For the first time since F. Nelson Blount began operating Steamtown excursions out of the Bellows Falls, Vermont area in 1964, there'll be no regularly scheduled tourist train operations running there in 2009. Vermont Rail System has cut the current train operation (Green Mountain Flyer) schedule to days that bus tours are booked; the general public will be allowed to ride these trains as well. If you're headed to Bellows Falls to see Green Mountain RR (ex-Rutland RR) RS-1 #405 in action, be sure to check the Trains Around Vermont website for the latest update on days the Green Mountain Flyer will be running. Summer dates are very sparse; the Fall season is a little better, but still nowhere near the level of service that has been offered in the past.

The official reason for the service cuts is a conflict with freight operations on the trackage the Green Mountain Flyer uses. There has, however, been a steady decline in ridership out of Bellows Falls in recent years, and that undoubtedly figured into the decision as well.

Frederick G. Bailey

Fred,

Respectfully, I think the demise of the Green Mountain passenger line has been overstated in the railfan press. There are over 50 trips scheduled out of Bellows Falls this year, including runs west of the Chester. Tix are for sale on their website.

The big news is, in addition to these 50+ trips, the company is expanding the operations at White River Junction and keeping the Burlington train. It's a rare road that runs 3 regular but separate tourist trains.

When I spoke to Steve Mumley back in January, he as very excited for a good season out of BF and WRJ.

A bunch of the WRJ trains will go longer than the regular WRJ - Norwhich run.

While the Bellows Falls line will always be a favorite, it is nice to see them growing the market in WRJ.

All the best,

Rob