Saturday, October 22 at 1:00 p.m.
North to South, meeting north of the tracks that intersect Main Street near North Main Street (details below). Hikers will have an easy and fairly flat walk along the former railroad, built in 1869 to connect the Cheney silk mills to the main rail line in the North End. At 2.5 miles, it was the shortest freight-and-passenger railroad in the United States. We will hike at a moderate pace along the one-mile portion owned by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust and then across Middle Turnpike to the bridge overlooking Center Springs Park and Bigelow Brook, about three miles round trip. Participants will hear about the history of the railroad. Meet at the north end of Main Street in Manchester, in the parking lot of the strip mall on the north (right) side of the tracks from Farr’s Sporting Goods, 2 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06042. Park at the strip mall or Eighth Utilities District office building at 18 Main Street (please do not park in Farr’s parking lot). A special favor will be given to children who attend the hike. We will hike if light rain or snow — bring an umbrella — but extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. Free.
Click here to see information about the history of the Cheney Railroad on the Manchester Historical Society’s website. To enjoy the trail on your own, print a copy of this railroad map.