Railroad Museum of New England, Railroad museum in Thomaston, Connecticut, United States.
The Railroad Museum of New England is a railroad museum in Thomaston, Connecticut, that collects and displays historic rail vehicles and equipment from the region. The collection covers locomotives, freight cars, and passenger cars from several different operators, showing the range of rail travel that once ran through New England.
The museum centers on Thomaston Station, built in 1881, which served as a hub for regional rail lines during the height of New England's industrial era. A fire in the 1990s caused serious damage to the building, but it was later restored to working order.
The museum is set at a working historic station that still serves as the starting point for rides through the Naugatuck Valley. Passengers travel along a route that once carried goods and workers through the heart of Connecticut's industrial towns.
Train rides run only during the warmer part of the year, so it is worth checking what trips are available before you go. Part of the journey takes place on open cars, so dressing for outdoor conditions makes the experience more comfortable.
Among the vehicles on display is New Haven #0401, considered the first preserved cab-type diesel locomotive of its kind in the country. This locomotive represents a turning point in the shift from steam to diesel power on New England's rail lines.
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