Branford Steam

Company History: The BRFD was established in 1903 to take over the three mile Damascus Railway in North Branford, Connecticut. The new owners wished to serve the expanding gravel quarries in the area. Connections were with the New Haven. The “Steam” in the name was to prevent confusion with the Branford Electric Railway, an unrelated local streetcar line. The railroad owners established the New Haven Trap Rock Company and extended the railroad to Juniper Point on Long Island Sound. During the steam era, half a dozen small 0-4-0T’s worked the line. The BRFD began to dieselize in 1956 with GE switchers. After many years of their rolling stock wearing “New Haven Trap Rock” lettering, ironically, it was the diesels that finally wore Branford Steam Railroad lettering. Today the railroad and quarry are owned by Irish construction materials giant CRH plc (the largest company in Ireland.) The railroad continues to move rock to their interchange with Providence & Worcester and to the docks at Juniper Point.

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