• Cheney Railroad history walk    Saturday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m.
South to North! NOTE LOCATION for beginning of this walk: Meet at the office steps, Fuss & O'Neill, 146 Hartford Road, Manchester. Hikers will trace the route of 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 private freight-and-passenger railroad in the United States. We will start our hike in the South End, heading north toward Center Springs Park. We will see the foot-bridge over Bigelow Brook. Some of the hike will be along roads, and after we cross Center Street, the terrain is a bit difficult and hilly. About 3 miles round trip. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. FREE. 1900 photo at right shows the depot of the South Manchester Railroad, located at that time just to the east of Cheney Hall. The depot was moved farther north in 1910, and is no longer in existence.
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.

• Cheney Railroad History Walk    Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m.
North to South! Meet north of the tracks that are next to 2 Main Street (details below). Hikers will have an easy, 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, depending on the weather, on to the bridge overlooking Center Springs Park and Bigelow Brook, which will take about 2 hours round trip. Participants will hear about the history of the railroad and see maps and old pictures. Meet at the North End of Main Street in Manchester, on the north (right) side of Farr's Sporting Goods, 2 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06042. Park at the nearby shopping plaza or Eighth Utilities District office building (please do not park in Farr's parking lot). A special favor will be given to children who attend the hike, co-sponsored by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association's Hike CT program, and open to all. We will hike if light rain -- 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.