Railroad companies that ran through Waterbury CT

[railaw]

A fellow at my job is retiring this month, and it has become known that he is a model railroad hobbyist. Since his office is located in Waterbury, Conn., one idea floated for a parting gift is a display case featuring a engine from each era of railroading in Waterbury since the company was founded, which was about 1910. So far, I understand that:

The Naugatuck Railroad merged into NY, NH & H about 1906. Does anyone know if Naugatuck marked engines might still have been operating about 1910, and what engine might have been use on this line?
NY, NH & H ran until 1969
Penn Central operated through 1976
Conrail took over until the Metro-North started in 1983.
There is of course the "new" Naugy too.

Is this the universe for passenger rail through Waterbury?
What about B&M? Was that freight only? Were there other freight operators through Waterbury?
Lastly, does anyone have information on models of engines during this era that actually operated through Waterbury?

I know there are some guys on here involved with RMNE, so hopefully this isn't as much as a long shot as it might otherwise seem.

As a bonus, any resources on finding such HO gauge models would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[CannaScrews]

Naugatuck lettered locomotives were long gone before 1906.

Passenger RRs - New Haven, Penn Central, Conrail (1976-1981), Metro-North

Freight - New Haven, PC, CR,B&M (1981-? thence Springfield Terminal-Guilford Transportation Industries- Pan-Am- Pan-Am Southern, Naugatuck (1996-current).

And, if you really want to push the envelope "Thomas The Tank" 1996-2000 (or so).

[railaw]

Thanks for your response. I don't think engines for all will be in the budget, so maybe we'll have one engine pulling some rolling stock in chronological order.

[Otto Vondrak]

Six roadnames should do it. Here are my suggestions based on what I could find on ebay quickly:

- New Haven: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-SCALE-PROTO- ... 1036071145" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Penn Central: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-Scale-Kato-P ... 1234038021" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Conrail: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-SCALE-ATLAS- ... 1330030018" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Boston & Maine: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-SCALE-ATLAS- ... 0983217703" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Guilford: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-HO-Sc ... 0961524023" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Metro-North: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATLAS-8087-HO-S ... 1381828105" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CannaScrews]

The two locomotives which are extant and are now in the Waterbury area are B&M 1732 (GP-9) and New Haven 529 (RS-3). I think 529 was mass produced, but 1732 would have to be customized.

[railaw]

Due to price constraints I can't go with all engines and am limiting the display to roads that ran passenger service through Waterbury. This brings me to the question: Would Waterbury have seen baggage cars during the Penn Central era?

Thanks! I'll post a photo this week when it's done.

[TomNelligan]

No, there were no baggage cars in Waterbury during the Penn Central era, or for that matter anytime after the mid-1950s. That's when the New Haven RR switched all trains on the line to self-propelled RDC equipment.

[railaw]

Thanks. I guess I'll have to make some compromises then based on availability. I've got a MNR engine (phase III, I think), a Conrail engine and a New Haven and PC heavyweight coaches. That at least will be representative of the roads, even if the equipment is not quite accurate.

[Otto Vondrak]

PC heavyweight coaches

Where did you find those?? Pics, please

-otto-

[railaw]

So I ended up changing the final plan yet again, based on availability. The final, as delivered display was:

MNR engine (Note I did not pay close attention to particulars of engines/cars), Guilford boxcar, B&M boxcar, Conrail covered hopper, PC covered hopper, NYNH&H caboose. Can't figure out how to post pics. Let me know and I'll get some up.

Thanks all for your help in establishing the roads. The gift was very well received!

By the way, I think there was one PC heavyweight was at Time Machine in Manchester. Be aware, I called them and they said they didn't have it, but I found it on the shelf. It might have been a baggage car.

[george matthews]

About 13 years ago I took a train from the coast to Waterbury. I was somewhat surprised at the state of the elderly carriages and a general air of squalor about the train. I hope it has improved since then.

[Otto Vondrak]

About 13 years ago I took a train from the coast to Waterbury. I was somewhat surprised at the state of the elderly carriages and a general air of squalor about the train. I hope it has improved since then.

If you rode in 2001, I can't imagine you were riding on "elderly" anything... The oldest stock Metro-North was operating at the time on that branch was delivered new in 1984, with subsequent orders following. Are you sure you weren't riding the Naugatuck Railroad and their 1920's Montreal commuter coaches?

-otto-

[george matthews]

About 13 years ago I took a train from the coast to Waterbury. I was somewhat surprised at the state of the elderly carriages and a general air of squalor about the train. I hope it has improved since then.

If you rode in 2001, I can't imagine you were riding on "elderly" anything... The oldest stock Metro-North was operating at the time on that branch was delivered new in 1984, with subsequent orders following. Are you sure you weren't riding the Naugatuck Railroad and their 1920's Montreal commuter coaches?

-otto-

I really wasn't paying attention to details but I am sure it was a regular MetroNorth train and it reminded me of the trains I have travelled in in various parts of Africa. It was certainly not a modern train. Possibly you might find such a train in rural areas of eastern Europe but certainly not in members of the EU.