Trains to New Milford? Buckbee Wants to Restore the Rails

Reconnecting New Milford, Connecticut to the world by train is something lawmakers have discussed for decades, but it’s never come to fruition. Recently, we learned that our friend, New Milford State Rep. Bill Buckbee, was raising the issue once again. We thought, "Hey, why not? Let Buckbee do it!"

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We reached out to Bill to talk about the steps New Milford is taking, and he agreed to join us on the Thursday (3/27/25) edition of the I-95 Morning Show.

When are the Trains Coming Back to New Milford?

Lou: We read in the paper yesterday that you're talking about trains in New Milford again and committed to this idea. Tell us more about that and what it's going to take to make it happen in New Milford. 

Buckbee: "Again and always. You know, there have been a couple of people for years who have been pushing to bring this back, and I'm not letting it go. We're going to keep fighting. This is nine straight years of legislation to bring it back, and at least we got our name into the legislation this year. It's probably not going to happen immediately, but they included us for another study, naming New Milford directly. So, we're pushing and slowly chugging along the tracks."

Ethan: But Bill, bottom line, this is a lot of money. 

Buckbee: "Well the part people keep forgetting is because those tracks are also owned by Housatonic Rail, it's a public-private partnership so there is going to be private money coming into it as well." 

Lou: If everything goes according to plan and you get exactly what you want, tell us about the nuts-and-bolts, what would this mean? New Milford would connects to what, that connects to what?

Buckbee: "Yeah, that’s what drives me nuts—everyone is talking about going to New York. I’ve been talking to the Mayor of Stamford, the representatives down in Norwalk, and the entire Route 7 South line. The point of this is to connect us to Stamford/Norwalk, up to Danbury, and up to New Milford, so we can open up talent pools, create housing, and connect all the pieces along that line."

Even Joan Rivers wanted this done.

Listen to our complete discussion with New Milford State Rep. Bill Buckbee below.

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