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A Connecticut Christmas Train Ride In Thomaston!

Published: November 13, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Nestled in the rolling hills of Connecticut’s western highlands, the Railroad Museum of New England (RMNE) and its operating railroad, the Naugatuck Railroad, preserve one of New England’s richest collections of historic rail equipment while offering visitors the chance to ride a vintage train along the scenic Naugatuck River.

For decades, RMNE has worked to interpret the region’s railroad heritage—not in a static museum setting, but through living history: fully operational trains, restored equipment, hands-on education, and immersive special events.

Among the most beloved of these experiences are the museum’s annual Christmas excursions—the Northern Lights Limited, Santa Express, and the Autism-Friendly Santa Express—which have become signature holiday traditions for families across Connecticut and beyond.

This combination of preservation, storytelling, and community engagement has made the Naugatuck Railroad one of New England’s premier heritage rail experiences.

Foundations of the Railroad Museum of New England

The Railroad Museum of New England was founded in the mid-1960s by a group of dedicated rail enthusiasts committed to saving the region’s vanishing railroad heritage. At the time, New England’s once-extensive passenger rail network was declining, traditional industries were changing, and numerous depots, locomotives, and railcars faced scrapping or abandonment. RMNE’s founders set out to preserve equipment representing the full breadth of New England railroading—from steam locomotives to electric motors, cabooses, coaches, freight cars, and maintenance equipment.

What makes RMNE unique among railroad museums is its emphasis on operating preservation. Instead of focusing solely on static displays, the museum’s mission highlights:

• Hands-on restoration and operation of historic equipment
• Educational programming centered on the industrial and social history of railroads in the Northeast
• Scenic public excursions aboard vintage trains
• Preservation of a working branch line, offering a true sense of the region’s railroading past

By the 1990s, RMNE sought a permanent home with track suitable for excursion operations. They found the ideal partner in Connecticut’s Department of Transportation, which owned the unused former New Haven Railroad Naugatuck Branch between Thomaston and Waterbury. Through a creative partnership, the museum gained operating rights over the line, allowing them to establish a heritage railroad with both operational and educational capabilities.

The Birth of the Naugatuck Railroad

In 1996, the Naugatuck Railroad officially began service. Named for the historic Naugatuck Valley and the very railroad that once served it, the line became RMNE’s operating arm and public face.

The Naugatuck line offers several features that make it particularly appealing for heritage excursions:

A Historically Significant Route

Built in the mid-19th century, the route once formed part of the bustling New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad system. It connected major industrial towns lining the Naugatuck River, delivering freight, raw materials, and passengers between communities like Waterbury, Thomaston, and Torrington.

Spectacular Natural Scenery

The track hugs the Naugatuck River, weaving through forested hillsides, rocky outcrops, and valley farmland. Riders enjoy long river views, wildlife sightings, and classic New England small-town charm.

Industrial Landmarks

Along the corridor are historic mills, abandoned factories, dams, and the impressive Thomaston Dam flood-control project—each contributing to the valley’s industrial narrative.

Historic Rolling Stock

The Naugatuck Railroad operates a fleet of vintage coaches, cabooses, and locomotives—many with origins on northeastern railroads. RMNE continues to restore and maintain equipment at its Thomaston shop complex, allowing visitors to step into authentically preserved history.

With its combination of scenery and heritage, the Naugatuck Railroad quickly became a popular tourist destination and a platform for year-round special events.

Present-Day Excursions and Operations

Today, the Naugatuck Railroad operates from April through December, offering a variety of themed excursions:

• Scenic Naugatuck Valley Tours
• Fall Foliage Specials (one of the railroad’s most popular offerings)
• Pumpkin Patch Trains
• Photo charters and special railfan events
• Hands-on educational programs for schools and youth groups

The railroad is run by a dedicated corps of volunteers—engineers, conductors, shop crews, hosts, ticket agents, and decorators—who devote countless hours to keeping the trains rolling and the equipment restored. Their commitment is especially visible each winter when the railroad transforms into one of Connecticut’s most festive holiday destinations.

Christmas at the Railroad Museum of New England

Every Christmas season, the Naugatuck Railroad shines brightest. The museum hosts three major holiday excursions, each designed to offer a unique experience for families and guests of all ages. Together, they draw thousands of visitors per year and have become cherished traditions in the region.

Northern Lights Limited

The Northern Lights Limited is RMNE’s premier Christmas evening excursion. This ride focuses on atmosphere, storytelling, and immersive holiday magic:

Onboard Experience

• Guests board festively decorated vintage coaches in Thomaston.
• The interior glows with holiday lights, garland, and seasonal displays.
• Soft Christmas music sets the tone as the train heads into the crisp winter darkness along the river.

Halfway through the journey, the train stops at a beautifully lit (and fully decorated) “North Pole” staging area, where families can watch for Santa’s arrival and see a dazzling holiday lights display reflected across the snow and trees.

Visit With Santa

Santa boards the train, greeting every child with personalized attention, holiday cheer, and a small gift. Parents and grandparents enjoy capturing the moment with photos as the train continues along the river.

Ideal For

Families wanting a nighttime, lights-focused holiday outing filled with color, magic, and the ambiance of Christmas in rural Connecticut.

Santa Express

A Festive Daytime Christmas Adventure

For those who prefer an earlier ride—or want to enjoy the Naugatuck scenery in full daylight—the Santa Express is the perfect alternative.

Experience on Board

• A cheerful daytime Christmas ride
• Plenty of views of the valley, river, and snow-covered landscape
• Visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus inside the train
• Storytelling, sing-alongs, and treats for children

Unlike the Northern Lights Limited, which emphasizes visual displays and evening atmosphere, the Santa Express focuses on family interaction, holiday excitement, and fun, child-centered activities.

Ideal For

Young families, daytime travelers, and those who want a classic Christmas train experience with great river views.

Autism-Friendly Santa Express

One of the Railroad Museum of New England’s most meaningful contributions to the community is the Autism-Friendly Santa Express, designed to provide a comfortable, welcoming experience for passengers with sensory sensitivities.

Special Features

• Reduced lighting and sound levels
• No loud announcements or music
• A calmer, slower-paced environment
• Smaller passenger loads
• Volunteers trained in sensory-friendly hospitality
• A gentle, low-stimulus visit with Santa

Families can enjoy the same magical elements of the Santa Express—decorations, Santa’s visit, photo opportunities—but in a setting carefully tailored to avoid sensory overload.

Ideal For

Passengers with autism, sensory processing differences, or anyone who might benefit from a quieter, lower-stress holiday experience.

This inclusive approach has earned the museum praise from families across Connecticut and reflects RMNE’s broader mission of accessibility and community service.

A Living Museum Bringing New England’s Railroading Past to Life

The Railroad Museum of New England and the Naugatuck Railroad offer far more than a scenic train ride—they provide a deeply rooted cultural experience that celebrates the industrial heritage, natural beauty, and community spirit of Connecticut’s Naugatuck Valley. Their Christmas trains embody everything the museum stands for: history, storytelling, family tradition, and heartfelt volunteer dedication.

Whether riding through the valley by daylight on the Santa Express, marveling at holiday lights aboard the Northern Lights Limited, or enjoying the gentle comfort of the Autism-Friendly Santa Express, visitors experience a blend of nostalgia and holiday wonder that only a heritage railroad can provide.

For railfans, families, historians, and holiday travelers alike, the Naugatuck Railroad remains one of New England’s most treasured winter destinations—and a shining example of living railroad preservation at its best.  To learn more about all of the museum's Christmas train rides please click here to visit their official website.