The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-02
Hobby Horse Riding High!
Iron Steeds of New Haven Road Kept Busy Transporting Camera, Bicycle, Ski Enthusiast Years Receipts Boosted by Public's Hobbies.

The Iron Horse is winning new laurels as a hobby horse" a spir- tied and sturdy steed that whisks cyclists, candid camera addicts, fold-boat fans, winter sports lovers and railroad enthusiasts to places offering greatest opportunity for the pursuit of pleasure.
 During the past 12 months, the New Haven Railroads so-called Hobby Trains" carried more than 14,000 fun-seekers over 2e,OOO miles,
 Month by month around the cal- endar, these New Haven special trains are increasing their popular ity and winning new friends.
 For example, from before New Years Day until well into April, Snow Trains attract thousands of urbanites whose weekend schedules once called only for sleeping, eating, perhaps some reading, and in gen. eral the expenditure of as little energy aS possible.
 And from May through October, thousands of other hobbyists escape from the doldrums via the New Ravens camera a-cycle, fold-boat, fishing, husking bee and thrill trip" trains.
 Fleet of Snow Trains
 Right now the New Haven is opearting a fleet of Snow Trains from New York City and Connec- ticut points to the choicest winter sports centers in New England-the Berkshires, the Eastern Slope and Franconia regions of New Hamp- shire, and Vermont mountain areas.
 Last winter, more than $500 New Workers and their suburbanite col- leagues, clad in colorful and prac- tical raiment, enjoyed these trains, temporarily exchanging c dull, workaday world for the exhilarat- ing freedom of crisp air, snowman tied mountains and hills, and the gay camaraderie and friendly, in- formal atmosphere aboard train.
 From December 30, 1888 through April 6, 1889, the New Haven oper- ated 55 snow trains covering more than 24,678 total miles. Eighteen Of these trains were "one-day specials" to Berkshire communities, and the remainder were weekend specials" to the Berkshires, New Hampshire and Vermont.
 No sooner does the snow season wane than bike to nature" desire is born. Equally as strong is the desire of hordes of camera fans to snap salon shots," of fold-boat en- thusiasts to shoot rapids and of ar- dent anglers to hook prize catches And the New Haven is ready for them, with a selection of destina- tions planned to please even the most critical.
 Special trains leave Grand Gen. tral Terminal in New York for such Connecticut points as Canaan, Say brook, Falls Village and etoningtOn. From mid-May to mid-O October of 1889, seven caIneracycle and fOld- boat trains from New Yark carried nearly 1000 hobbyists some 1900 miles.
 Camera Cycle
 Even greater crowds were at- tFacted by the camera-cycle and fishing trains which the New Ha- ven operated from Bostonis South Station to Oak Bluffs and Man. tueket. These junkets included steamer trips from Woods Hole to these charming island resorts in Nantucket Sound. Equipped with bicycles, cameras fishing tackle and gWimtOgs, neags y lI0O0 took advantage Of seven such trips last summer. FEobbyists were enchanted with Oak Bluffs on MaFthas Vineyard, the plcturesauf isle on which are also situated Wesl Chop with It's ancient leaning ee. dars, Gay Head with lts speetaeu. larly ecl0sed cliffs, EdgartOWn witll It's definitely nautical appeal and Vineyard Haven with Lake TasIi. moo nearby.
 Nantucket. thirty miles out lo sec son nigh favor with It's auainI charm and simplicity. For seeker. Of the unusual, Nantucket oklef| the Pacific Club, Wharf naf CIEb old Whaling Museum, the Old NIIl 6 eObblestinod Main street. ard '1conset~-the ''hoWBpgit of Amer.