Vermont Winter Rail Trip was a success!

Thanks to all who helped support the Vermont Railway Museum.

For one trip, March 4, 2000 only, Rail Travel Center and the Vermont Railroad Museum chartered the historic Green Mountain Flyer from the Green Mountain RR and operated one of the few winter passenger trains over the crest of the Green Mountains on the former Rutland Railroad since regular passenger service ended in 1953.

(Note: Click on thumbnails to view larger sized images)

Departing Bellows Falls at 9:10am, we followed the Connecticut River to its confluence with the Williams River, then ascended the Williams River Gorge. The tracks pass two covered bridges and a waterfall enroute to Chester, the destination of regular summer trips.

At Chester we were given the opportunity to photograph a runby. After the photo runby, we continued another 40 miles to Rutland, crossing the crest of the Greens.

           

The gorge narrows through the Proctorsville Gulf enroute to Ludlow, then sharply climbs to the divide near Mount Holly. The broad Summit area offered views west toward the Taconic Mountains and Vermont Valley. We were scheduled to arrive in Rutland at 12:30pm, and though we held in a siding for 20 minutes to let a 65+ car GMRR freight pass us heading east, we arrived in Rutland almost on time. We were in time to see Amtrak's Vermonter in the station. 

       

After scattering to enjoy downtown Rutland and find a lunch, everyone boarded for departure back east at 2:00pm. We had three more photo runby opportunities on the return trip, but still made it back to Bellows Falls near the scheduled 5:30pm ETA.

Train travel was in restored 1920's heated coaches. And all passengers were treated to a detailed commentary on the history and scenery along the Rutland line during the trip.   In addition, the Rail Travel Center provided passengers with maps of the route and interesting historical articles plus a timetable from the heyday of passenger railroading over the line.  What a treat!

 

 

 

 

The Vermont Railroad Museum would like to thank the great folks at Rail Travel Center for a great trip and for donating $5 per ticket sold where the purchaser mentioned the Museum.   We had 30+ tickets sold to Museum supporters!

 
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This page last updated March 26, 2004.