Fascinating video. Some really informative comments, too. I spent summers in Old Saybrook, and my dad grew up in Chester, so the Valley RR is very much a part of family lore. Thanks for sharing your hike. I got a vicarious thrill. I highly recommend that you check out the NHRR’s Cedar Hill Yard relics in New Haven.
Rich, nice to see your interested in our railroad but please do not call it abandoned. This line is maintained and operated by the Valley RR co. and we do regular work on the line. If you saw how bad it looked like 15 years ago, you would be amazed how much the line has been repaired and upgraded. There are work crews with Hi-rail track equipment that run that line almost every week. We do lots of brush cutting, install hundreds of new ties, and repair rail and rail joints. We hope to have it operational soon. The set off track and platform were Just built in 2013 for turning and storing track equipment. The section of track were you could see under the rail was a missing switch and that rail was installed in 2005. We cleared the bush to create the parking area for our work crews and installed the station sign in 2014. When the time is right it will only take about a week to replace the wood ties on the bridge. We strongly discourage walking on the bridge or on the tracks. It is illegal to do so and dangers. But there is a volunteer group you could join, called the Fiends of the Valley RR, if you wanted to see more of the line and help return it to operation.
Thank you for sharing Rich, always love history on old railroad memorabilia. It’s always interesting to see how the layout of the land changed through erosion and weather changes to the landscape. Nice find
These tracks were last used in 1968. It's rare for a railroad abandoned that long to still have tracks intact. Quite a find. I have heard rumors that the Valley Railroad wants to someday reopen it extend their tourist operations.
I'm sorry I missed this comment. Thank you for the information. And yes, I have heard the same. There was some work done around there and I haven't been back since but I was told by people involved that they were bringing it back for the Scenic Railway. I'll probably head out there in a few weeks to see what has changed, but there was some clearing when I was out there, there was some work around the area and I did definitely hear the same thing about the Scenic Railway reopening at some point. I will come back to this comment and update if I see anything while I'm out there or if I hear anything.
Yeah, that Trestle is amazing. Definitely want to check that one out before the year is up. I'll have to see how I make out, I'm usually not afraid of heights but apparently that all goes out the window when I'm standing on rotted ties LOL
Thank you, and yes this is a beautiful part of the state. I would love to live out this way, but unfortunately everything is way out of my price range out here LOL
Rich, Markay here. I am so glad you went back and filmed this. What a great episode. It was beautiful and then some. I wonder if this country will ever build with something other than wood...it just doesn't last. But what a wonderful piece of history you found. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Thank you for that, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Wasn't a big bridge but definitely a beautiful little spot to walk around and check things out. There's some houses alongside the river, people out having fun, I would absolutely love to be able to buy something like that and raise my family there, but unfortunately that's just way out of the picture for us right now. Don't get me wrong, I love where we live, but I imagine living alongside that River!!
@@richdiscoveries oh yes...that would be so awesome to live somewhere like that. I'd be fishing alot if I lived in that place. My dad took me fishing a lot. Fond memories.
This line went from Middletown to Old Saybrook. Probably the washout doomed the line to be abandoned. Maybe some tourist line will resurrect it in the future. The little track on the other video was for track maintainence with little speeders stored in a shed. The ties in the middle were to turn the speeder in any direction.
Thank you for that, always looking for more info on this stuff. One of the neighbors I was speaking to while down there said there was talk of trying to revive it as a scenic railway at sometime, but he didn't really know much about it. Definitely would be nice if they ended up doing that at some point
After talking with people and also people in the comments, the track is slowly being refurbished. It'll be nice to see the Old Scenic Railway operating out here along the river
The section of this line that runs through Colechester and East Hampton is pretty cool too. Unfortunately the track has been long since been removed but the roadbed is maintained as a pedestrian trail by the CT DEP. And there you can still see the remains of two huge iron viaducts that were filled in at the turn of the last century. Both are still there approx a mile apart from eachother. Definitely an awesome place to explore if you're into abandoned railroads.
