@msgranmama: There’s something about an old steam train that makes you want to leave the car keys behind and climb aboard. The whistle calls, steam drifts through the autumn trees, and for a little while, you can imagine traveling the way generations before us did, with a window seat and miles of countryside unfolding beyond the glass. Here in Connecticut’s River Valley, those rails carry a remarkable history. The original railroad connected Hartford to Saybrook Point, with its first ceremonial train traveling the 45-mile line on July 29, 1871. It carried passengers and delivered supplies to the towns and factories along its route. As automobiles and trucks took over, the railroad declined, and its last train ran in March 1968. But volunteers worked to save the line. After thousands of hours of largely volunteer effort, steam returned on July 29, 1971 exactly 100 years after that first ceremonial run. Today, the Essex Steam Train keeps that history moving, with the riverboat portion of the journey beginning at Deep River Landing aboard the Becky Thatcher. From the Connecticut River, passengers can take in landmarks including Gillette Castle and the Goodspeed Opera House, another view of this storied New England valley. With Draggin’ the Line by Tommy James setting the rhythm, this autumn scene invites us to enjoy the ride. Some sounds never lose their pull and an old train whistle still makes us wonder where those tracks might take us. 🍁🚂 #EssexSteamTrainAndRiverboat #AutumnInNewEngland #FallFoliage #PaulTherouxQuote #TommyJamesDragginTheLine

msgranmama

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Monday 12 October 2026 21:16:44 GMT