The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum was established in 1991 as a chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society,
with the desire to create an all Volunteer, Non-Profit museum,
where people can experience and learn about the majesty and power of Eastern Connecticut's,
and the Nation's, railroading history.
To this end, we have rescued, preserved and restored multiple local railroad buildings,
including the rebuilding of the six bay roundhouse that originally sat on the museum grounds.
The property on which the museum stands was the former Northern Engine Terminal for the New Haven,
Middletown and Willimantic Railroad until in 1898 when it was merged into the New York,
New Haven and Hartford Railroad as an engine maintenance facility for the Airline, Midland and Providence Divisions.
In addition to the buildings, the museum has obtained, maintained, and are restoring multiple locomotives,
track vehicles and rolling stock that have operated in the New England area.
Furthermore towards our goal, we have reconditioned, and relayed approximately a mile and a half,
out of an approximate 4 total miles of running trackage, including 3 new switches,
for the purpose of exhibiting and operating the equipment.
With this equipment and museum site we are committed to inform and educate the public
on what we have lost and what we can regain through the use of the railroads as an integral part of our country's strength.
The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum was established in 1991 as a chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society,
with the desire to create an all Volunteer Non-Profit museum,
to preserve the area's Railroad Heritage and to relay this knowledge back to the community.
The Dedication of the Rebuilt 6 Stall Columbia Junction Roundhouse and official opening of the Museum was on June 10th, 2001.
Since our creation, we have obtained, preserved, & relocated six former railroad structures, nine locomotives and self propelled rail mounted pieces of equipment, and ten pieces of rolling stock (Coaches, Boxcars, etc...) to the museum grounds. The railroad equipment are currently in various stages of stabilization & restoration.
Since our creation, we have obtained, preserved, & relocated six former railroad structures,
nine locomotives and self propelled rail mounted pieces of equipment,
and ten pieces of rolling stock (Coaches, Boxcars, etc...) to the museum grounds.
The railroad equipment are currently in various stages of restoration.
Smaller items (Railroad ephemera) include items recovered from the site and during restorations.
Included in the collection are items of railroad historical significance, donated by members and friends of the museum.
Collection has yet to be centralized, due to lack of climate controlled structure, to house documents, in immediate vicinity.
Owned by the Eastern Connecticut Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society.