Taking a choo-choo in Connecticut

For charter bus visitors who love trains and the railroad, Connecticut's miles of coastline, colorful fall foliage, dramatic change of seasons, rivers and forests are the backdrop for scenic train rides in the state. Whether taking a vintage train along a special route designed for charter bus visitors or hopping aboard a regular passenger train service, there is plenty to see along the way., and a great way of getting in and around Connecticut is with a bus, charter bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coach or school bus chartered from Bus Charter Connecticut. Travel through Connecticut in style and comfort in your charter bus as your friendly, reliable charter bus driver takes you to your destination.

Take your charter bus over to Essex, where the Essex Steam Train has a fleet of restored railroad cars pulled by two coal-fired locomotives. The whistle blast and hissing steam hark back to the golden age of train travel, and the 12-mile round-trip ride chugs along at a top speed of 20 mph. The route takes in small towns, forest vistas and views of the Connecticut River. Connecticut charter bus visitors can enjoy colorful foliage in fall or snowy vistas in winter. The tracks go through portions of Selden Neck State Park otherwise accessible only by boat. Charter bus visitors can book the Little Red Caboose for birthday parties and other group celebrations.

The Railroad Museum of New England is home to the Naugatuck Railroad. Trains depart from the historic 1881 Thomaston Station and take a 20-mile round-trip ride that lasts 75 minutes. The restored coaches date to the 1920s, and the uniformed conductors come by to punch each rental bus visitor’s ticket. The train travels along the Naugatuck River and through the interior of the Mattatuck Forest, which is inaccessible by car. Charter bus visitors can see evidence of Connecticut's industrial age, such as brick mill buildings and the Thomaston Dam. Special events include on-board wine tastings, a Halloween party and special holiday rides such as the Santa Express and visits to light displays. Charter bus groups should call ahead for reservations and special offers.

Amtrak's Northeast Regional train service passes along Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Coast of Connecticut. In fall, charter bus visitors can see the colorful foliage throughout the state easily from regular-speed or Acela trains. Charter bus visitors who want to enjoy the scenery in peace can sit in Amtrak's quiet cars, where telephones must be silenced and noise kept to a minimum. The train stops in the seaside towns of New London and Mystic, home to an aquarium and seaport museum, and passes the picturesque Groton marina.

All of Connecticut's scenic train rides operate throughout the year. Spring and summer are the best time to take the coastal routes if charter bus visitors want to explore the towns along the way. Fall is New England's most popular tourist season, when the leaf peepers come to see the change of colors. The tourist trains offer special holiday rides during the Christmas season. For a great time riding the rails in Connecticut, give Bus Charter Connecticut a call to find out how they can help you with their friendly, personalized service.