A Day on the Essex Steam Train

We spent the day riding on the train from the Essex station here in Connecticut. We went for their annual Eagle Watching weekend but alas, we never spotted a eagle. The conductor did stop at one point and show the nest where eagles were sitting but it was too far away for us to make them out.

We were told by the expert Naturalists on board that eagles come to the area to nest depending on the weather. They are one bird that likes cold weather, just not too cold. If the river is frozen over they move slightly south until they find where it isn’t frozen and then have a prime fishing spot.

naturalist eagle guide
Our Naturalist guide for the trip to see the Eagles

This winter has been extremely warm in Connecticut so they were going further up north it seems. We were told that there have been almost 200 eagles in this area at one time but the loyal flock usually numbers around twelve.

The day was not a loss though because the ride through the Connecticut Valley was pleasant and we had good company and even saw a pair of swans, among other birds like mallards, bulls, and a magnificent Heron.

swans connecticut river

The train travels right by Gillette’s Castle and half way through the trip we stopped at Haddam and got to take a look over the Haddam Opera House. There is a nice gift shop there with all form of nik-naks, antiques and memorabilia to spend your money on as well as a magnificent view for sightseers and photographers.

gillettes castle winter
Gillette’s Castle in the dead of Winter

The train ride itself gives you a reminiscence of a time gone by as you gently sway side to side on the slow moving train.

essex steam train

Inside the Essex Steam Train

essex steam train calendar

This day we were hooked up to an diesel electric engine. We learned that the steam train and river boat cruise packages don’t start until May.

essex steam train, electric engine
Hooking up the electric engine for our trip back to the train station

essex steam train, electric engine

We also learned that the Essex Steam Train offers all sorts of fun things to do like the Thomas the Tank event at the end of April, Murder Mystery train rides in July and August (which sell out so book early), and then the Dinner trains in the Fall. Check the Schedule of upcoming events on their site at essexsteamtrain.com

Essex Steam Train station

Once back at the Essex platform there is another gift shop with train merchandise and a train museum. We thoroughly enjoyed the museum that shows the history of the Essex Train station and features a room-sized model train set that you get to control with various buttons.

Model trains at the Essex Steam Train Museum