SherrickM t1_j9n21t6 wrote on February 23, 2023 at 3:32 AM

Manufacturing really never disappeared. It has ups and downs, just like anything else. And for a lot of it that might use big, heavy or difficult machinery, you're not likely to want to have to move it all that much, so if you can still stay put and make money, you might as well stick around.

I'd wager the train line is where it is because of the manufacturing, not the other way around.

JaKr8 t1_j9n450f wrote on February 23, 2023 at 3:49 AM

You also have a well educated workforce in general, both technical and professional, excellent access to 2 huge ports ( NYC, Boston), a well developed transportation network, and a concentrated, relatively stable ( ie non transient) population.

But in fairness, most of this can be said of a lot of areas of the country.

solomonsalinger OP t1_j9n3gs2 wrote on February 23, 2023 at 3:43 AM

That’s a good point, what came first: the train or the manufacturing? The history of the CT railroad would be an interesting read.

BomBaBaBomDaDang t1_j9oiext wrote on February 23, 2023 at 1:23 PM

Actually in that area the Farmington Canal came first.

And for other areas, rivers came first, and mills along them were later connected by rail.

STODracula t1_j9osq78 wrote on February 23, 2023 at 2:43 PM

And in Farmington you can actually see old buildings where the trains would divert to for deliveries.

Professional-Tour621 t1_j9o346i wrote on February 23, 2023 at 10:35 AM

Probably train/railroad. That line started in 1833 to connect Springfield MA and New Haven CT