Vermont Rail System Passenger Services profile

Vermont Rail System, owner of five short lines in New York and the Green Mountain State, operates a variety of special trains out of its Burlington headquarters.

Vermont Rail System Passenger Services, the owner of five short lines in New York and the Green Mountain State, operates a variety of special trains out of its Burlington headquarters. The Vermont Rail System is a privately held company that operates multiple short lines. It’s family-owned by the Wulfson family for more than 50 years.

Choices

Dinner trains operate out of Burlington on weekends from June through October by the Vermont Rail System Passenger Services. The premier operation is the Champlain Valley Dinner Train, featuring a three-hour ride to Middlebury and returns, with a three-course meal prepared on board. Wine tasting Murder Mystery, and specials also are scheduled. The railroad operates chartered train rides throughout the state for the benefit of organizations and charities, and some of these are open to the public. See the website for options and a complete schedule of excursions taking place.

When to go

Vermont is famed for its spectacular fall foliage, usually peaking in early October. Summer is less crowded, making for a pleasant visit during those months.

Good to know

Train operations and special charters change from year to year, so be sure to check the website before planning your visit.

Worth doing

Burlington, along the shore of Lake Champlain, is the state’s largest city and home of the University of Vermont and offers plenty to see and do. You can take a ferry across the lake to Port Kent, N.Y.

Don’t miss

The railroad’s passenger fleet includes green heavyweight cars built for the Central Railroad of New Jersey and stainless-steel equipment from the Santa Fe.