 In early 1995, the RMNE was offered the opportunity to develop the ex-New Haven line from Waterbury to Torrington line, owned by Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT).RMNE chartered a "new" Naugatuck Railroad Company in June 1995 (150 years to the month after the original Naugatuck Railroad charter in 1845) and worked with CDOT Rail Operations to get the new railroad into operation during the 1996 season.Efforts came to fruition in September 1996 when the current Naugatuck Railroad commenced a tourist scenic train over the of the Naugatuck Railroad's right-of-way that had opened for service in September 1849.