 20th century regular service north of Waterbury had ended (with RMNE noting 1995 as the endpoint for regular service north of Waterbury).
That could have been the end of the story—but instead it became the foundation for a revival. RMNE’s Naugatuck Railroad operations allow passengers to experience a working rail corridor in the Naugatuck River Valley, with excursions that lean into scenery, local destinations, and seasonal traditions. In other words: it’s a heritage railroad, but one grounded in the geography and communities the original line was built to serve.
Thomaston Station
If RMNE has a physical “front door,” it’s Thomaston Station. The museum notes the Victorian-era depot was built in 1881 and last saw regular passenger use in 1958. After years of decline, it suffered a devastating setback when vandals set a fire in 1993. Today, however, the station is once again a centerpiece for the railroad—an evocative backdrop for boarding photos, a tangible link to the era when rail travel was the default way to get from town to town, and a reminder that preservation often means restoration after loss.
The Leprechaun Express
Among RMNE’s lineup of themed trains, the Leprechaun Express has become a signature “grown-ups night out” built around Irish cheer, onboard tastings, and a destination stop that turns the excursion into an evening experience.
What it is (and who it’s for)
RMNE’s Leprechaun Express is explicitly adults-only: ages 21+. It’s designed as a three-hour event combining a round-trip rail journey, tastings, a meal, and an off-train venue stop.
For 2026, RMNE frames the event as “on a new level,” emphasizing the use of its newer hi-level equipment and a new destination.
2026 schedule and route
According to RMNE’s event listing, the 2026 Leprechaun Express runs two nights only:
- Friday, March 13 at 6:00 PM
- Saturday, March 14 at 5:00 PM
Both departures leave from Thomaston Station and travel to a “new platform” at Market Street Creatives in Torrington—about a 45-minute ride each way, turning the train itself into the opening act before the evening’s main festivities.
Tastings: whiskey one night, “Irish beer” the next
A clever touch is that each departure has its own flavor:
- Friday night: multiple tastings of Irish whiskey
- Saturday night: multiple tastings of locally made “Irish beer”
It’s a small programming choice that helps repeat riders justify coming back—and gives your article readers a clear reason to pick one evening over the other.
Dinner at the destination
Once the train arrives at Market Street Creatives, guests are offered a “hearty meal” with options listed by RMNE as:
- Traditional corned beef, cabbage, and carrots
- Chicken and pasta
- Baked ziti (vegetarian option)
Meals include rye bread and potato, with entertainment at the venue noted as “to be announced.”
The sweet ride home
On the return trip, RMNE adds a local Connecticut twist: Nutmeg Fudge Company comes aboard to serve fudge made in Torrington. Additional beverages are available for purchase at the venue, with more fudge offered for the ride back to Thomaston. It’s a fun, very “heritage railroad” detail—part culinary experience, part community partnership, part souvenir.
Hi Level and Lounge Seating
One reason the 2026 Leprechaun Express stands out is how RMNE sells the car as part of the experience. The event listing highlights multiple seating classes, including:
- Sky Lounge seating in a restored Santa Fe Sky Lounge with 360-degree views and bar access
- Lower Lounge private space (sold as one 16-person group) with amenities listed by RMNE (soft drinks, snacks, entertainment options)
- Hi-Level Coach seating described as “12 feet above the rails”
- Premium Coach in a modern, plush-reclining car
- Leprechaun Lounge individual club-chair seats with a forward observation window
These tiers let RMNE serve different audiences—date-night couples, friend groups, “we want the best seats” splurgers—while turning historic passenger equipment into something visitors actively choose and talk about
Final Thoughts
The Leprechaun Express is a great example of what modern railroad museums do when they’re also operators: they blend history, hospitality, and place. The rails are historic, the cars are interpretive artifacts, and the destination partners keep the experience rooted in the local community. It’s not “just a train ride,” but it’s also not a generic dinner event—you can only do it on a railroad that has the equipment, volunteers, and operating rights to make it happen. To learn more about this event please click here to visit the museum's website.
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