Remembering the Rutland
Rutland Railroad History
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Rutland Railroad Timeline
Important Milestones in the Rutland Story
1843
Rutland & Burlington Railroad is chartered by the state of Vermont
1845
The Western Vermont RR is chartered to build from Rutland to Bennington, Vt.
1851
The Milk Car is born: the Northern RR (O&LC) begins shipping butter to Boston in purpose-built freight cars cooling the contents with ice.
1852
In January the first train crosses the floating bridge at the north end of Lake Champlain between the Northern RR and the Vermont & Canada RR.
The Western Vermont (Rutland-Bennington) begins service.
1857
The Troy & Bennington RR, a subsidiary of the Troy & Boston RR signs a 10 year lease for the Western Vermont RR.
1858
The re-organized Northern RR becomes the Ogdensburg RR.
1864
The Ogdensburg is re-organized as the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain RR.
1865
Independent again, the Western Vermont RR becomes the Bennington & Rutland RR.
1867
Rutland & Burlington reorganized to form the Rutland Railroad Company,
1870
On March 1, the Vermont Central leases the O&LC.
1871
Rutland RR leased to Vermont Central for 20 years
1891
Rutland RR leased to Central Vermont for 99 years
1896
Rutland RR returned to independence when the Central Vermont enters receivership.
1898
The O&LC regains independence.
To circumvent the Vermont Central, the Rutland RR begins building the "Champlain Island Extension" north from Burlington across Lake Champlain.
1899
The Champlain Island Extension is completed.
1901
The Rutland leases the O&LC.
1904
The New York Central RR assumes control of the Rutland.
1909
The Rutland inaugurates its first through milk train between Ogdensburg to Chatham.
1911
The New York Central sells one-half of it controlling interest in the Rutland to the New Haven RR.
1915
The Panama Canal Act forces the Rutland to divest itself of the Rutland Transit Company, its Great Lakes shipping operation.
1916
On January 27 Burlington (Vermont) Union Station opens [photo].
1917
The Rutland discontinues operations of its floating bridge between Larrabee's Point, Vt. and Ticonderoga, N.Y.
The United States Railroad Administration assumes control of the U.S. railroads in an attempt to curtail car shortages
1918
Six USRA-design Mikado type locomotives arrive. They are assignd class H-6-a.
1920
USRA control of Rutland ends on March 1
1927
In November floods ravage much of Vermont, crippling the Rutland.
1938
On May 5 the Rutland Railroad enters into receivership for the first time.
In July, the "Save the Rutland Club" is formed.
On August 4, on the verge of total abandonment, the Rutland is given a reprieve when union employees agree to a wage reduction.
1939
In January The Whippet fast freight debuts in an attempt to win back freight business.
1946
Four new Mountain-type 4-8-2's arrive from Alco. Painted a brilliant green and dubbed "Green Hornets" by Rutland crews, these will be the last new steam locomotives purchased by the Rutland. [photo]
1947
1948
On April 14, Trains #57 and #46, the Rutland-Alburgh locals, make their last runs.
1949
1950
Rutland Railroad reorganized as Rutland Railway
1951
Gardner Caverly becomes vice-president of the Rutland.
On May 21, the last train, a mixed, runs on the Addison Branch.
1952
In December, permission is granted by the ICC to abandon the Chatham Branch.
1953
On May 20th, train #88 becomes the first Rutland train to use the new trackage rights agreement to reach Chatham via Troy, NY.
Beginning June 26, a three week strike, the first in the railroad's history, shuts down the Rutland. It spells the end of passenger service.
During the summer, scrap crews remove the "Corkscrew Division" between Chatham, N.Y. and Bennington, Vt. They reach Bennington on August 7.
1954
Gardner Caverly becomes president, and the "rebirth" of the Rutland begins.
1955
In May, the three 4-8-2 Mountain types, just 9 years old, go to scrap.
1961
Final strike begins on September 25
On December 4 the Rutland applies to the ICC for total abandonment
1962
ICC holds abandonment hearings during March and April
In September the ICC approves abandonment effective January 29, 1963
1963
Abandonment date postponed to May 20
On May 29, the state of Vermont passes a bill providing for the purchase of sections of the Rutland
One era ends and another begins