This June, Steamin' With Sadie will be the star attraction at the
Railroad Museum of New England's Thomaston Station as restored Lehigh Valley
Coal Company Engine #126 leads weekend trips over our scenic railroad between
June 8 through 23, including Father's Day Weekend. Sadie, an 0-6-0 coal-fired
steam engine and big sister to Hank the Tank, will be pulling their vintage
train cars on hour-long trips along the Naugatuck River. For more
information http://www.rmne.org. For area information www.litchfieldhills.com.
All trips are on Saturdays and Sundays for three weekends
beginning June 8 at 10 AM, 12 PM and 2 PM, boarding at historic 1881 Thomaston
Station. They will also have extra displays, story book readings, live music
and activities for kids of all ages at the Station. Tickets are Adults $20 and
Children $15 (ages 3 – 12), age 2 and under are free. Purchase tickets online
or call (860) 283-7245 to purchase from their agent. This is a special event
you will not want to miss!
Between the 1830s
and 1960, steam locomotives carried passengers and freight to every corner of
America. They became part of our national history, a symbol of mobility and
change. Over the years, steam locomotives became larger and more efficient. But
technology advances after World War II changed the face of railroading forever.
By 1948, steam engines were gone from the Naugatuck Valley, replaced by modern
diesel locomotives on the New Haven Railroad from Bridgeport to Winsted, ending
an important era in modern industrial history.
Lehigh Valley Coal
Company #126 is a 40 ton coal-fired steam locomotive built by Vulcan Iron Works
and put in service in 1931. It worked in Pennsylvania coal mines and was
purchased by father and son team John and Barney Gramling from Indiana in 1993.
Gramling Locomotive Works fully restored #126 to operating condition,
completing it June 2011. Since then, #126 has traveled as far as Michigan,
Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and now to Connecticut as a
living, breathing Ambassador of Steam.
About the Railroad Museum of New England
The Railroad
Museum of New England is a not for profit historical and educational
organization and an all-volunteer organization. We are located in historic 1881
Thomaston Station at 242 East Main St., Thomaston, CT. Our mission is to tell
the story of the region's rich railroad heritage through our educational
exhibits and operation of the Naugatuck Railroad. The museum concept is more
than artifacts; it's also the story of the region and the development of society
around the railroad. We offer an entertaining and scenic train ride along the
Naugatuck River with vintage locomotives and restored passenger cars, also
featuring displays of freight equipment and cabooses.
