ABOVE: Because of a track block instituted on Friday for reconstruction of a grade crossing in Manchester, Vt., the “marooned” B&R power set left at North Bennington is making a unique move “light engines” back north early on Sunday morning June 1, 2014. The Route 7 highway crossing has very light traffic for the VTR 207, GMRC 304, and VTR (WACR) 202 due to the hour, but all ears will fill with wonder as the beautiful sound of the northbound horns will complement the Sunday choirs and services. LEFT: On a warm and muggy June 17, 2014, the crew of the B&R turn must look with longing at the “frolic” going on at the beach alongside the Paran Lake Causeway in North Bennington, Vt. It is on this truncated piece of the former Rutland “Corkscrew Branch” that interchange cars are left Monday through Friday for the connecting AD-1 and RJ-1 Pan Am Southern trains.
Kill as the Alcos burble through the rural towns and farmlands at a leisurely pace. There’s always ample opportunity to grab a shot farther down the line. Depending on the operations you can be offered opportunities at the engine house in Greenwich, switching operations at the two customers in Greenwich Junction, the adjacent covered bridge at Rexleigh, small town scenes in Shushan, the regal former D&H station in Cambridge, and the newly expanded interchange in Eagle Bridge next to the old B&M station. Route 22 closely follows the track from between Shushan and Cambridge south to just shy of Eagle Bridge, and affords many classic shots in the country setting.
Exploring the Region
Other items of interest in the general convention area include restored 1888 Pullman Sunbeam on the grounds of
Robert Todd Lincoln’s mansion Hildene in Manchester, Vt. The only surviving son of President Abraham Lincoln, Robert Todd Lincoln succeeded George Pullman as president of the Pullman Company from 1897-1926. A Boston & Maine 4-4-0 is on display at the White River Junction passenger station. An old Rutland day coach has been refurbished and is on display at the farmer’s market in Rutland. There are restored D&H cabooses
on display in Whitehall, Ballston Spa, Middle Falls, and Greenfield Center, N.Y. The former D&H office building in Albany is now headquarters for the state university system. While few traces of the old American Locomotive plant remain, Great Northern Alco RS3 No. 229 has been cosmetically restored and is on static display in Schenectady, N.Y. A locomotive and caboose from the defunct Lake Champlain & Moriah are
on display next to the passenger station at Port Henry, N.Y. If you’re in need of quick food and fuel, keep your eyes peeled for a Stewart’s throughout the region (and treat yourself to a root beer float)!
Members of the NRHS traveling to Vermont for this very special event definitely have a wonderful experience in store for them. From beautiful mountain scenery with mainlines and branchlines, to passenger and freight, visiting railfans will enjoy the exposure to current train operations in the “Green Mountain State.”
“Cully” is the retired Postmaster of Manchester, Vt., and is a member of the Batten Kill N.E. Rail Board. This is his first appearance in RAILFAN & RAILROAD. The 2015 NRHS Convention will be based in Rutland, Vt., June 14-20, 2015. Visit
www.nrhs.com for details.
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