We are Local and have taken the train ride many times over the years it is always fun and we enjoy ourselves.
A special journey to take with your family, as you wind through the green mountains to Chester, VT
This train was what it was, a nice ride on the former Rutland between Bellows Falls and Chester Vermont. I can see how other people who aren't die hard railfans would get bored but I sure didn't, for me it was a nice way to spend an afternoon.
it was a bit of a rainy day but still was a nice train ride. the conductor seemed to be well versed in the area's history and was very interesting. the trip is only 2 hours round trip and there is much foliage blocking the view at many parts along the way but that is to be expected along a railroad track. only one stop for anyone who wanted to visit the hands on science museum. the motion of the train is relaxing. we saw someone rocked to sleep! enjoyable train ride. they also have a little store to buy souvenirs.
Our group (of 29 people) made arrangements to go on this train ride months ago. We were doing a train related tour of Vermont and this was to be one of the highlights. Imagine our disappointment when the Green Mountain Railroad CANCELLED us two days before our scheduled trip! We had a written contract and Green Mountain Railroad doesn't seem to care about that.
I have taken a "Mothers Day" train ride through the Green Mountain RR and besides the fact that it was slighly pricey, it was a nice trip that I will always remember,
The Bellows Falls to Rutland on Oct. 12, 2013 was mediocre. The foliage was past peak, the train left late, and the average speed was only 13 miles per hour. There was not enough time in Rutland to enjoy a nice lunch or browse the farmer's market.
Saw the ad for this in the Vermont tourism magazine and bought ticket online. Fairly disappointed in the trip. It wasn't all that scenic and the views were poor to average. The stop at Cedar Circle Farm was boring. Would have rather spent our time in Woodstock as it looked like a great little village.
We took the "Flyer" in Aug. for the 2 hr. ride.It was steaming hot that day and the ride along the Colorado river was surely "refreshing"Lots of green along the way.Super friendly personell on board.We were seated in the Dining car very comfortable .If taking childeren do bring something to keep "em busy as at times it seems a long ride.Too bad the train does not stop at detination but turns right around for the ride back. It does stop at a museum to get on or off.All in all a pleasant experience.
The Green Mountain RR offers a taste of what it was like to ride the old Rutland RR between Bellows Falls and Chester-Ludlow-Rutland. The other aspect of the operation of White River Junction to Thetford has perhaps less appeal as it runs along a somewhat rickety and slow former Boston & Maine line that connected with the Canadian Pacific further north. However, both rides offer scenic river views (The Thetford run for many miles), Vermont foliage in season, and rocky gorges on the better maintained line to Rutland. Probably best to go earlier in the foliage season as the foliage can be disappointing later on; and heat can be problematical in the old cars. In past decades, the railroad ran popular round trips from Bellows Falls to Chester- a distance of approximately 10 miles one way. It would be nice to see a return to this shorter format.