@@richdiscoveries All sorts of cool stuff to be found there. And I believe the local historical society can provide pictures of the original structures including pictures of how the viaducts were filled in. Sounds like you're pretty local so shouldn't be an issue for you to visit. Back in 2008 I worked on a project to repair the culverts under the viaducts. Very impressive. You won't be disappointed
I really enjoy train archaeology! It looks as though there was some maintenance on those tracks not too long ago. I've seen abandoned lines with pretty good sized trees growing between the tracks after 10 years or-so.
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. And it would be really cool see any old lines come back into operation. I don't know too much about it, but I want to look into it and learn a little more
And that train bridge that you're standing right next to and walking under those look like pretty good fishing spots where that river runs into the Connecticut River
Those piers had something to do with that canal. My grandfather told me they used to bring boats up stream under the bridge for a factory that is just up from the bridge. The foundation of which is still partially there. My hometown.
@@richdiscoveries you mentioned the natural rock slide. That’s where the factory was. Built right into the other side of that brook. It’s different now since they remediated the property. But there used to be a large water tower there. Those trails under the bridge lead right to it. The factory was destroyed by a fire in the 80s. Before my time.
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. Definitely had a nice day walking the tracks and checking out the area. And the comment section is phenomenal in videos like this. I have learned so much for the people that know and some that even worked on rails around the area
This bridge is called a through plate girder bridge with an "open deck" design. (Most of these structures built after the 1910s are built with a "ballasted deck" design.) Normally these structures are built as, "railroad overpasses" to span streets and highways. Sometimes they're used as "approach spans" before say a cantilever bridge or a bascule bridge or even a swing bridge, that'll span a navigable span of water. Those wooden pilings that you filmed in this video on both shores of the Connecticut River, are indeed remnants of a wooden pile trestle that originally spanned the river. The New York New Haven & Hartford RR probably replaced it with the current structure that resides there now back in the 1930s. (Many projects such as these were done as "public works projects" during the Great Depression in the 1930s.) Those metal chocks on the rails on either side of the washout are called "wheel stops". There usually placed on the rails of a siding track wherever a "bumping post" isn't installed. Sometimes you'll find them on "team tracks" that'll serve multiple industries that ship and receive by rail.
Once again, thank you for all of that information. I feel that one of the best parts sharing these videos is the information I receive like this. I have learned so much about historic rail and details of old areas like this. Thank you so much typing that all up, any information I can receive is greatly appreciated. Also happy you were able to confirm the pilings were from an older wooden bridge. I kind of figured, but wasn't really sure
@@richdiscoveries Your very welcome. I have a great deal of knowledge about railroading mainly because I'm a model railroader. Usually, whenever you see old wooden pilings either underneath or beside a current railroad bridge, that usually indicates that a wooden trestle originally stood there.
A really nice looking area. That bridge was soo cool. In rough shape, but looked pretty epic. That's something we have very little of in this neck of the woods. It would be good if they were to reuse it at some point. A lot of work, but very doable.
I love it out there, right alongside the Connecticut River. We still have a lot of abandoned rail running through this part of the country. Some of it was tore up and repurposed into walking and biking trails, but the rest of it has just been left to decay.
Awesome Discovery it's sad that this train track and the bridge is abandoned I'm hoping that it is reactivated for train service again in the future if not maybe a bike trail
I really enjoyed the video,Rich! That is a nice little bridge and it would be nice,if they repair it! Such a beautiful view,of the Connecticut River! Stay safe and take care,brother! God bless!☺❤
Lol. I absolutely love finding stuff like this. I want to follow it farther on Google Maps and see if I can find anymore or even bigger bridges on the line somewhere
I love that you really do look around finding workings. Yes would be great to return later. You should go gold panning around the edges of the bridge lol Yes very warm here and managed to get sunburnt 😅
it's been pretty hot here as well lately, but that's all right I love this weather. Only problem is the phone overheated a couple times while trying to film this LOL
Definitely sketchy walking on the railroad track overlooking the river. If you have a minute... Would like to get more info on the Montgomery MD find with the impalas. If you could.
thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. I figure I'll try to get back there late fall or even winter when all the vegetation dies down, see if I can get a better look at it
HIGGANUM ...? I keep wondering what this said. Looks like the last three characters were painted over. Really nice video Oh google tells me it's in CN ..
