Vermont railroading
The State of Vermont purchased 177 miles of the former Rutland Railroad in 1963, two years after the 400-mile railroad was abandoned. The newly formed Vermont Railway leased the 125 miles running north south between Bennington and Burlington, and a year later the Green Mountain Railroad leased 52 miles between Rutland and Bellows Falls. Three decades later, the two railroads came under common ownership and began marketing itself as the Vermont Rail System.
Today’s VRS operates the 177 miles of Rutland trackage plus five other short lines in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire.
Interested in going to Vermont for a railfan event, check out the one in Sept. 2024.
