Railroad Museum to host commuter advocate

THOMASTON — The Railroad Museum of New England has announced the next event in its Speaker Series with Jim Cameron, a longtime Connecticut commuter advocate.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at 4 p.m. at the train station, 242 East Main Street in Thomaston.

Cameron will speak on trains, as well as address the Connecticut Department of Transportation's budget situation, proposed fare hikes and service cuts on branch lines.

Cameron is a founder of the Commuter Action Group and former chair of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council. A veteran television journalist, he writes about transportation issues facing Connecticut commuters.

According to museum president Steve Casey, Cameron will offer the public the opportunity to hear an historical perspective of Connecticut railroads and the impact public policy has made to presentday transportation challenges.

Museum Trustee Mike Riley stated, “Cameron is a well respected advocate for rail and bus transportation. Former NBC News director and anchor, now a professional communications consultant, Jim Cameron leads workshops on media training, speech and presentations skills and preps clients for analyst briefings and legislative testimony. Jim served for 19 years on the CT Metro-North Rail Commuter Council, is an elected member of the Darien Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and is Program Director of Darien TV79, his town's government TV station.

The Railroad Museum of New England is a Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, all volunteer, educational and historical organization that dates back to January 1968. The museum concept is more than artifacts: It is also a story of the region and the development of society around the railroad. Our home is located at the landmark Thomaston Train Station. The RMNE and its wholly owned subsidiary, the Naugatuck Railroad, operate on 19.6 miles of track from Waterbury to Torrington leased from the State of Connecticut.

The museum is located at the landmark Thomaston Station, on 242 East Main Street in Thomaston, Connecticut.

Upcoming excursion train operations include the Chocolate Decadence Sunset Tours, on selected Fridays and Saturdays, weekend scenic trains at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (starting May 26), and the Litchfield Hills Special with BBQ, Bourbon, and desserts on Saturday May 26.

Rides will also be offered on Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday, June 9.

For scheduled trains, birthday parties, and corporate events, contact the RMNE to find out how the Thomaston Station and the Naugatuck Railroad can offer you a unique experience.

Information about the Railroad Museum of New England can be found at: www.rmne.org.

Cameron