By Railfan & Railroad Staff
The Naugatuck Railroad announced last week that two historic New York Central passenger cars would return to the Connecticut tourist railroad for the holiday season for the second year in a row.
The United Historical Society of New Jersey is lending Hickory Creek, the observation car that once capped the opulent 20th Century Limited, and the stainless steel Tavern-Lounge 43. The cars will be used on Naugatuck Railroad excursions departing from Thomaston Station, home of the Railroad Museum of New England.
“It was an immense honor for us to welcome Hickory Creek and Tavern-Lounge 43 to Thomaston Station last year, and we’re excited to once again welcome them to our holiday excursions,” said Howard Pincus, president of the Naugatuck Railroad. “Our friends at URHS have done an excellent job keeping these cars in superb condition, and they truly give our passengers a sense of luxury train travel in the 1940s and 1950s.”
In 2022, the cars were also included on the Northern Lights Limited and Santa Express excursions, as well as its annual Toys for Tots train. The Naugatuck Railroad also ran special trips to commemorate the 20th Century Limited, including an excursion marking the 55th anniversary of the train’s final run and an excursion to the Warner Theatre in Torrington for a screening of the Alfred Hitchcock film North by Northwest, which prominently features the train.
The Naugatuck Railroad is planning to include Hickory Creek and Tavern-Lounge 43 on a similar slate of excursions this year. Ticket sales for the Northern Lights Limited and Santa Express began on July 28 for RMNE members, and on August 4 for the general public. For more information on upcoming excursions, visit rmne.org.
“Our most important goal is to educate the public about rail travel, and we do that by immersing folks in the history aboard our train cars”, said URHS executive director Kevin Phalon. “Last year our partners at Naugatuck Railroad allowed us to give that experience to thousands more people in a whole new region. We can’t wait to do it all again this year.”
