essex steam train & riverboat 2023

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Timeless. Beautiful. Captivating. This year, step back in time to historic 1892 Essex Station and embark on an unforgettable 2.5-hour journey into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. A steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches on a narrated round-trip through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester.

It's fun for everyone... with all the bells and whistles. 

Essex Steam Train offers unique access to several coves and preserves, immersing passengers in an onboard eco-excursion. Don’t forget your camera. When you arrive at Deep River Landing, your steam train & riverboat excursion continues aboard the multi-deck, Becky Thatcher riverboat for a relaxing 1-1/4-hour cruise along the Connecticut River before returning to Essex Station via steam locomotive.

Essex Station is more than a family railroad attraction with a train-themed gift shop. We’re a destination for your special events, weddings, and other facility rentals with plenty of parking. Need your event catered? We do that, too. Visit our website for details. 

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1 Railroad Ave. Historic Essex Station Essex , CT 06426 United States

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Travel planning assistance 888-CTvisit (288-4748)

Connecticut Office of Tourism

450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 5 Hartford, CT 06103

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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ESSEX STEAM TRAIN & RIVERBOAT - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat adventure is perfect for large groups – a beautiful train ride to the docks of the Becky Thatcher riverboat to a relaxing cruise on the Connecticut River and a return train ride back to Essex Station (2.5 hours total time). 

2023 Schedule

May 13 – June 18:  Saturday & Sundays  AND Monday May 29

June 22 – August 28:  Thursday – Mondays (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

September 1 – September 25:  Friday – Mondays (Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

September 28 – October 29:  Thursday – Mondays (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

11:00 am, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm = (1) Hour Train Excursion OR (2.5) Hour Train & Riverboat Excursion

Caboose Weekends : May 13 & 14, June 3 & 4, July 1 & 2, August 5 & 6, September 2 & 3, October 7 & 8

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Connecticut River Museum

Scotch Plains Tavern

• 1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426, USA
• [email protected]
• 860-767-0103
• http://essexsteamtrain.com/

1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426, USA (Get directions)

Opening Hours

• Monday - --> 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• Tuesday Closed
• Wednesday Closed
• Thursday Closed
• Friday - --> 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• Saturday - --> 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• Sunday - --> 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

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North Pole Express 2023 Sales FAQS

All tickets are first come, first served and all sales are final. there are no refunds, exchanges or credits., 2023 operating dates, 2023 operating times, 2023 ticket prices, on sale dates (online only, no phone or in person sales).

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Day out with thomas 2023- colors tour - with essex steam train and riverboat, april 22-23 & 29-30, essex steam train and riverboat, organization:.

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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Railroads & Locomotives Tourist Railroad Profiles Essex Steam Train and Riverboat profile

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat profile

The Essex Steam Train is unusual in offering a train ride that can be combined with a connecting riverboat excursion.

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The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat offer train rides hauled by either steam locomotive 2-8-2 No. 40, which dates from 1920; 2-8-0 No. 97, built in 1926; or the far newer Chinese-built 2-8-2 No. 3025, while the Becky Thatcher , a replica of a three-deck Mississippi-style riverboat, handles the water excursion. A number of seasonal events and excursions take place, including a wildlife-viewing trip in February, as well as sunset cruises on Saturdays and a lunch train. On some weekends, a caboose is available for rides. Fall foliage steam specials now travel 4 miles north beyond the normal route as additional trackage has been returned to service on the railroad.

Trains operate from the historic 1892 Essex depot from May through late October. Special events including Day out with Thomas take place in spring, and both Santa Special (afternoons) and North Pole Express (evenings) holiday-themed trains run in both November and December. Spring and fall are fine times to visit as well, with the leaves either a new green or in brilliant autumn colors.

Good to know

Essex is a historic seaport village, with lots of white-clapboard New England charm. The Victorian Goodspeed Opera House in nearby East Haddam presents productions of classic musical comedies.

Worth doing

Nearby Gillette Castle is a whimsical faux-medieval mountaintop estate built for actor and playwright William Gillette, most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Visit it on your own or as a train-ferry-hiking package offered by the railroad.

The diesel-hauled Essex Clipper Dinner Train operates seasonally and offers a four-course dinner on the rails. One of its dining cars is a special treat: the heavyweight Pullman parlor car Wallingford, built in 1927 for the New York, New Haven & Hartford .

Getting there

Essex is located on Route 9 just 3 miles from Interstate 95.

Location: 1 Railroad Avenue, Essex, CT Phone: 860-767-0103 or 800-377-3987 Website: essexsteamtrain.com E-mail: [email protected]

See more Northeast tourist railroads you must visit.

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Event views navigation, october 2023, essex steam train & riverboat excursions.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 2 1/2-hour journey begins at the historic 1892 Essex Station for a 12-mile, narrated round-trip into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester.

Essex Clipper Dinner Train

All aboard the elegant Essex Clipper for a 4-course meal served in beautifully restored 1920’s Pullman diners pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive.

February 2024

Sold out-valentine dinner train.

The romance of the rails and vintage train cars set the scene for a memorable expression of your affection.

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