Have you considered purchasing that railroad? You could use the tracks for rail storage. Look at the video “I bought an abandoned railroad”. A father and son own it. What points does the track run from and to?
thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately it wasn't a bigger Bridge, but it has local historic significance so I really wanted to go check it out
When I posted the video of just the tracks last week, a few people told me these particular tracks were laid approximately 1933. That makes sense because the tracks and the pieces of it were dated 1931 and 1932. I believe they were active up until the late 60s sometime. Some portions of this line are still active for freight, they actually go through the woods right behind my parents house. I tried filming the freight train out there a couple of times, but it's been so long since I lived there, I really don't remember to schedule and I just can't seem to catch the thing no matter when I go out there LOL. I asked them when it goes by, but hearing it everyday, you just get used to it and you really don't even notice it anymore so they are not even sure exactly when it comes through
Rich Discoveries, this video is memorable because at 62yo, there aren't many people like me still around who played on and became enamored with the NY, Nh&HRR. I missed the steam era by about 3 years. Anthracite coal burned poorly in Locomotives and there was no restriction on smoke back then so the Locomotives burned Bituminous (soft) coal however, anthracite was widely used in industry so the coal left on the tracksides likely spilled from gondolas carrying it. It is still remarkable in so far as it's an indicator of early processes and car loads for Rail Roads. I love that you find and point out these artifacts!
I'm glad you enjoyed it my friend, I absolutely love rail history. I used to wander stuff like this when I was younger and try to figure out what everything was. But now with the internet, I can share my videos and people like you come in and share all of the history of it with me. I've learned so much from you and a few others the past few years. Thank you for all of your help and knowledge
No I am not, not even close. It's a Well documented area with signage of the station that was originally there. People routinely walk out along these tracks and it's absolutely beautiful. I've done it several times and want to do it again, just like to film it when I first go. Also after posting some stuff around the area I heard from people involved in the local historic railroads, Scenic railroads I guess. They are starting to redo this area and are planning to open this Old Line back up on the historic Scenic route. That would be awesome, always love to see this stuff come back into operation
Fascinating video. Some really informative comments, too. I spent summers in Old Saybrook, and my dad grew up in Chester, so the Valley RR is very much a part of family lore. Thanks for sharing your hike. I got a vicarious thrill. I highly recommend that you check out the NHRR’s Cedar Hill Yard relics in New Haven.
Rich, nice to see your interested in our railroad but please do not call it abandoned. This line is maintained and operated by the Valley RR co. and we do regular work on the line. If you saw how bad it looked like 15 years ago, you would be amazed how much the line has been repaired and upgraded. There are work crews with Hi-rail track equipment that run that line almost every week. We do lots of brush cutting, install hundreds of new ties, and repair rail and rail joints. We hope to have it operational soon. The set off track and platform were Just built in 2013 for turning and storing track equipment. The section of track were you could see under the rail was a missing switch and that rail was installed in 2005. We cleared the bush to create the parking area for our work crews and installed the station sign in 2014. When the time is right it will only take about a week to replace the wood ties on the bridge. We strongly discourage walking on the bridge or on the tracks. It is illegal to do so and dangers. But there is a volunteer group you could join, called the Fiends of the Valley RR, if you wanted to see more of the line and help return it to operation.
Thank you for sharing Rich, always love history on old railroad memorabilia. It’s always interesting to see how the layout of the land changed through erosion and weather changes to the landscape. Nice find
Thanks buddy, glad you enjoyed it. I love stuff like this myself
These tracks were last used in 1968. It's rare for a railroad abandoned that long to still have tracks intact. Quite a find. I have heard rumors that the Valley Railroad wants to someday reopen it extend their tourist operations.
