Railfan Roadtrip to Rhode Island

[babydot94513]

In a few weeks, my wife and I will be in the Providence/Warick, Rhode Island area for a dog show. While I may like dogs, I have no desire to spend an east coast road trip looking at hundreds of Irish Setters for an entire week and thus need a small diversion.

That being said and having never been to the New England states in my life, I have no clue as to what the region may offer so I am looking to The Gaugers for help. I have been to the various "Rhode Island visitors" websites but I do not want to get caught up in the tourist trap garbage.

To keep this focused on railroading (which is all that really matters) what is in/around the Providence/Warick RI area or within 90 miles that is related to railroading?

Other than railroading, what else is there that is of historical significance that one can see and/or do in one day around this region?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Peter T Davis]

Edaville !!!

 

[babydot94513]

What is the unique attraction to Edaville.

JD - getting out the atlas now

Edaville !!!

 

[Peter T Davis]

It's more of a kid thing, but fun all the same. http://www.edaville.com/

 

[60103]

Not sure of the distance, but the Valley Railroad in Essex Conn.
Mystic Seaport in Conn. (No trains, but interesting).
Newport used to have a tourist train.
Edaville at N. Carver, Mass is a cranberry bog surrounded by a train collection. Used to be the mecca for Maine two-footers.
A&D Toy Train museum in N Middleboro, Mass.
Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven, Conn. Conn. Trolley Museum in Windsor, north of Hartford.
These I remember from my visits there many years ago. Used to be a wonderful restaurant chain called Newport Creamery. Someone else better advise if any of these have gone.

 

[Peter T Davis]

You could always come into Boston and ride the 'T' as well. The 'Green Line' can be amusing if you avoid rush hour.

 

[eightyeightfan1]

David's right!
Essex Valley Railroad. They also have some restored railroad equipment there.
Wanna lose some money?....Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos.
Mystic Seaport and Aquarium.
And..The Acela..runs by once in awhile. I think it stops in Providence.
Thats all I can think of for that part of the state.
I'm not sure, But I think the Shorline Trolley Museum has been moved to Windsor.

 

[babydot94513]

What shortline railroads operate in this region and what class ones?

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Shoreline East.Commuter rail.
There's a Amtrac that runs from Boston to Washington D.C.
Class 1:CSX now runs the old Conrail routes. Providence and Woster(sp), New England Central, in Bloomington is the real Central New England, Housatonic RR in Cannan(Quite a haul from Providence),and Canadian National which uses the old Central Vermont routes. In Middletown CT, is the 504th Trans Co. which is an army reserve rail unit. One of only two in the country.
Hope this info helps.

 

[babydot94513]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Essex Valley railroad. I had forgotten about Acela and even though I despise AMTK, I may sacrifice my principles and take it for a ride.

 

[babydot94513]

From another source, (Roger Kirkpatrick) in Colorado, I was given a list of captive cabooses in the RI/Conn region. That will be part of my vacation mission to the NE states.

However, this has me wondering about motive power in that region and what roads reigned king in the early 1900's.

Any suggestions or direction would be appreciated for finding odd motive power akin to 1950's to this day.

JD

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Essex has a little rail museum there. Plus they run some refubished steam.
Danbury Rail Museum, as well as The Naugatuck RR, which has a RS-3 and a U25B in New Haven Paint. The also have a FL-9 in McGuinness scheme.
The Housatonic RR has five GP-35's, an RS-3M, and recently purchased two GP-40 High Noses from the NW(ex-Southern)still in NWpaint last time I knew.
Thats all I can think of from the top of my head as far as motive power.
In Cannan(Housy RR home town) at the station, they have a line of cabooses from Maine Central and a wood caboose that was marked "New York and Harlem" on the frame.(pre New York Central era)
As far as Railroads, only two in Connecticut in the '50's, The New Haven and the Central Vermont. Though the Boston and Maine(Partially owned by the New Haven), Boston and Albany and the New York Central had trackage rights.(NYC only as far as New Haven) The B&M being partially owned by the New Haven, could go all the way to New York city.
Hope that helps.

 

[babydot94513]

It does help -and thanks. Perhaps we can hook-up for one day next week. Contact me off-list and I will give you my cell number.

JD

Essex has a little rail museum there. Plus they run some refubished steam.
Danbury Rail Museum, as well as The Naugatuck RR, which has a RS-3 and a U25B in New Haven Paint. The also have a FL-9 in McGuinness scheme.
The Housatonic RR has five GP-35's, an RS-3M, and recently purchased two GP-40 High Noses from the NW(ex-Southern)still in NWpaint last time I knew.
Thats all I can think of from the top of my head as far as motive power.
In Cannan(Housy RR home town) at the station, they have a line of cabooses from Maine Central and a wood caboose that was marked "New York and Harlem" on the frame.(pre New York Central era)
As far as Railroads, only two in Connecticut in the '50's, The New Haven and the Central Vermont. Though the Boston and Maine(Partially owned by the New Haven), Boston and Albany and the New York Central had trackage rights.(NYC only as far as New Haven) The B&M being partially owned by the New Haven, could go all the way to New York city.
Hope that helps.

 

[revandy]

The Acela is in storage in Providence. Its been shut down due to cracks appearing in the braking system. Essex is fun, so is the dinner train in Newport. Great LHS in Apponaug. Get a chance visit the www.providencenorthern.com its a great club, great layout, and just down the road from your dog show. As far as restaurants are concerned, providence's Federal Hill is the place to go eat!
Rev. Andy

 

[babydot94513]

Rhode trip follow-up

Made it home safe and sound. Too much to see in only a few days but had a blast. As far as rail/transit goes (will not bore everyone with other stuff) Manhattan and its subways are very old and dirty, but from an outsider it is a very efficient way to get around Manhattan Island. For the most part, Peggy and I felt safe but there were a few exceptions.

Grand Central Station is what its name is meant to be and is a sight to behold. Unfortunately, I was unable to get to Penn station so I cannot comment on that.

For those of us who are into modeling - I went to Train World in Brooklyn to pay my respect to the shrine but it was closed. Very poor planning on my part. Oh well, a lesson learned.

Connecticut - Essex Valley was great to see and take pictures of the rolling stock. Unfortunately it was not yet open for the tourist season when I was there, but I believe it is open now. Lots of cool passenger cars that I was shown thru by one of the guys who was there even though it was not open to the public. This was worth the trip to Essex.

Went out on Cape Cod and stumbled across the Cape Cod dinner train which was not running at the time. Tried to get as many pictures as I could and there was an RS unit buried deep in the yard but I was asked to leave - damned guards<g>

Did a lot of other non-rail stuff like seeing Fenway Park, the Old North Church and
Groton/New London electric boat yard but this is a rail list so I will keep it on topic.

My very deep and appreciated thanks to all those that gave me some leads on things to do. I just wish I had more time to see everything in greater detail.

JD