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Essex Steam Train Unveils Music on the River

The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s new Concert Express is offering train service from Essex and points north to connect with East Haddam’s Music on the River Monday night concert series. The train starts at Essex Station and will make local stops along the train line at Deep River Station, Chester Station, and Hadlyme Station (or other rail crossings by appointment) to pick up passengers en route to Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam, where a shuttle bus takes passengers across the Haddam Swing Bridge.

The train departs Essex at 5 p.m. and will arrive at Eagle Landing State Park at 6 p.m. Concerts run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., then the shuttle returns you to the train for the ride back down the tracks to your point of departure. The July dates have a rain date of Tuesday the next day (the August date does not have a train-accessible rain date).

To arrange a pick-up at a rail crossing or local train station, call 860-767-0103 the day of the event to request local pickup, then arrive at the railroad crossing or train station to flag down the engineer (standing safely away from the track). Lawn chairs and coolers are encouraged. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the concert site; alcoholic beverages may not be consumed on the train.

Tickets are $15 for a round-trip departing Essex Station or $10 from all other locations; the concerts are free. Tickets are available at Essex Station Ticket Window the day of the excursion starting at 4 p.m.; tickets are not available online or in advance. Passengers boarding at locations other than Essex Station pay aboard the train.

Concert Performers

Monday, July 16: Neal and The Vipers—American Roots music encompassing blues, rock and roll, rockabilly, and surf

Monday, July 30: Auburn Mode—Original fusion of progressive and energetic folk pop

Monday, Aug. 13: Chris Smither—Singer, guitarist, and song writer of American folk and blues

For more information on the Concert Express, visit essexsteamtrain.com. For more information on the performers and Music on the River, visit www.easthaddamrec.com.