Amtrak's Vermonter is running again!
October 1st was the first day of service on the whole route the length of Vermont after bus substitions while track was rebuilt and flood damage from Irene cleaned up.
There is currently a delay of about an hour within Vermont due to slow orders on the track because the subgrade hasn't compacted yet. I'm told these should go away in a few weeks.
The $12 in-state fare continues and is available at: www.Amtrak.com/InsideVermont. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
When you take you're first ride you will immediatly notice how much smoother is the ride with new welded rail. The job of installing the rail is almost complete with only a bit left in Vernon to the state line. Surfacing work continues south of White River Junction at night.
While I heard a lot of complaints about the busing, I can say that busing allowed the work to be completed much faster and I think the total amount of delay was much reduced, especially considering that if they had run trains through the project there would have been extensive slow orders involved.
A lot of work was done this summer. It would never have happened without the knowlege by elected officials that it is important. So, thank you for making your voice heard.
Don't forget, your contribution to the Vermont Rail Action Network supports our work to insure investment in Vermont’s rail infrastructure. There are a number of other jobs creating projects under development around the state which are made possible by rail. If you support the economic health of the state, please contribute to our efforts. We’ll keep our attention on it. Click here to give donations (Thanks)!
Oh, and don't forget to RSVP for the annual meeting in Montpelier on October 17th. We will be hearing from the railroad (both Amtrak and the freight railroads), seeing pictures of the work done with summer and giving an award in recognition of what was done, and how. You can RSVP here: http://www.railvermont.org/2011-annual-meeting
