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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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450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 5 Hartford, CT 06103

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Guide - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Learn more about the current Tour Updates . Safety and health is our priority.

Essex Steam Train with Lunch Onboard & Riverboat Cruise, CT

Friday - Jul 12, 2024

Lunch, train and riverboat excursion - all in one day! Enjoy a 3 course lunch & train ride aboard a restored 1920s Pullman Diner Car. Then transfer to the Becky Thatcher Riverboat for a Connecticut River cruise with views of Gillette Castle & more.

1 Day(s) | 1 Meals

• Deluxe Motorcoach
• Essex Steam Train ride along the Connecticut River
• Lunch in the Dining Car of the Essex Steam Train. Advance entree choice of: Braised Beef, Mushroom Asiago Chicken, or Baked Ziti.
• Connecticut River cruise onboard of the Becky Thatcher
• Friendship Tours Tour Director
• Trip is rain or shine.

Departure Locations

Depart: 9:30 AM

Return: 5:00 PM

Manchester, Park & Ride Commuter Lot, Buckland Street & Pleasant Valley Road

Depart: 10:00 AM

Return: 4:30 PM

Farmington Park & Ride Commuter Lot, 575 Colt Highway (Rte 6) & South Rd, Farmington, CT

Cancellation Policy

Full payment is due at the time of reservation. Payments are non-refundable. Reservations are transferrable if you find a replacement.

If Friendship Tours needs to cancel a tour due to reasons beyond our control, you will receive a credit held on account with us without expiration or a refund check can be issued for the tour cost less a $10.pp administrative fee.

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

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat profile

| Last updated on August 4, 2023

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]

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Essex CT Rail & Sail

Join us for a fun-filled steam train & riverboat adventure along the shores of the Connecticut River

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Essex Rail & Sail

Friday, september 6.

Travel on a vintage 1920s coach pulled by an authentic steam locomotive through the Connecticut countryside.  Our conductor will explain the history of rail travel and point out local points of interest along the 12-mile, narrated round-trip train ride into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. The picturesque countryside includes pristine meadows, a mill pond with waterfall, trestles and bridges over rivers and creeks. While on board our rail excursion, we will be treated to a delicious full lunch .  Then, we’ll board the Becky Thatcher, for a one-hour Riverboat cruise along the majestic Connecticut River . Along the way, we’ll see Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House, and the Haddam Swing Bridge. End the day exploring the quaint seaside village of Essex to shop the boutiques or relax on the waterfront

Departure Times

Dennis - 8:10 AM Barnstable - 8:25 AM Sagamore - 8:45 AM

Return Times

Sagamore - 7:15 PM Barnstable - 7:35 PM Dennis - 7:50 PM

L=Lunch included

Package Includes:

*deluxe motorcoach transportation

*narrated steam train & riverboat rides

*full lunch

*gratuities for lunch, bus driver, tour escort

Payments & Cancellations:

Cash, personal checks & money orders accepted

Visa & MasterCard payments accepted via phone.

Full payment is due 45 days prior to the trip, refundable up to 14 days prior to tour

Cancellation Protection is available for this trip for $7.00 per person

Lunch Menu:

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15 Mill Pond Way, East Falmouth, MA 02536 | Phone: 508-457-7461 | Toll-Free: 866-518-6877

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Essex steam train and riverboat.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 2½-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 – designated “one of the last great places on earth” by the Nature Conservancy.

The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches at 20 mph through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester. The picturesque countryside includes pristine meadows, a quaint farm, a millpond with waterfall, and trestles and bridges over rivers and creeks. A natural highlight is the undeveloped Selden Neck State Park, accessible only by boat.

Essex Steam Train offers unique access to several coves and preserves, immersing passengers in an on-board eco-excursion. The train travels near the tidal wetlands of Pratt Cove and Chester Creek – - bountiful, natural habitats for birds. Among those typically spotted are Cormorants, Ducks, Swans, Greenland Geese, Blue Heron, Egrets, and Red-winged Blackbirds. In February and March, the majestic Bald Eagle is the star of the show, when it migrates south to the Connecticut River Valley from Canada and Maine.

At Deep River Landing, passengers are escorted onto the Becky Thatcher riverboat for a 1¼- hour cruise along the Connecticut River. The visual serenity of the river valley is on full display from Becky’s multiple decks. The deep water, coves, inlets, marshes, wildlife, and rocky shoreline are all at once, simply breathtaking! Just as impressive are the historic sights including Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House, and the Haddam Swing Bridge. Upon Becky’s return to Deep River Landing, the steam train welcomes passengers for the return trip back to Essex Station.

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Essex Steam Train, Riverboat Ride, & Griswold Inn Lunch (SOLD OUT)

Ride an authentic 1920s steam train locomotive, and then board the classic riverboat paddle-wheeler for a one-hour narrated cruise along the Connecticut River! Everyone dines at the Historic and handsome Griswold Inn, included.

** Call For Waitlist Reservations

Date : Saturday, May 11, 2024

Price : $140pp

Includes : Round trip transportation via ferry & bus, tour guide, lunch & train ride

Note: ALWAYS check ferry times prior to traveling. Schedules are subject to change without notice.

For more information, trip dates, or to book your tour:

Phone Number: 631-473-5138

Hours (Mon-Fri): 8:30 AM-4:00PM

Arrive in Port Jefferson at 8:30am. Check in with your guide in the lobby

Depart on Port Jefferson Ferry at 9:00am.

Arrive in Bridgeport at 10:15am and walk to bus located on Bridgeport dock.

