This photo was taken at a small memorial area, at Saybrook Point, for The Connecticut Valley Railroad. It was chartered in 1868. The tracks followed the banks of the Connecticut River from Hartford to Saybrook Point, with an extension to Fenwick . Service began in 1871. I believe the last train ran in 1968. The distance between Hartford and Saybrook Point is about 45 miles and the trip took 2 to 3 hours.

Volunteers took over and continue to run 2 tourist steam trains on a 12 mile round trip between between Essex and Deep River, two towns between Hartford and Saybrook Point.