Official Valley Railroad Thread (VALE)

THE EAGLE FLYER is Flying.
The Eagle Flyer will be operating this weekend (Feb. 18, 19, 20) and next (Feb. 25 and 26).
See the website for details.
http://www.essexsteamtrain.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, as part of the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat's
Neighbor Appreciation Weekend, The first train of the day will depart 45 minutes earlier (10:15 instead of 11:00),
running as far north as trackage is open for service, near MP 13.5, in Haddam, 4 miles farther north than normal, giving a 19 mile steam train ride. Standard fares apply for the general
public, neighbors who live in the local towns ride for free. Those towns are Old Saybrook, Essex, Deep river, Chester, Haddam and East Haddam.
See the website for more details:
http://essexsteamtrain.com/special-even ... ation-day/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lee

Valley Railroad's Mikado 40 reentered service yesterday, after some maintenance work after the close of the 2016 season.
Here's a video of her first day back at work...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD_g1x2R6UM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoy,
Lee

Does that Approach signal(a fixed semaphore) near Old Saybrook wye still standing?

No. Been gone quite some time. The mast was taken down a year or 2 ago.

Two pieces of news on the Valley RR,
One; this Saturday, weekly Saturday hi-rail operations start out of Haddam Meadows state park for the season. Operating from MP 15.6 to MP 17.7
Two; the Volunteers and staff of the track department have completed track though midway marina in Haddam at MP 13.5. This was a huge obstacle were the tracks have been buried for more than 40 years. This work connects another 3/8 of a mile of track to the north that was rehabbed last year adding another 1/2 mile of operational track. First public trips will be on the 24th in combination with the concert trains going to Haddam. As the season continues the expansion is expected to pass mile post 14. The "High bridge" is at MP 14.6, getting closer all the time. The only obstructions left are gates way road and the washout in Higganum at MP 17.7

In my best Darth Vader/James Earl Jones voice:

"Impressive... most impressive"

Really can't wait to ride it! Maybe the Haddam Special shuttle again in the fall.

So is there now a crossing somewhere within the marina, a private crossing I'm assuming? And then the public crossing just to the north at Haddam Dock Road?

That is correct. Haddam Dock Rd. is the public crossing, while a couple hundred feet south, Snyder Rd. is a private crossing.

New Video:
Valley Railroad opens another half mile of track, 7-6-2017.
https://youtu.be/61DjlukhGBg

Enjoy,
Lee

Further and further north we go. I like seeing this happen best of luck to all involved in this very worthy endeavor.
Here we come!!
Noel Weaver

Video of the first passenger train to operate over the newly-reopened track in the vicinity of Midway Marina in Haddam.
Trackwork was completed on July 6, and the first train was July 22. It was the annual FVRR Volunteer Appreciation Lunch Train.

Lee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijl14nbYd64&t=53s

Is that boxcar on the house track at Deep River just a display piece? or used to store supplies there?

It is used for storage.

The Friends of the Valley RR have now acquired the New haven C-540 caboose that has been at Landon lumber since 1988. It was trucked to Essex last Thursday and is now back on its original tucks in the shop. it will be restored over the next 6 months or so.

New Video:

https://youtu.be/9RBfP4LYJRE

Enjoy,
Lee