So, 20+ years ago I read about this picturesque short line in a Kalmbach publication. What became of it? Still running but under a new owner? Any New Englanders on here (or Mainiacs) who can answer?
I know nothing about it but there is a model of it in Trainz simulator
It has been abandoned. The right-of-way is owned by the State of Vermont and is being converted to a multi-use recreational corridor. Most if not all of the rails and ties have been removed.
Sadly the Lamoille Valley has been shut down for a few years now. It tried to keep going with excursion trains, but its namesake river washed out enough of it to end the passenger operations. I fondly remember riding it on one of the last trips out of St. Johnsbury. We picked up an empty DODX flat from Greensboro Bend on the trip which had a massive load of seven passengers-all railfans. The Lamoille Valley was the last operator of a line that went back to 1880, a part of an Odgensburg, NY-Portland ME. route which included the famous Maine Central Mountain Division. For more see Robert C. Jones’ “Railroads of Vermont” Vols. I and II, from New England Press. One needs both, since the story is told in more than one line’s respective chapter.
I googled and learned it’s railbanked.
By coincidence I just read in the paper this morning that more major flooding is happening in Vermont right now.
The article was about Vermont dairy farmers in particular. I guess the floods, combined with low milk prices, and high gas prices have really wreaked havoc on that state’s dairy industry. The state is officially a “disaster area” right now and this may be another nail in the coffin for family farmers. Too bad.
Is the covered bridge still standing, was there only one remaining covered bridge. I’ve got a picture I took of the bridge maybe ten years ago but no train in sight.
Greetings from VT…anyone know where I can buy an ark…cheap???
Anyways, the Lamoille railroad is long gone. They shut down back in the 80’s i think. But recently (last summer to be exact) the rail and ties were all removed to turn the ROW into ‘rail trails’ for biking, hiking, snowmachining, etc. The line had been washed away in numberous places over the past years, so there was NO hope of ever using it again without moving mountains (literally) to do it.
The covered bridge I think you are referring to is located outside of Wolcott, VT. Yes it is still standing and parts of it were even restored a couple of years ago. They are maintaining it as a historic site, and have a little booth on site with the history of the line and bridge, etc.
BTW—it is a VERY large covered bridge…impressive as hell in person.
Marc