Arrive in Essex and eat lunch at the historic Griswold Inn at approximately 11:30am.

Depart at approximately 1:30pm for train ride.

Enjoy train ride, including a 1-hour Riverboat Ride.

Depart Essex at 4:30pm.

ARrive in Bridgeport and depart on the 7:00pm ferry.

Meal Choice

Sautéed Chicken Breast w/ lemon-caper beurre blanc

Baked Cod w / lemon-caper remoulade

Lunch is served w/ House Salad of Gathered Greens & Apple Turnover served with whipped cream.

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1 Ferry Access Rd,

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Port Jefferson

102 W Broadway,

Port Jefferson, NY 11777

Fall Foliage Excursions with Essex Steam Train

View the spectacular New England autumn foliage in style at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat! Offering a multitude of weekday and weekend options to experience this beautiful scenery from the train and the boat, Essex Steam Train has just the ticket for you and your family to see the fleeting vibrant colors of the season.

Choose from our Steam Train & Riverboat Excursion , a 2.5-hour nature excursion, available on weekends & weekdays, that takes riders through the valley on vintage train coaches. From there they will board the Becky Thatcher Riverboat for stunning views of the leaves reflecting off the water. Looking for more culture with the beautiful landscape? Opt for our Haddam Special train, a delightful fall foliage excursion that combines a river cruise, sight-seeing, and your choice of culture, shopping, or dining in the towns of Haddam and East Haddam. Or perhaps you’d prefer lunch while you ride on our Essex Clipper Lunch Train every weekend, offering seasonal fare in cozy first class dining cars! If romance is what you’re seeking, purchase tickets for our Friday Night Sunset Swallow Cruise , where you can watch hundreds of thousands of barn and tree swallows flock over the river with a breathtaking autumnal backdrop.

Website:   essexsteamtrain.com/special-events/fall-foliage

Phone:   860-767-0103

Email :  [email protected]

As you can see, Essex Steam Train has everything you need for an outdoor adventure at the turn of the season. Visit EssexSteamTrain.com for tickets and more information!

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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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 (2024) - Tripadvisor

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Fall foliage steam train & boat tour - Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Beautiful day - unseasonably warm. Thoroughly enjoyed the train and river tour. The narrators... read more

Everything was good! Staff, facilities , hor doeuvres, train ride , drinks , prices, selection... read more

Fall foliage steam train & boat tour

Gorgeous views from both the steam train as well as the boat. We upgraded to the first class car where the crew dressed in period costume to act out the experience from the bygone train era. The tour historian on the boat was very knowledgeable of the region. The crisp fall weather enabled us to take some cool video and photos of the steam rising from the train as the train backed up to meet our boats return to the dock. Fun day & highly recommended for family's too.

Relaxing and unusual experience on a steam train~ get first class tickets for the best ride Boat was fun and very informative

My wife and I booked the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat trip as part of their Fall Foliage program. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with the river cruise being the highlight. Although the train ride portion of the trip was interesting, the scenic views were somewhat limited. That said, the best portion of the train experience for us occurred at the Essex Station, as we watched the train engineer and coal pilot prepare the steam engine for the 1 hour trip north to Deep River Landing. The riverboat Becky Thatcher is a small but quaint vessel with seating on 2 levels; plus an observation deck which is limited to 40 passengers at a time. There are bathroom facilities available on board as well as a snack bar. Overall the river cruise was spectacular, with the highlights being a sail by of the impressive Gillette Castle and a turnaround near the picturesque Goodspeed Opera House at the Haddam Bridge. The ships narrator did an excellent job pointing out the sights and giving a historic overview of the river. The scenic views of the fall foliage in October were indeed spectacular, and presented a great photographic opportunity. Overall I would highly recommend this trip for families with small children, where they can experience "classic old time train travel" and a gentle ride on the Connecticut River. This is truly one of life's little pleasures which should not be missed

I took 48 senior adults on the steam train and river boat fall foliage tour, they all loved it. Beautiful, great staff and a bargain price. Been there before and will be back for sure!!

We took a bus trip here from NJ. Upon arriving we boarded the Steam Train for a 30 minute ride to the Becky Thatcher Riverboat on the Connecticut River. Once on the boat we traveled for about 1 3/4 hours before boarding the train again for our return trip. The scenery was beautiful and the staff very informative and entertaining. It was a great way to spend an afternoon. At the train station there is a small museum and gift shop.

NIce little train ride up the river and then the riverboat ride with narration full of information about the area. Learned about the castle on the boat ride. Worth the added cost to take the combo tour.

Day Out with Thomas 2024 Bubble Tour!

April 27-28 & may 4-5.

‘Pop’ on board a train ride adventure with Thomas the Tank Engine! Day Out With Thomas “Bubble Tour” is heading to Essex Station!

We encourage you to purchase your tickets in advance as these events sell out each year!  Arrive early to enjoy all the included activities!  

Thomas & Friends will be here on April 27-28 & May 4-5 with departure times every 45 minutes from 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Passengers select a departure time when purchasing a ticket (ride is approx. 25 minutes), but can enjoy fun-filled family activities all day long!

After meeting Thomas, guests will also have the opportunity to meet  Sir Topham Hatt , the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor, and  Percy the Small Green Engine ! But wait, there’s more! Included in your ticket price, you and your little ones have access to unlimited carnival rides, music & magic show, and Thomas the Tank Engine play areas!

Discounted group rates available

Advanced purchase is recommended

Free parking

Ticket sales are final

Events are rain or shine