Vermont's Interurbans and Streetcars: Largely Local Services

Last revised: September 9, 2024

The state of Vermont contained only one system that would be classified as a true interurban, the Springfield Terminal Railway. It is covered in more detail below but began as the Springfield Electric Railway formed in 1894.

It completed an 8-mile line from Springfield to Charlestown, New Hampshire on August 1, 1897 following the Black River Valley much of the way. At the latter point it connected with the Boston & Maine and was able to establish a rather robust carload freight business.

Interestingly, as Dr. George Hilton and John Due note in their book, "The Electric Interurban Railways In America," to cross the Connecticut River and reach Charlestown the Springfield Electric acquired the Cheshire Bridge Corporation, whose corporate history could be traced back to the pre-railroad era! The toll bridge was chartered in 1804 and earned the company additional revenue.

The company entered bankruptcy in 1918 but emerged in 1923 as the Springfield Terminal Railway and continued as a successful freight line well after passenger service ended in 1947. Today, much of the former right-of-way is a public trail.

A postcard featuring the Bellows Falls & Saxton River Street Railway in Saxtons River, Vermont, circa 1915.

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.

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 8-mile railroad system and for many years was a subsidiary of the Boston & Maine. Passenger service survived until 1947 and freight remained powered by electric motors until October 31, 1956.

After this it normally used a former Sacramento Northern 44-tonner for freight service, continuing to operate until the 1980s.

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.