The New Haven RR Image Page -- The Berkshire Line

THE IMAGE PAGE

The 'image page' is where we put a changing variety of New Haven Railroad photographs and advertising material for you to enjoy. Be sure to check back here often because we plan to refresh these images on a regular basis.

The Berkshire Line

June 1st, 2003

One of the most popular vacation travel destinations on the New Haven Railroad was the Berkshire Hills area of western Connecticut and Massachusetts. This scenic and rustic territory, which was ideal for outdoor sports such as skiing, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, etc., was served by the New Haven's Berkshire Line, which diverged off the Shore Line Route main line at Norwalk, Connecticut and ran to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The New Haven ran many passenger trains over the Berkshire Line from New York City to Pittsfield, particularly on weekends, through the end of its corporate existence. Here we have a selection of New Haven Railroad advertising folders for the Berkshire Line dating from the mid to late 1930s and early 1940s. All items from the collection of Marc Frattasio.

This Berkshire Line folder from the summer of 1935 depicts a couple paddling a canoe along the Housatonic River, which closely paralleled the railroad north of New Milford, Connecticut. The New Haven operated special "Hobby Trains" that took people for canoe and fold-boat excursions along the Housatonic River.

This Berkshire Line folder dates from the fall of 1935. The folder promoted taking the New Haven's trains to Danbury, New Milford, Kent, West Cornwall, Canaan, Sheffield, Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Lee, Lenox, and Pittsfield where the colorful autumn foliage could be viewed from a number of well-marked hiking trails.

This Berkshire Line folder dates from May 1937. It provides the schedules for the Berkshire Express and the Housatonic Express, which operated between New York's Grand Central Terminal and Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

This Berkshire Line folder dates from June 1939. It contains schedules for the Berkshire Express and the Housatonic Express and also describes some of the places and recreational activities that could be found at that time in the towns along the Berkshire Line.

This Berkshire Line folder dates from June 1940. The New Haven operated special Cycle Trains to various destinations along the Berkshire Line. Such trains were not only equipped with baggage cars to carry bicycles owned by passengers but the railroad also made arrangements to have rental bicycles made available for those persons who either did not own a bicycle or who did not wish to take the trouble to bring one with them.