While in Vermont, we took a train ride on the Green Mountain Flyer. It was a wonderful way to see the Vermont countryside aflame in fall colors.
Green Mountain Railroad runs several trains throughout Vermont. It was especially neat for my fiancee and me because the line uses vintage rail cars that have been restored, and we both love antiques.
Our trip on the Green Mountain Flyer began in Bellows Falls Union Station. Even the station is an antique, having been built about 150 years ago. We were early for our adventure so, after buying our tickets, we browsed through the gift shop in the depot. Throughout our trip, my fiancee bought pins to put on a hat as souvenirs. Here, he bought a pin with the Green Mountain Railroad logo. I bought some postcards and picked up several brochures as souvenirs. The gift shop included tons of items - jackets, hats, books, miniature trains, whistles, patches, shirts - all having to do with trains (and mostly the Green Mountain Railroad system). It was a fun way to pass the time while waiting for our train.
I had never been on a train so this ride was very exciting. The train was pulled by a diesel locomotive, which really added to the old-time feeling. Not only did we see glorious arrays of color along the way, we also saw Brockway Mills Gorge and a covered bridge. Since my father and stepmother like covered bridges, I got some pictures of this for them.
The train came to a halt in Chester, where we were able to get out and look around that old station. The Chester depot has been restored to what it looked like in the 1800s, which made it interesting and fun to see. It seemed like we hadn't looked around too long before we were back on the train and returning to Bellows Falls.
Riding the Green Mountain Flyer was a unique and exciting way to see the fall foliage and it's an experience I would recommend to anyone.
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Green Mountain Railroad also runs the White River Flyer http://www.rails-vt.com/wr_flyer.html , Champlain Valley Flyer http://www.rails-vt.com/champ_flyer.html and has special excursion trains http://www.rails-vt.com/special_trains.html .
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