Champlain Flyer

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Champlain Flyer
Burlington Union Station platform.jpg
Champlain Flyer platform at Burlington
Overview
Service typeCommuter rail
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleChittenden County, Vermont
First serviceDecember 4, 2000
Last serviceFebruary 28, 2003
Successor
Current operator(s)Vermont Railway
Route
StartBurlington
Stops3
EndCharlotte
Distance travelled13 miles (21 km)
Service frequency7.5 round trips per day
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Track owner(s)Vermont Railway
hideRoute map
Legend
 New England Central Railroad
Burlington
Vermont Railway
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The Champlain Flyer was a commuter train that operated in Vermont between Burlington, Shelburne, and Charlotte during 2000–03.

The service was started to provide an alternative to US 7 during its reconstruction and to take advantage of public funds earmarked for public transportation. The train began operation on December 4, 2000, with two daily round-trips, with plans to operate as many as ten. Startup costs were $18 million, most of which were provided by Federal government for improving the tracks and grade crossings along the route. At the time of its inception, it was the shortest commuter rail system in the United States.[1][2]

The service's rolling stock consisted of a rebuilt Vermont Railway GP38-2 and ten ex-Virginia Railway Express de-motored RDC cars. Two of these cars were outfitted with cab control.[3] Fares were $1 for a one-way trip, collected on the honor system by being deposited in a box upon entering the train.[4]

Initial ridership figures were lower than expected as the highway reconstruction project was delayed. In 2002, it was threatened to be cut from the state budget.[2] The newly elected Gov. Jim Douglas (who succeeded Gov. Howard Dean of Shelburne) decided that the train was not viable, and the last train ran on February 28, 2003, despite all contracts being pre-paid through the end of the year.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ "BIG BUCKS FOR A LITTLE RAILROAD". Cincinnati Post  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required). December 5, 2000. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "ISSUE OF REPAYMENT RAISED IN RAIL DEBATE". Boston Globe  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required). March 18, 2002. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  3. ^ Wilkins, Van (March 1, 2001). "Commuter Rail update 2001". Mass Transit  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required). Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  4. ^ Melzer, Matt (July 31, 2001). "Rail Travelogue: Matt Melzer's East Coast Rail Journey". Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  5. ^ "Vermont Transportation Authority's Champlain Flyer". Railway Age  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required). April 1, 2003. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.

External links[]

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