Steam on the Naugy! I grew up in Western Connecticut, not far from the town of Torrington. In the 60s, the New Haven Railroad branch line running up the Naugatuck River Valley was the only railroad anywhere near my home. The only traffic on that line consisted of short, local freights, pulled by RS-3s. After years of decline, the line was finally abandoned by the mainline railroads in the 1990s. The last thing I ever expected to hear was that someone was actually going to run a steam engine on the old Naugatuck Line. In the spring of 2010, when I became aware that the Railroad Museum of New England was planning to host Flagg Coal Company #75 for a couple of weekends in May, I decided it was time for a long-overdue return to my old home turf...and it was well worth the effort. I spent the day in Thomaston marveling at the sight of no-kidding steam-powered passenger trains on the old Naugy. The scene shown here is the last run of the day...a charter for the Mass. Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, which I was privileged to ride. Flagg 75 performed several run-bys on the trip, including this one on the approach to Jericho Trestle.
