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January 24, 2025

Naugatuck Railroad acquires three historic railcars for scenic excursions through Litchfield Hills

The interior of one of the Naugatuck Railroad's newly acquired Hi-Level railcars.

The Naugatuck Railroad, based in Thomaston, announced Friday that it has added to its fleet three historic railcars, which will be used for scenic excursions.

The Naugatuck Railroad operates seasonal passenger train rides between Waterbury and Torrington, and is known for its popular Christmas excursions.

It also provides rail freight service on the 19.6-mile route, which hugs the Naugatuck River.

The newly acquired Hi-Level railcars – two lounges and one coach – will provide more first-class seating on the nonprofit railroad operator’s scenic rides. 

The organization said it is also exploring the possibility of working with community partners to offer dinner train service.

The Naugatuck Railroad purchased the cars from the Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, Michigan, which recently refurbished them. 

The two lounges entered service in 1954, and the coach was built in 1964. They originally ran on the El Capitan, a Santa Fe streamliner between Chicago and Los Angeles.

The cars were designed and built by the Budd Company and feature curving ceilings and rows of windows, which will offer panoramic views of the Litchfield Hills when they go into service on the Naugatuck Railroad later this year.

“These cars are unique and will be the first of their kind operating in New England,” said Orion Newall-Vuillemot, Naugatuck Railroad’s manager of passenger operations. “We’re committed to providing the best possible service for our passengers, and these new cars will be a tremendous upgrade for our excursion offerings.”

The Naugatuck Railroad is a subsidiary of the Railroad Museum of New England, a not-for-profit educational and historical organization.

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