The following article appears in a recent issue of Bus Tours Magazine. It gives a good description of the services provided to tour groups by Green Mountain Railroad.

The Green Mountain Railroad and Trains Around Vermont offer a unique Vermont experience only available by rail. Passengers pass by farm fields, covered bridges and waterfronts and enjoy the spectacular views that Vermont nature has to offer. There are numerous boarding locations to choose from including historic Bellows Falls, White River Junction, and Burlington. Other boarding locations are available in Chester Depot and Lyndonville.

The 2007 schedule offers an array of venues. Shopping trains depart White River Junction and travel north to Bradford, Vermont and passengers can disembark for shopping at Farm-Way, the area’s largest outfitter, country furniture and Vermont gift store. The White River Junction location is the gateway to the Northeast Kingdom and special schedules are offered which feature rides from St. Johnsbury north to downtown Newport. Some of the most spectacular scenery in New England can be viewed on this trip. In addition to their specials, the White River Junction station offers a regular schedule that runs from July through October and includes stops at the Montshire Museum of Science. This location offers a new gift shop and ticketing office in the historic Union Station in downtown White River Junction. The White River Junction station is also a connecting location for Amtrak.

The Bellows Falls station features the Green Mountain Flyer which offers two-hour round trip train excursions that run to Chester Depot throughout the summer and fall. This trip follows the Connecticut River and Williams River northwesterly through southern Vermont. This is an active wildlife area with many eagle sightings throughout the year. The train passes by cascading waterfalls at Brockways Mills with a short layover in Chester Depot at the historic 1852 Chester Depot Station. In the fall, special all-day trips run from Bellows Falls to Ludlow for the Chili Fest and wine tasting and to Rutland offering a true day’s journey on the railroad. The Bellows Falls station is a joining station with Amtrak and Vermont Transit. The station offers a gift shop, wireless Internet, and a self serve coffee bar with homemade baked goods from local bakers.

Burlington Vermont is a hub for cultural and family-oriented activities offering the Chew Chew Food Festival in June, waterfront fireworks and a micro-brewery beer festival in July. The Champlain Valley Flyer brings people in by rail for these special events and runs on weekends throughout the summer and fall. With special packages and stops at the Shelburne Museum and a rail and sail venue featuring the Spirit of Ethan Allen III, Burlington is a must-see travel destination. The area is filled with museums, art galleries, shopping, water activities, colleges and more offering a variety of activities for your group.

Whatever your group desires, they can create a package venue for you. Group rates apply for over 25 people, with one comp per 25 guests. Come in by bus, leave by train. One way and round trip accommodations are available. Come experience Vermont and see the countryside that can only be seen by rail.

For reservations or additional information, please phone Deborah Murphy, manager of passenger service for Vermont Rail System and agent for Vermont Transit at (802) 463-3069 or visit www.rails-vt.com. They look forward to having you as their guest in the great state of Vermont.