Built in 1869 to connect the Cheney silk mills to the main rail line in the North End, the South Manchester Railroad, 2.5 miles, was the shortest freight-and-passenger railroad in the United States. Passenger service ended in 1933, but freight rolled along these rails into the 1980s. Hikers will have an easy, flat, moderately paced walk along the rail trail. We’ll walk along streets in the National Historic Landmark District, entering the park-like trail just after the silk
vaults on Elm Street, and then on to the bridge overlooking Center Springs Park and Bigelow Brook, returning the same way, about three
miles round trip. Participants will hear about the history of the railroad and the history of putting the railroad back together as a public hiking path. A special favor will be given to children.
Illustrated booklets about the 23 walks are available at Town libraries and Town Hall. There’s an online version at the Events page at www.manchesterhistory.org