New England regional freght railroad Pan-Am has implimented a plan for improved service system-wide including Vermont. The former Boston & Maine mainline to the west slices off the corner of Vermont running throug Pownel, south of Bennington. A branch serves North Bennington which Pan-Am has provided with increased service over the last several years, connecting with the Vermont Railway. In the Connecticut River Valley, Pan-Am has recently provided only infrequent local service but now plans more frequent trains.
The recent improvement plan included upgrades in the railroad's customer service contacts with freight shippers and more train starts.
"Everything they said that they were going to do, they have done," Vermont Rail System President Dave Wulfson told the Vermont Rail Council, referring to an advance presentation in January when Pan-Am had outlined their plans.
