The origin of a streamlined train back in the 1860s and the rise of streamlined trains in the 1930s which was to help bring riders back to the trains in the Depression years. The decline of passenger service in the 1950s and the resurgence of unique streamlined trains in the 1950s to lure travel back to the rails and the failure of these concepts. The program also covers the famous industrial designers of the 1930s and the streamlined trains and engines they designed.

Presenter: Rick Abramson began a 44 year railroad career beginning in February 1968 on the New York, New Haven & Hartford RR in Devon, CT and retired in September 2012 as Superintendent of Operations and Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers for The Housatonic Railroad in Canaan, CT. In those 44 years along with the New Haven and Housatonic, he worked in various capacities for Penn Central, Amtrak, Connecticut Central, NY Cross Harbor RR and the New York & Atlantic RR. His big goal was to become a locomotive engineer which he eventually achieved. Along with working for the real railroad, he is also an avid modeler of the New Haven RR in HO scale. His layout has been featured in several magazines.

Registration is required for this in-person event.

Program sponsored by the Friends of the Avon Library.