Overview

The Connecticut Valley Railroad once carried both passengers and freight along the west bank of the Connecticut River between Hartford and Old Saybrook. Completed in 1871, today the railroad is known throughout New England for the nostalgic steam-powered excursion trains that run on a portion of the line between Essex and Chester. Until now the history of this popular tourist attraction has been the stuff of local lore and legend. This book, written by railroad historian and former vice president and director of Valley Railroad, Max R. Miller, provides the first comprehensive history of the Connecticut Valley Railroad through maps, ephemera, and archival photographs of the trains, bridges, and scenery surrounding the line. Offering tales of train wrecks, ghost sightings, booms and busts, Along the Valley Line will be treasured by railroad enthusiasts and historians alike.

Full Product Details

9780819577375

Table of Contents

Reviews

From Wesleyan's excellent Connecticut-themed Garnet Books series comes a history of the mostly extinct railroad from Max Miller. Beautifully presented with maps and photographs, the book will be of interest to those passionate about both local history and transportation, as well as those with an eye toward the transportation systems of the future. --Michael Lee-Murphy Connecticut Magazine (11/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) Along the Valley Line does not just provide a glimpse of state history. It provides a crystal ball for a glimpse at a possible future. --Alan Bisbort The Republican-American (1/10/2018 12:00:00 AM) [T]he first comprehensive history of the Connecticut Valley Railroad through maps, ephemera, and archival photographs of the trains, bridges, and scenery surrounding the line. --Alan Bisbort Railfan & Railroad Magazine (12/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) .. .[T]his book is a must have and it really deserves a place in the library of anyone that's a fan of railroad history. --Chris Adams The New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Shoreliner Magazine (1/1/2018 12:00:00 AM)

From Wesleyan's excellent Connecticut-themed Garnet Books series comes a history of the mostly extinct railroad from Max Miller. Beautifully presented with maps and photographs, the book will be of interest to those passionate about both local history and transportation, as well as those with an eye toward the transportation systems of the future. --Michael Lee-Murphy Connecticut Magazine (11/1/2017 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

MAX R. MILLER is a historian of the Connecticut Valley Railroad and the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and a collector of documents, photographs and memorabilia. He was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1936 and moved to Connecticut as a teenager. Mr. Miller was in railroad construction and worked as a diesel machinist while serving 38 years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Senior Railroad Sergeant in the Army Reserves. He worked for the Valley Railroad from the 1970s to the 1990s, serving as vice president and director of the line, and for Amtrak and Conrail in the 1970s. He currently lives in Higganum, Connecticut.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available