I'm sorry I missed this comment. Thank you for the information. And yes, I have heard the same. There was some work done around there and I haven't been back since but I was told by people involved that they were bringing it back for the Scenic Railway. I'll probably head out there in a few weeks to see what has changed, but there was some clearing when I was out there, there was some work around the area and I did definitely hear the same thing about the Scenic Railway reopening at some point. I will come back to this comment and update if I see anything while I'm out there or if I hear anything.
Thats a nice little bridge. You definitely need to take a ride down here to cross and document the abandoned trestle near me.
Yeah, that Trestle is amazing.
Definitely want to check that one out before the year is up. I'll have to see how I make out, I'm usually not afraid of heights but apparently that all goes out the window when I'm standing on rotted ties LOL
That was a great find. Love that old wooden bridge. Great weathering & colors. Beautiful area as well.
Thank you, and yes this is a beautiful part of the state. I would love to live out this way, but unfortunately everything is way out of my price range out here LOL
Cool thanks for sharing 🤘
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I love finding and following cool history like this
Rich, Markay here. I am so glad you went back and filmed this. What a great episode. It was beautiful and then some. I wonder if this country will ever build with something other than wood...it just doesn't last. But what a wonderful piece of history you found. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Thank you for that, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Wasn't a big bridge but definitely a beautiful little spot to walk around and check things out.
There's some houses alongside the river, people out having fun, I would absolutely love to be able to buy something like that and raise my family there, but unfortunately that's just way out of the picture for us right now.
Don't get me wrong, I love where we live, but I imagine living alongside that River!!
@@richdiscoveries oh yes...that would be so awesome to live somewhere like that. I'd be fishing alot if I lived in that place. My dad took me fishing a lot. Fond memories.
This line went from Middletown to Old Saybrook. Probably the washout doomed the line to be abandoned. Maybe some tourist line will resurrect it in the future. The little track on the other video was for track maintainence with little speeders stored in a shed. The ties in the middle were to turn the speeder in any direction.
Thank you for that, always looking for more info on this stuff.
One of the neighbors I was speaking to while down there said there was talk of trying to revive it as a scenic railway at sometime, but he didn't really know much about it.
Definitely would be nice if they ended up doing that at some point
Great Stuff Buddy!!
After talking with people and also people in the comments, the track is slowly being refurbished. It'll be nice to see the Old Scenic Railway operating out here along the river
The section of this line that runs through Colechester and East Hampton is pretty cool too. Unfortunately the track has been long since been removed but the roadbed is maintained as a pedestrian trail by the CT DEP. And there you can still see the remains of two huge iron viaducts that were filled in at the turn of the last century. Both are still there approx a mile apart from eachother. Definitely an awesome place to explore if you're into abandoned railroads.
Now that sounds interesting. I will look into that, thank you
@@richdiscoveries All sorts of cool stuff to be found there. And I believe the local historical society can provide pictures of the original structures including pictures of how the viaducts were filled in. Sounds like you're pretty local so shouldn't be an issue for you to visit. Back in 2008 I worked on a project to repair the culverts under the viaducts. Very impressive. You won't be disappointed
I really enjoy train archaeology! It looks as though there was some maintenance on those tracks not too long ago. I've seen abandoned lines with pretty good sized trees growing between the tracks after 10 years or-so.
Right? Even the little platform over the tracks at the beginning tells me someone's maintaining the trail.
@@samanthab1923 That's a fact! Our horse pasture looks worse than that after a month without maintenance 😉
Planet Mojo Gotcha
Cool rail bridge and the views of the water 😄🍻
Thank you, definitely had a great day just taking it all in. Such a beautiful area to spend a summer day
Enjoyed this, there is talk of re-opening an old railway not far fro where I live. Nice bridge and liked the bit with the big rocks.
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. And it would be really cool see any old lines come back into operation.
I don't know too much about it, but I want to look into it and learn a little more
Was that part of the old Maybrook freight line which ran from Devon CT on the mainline to the railroad's westernmost freight yard in Maybrook NY?
