Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

The Essex Steam Train and Valley Railroad offers railroad history and fun for the whole family. The Valley Railroad Company has been in operation since 1868 and many believe the history of this company reflects the history of the country. Guests get to enjoy the moving museum that exhibits how the rail system grew from the early days of the steam engine to today. Railroads began to grow in the New England area in the 1830's and the Valley Railroad Company was born. The railway grew over the course of the next 100 years. The first train officially passed on the rails in August of 1871 along the Connecticut Valley Railroad. The railroad faced financial trouble over the years, but eventually, a group of concerned volunteers took control of the railroad and protected it from destruction. The goal was to create a museum that showed the rich history of the railroads. In 1970, the state gave the Valley Railroad Company the lease to the nearly 23 miles worth of track and 100 years to the day of the first train running, the first tourist train ran on the railroad. Today, visitors can enjoy train rides, dinner rides, field trips and a variety of educational rides on the track.