Frequently Asked Questions

Following are the answers to some questions we often receive from our guests and visitors!

ADDRESS: Our museum is located at the historic Thomaston train station at 242 East Main Street, Thomaston, CT. Most of our excursion trains also board at this location. Please note that because our station is positioned below an overpass, GPS will sometimes have you stop in the road on the overpass. We recommend that you adhere to our directions.

ARRIVAL TIME: All trains leave precisely at their scheduled times, and refunds or transfers will not be made for missed trains. Please plan to be at the station at least 30 minutes prior to departure to allow for parking, retrieving your tickets, and using the restrooms prior to boarding. Boarding typically begins about 10 minutes prior to departure. Please plan your arrival with weather and traffic taken into account.

PARKING is free onsite at the Thomaston station, including handicapped-accessible parking spots. Carpooling is encouraged when possible.

WEATHER: Trains will run during rain or snow, except in cases when the State of Connecticut issues orders that roads are officially closed due to treacherous conditions. Only if this happens will refunds/rescheduling be offered.

LENGTH OF RIDES: Most of our rides are approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes in length. This includes the Easter Bunny, Summer Scenic, Fall Foliage/Pumpkin Patch, and Northern Lights Limited/Santa Express. The Chocolate Decadence tour usually runs about 3 hours and 30 minutes, not including time for appetizers at the station. Any other special events will have the length of the ride listed.

DIFFERENT RIDES: Each of our seasonal train rides is listed as its own page under the “Train Ride” tab on our website, and includes all you need to know about each event, along with a link to our ticket page.

SEATING CHOICES: Most tickets are general “coach” seating, although “first class” seating is offered for select events and will be listed if available. With the exception of Northern Lights and Santa trains (which have assigned seats by car), all other trains have seating on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wish to sit with another group, but are purchasing tickets separately, please enter the group name in the “Seat With” box during ticket selection. This will ensure that you are seated in the same car, however in order to sit together you must board as one party. A crew member may ask you to wait on the platform until everyone in your party is present. Seat saving is not permitted due to most trains selling out!

CAR SEATS AND STROLLERS: Due to our historical nature and limited space onboard, car seats and strollers are NOT PERMITTED onboard our trains. Strollers and car seats are allowed on the Torrington Twilight Express, but you may be asked to store them in our baggage car during the journey due to safety reasons.

TICKETS for all excursions may be purchased online through our online ticketing system, or at our Thomaston station ticket counter on the day of the train. All tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more popular trains, tickets may not be available the day of the event, so we encourage purchasing online in advance. Major credit cards are accepted, both online and at the station. Tickets are not mailed. Passengers will pick up their tickets the day of their scheduled ride at the “Will Call” counter inside the historic Thomaston station.

TRANSFERS: Excluding the Northern Lights Limited and Santa Express trains, tickets may be transferred to another scheduled train provided there is space available. Guests must contact us no less than 7 days prior to the ticketed departure date/time to effect a transfer. Transfers will not be made less than 7 days from the departure time/date. Transfers apply only for identical train service. Use our contact page and be sure to include your confirmation number, the ticketed date and time, and what date and time you are interested in traveling. A $2 fee per ticket may apply.

REFRESHMENTS are available in the Thomaston station.

RESTROOMS: Our restrooms are located just south of the station. Restrooms on-board the trains and at our destinations are extremely limited. Please plan accordingly and see additional information under “Train Rides”.

DISCLAIMER: Although we do adhere to posted schedules as closely as possible, the Railroad Museum of New England and the Naugatuck Railroad reserve the right to make changes to the schedules/itinerary and substitute equipment as needed.