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 15 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. During Christmas trains a $20 premium parking pass is available limited to 15 passes per departure. This ensures parking close to the station.
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 30 minutes in length. This includes the Easter Bunny, Summer Scenic, Fall Foliage/Pumpkin Patch, and Northern Lights Limited/Santa Express. The Pumpkin Patch express is 1 hour and the Autumn Colors Limited is 2 hours. The Chocolate Decadence tour usually runs about 3 hours. 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 for general “Coach” seating, although “Premium” seating is offered on select events and will be listed when available.
With the exception of Northern Lights and Santa trains — which feature assigned seating by car or seat number — all other trains offer open seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you would like to sit with another group, everyone in your party must board together. This will ensure that your group is seated in the same car; however, in order to sit together, your entire party must be present at boarding. A crew member may ask you to wait on the platform until everyone in your group has arrived.
Please note that seat saving is not permitted, as most trains sell 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: Tickets for all excursions may be purchased through our online ticketing system or at the Thomaston Station ticket counter on the day of departure. All tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
For our more popular trains, tickets may sell out in advance, so we strongly encourage purchasing online ahead of time. Major credit cards are accepted both online and at the station.
Tickets are not mailed. Passengers may pick up their tickets on the day of their scheduled excursion at the “Will Call” counter inside the historic Thomaston Station.
TRANSFERS: With the exception of Northern Lights Limited and Santa Express trains, tickets may be transferred to another scheduled departure, subject to availability.
To request a transfer, guests must contact us at least 7 days prior to their scheduled departure date and time. Transfers cannot be made within 7 days of departure. Transfers are valid only for the same type of train service.
Please use our contact page and include the following information:
Your confirmation number
Original travel date and time
Requested new travel date and time
A $10 transfer fee per reservation may apply.
TRIP PROTECTION: During Christmas Trains a trip protection plan may be purchased for 15% of the total reservation cost. This allows for cancelation up to 48 hours before the departure time. A full refund minus the trip protection fee will be issued should you have to cancel your reservation.
REFRESHMENTS: Are available in the Thomaston station and on select trains.
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.