Railroad History

Passenger and Commuter Rail

Railroading Today

Rolling Stock

Infrastructure and Terms

Museums and Tourism

Miscellaneous

About The Site

[?] Subscribe To American-Rails.com

Vermont Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

(Please note that the photos featured here are not that of Vermont interurbans.)

The New England states were littered with numerous small interurbans and streetcar systems that were mostly annihilated by the coming of the automobile in the 1920s and then the Great Depression later that decade. Vermont interurbans were no different, as save for the Springfield Terminal Railway all of the streetcar systems were gone by the early 1930s. The ST, which connected Springfield, Vermont and Charlestown, New Hampshire was an anomaly insomuch that it survived until the early 1950s due to the freight traffic it was able to build during its early years. In any event, the region also was not helped by the fact that many of its systems were constructed far too hastily and shoddy to be used for much more than moving people. As such, as passenger traffic greatly declined in the 1920s the lines simply could not handle large amounts of freight due to the steep grades, sharp curves which is a reason why so many disappeared that decade.

Another problem that Vermont electric lines faced was the fact that many eastern railroads were not kind to interurbans in general. They saw the companies as not only a nuisance but also as a competitor that "stole" away potential passenger traffic, despite the fact that much of that particular traffic was the least profitable. As such, the railroads not only would not engage in interchange and per diem rates with interurbans but also often refused to provide either trackage rights or crossing over their lines. Had eastern railroads simply worked with the companies, like many western lines, all parties would have been better off and (to some extent) more profitable. The information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most Vermont interurbans and streetcar railroads.

Barre & Montpelier Street Railway: The Barre & Montpelier Street Railway began operations in June of 1889 connecting downtown Montpelier with the nearby town of Barre. In 1919 the system was renamed the Barre & Montpelier Traction & Power Company and remained in operation until the late 1920s when rail service was replaced by buses. For more information about the Barre & Montpelier Street Railway please click here.

Rutland Street Railway: The Rutland Street Railway began operations in 1872 using horses for power. It was renamed the Rutland Railway Light & Power Company in 1906 and remained in service until 1924 when buses replaced railroad operations.

Springfield Terminal Railway: The Springfield Terminal Railway connected Charlestown, New Hampshire with Springfield, Vermont on an eight-mile railroad system. Passenger service survived until 1947 and freight remained until October of 1956 using a small fleet of electric motors.

St. Albans Street Railway: The St. Albans Street Railway served the town of St. Albans beginning operations in 1904. In 1912 it was renamed the St. Albans & Swanton Traction Company. The interurban was never a very profitable operation and abandoned services in 1921.

Mount Mansfield Electric Railroad: The Mount Mansfield Electric Railroad began operations in 1897 connecting Waterbury and Stowe on a 12-mile railroad system. It abandoned operations in 1932 and today much of the right-of-way is Vermont State Route 100.

Winooski & Burlington Horse Railroad: The Winooski & Burlington Horse Railroad began operations in 1872 serving the city of Burlington. It was renamed the Burlington Traction Company in 1893 and again changed names in 1928 as the Burlington Rapid Transit Company. Services were abandoned a year later.

Other notable Vermont interurban railroads:

Bellows Falls & Saxton River Street Railway

Bennington & Woodford Electric Railway (For more information about this interurban please click here.)

Brattleboro Street Railroad (Operated between Brattleboro and West Brattleboro.)

Hoosick Falls Street Railway

For a small gallery of photographs highlighting Vermont interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here.

For more reading on Vermont interurbans consider picking up a copy of the book The Electric Interurban Railways in America by authors George Hilton and John Due. Many consider their book to be the quintessential resource guide to the interurban and streetcar railroad movement that was once so common in our country during the first half of the 20th century. At nearly 500 pages the book is stuffed full of information on trolley operations and covers virtually every topic on the subject. If you have any interest in trolleys and interurban railroads and/or would like to learn more about their history I would strongly consider Mr. Hilton and Mr. Due's book first before purchasing any other. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

Share Your Thoughts

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Please note that while I strive to present the information as accurately as possible I am aware that there may be errors. If you have potential corrections the help is greatly appreciated.