Official Valley Railroad Thread (VALE)

[ebtmikado]

The former Lamoille Valley coaches have been shopped over the past 2 years.
The CP commuter cars, being built in the early 1950s, definitely operated behind steam.

Try buying old style coaches that aren't crumbling piles of rot.

Lee

[CVRA7]

Regarding the VRR's new coaches - I saw 3 of these coaches passing by where I work. These coaches don't look like most lightweight cars - smooth sided - not stainless steel, with small windows that can be opened, not the usual sealed picture windows from that era. Built without air conditioning. Once painted to the usual high standards of the VRR, about 80% of the riders will not notice the difference.

[shadyjay]

I'm pretty sure the ex-Lamoille Valley coaches are all good to go. They've been in operation since their arrival and within the past few years they've all been painted "Pullman green" (or pretty darm close). Given their use on holiday/winter trains, 3 of the 4 have self-contained heating (the 4th is the open car).

The VRR must have something up their sleeve to purchase more coaches. In recent years, they've restored the Dacosta, acquired the "Goodspeed", and purchased another 80-tonner. Business must be good.

[YamaOfParadise]

The VRR must have something up their sleeve to purchase more coaches. In recent years, they've restored the Dacosta, acquired the "Goodspeed", and purchased another 80-tonner. Business must be good.

They've been selling out their xmas trains yearly for a while, so definitely.

[Cosmo]

It's all about adding as much capacity and keeping as many options open as possible.

[ebtmikado]

Why did the VRR buy these new cars? They don't really match the current rolling stock they typically run. Going to look funny with these streamlined coaches running behind steam. I would have thought they spend time and money restoring the equipment already on hand.....i.e #97, the Lamoille valley coaches, "goodspeed", etc.

Anybody have thoughts?

The Goodspeed (currently DaCosta) is the 3rd car in this little video. The last 3 coaches in the train are the Lamoille cars.
This was yesterday's Eagle Flyer, from which 6 bald eagles were seen by the passengers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pIwQIKH0vM

Lee

[Brendan]

The observation car, out-shopped last year and the 4 new cars are all interchange ready. All the existing equipment is not. As mentioned before, keeping options open.

[Brendan]

Track work at the Valley has started again for the season. New ties have arrived and are getting installed by the volunteer crews extending the line north again. At the same time, the full time crew is working south of Essex installing lots of new ties also. Looking to up-grade more of the line to class 2 standards.

[eehiv]

Looks like you are getting very close to the Marina. Will you replace ties conventionally through there or will some excavation be needed? EH

[Cosmo]

Looks like you are getting very close to the Marina. Will you replace ties conventionally through there or will some excavation be needed? EH

Yes.

[Brendan]

Yes there will be excavation needed, but after that is done we will change ties as usual, 1 in 3 replaced, and a new crossing being built. The hope is to have all the track work done through there and beyond in time for September's new Haddam Steam trips! Rail fans have been asking for longer trips for a long time, so here they come. Engine 40 ran to midway marina on Tuesday during a shake down run and has since been up there since for HOTT by the end of the year we hope to be with in 3/4 miles of the mill creak bridge ( the high bridge )

[ebtmikado]

Looks like you are getting very close to the Marina. Will you replace ties conventionally through there or will some excavation be needed? EH

Tree and brush clearing north of the marina is happening now, in preparation for track rebuilding north of the marina. Currently, regular operation stops just south of the marina, at Milepost 13.3.
Here is a photo taken at that location yesterday.

Lee
https://www.flickr.com/photos/33786891@ ... ed-public/

[ebtmikado]

Photo:

5 members of Friends of the Valley Railroad's Volunteer Track Crew, cutting trees north of the marina, at MP 13.6, in preparation of track rebuilding.
In Haddam, CT.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/33786891@ ... ed-public/

[tj48]

The second picture appears to show the track running through a boat yard. Did the boat yard just decide to 'expand' itself? And when service is restored will there be a crossing there?

[Cosmo]

The second picture appears to show the track running through a boat yard. Did the boat yard just decide to 'expand' itself? And when service is restored will there be a crossing there?

Quick answer: Yes and yes.