Folks,

I got to spend a very enjoyable few hours at Essex, CT at the Valley RR today, one of the original steam-hauled tourist railroads in the US. They are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. It was a pleasure to also meet Mr. J. David Conrad who didn't hesitate to show me and Steve Harvey around the engine house to view their progress on the ex-K&K Chinese Mike. It was great to see the tender painted and lettered "New Haven" outside and ready to be reunited with the 2-8-2. Outside were the four sets of 53" drivers, sandblasted and ready for paint and reinstallation under the chassis.

Inside, the boiler has been lagged and almost 50% of the jacketing is in place, being installed from the smokebox towards the firebox. The new all-welded New Haven-inspired cab is ready for final cleaning, painting and eventual installation. The appliances are ready to be reinstalled as are all remaining valve gear and suspension components. Four (4) unified jacks are almost ready to raise the Mike and allow for the wheels to be reinstalled. The end is in sight!

The ride was very enjoyable and relaxing. The train moves along at a very nice clip through the woods with many nice views of the Connecticut River Valley and the famed Gillette Castle.

Hoping to see double headed Mikes in the very near future at the Valley RR! Any chance of that Mr. Conrad?

Sincerely,


Rob Gardner
American Steam Railroad

I can't wait for the 3025 to be done. I guess the hope is to have her ready for the circus train at the end of july, so that gives about two months to get 3025 put together. If not, I'll save my ticket money for once she's in service.

Last summer, on the way back from Maine, my family and I stopped by The Valley RR for the train and boat ride.

The people working the station were friendly, the train was well staffed, and my young kids liked the learning games that were done over the PA system. Before our train, we made the mistake of going across the street to the grocery store for some lunch sandwiches (since somebody told us about that) but there wasn't anything readily available, so we grabbed some drinks and chips and ended up hurriedly eating a hot dog at the railroad's snack car by the station before the train arrived.

The boat ride was really nice and I enjoyed talking to the boat crew. I mentioned that I saw the pictures of the repairs that were made to the vessel, and he gave me some good details. Seeing the castle was neat, plus there was a B17 flying in the area.

I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by the lack of emphasis placed on the steam locomotive. We were sort of rushed onto the train when it arrived, and really only saw the locomotive briefly when we got off for the boat. I have to admit that I was disappointed about that. Same thing on arrival back to the station as the locomotive quickly cut away from the train. I had to carry my three year old son and make a hike up to the next road crossing and watched the locomotive work across the street and eventually come back to some sort of maintenance track, while a diesel switched out some passenger cars to the train we were on.

I did like the length of the ride and the scenery, combined with the boat ride. Very nice. I just would have liked to have seen the locomotive more and not be so rushed. Maybe taking an earlier train would have helped in that regards.