CELEBRATE 30 EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
It was exactly 30 years ago, on September 26, 1996 since the Railroad Museum of New England and its Naugatuck Railroad began operating in the Upper Naugatuck Valley. Our Celebrate 30 event will be held from September 25 to 27, 2026. We will be celebrating 30 years of rail excursion service in Thomaston on the Naugatuck Railroad!
The Naugatuck Railroad offers scenic passenger trains using vintage rail equipment and provides freight service to commercial customers in the Upper Naugatuck Valley. It continues a tradition started by the original Naugatuck Railroad built nearly 177 years ago to serve the Naugatuck Valley. The Railroad Museum of New England has roots going back to the 1960s and its mission is to preserve and interpret New England's rich railroad history. Over 30 years ago, the Museum's volunteers worked tirelessly to begin scenic train excursions. Thanks to community support, the fire-damaged Thomaston Station was rebuilt and the nearly 20-mile rail line was upgraded thanks to the generous support of the State of Connecticut, Thomaston Savings Bank and other organizations.
Purchase options and descriptions for our varying activities are available below.
Program Ads and Sponsorships at varying levels are available. For more information and to coordinate your add or sponsorship, please contact us at celebrate30@rmne.org and see the details on this page. Celebrate 30 Banquet is sponsored by the Thomaston Savings Bank.
NIGHT PHOTO SHOOT
Friday, September 25
Night Photo Session beginning at 8:30 PM at Thomaston Station featuring restored New Haven Railroad Alco RS-3 diesel locomotive No. 529. Tickets are $30.00 and available below. Limited to 1 per photographer, total of 30 available (to allow for all photographers to have the best conditions, tickets are limited).
SATURDAY EXCURSIONS
Members Only! train leaving Thomaston Station at 9am. This train will run to the south end of the line in Waterbury and will include a tour of the Thomaston Shop and Yard. You MUST be a current member of the Museum. Memberships may be purchased here.
Special train leaving Thomaston Station at 12:00 PM, running south to end of Naugatuck Railroad track at Waterbury. Tickets may be purchased below.
Equipment may be substituted as necessary. Current planned consist:
-
New Haven RS-3 Locomotive No. 529
-
New Haven Express Car 3659
-
Naugatuck Coach 5046
-
Canadian National Coach/Bar 5084
-
Canadian National Coach 5114
SATURDAY BANQUET (members and invited guests only)
When: Saturday September 26, 2026
Reception: 5:00 PM, Dinner 6:00 PM, Program 7:00 PM
Where: The Carousel Museum 95 Riverside Avenue Bristol, CT 06010
Tickets: $75.00 per person or $550.00 for a table of 8; purchase below
Ticket Deadline: Respond by Tuesday September 15, 2026
The Railroad Museum of New England is very pleased to invite you to a very special "Celebrate 30" banquet at The Carousel Museum at 95 Riverside Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010 on Saturday September 26, 2026. This event will celebrate the tremendous effort by volunteers and paid staff over the last 30 years to get us to where we are today! Howard Pincus, Chairman of the Railroad Museum of New England and long-time RMNE volunteer, will provide a presentation covering the progress we have made over the last 30 years.
Registration, Reception with Hors D'oeuvres and Cash Bar begins at 5:00. Buffet Dinner by the Uncommon Grill begins at 6:00 PM followed by a program at 7:00 PM.
All participants will receive a Celebrate 30 Commemorative Booklet and a New Haven RR No. 529 Lego model.
SUNDAY EXCURSIONS
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Special trains celebrating 30 years for RMNE members and the public. May include rare mileage. Tickets may be purchased below.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your participation and sponsorship! Your contribution will help us celebrate 30 years in operation on the Naugatuck Railroad!
This is your payment portal. Please contact us at celebrate30@rmne.org to coordinate your sponsorship.
The Railroad Museum of New England, Inc., is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, and our Tax ID Number is 23-7229704. Please consult your tax professional to determine the amount of any potential deductibility.
