Vintage Trains Travel Vermont for Fall Color
Ride Historic Railroad Through Scenic New England Countryside
Sep 28, 2008
Vintage trains in Vermont are pulled bu historic engine which have been preserved to keep the glory days of rail travel alive. The vintage rail lines offer excursions featuring majestic New England views in the scenic countryside. Autumn is an especially spectacular season to ride the rails offering enjoyment the fall colors. As the late fall season turns into the festive Christmas Holiday season, Santa Trains delight the family.
Champlain Valley Flyer
Ride through the rich Champlain Valley, through a historic town and rural farmland, on a vintage rail car. Champlain Valley Flyer travels between Burlington and Charlotte, Vermont.
- Fall Trains. Take a fall colorful color tour on a vintage railcar. The fall color trains operate on Saturdays and Sundays through October 12. Departures from Burlington at 10 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Stops along the way include Shelburn, Magic Hat Brewery and back to Burlington. Fares Adult $19, Child (3-12) $15.
- Polar Express. The Christmas Holiday Trains runs December 13 - 14, departing every hour on the hour from 1 pm to 7 pm. Ticket, which are $18 each, are available by lottery. Sign up at the Vermont Children's Trust website.
Green Mountain Railroad, 54 Depot Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101. 1-800-707-3530.
Green Mountain Flyer
Union Station at Bellows Falls takes passengers back to the days when train travel was the only way to go. The depot was built in the 1850's and serves the Green Mountain Railroad and Amtrak. The waiting room and tick office look just as they did in the 1940's. The Green Mountain Flyer travels through scenic southern Vermont countryside. A vintage diesel locomotive pulls restored coaches along the Connecticut and Williams Rivers. The rivers enjoy spectacular views of Brockway Mills Gorge and two historic covered bridges.
- Fall Ludlow Limited. The fall excursion train travels between Bellows Falls, Ludlow and Summit. The Fall Ludlow Limited runs until October 4.
- Rutland Limited & Harvest Fest, on October 11, is a 9 hour round tip with a layover in Rutland. Adults $55, Children (3-12) $35, Children 2 and under $8.
- Polar Express and Elf Express. On December 13-14, Santa and Mrs. Claus journey in a restored 1913 Rutland Railcar. The wooden coach is belied to be the oldest standard gauge passenger car still in active service in New England. The Christmas trip departs from Bellows Falls at 10 am and 2 pm.Adults $20, Child (3-12) $16, Children 2 and under $5.
Green Mountain Railroad, 54 Depot Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101. 1-800-707-3530.
White River Flyer
The White River Flyer offers four round trip excursions that depart from White River Junction and travels along the majestic Connecticut River which offers a panoramic view of the White Mountain foothills an a causeway which serves as a wildlife sanctuary. The historic steam engine, Old 494, was built in 1892., is displayed in Depot Park, adjacent to the Depot.
- Fall Trains operate until on Saturdays and Sundays until October 19 with rides from White River Junction to Thetford, White River Junction to Montshire and Montshire to Thetford.
- Farm-Way Shopping Train. The train boards at White River Junction and travels to Bradford for shopping and lunch. October 15. $50.
- WRF Adult Masquerade Train on October 25. The Halloween train travels from White River Junction to Thetford. Party onboard with music, appetizers and a cash bar. Halloween costumes are required. $35.
- Children's Fright River Flyer on October 26. The Children's Halloween excursion departs from White River Junction to Pompanoosuc Mills, where kids are treated to cider, donuts and an Halloween pumpkin. Tickets $15.
- Santa Train is a Christmas Holiday excursion with Santa and Mrs. Claus riding the rails from White River Junction to Thetford. The festive Santa Train runs on December 20-21.
Green Mountain Railroad, 54 Depot Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101. 1-800-707-3530.
Information is subject to change.
