For anyone interested in seeing what happens in a 1900s-era railroad village, including devices such as this gallows signal, this would be the place to visit. Located on the original site of the Columbia Junction freight yard and roundhouse, the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum is one of the few railroad museums to have a roundhouse complete with an operating standard gauge 60-foot armstrong turntable.
Choices
The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum features a variety of restored buildings including a station, section house, freight house, and crossing shanties. It houses several diesel locomotives, various railcars, and a steam locomotive. The museum offers train rides along a section of the original Air Line Route. There is a new Kid’s Area complete with a child-sized train and coal car to play and climb on. Also new is a 7.5-inch-gauge train ride near the picnic area.
When to go
The museum is open on weekends from May into October. A variety of events takes place during the season, such as special events on opening day, a night photo shoot, Mothers ride free on Mothers’ Day, Dads ride free on Father’s Day, and the biggest event—Railroad Day—is held on the first Saturday before Labor Day.
Good to know
With museum supervision, kids of all ages can ride on a replica 1850s pump car. You can also pretend you are the engineer and sit in the engineer’s seat of a New Haven Railroad FL9 passenger diesel locomotive.
Worth doing
Willimantic is in the Last Green Valley, designated as the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor. The valley contains seven state forests and five state parks. During Walktober, there are more than 100 guided walks and special events, including one at the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum.
Don’t miss
Train rides are available if there is demand for them.
Getting there
Willimantic is about 30 miles east of Hartford. The museum can be reached via state roads such as Routes 6, 66, 32, 195, and 2. Once downtown, turn onto Bridge Street (Route 32 South), cross the railroad tracks and take a quick right, and follow the railroad tracks down a dirt road to the museum entrance.
Location: 55 Bridge Street, Willimantic, CT
Phone: 860-456-9999
Website: cteastrailroad.org
E-mail: info@cteastrrmuseum.org