Thank you for the info, always trying to learn more history of these locations
Very good explore, Rich... keep up the great work, dude
Thank you my friend, I'm glad you enjoyed it
And that train bridge that you're standing right next to and walking under those look like pretty good fishing spots where that river runs into the Connecticut River
Those piers had something to do with that canal. My grandfather told me they used to bring boats up stream under the bridge for a factory that is just up from the bridge. The foundation of which is still partially there. My hometown.
Really!! That's cool. Thank you for this information, I always love learning more about the history of our state.
@@richdiscoveries you mentioned the natural rock slide. That’s where the factory was. Built right into the other side of that brook. It’s different now since they remediated the property. But there used to be a large water tower there. Those trails under the bridge lead right to it. The factory was destroyed by a fire in the 80s. Before my time.
This was fascinating, thanks for the video. It is good to get more information about this by those who leave comments, thanks must go to them too.
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. Definitely had a nice day walking the tracks and checking out the area.
And the comment section is phenomenal in videos like this. I have learned so much for the people that know and some that even worked on rails around the area
This bridge is called a through plate girder bridge with an "open deck" design. (Most of these structures built after the 1910s are built with a "ballasted deck" design.) Normally these structures are built as, "railroad overpasses" to span streets and highways. Sometimes they're used as "approach spans" before say a cantilever bridge or a bascule bridge or even a swing bridge, that'll span a navigable span of water. Those wooden pilings that you filmed in this video on both shores of the Connecticut River, are indeed remnants of a wooden pile trestle that originally spanned the river. The New York New Haven & Hartford RR probably replaced it with the current structure that resides there now back in the 1930s. (Many projects such as these were done as "public works projects" during the Great Depression in the 1930s.) Those metal chocks on the rails on either side of the washout are called "wheel stops". There usually placed on the rails of a siding track wherever a "bumping post" isn't installed. Sometimes you'll find them on "team tracks" that'll serve multiple industries that ship and receive by rail.
Once again, thank you for all of that information. I feel that one of the best parts sharing these videos is the information I receive like this. I have learned so much about historic rail and details of old areas like this. Thank you so much typing that all up, any information I can receive is greatly appreciated.
Also happy you were able to confirm the pilings were from an older wooden bridge. I kind of figured, but wasn't really sure
@@richdiscoveries Your very welcome. I have a great deal of knowledge about railroading mainly because I'm a model railroader. Usually, whenever you see old wooden pilings either underneath or beside a current railroad bridge, that usually indicates that a wooden trestle originally stood there.
Loved this video Rich!!!!
A really nice looking area. That bridge was soo cool. In rough shape, but looked pretty epic. That's something we have very little of in this neck of the woods. It would be good if they were to reuse it at some point. A lot of work, but very doable.
I love it out there, right alongside the Connecticut River.
We still have a lot of abandoned rail running through this part of the country. Some of it was tore up and repurposed into walking and biking trails, but the rest of it has just been left to decay.
Awesome Discovery it's sad that this train track and the bridge is abandoned I'm hoping that it is reactivated for train service again in the future if not maybe a bike trail
I really enjoyed the video,Rich! That is a nice little bridge and it would be nice,if they repair it! Such a beautiful view,of the Connecticut River! Stay safe and take care,brother! God bless!☺❤
a trusty chevy always faithful great to see you made it i gotta admit i was slightly jealous i wasn't the one exploring haha
Lol. I absolutely love finding stuff like this. I want to follow it farther on Google Maps and see if I can find anymore or even bigger bridges on the line somewhere
@@richdiscoveries that would be great to see if you do !
I love that you really do look around finding workings. Yes would be great to return later. You should go gold panning around the edges of the bridge lol Yes very warm here and managed to get sunburnt 😅
it's been pretty hot here as well lately, but that's all right I love this weather. Only problem is the phone overheated a couple times while trying to film this LOL
I love that littering sign 😂😂 dope bridge🤟🏻
I thought it was cool LOL
Hello Rich! Watching now!
thanks buddy, hope all is going well
is this up in haddam? i feel like ive been here before on the other side of the ditch
Yep, it is in Haddam
SWEET !!!!!!!!!!!
