Nobody?

Train places

Here is a start. Check the sites. Call. Trolley museum not far from Hartford and easily found.

http://www.railroaddata.com/rrlinks/Tourist_Railroads_and_Museums/New_England/

Rich

Hobby shops

Not sure this will be any help for hobby/train shops.

http://tinyurl.com/8754eft

There is a nice hobby train shop I go to in West Springfield, Ma, about thirty five miles North of Hartford and easily accessed via Rt 91, a interstate highway.

http://wwlp.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/!Clients/PioneerValleyHobbies/index.html

Amtrak kind of runs along side Rt 91 up though Hartford into Springfield, Ma.

Make sure you put the points in your GPS unit. No good reason why you cannot get a GPS for finding locations in 2012.

Rich

Thanks, Rich

Grew up on Shore Line Connecticut, now in Boston.

Assuming you want Train related attractions...
Although two are trolley focus.

The Northeast Regional offers convenient and affordable downtown-to-downtown service up and down the Northeast Corridor, with multiple departures daily.  

The Railroad Museum of New England, Inc. (RMNE) is a not-for-profit educational and historical organization that dates back to January 1968. The mission of the Railroad Museum of New England is to tell the story of the region’s rich railroad heritage through our educational exhibits and operation of the Naugatuck Railroad. The museum concept is more than artifacts, it's also a story of the region and the development of society around the railroad.  

The Shore Line Trolley Museum has been an important part of the community since its incorporation in 1945 as the Branford Electric Railway Association. Founded to preserve the unique heritage of an endangered species -- the trolley car -- it now boasts a collection of nearly 100 vintage vehicles as well as artifacts and documents from the trolley era. It continues to operate predominantly through the dedication and support of its over 1000 member/volunteers.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Unlike many railroad museums and excursions, the Valley Railroad Company has been in existence in one form or the other since 1868. In some ways, the history of this little railroad is as exciting as a ride on the railroad today, and reflects the ups and downs of the American rail system from the early days of steam to the present. Enjoy!  

The Hartford & Springfield Street Railway

Come visit our exhibit in the Display Hall of the Visitor Center. It takes you on a journey of how the electric trolley evolved from the horsecar to the PCC. Also, learn how society was impacted by amusement parks (trolley parks), streetcar suburbs, and the growth of mill towns.

Hope to see replies full of more ideas !

I must have missed the

I must have missed the original post, sorry Dave!

A lot has already been covered but about 45-60min west of Hartford is the Danbury Railroad Museum.  The interior portions are decent (not sure how old your kids are but the Thomas Tables and push button layouts can keep my 2.5 year old daughter entertained for at least an hour) plus a very sizeable yard with a good collection of static equipment there.  They have an operating turntable and some excursion trains based out of there on some weekends as well but you'd need to check their website (google is your friend).  Also, as others have mentioned the Trolley Museum and Essex Steam Train are worth a look.

However my peronal opinion is take the kids to NYC.  It's about 2 1/2 hours from Hartford and is worth the trip.  If you want it train related you could always take Amtrak down to New Haven and then Metro North in righ to the heart of Manhattan.  

Hope this helps.

~rb

Thanks a lot for all those links!

Thanks, Rich

MONSTERRAILROADS LAYOUT

Well I am not the "premier" Model railroader but I am a very open and fun guy with a Train layout that encompasses my whole basement.  I am more than happy to welcome you to come to my home anytime you are around this way and come see my Modern Day Union Pacific Train layout.  My family will welcome ALL to whomever decides to come.  I am located in Norwich/New London Connecticut which is just 35 minutes away from Hartford.

http://www.youtube.com/monsterrailroad

That is a real offer to come visit too!  This goes for ANYONE wanting to come by.

Al Mayo

a2thamay@yahoo.com

MONSTER RAILROADS

I for one would like to visit your layout Al, as much to meet the man behind the myth as to see your layout, which I think is great too.  I'm not much on travel but if I ever get south of the border I'll be sure to try to visit Norwich.  Just absorbing some of what you have learned about weathering would be worth the trip, IMO.

I hope Dave has a chance to take you up on your kind invitation.

Earl Smallshaw

Earl lives in the Hartford area. Sorry I don't have a phone # or email for him.

Charlie

Go south...

What's your home town?    You'll be (what is it... 40 miles) north of New Haven.  (sorry, i'm from NJ, so my reference points may be off a bit.)

AMTRAK's NEC runs here... Acela's stop here... the RR Station in NH is massive and impressive... I can only say that from it's presentation from  the nearby highway... had no time to stop  on my last visit.

NEC bridges are often picturesque as they cross the rivers... Mianus, Naugatuck and Connecticut rivers are notable large ones.  There may be a yacht club nearby, lending to the scenery. Although the drawback is covered below... get to Route 1 in a small town and poke about for a railfanning spot. 

Sadly, the NEC parallels US1 and I95, with few (!) railfanning spots... even small bridges crossing the rails will have large obstructions to your views - that's because of the catenary wires.  The best view we could get was matching speed with the nearest train... and going a bit slow to do it.  

I hope some locals can pick up on this and direct you to something more accessible...

MetroNorth & Connecticut run M8 consists... their newest commuter fleet, along the NEC. 

AMTRAK may offer discounts and promotions... judging your schedule (being Not a peak time) that's a possibility!  Visit their website.  I've seen NY to Chicago for under $100... and shorter promos also come up. 

Thru Hartford... well, the activity is to the south (NEC) or New Haven to Springfield, MA.  Most else is tourist RRs... the only one I know of is near New London... and that's a trek.  (But if the Navy is in your background, get thee to the submarine museum!) 

Keep us posted.. and Enjoy!

Peter

Getting there

So far, I have my Saturday booked.  I'll be going to the Danbury Railroad Museum in the morning and then in the afternoon, I've been generously invited to my first ops. session which I'm very much looking forward to.  Friday afternoon is still open but waiting to hear on availability of another layout visit.  If that falls through, I might just go hit a couple hobby shops.  Thanks all for your suggestions and invitations, it is much appreciated.

Steam is running in April

Hello

I just was looking at the Valley railroad's website, otherwise known as the Essex Steam Train and From what I read they will be operating their your hand on the throttle program starting April 13th. I know it isn't a train ride but having worked there in the past I can say that just getting to see any of the Valley's steam engines operate is a real treat. Also, they recently finished rebuilding a Chinese steam locomotive into an amazing looking locomotive,. According to the site, this is the one that is supposed to be operating that month. 

I Hope you will try and stop by and check it out as it can be loads of fun to see.

Espen L. Marsh

Owner of the Better Late than Never Railroad

http://www.blnrr.netau.net

Thanks, Espen

I will definitely look into it, thanks for the heads up.