CENTRAL VERMONT STEAM RAILFAN TRIPS

[daveklepper]

I h ave been a member of the Branford Electric Railway Association since 1957, having first visited the property at age 15 on 29 June 1947, after a Connecticut Company open-car fantrip, the day after the last Manhattan streetcar lines ran (Kingsbridge-Broadway-125th Street and 125th Street Crosstown).  The organization ran several steam train trips, including a 1957 K4 New York and Long Branch and Freehold Secondary Track PRR trip, but most remembered were the yearly autumn folliage Central Vermont trips, 1957-1963.  The CV still had servicable some semi-streamlined Mountain types (I think they were 4-8-2's but perhaps they were 4-8-4's, or perhaps they were borrowed CN power?).  The trips started at the New Haven Station and used New Haven power to New London.   There, the FL-9 pair was removed and the steam locomotive coupled on.  We went slowly over the curing interchange track and through the CV yard, then picked up steam, ran at a pretty steady 50mph or so, stopped for some photo runbys, and reached either Brattleboro or Bellows Falls, Vermont, where the locomotive was turned, passengers had an opportunity to try restaurants, anda dok at items of historic interrest, at one time incuding Nelson Blouont's Steamtown collection.   On at least one occasion, non-air-conditioned old New Haven coaches were used, and at least one time lightweight CN cars were used.  The return was to New Haven, again with New Haven diesel power from New London to New Haven.t 

I was always a volunteer car attendant, which meant opening up for photo stops and closing up afterward, generally with two vestibules together, cars coupled appropriately.  I enjoyed playing trainman for a day and coordinating with the regular CV  conductor and his assistant trainman (only one assigned).  Even though it mean I could not enjoy the open door and barred baggage car directly behind the tender.

[rcdrye]

CV's 600 class 4-8-2s were retired in 1956, but CN 4-8-4s and 4-8-2s were used in several trips I've seen photos from (before my time, alas...)  CV's own 4-8-2s weren't permitted south of E. Northfield on the Palmer Sub (to New London),  At the time you were there Steamtown was still in North Walpole NH in the former B&M roundhouse, still active for the Green Mountain Railway (Vermont Rail System) today.  I don't think the B&M turntable could take a 4-8-2 or 4-8-4, but the Rutland enginehouse had a 90' table right across from the Bellows Falls Station. (Brattleboro had both CV and B&M roundhouses that could turn what passed for big power in New England)

For someone like me these remembrances are priceless, as I was either too young or in the wrong place to see them.  Please keep posting them.

[NorthWest]

rcdrye

For someone like me these remembrances are priceless, as I was either too young or in the wrong place to see them.  Please keep posting them.

I'll second that. If you would post a new thread detailing all of your rail memories from your first to today, I would be very happy. I think others would, too. You have experienced so much, we want to hear it!