Did Amtrak ever run on this old railroad line???
good job so nice
Definitely sketchy walking on the railroad track overlooking the river. If you have a minute... Would like to get more info on the Montgomery MD find with the impalas. If you could.
That was cool!! Be sure and record the washout if you go back, that was interesting!!! Thanks!! 👏💖💖💖
thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. I figure I'll try to get back there late fall or even winter when all the vegetation dies down, see if I can get a better look at it
HIGGANUM ...? I keep wondering what this said. Looks like the last three characters were painted over. Really nice video
Oh google tells me it's in CN ..
Yes higganum Connecticut
Have you considered purchasing that railroad? You could use the tracks for rail storage. Look at the video “I bought an abandoned railroad”. A father and son own it. What points does the track run from and to?
That would be so cool if the railroad made the tracks and bridge operational again.
Nice find!!!
thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Unfortunately it wasn't a bigger Bridge, but it has local historic significance so I really wanted to go check it out
Love the bridge! I have a thing for tunnels and bridges. Do you know how old the bridge is? Gosh, its really beautiful in that area.
When I posted the video of just the tracks last week, a few people told me these particular tracks were laid approximately 1933.
That makes sense because the tracks and the pieces of it were dated 1931 and 1932. I believe they were active up until the late 60s sometime. Some portions of this line are still active for freight, they actually go through the woods right behind my parents house. I tried filming the freight train out there a couple of times, but it's been so long since I lived there, I really don't remember to schedule and I just can't seem to catch the thing no matter when I go out there LOL.
I asked them when it goes by, but hearing it everyday, you just get used to it and you really don't even notice it anymore so they are not even sure exactly when it comes through
Those little stubs under the bridge were likely some sort of debris or boat fenders to protect the bridge from collisions.
I did not think of that, thank you
The masonry of old rail bridges and tunnels is amazing. Check out tunnel rd in Vernon ct. you won’t be disappointed.
other stone wall might have been from an old trolley line.
Great video as always. It is very pretty there. Thanks for sharing
Definitely a really nice area. There's houses all along here too, I have no idea what one of those properties go for LOL
Somewhere on the bridge there should be a date stamp.
The venue for a future Trail hyenas vs. Zombie railway horror story.
That would be cool
Nice little jaunt, buddy. 👍
(34gtrskyline1)
Thanks buddy, hope all is well
Rich Discoveries, this video is memorable because at 62yo, there aren't many people like me still around who played on and became enamored with the NY, Nh&HRR. I missed the steam era by about 3 years. Anthracite coal burned poorly in Locomotives and there was no restriction on smoke back then so the Locomotives burned Bituminous (soft) coal however, anthracite was widely used in industry so the coal left on the tracksides likely spilled from gondolas carrying it. It is still remarkable in so far as it's an indicator of early processes and car loads for Rail Roads. I love that you find and point out these artifacts!
I'm glad you enjoyed it my friend, I absolutely love rail history.
I used to wander stuff like this when I was younger and try to figure out what everything was. But now with the internet, I can share my videos and people like you come in and share all of the history of it with me. I've learned so much from you and a few others the past few years. Thank you for all of your help and knowledge
I noticed that Tracks have been maintained with Herbicide,
I seem to think you where not the first one there
No I am not, not even close. It's a Well documented area with signage of the station that was originally there. People routinely walk out along these tracks and it's absolutely beautiful. I've done it several times and want to do it again, just like to film it when I first go.
Also after posting some stuff around the area I heard from people involved in the local historic railroads, Scenic railroads I guess. They are starting to redo this area and are planning to open this Old Line back up on the historic Scenic route. That would be awesome, always love to see this stuff come back into operation
Are you trying to convince me that it is a beautiful area?
Rebuild rebuild rebuild and get it running!
Buy the line and get it running!
Look at “I bought an abandoned railroad”