Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton to host history of railways presentation

Rails to Back Trails - a History of Railways in the Naugatuck Valley

Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton
Date/Time: Nov. 7, 6 p.m.

Local historian Sue A. DelBianco will host a slide presentation showing captivating images of the then-and-now of railroad history from Bridgeport, Connecticut starting in 1836, when railroad was king, and all the events and industry that centered around the railroad.

Register here: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2…

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Klarides-Ditria urges support of expansion of Waterbury Branch Line rail service

 

Change of pace: Sharing a bit of Derby history

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Derby Railroad Station, taken after the mid-to-late 1800s, once the depot was built on the west side of the Naugatuck River. 

The Birmingham Iron Foundry is clearly seen behind it as well as the white-painted Sterling Piano Factory.

The steeples of St. James and St. Mary's Churches are well in the background. The depot was originally on the east side of the Naugatuck River from 1849 to the early 1900s.


*Shared from a Facebook memory of a 'Turnback Tuesday' post from March 29, 2016. 

A big thanks to Derby Public Library staff for sharing local history with the community each week!

DOT commissioner to attend CT Commuter Rail Council meeting in Derby

Presentation at church in Seymour to feature history of railroad in Oxford

Railroad history topic of talk at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

SHELTON - A presentation, Rails to Back Trails, will be held at 7 p.m. March 19 at Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St.

The free program will recount the then-and-now of local railroad history starting in 1836 when railroad was king. 

It will cover the events and industry that surrounded the railroad, including how many  rail lines have become some of Connecticut’s best recreational trails used for biking, hiking, and running. 

The program is open to the public. Registration is required; call 203-924-1580 or go to:

http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm…

*Information shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby-New Haven Railroad

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an image of Engine No. 1 from the Derby-New Haven Railroad. 

The railway was originally chartered in 1864 to help facilitate transportation between New Haven and the Naugatuck Valley. 
Although construction did not begin until 1867, there were several delays including one contractor quitting due to plans to extend the line past Derby into Ansonia. 
Nevertheless, the first full train of "proper New Haven citizens" arrived in Ansonia in August of 1871. Stations were built in Orange, Tyler City, Derby, and Ansonia. 
The railway ceased operations in 1941. Although most of the tracks and infrastructure were torn up, there are still remnants of it around Connecticut. 
The abutment of one of its trestles remains on Derby-Milford Road in Orange.


Thanks go to Derby Public Library staff for sharing this interesting local history.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Docks

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features the Derby Docks. The Docks were located at the end of Commerce Street in East Derby. Over the years, packet boats regularly sailed from this area, and cargoes containing coal and other raw materials for Derby and Ansonia factories were landed here. 
The Docks were established in 1642 by John Wakeman of New Haven. William Croffut - owner of the Croffut Hotel referenced in last week's post - was the superintendent of the Docks for many years. Once the property was purchased by the New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad Co., the Derby Docks were officially closed in April of 1927.


A big thanks to Derby Public Library for providing this interesting local history! 

'Turnback Tuesday' features original Naugatuck Railroad

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the original Naugatuck Railroad before it merged with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroads in 1906. 
The original Naugatuck Railroad was chartered in 1845, and spanned between Bridgeport and Winsted. Construction began in 1848 and the first train ran in June of 1849. 
This image shows the railroad behind the Hallock family home. 
After the 1955 Flood in Connecticut, the railroad was relocated and ran between Thomaston and East Litchfield.


*Thanks go out to Derby Public Library for sharing this local history!

State commission to host hearing on transit issues in Derby

DERBY - The Connecticut Public Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at City Hall, 1 Elizabeth St. 

This will be the first of four hearings that the Commission holds statewide this fall to gather testimony from the public, transportation providers, public officials and other entities concerning the operation of public transportation services, dial-a-ride and ADA transportation and other issues.  

The Commission seeks public comment on the extent to which existing services are meeting public needs and on improvements or new services to address unmet travel needs.  

Local and regional issues of particular interest include service on the Waterbury Branch of Metro-North, the lack of evening and weekend bus service in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, limited transit options in communities between Derby and Waterbury, the Valley Transit District’s bus service, the Naugatuck River Greenway, and other topics of interest to the public.

The Commission will use the testimony received at this public hearing as well as from other hearings conducted across the state in preparing recommendations for its annual report to the Governor, the Commissioner of Transportation and the Transportation Committee of the General Assembly. 

In addition, the Commission’s other fall public hearings will be Sept. 30 in Old Saybrook at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, Oct. 6 at Windsor Locks Town Hall, and Oct. 13 in Stamford at the Western Connecticut Council of Governments office in the Stamford Government Center, all at 7 p.m. 
The Commission  held three hearings this spring in Norwich, Hamden, and Plainville.



This is a press release from the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission.

Warning Valley residents: Traffic woes ahead

After rush hour April 24 work will begin to replace the railroad crossing on Division Street in Ansonia and Derby.

Please click here to read the story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Author to discuss railroad history at Shelton community

Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Local rail-trail historian and author Sue A. DelBianco will offer a slide presentation, "Rails to Back Trails," at 2 p.m. April 28 at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community on the Wesley Village Campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. 

The presentation will use captivating images to tell the story of the train line that ran from Bridgeport-Pittsfield, Mass., promoting industry and linking communities from 1840-1942. 

Today, the abandoned rail corridor from Trumbull-Newtown has become one of Connecticut's best recreational trails called "Rails to Trails". Why did the train line vanish? DelBianco will tell you the real story. 

This presentation is free and open to the public. DelBianco will also have copies of her video, "Rails to Trails: A Journey Back in Time,” which tells the story of the train line from Bridgeport through the Trumbull Valley. 

Light refreshments will be available. 

For information contact 203-225-5000.   

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.