Crossing the Naugy. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. saddle-tanker #126 hauls a 2PM Naugatuck Railroad steam special across the Naugatuck River, just south of Thomaston, CT on a sunny summer afternoon. This particular deck plate girder bridge is known as "Jericho Trestle." It was built in 1907, and has 5 spans, the longest of which actually crosses the main body of the river.
Lehigh Valley Coal Co. #126 was the last of the Gramling Steamers to visit the Naugy, back in June of 2013. The Railroad Museum of New England, which operates as The Naugatuck Railroad, ran steam for four straight summers, beginning in 2010. For three of those years, it was Flagg Coal #75, an 0-4-0T, that did the honors. Having spoken with the crews at the end of this day, they reported that they liked this engine much better than FC 75, indicating that it ran a whole lot smoother. Being just a bit larger than FC 75, she also looked a little more at home with a string of big, steel coaches. Check out the 6-axle coach right behind the 126. Just prior to this event, the museum had completed a restoration on that car, and she sported a brand new Canadian National paint job.
