Operating out of Essex for well over a century, the Valley Railroad train tracks still follow along the beautiful Connecticut River Valley, and continue today with a scenic excursion run. One of the highlights on the trip takes place during the fall season, taking passengers through a blazing forest of color and picturesque riverfront settings. The cool fall air and autumn leaves turn an already scenic Connecticut River Valley into a showcase of the season's best.
   A short excursion run treats passengers to a pleasant mixture of picturesque farms, the small towns of Deep River and Chester, plus the tidal wetlands of Pratt Cove and Chester Creek, and soothing views of the Connecticut River Valley. The 12 mile trip, out and back, takes about an hour. At the Deep River Station, some passengers extend their tour by taking the riverboat Becky Thatcher. Riverboat guests are introduced to a scenic Connecticut River, graced with water birds, ospreys and eagles. Some of the highlights include river-front homes, the Goodspeed Opera House, the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry and Gillette Castle.
   The Essex Train is lead by one of a pair of old reliable ALCO engines and a relativly new Mikado built in Hebei, China in 1989. The crew’s favorite #40 was built in 1920 and joined the VRR (Valley Railroad) in 1977. The 2-8-2 Mikado is captured here getting set for the return trip from the Chester Station with a strong hint of Connecticut's fall foliage.

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