Back in 1871, the Connecticut Valley Railroad established a rail line bewteen Hartford and Old Saybrook, CT. This was known as the "Valley Line", since it paralleled the the Connecticut River, through the valley.
It eventually became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad and was fairly acitve with freight traffic until the late 1960's, after being run a few short years by the Penn Central and then Conrail.
The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation bought the railbed and put it in "rail bank" status. In the 1990's, the Connecticut Central Railroad (for whom I was a conductor) ran a short line in the Middletown area, with ambitions of eventually extending to Hartford. In the late 1990's, however, the Ct. Central was purchased by the Providence & Worcester Railroad, who also had the same ambitions of reaching Hartford.
Through funding from the State of Connecticut, the tracks between Cromwell and Hartford were reconstructed with hopes of freight service once again being reestablished. Hopes almost seemed dashed when it was found out that CSX had a restriction clause in their contract with the Connecticut Southern Railroad (running between W. Springfield, MA and New Haven, CT) that restricted interchange of freight with any other railroad between those two points.
In recent months it seems that a breakthrough has been reached and, since January, at least two trips have been made between Middletown and Hartford to interchange hopper cars. Reports have it that this may now become a twice-a-week run.
The accompanying photographs document this recent activity.
P&W CT-1 crosses the swing bridge over the Connecticut River from Middeltown to Portland to pick up hopper cars destined for Hartofrd.
P&W CT-1X arrives at Cromwell on January 19, 2005 with the first load of hoppers for Hartofrd.
My friend Ed Hines at the throttle of P&W CT-1X CLICK TO ENLARGE
P&W CT-1X in front of the former NHRR freight station in Cromwell, CT. Waiting for the conductor to flag the crossing at Main Street.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
The conductor stops traffic on Main Street and directs the train to cross.
Here we go. The first revenue train to cross Main Street since the 1970's. January 19, 2005.
Some of the 25 hoppers to make the maiden journey to Hartford.
Across Main Street and crossing Wall Street, the train makes its way north to Hartford. CLICK TO ENLARGE
On February 25, 2005 a second trip was made. 9 loaded hoppers were hauled north to Hartford. This shot is on the high grade approaching Nooks Hill Road in Cromwell,CT.
CT-1X crossing the undergrade bridge at Nooks Hill Road in Cromwell. Engineer Ed at the throttle once again.....giving me a few toots of the horn as he passed. CLICK TO ENLARGE
Some of the loaded hoppers destined for interchange with the Connecticut Southern RR at Hartford.
Some more of the loaded hoppers destined for interchange with the Connecticut Southern RR at Hartford.
The trailing unit crosses the bridge on the northbound move to Hartford. Later in the day the train returned to Middletown with 25 empty hoppers. CLICK TO ENLARGE
This page was last updated: December 20, 2008
CT-1X returns south to Middletown through Wethersfield with a string of Plate "F" hoppers. The size of these hoppers can be seen when compared to a standard hopper, the 7th car in the string. Photo by John Wallace. Thank you for allowing me to use it, John. CLICK TO ENLARGE
The year is 1947. Engineer Bill Beaupre and Fireman Dave Corsair pose with engine #356 at the Wethersfield Station. Photo by John Wallace, used with permission.CLICK TO ENLARGE
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