Growth and Prosperity (1887-1926)

The following timeline spans the prosperous years of the railroad in Vermont.

In the 1880s, the "White Mountain Express" began operation from Burlington to the White Mountains. this summer only operation train was in service until 1925.

In 1891, the Burlington & Rutland Railroad and the CVR jointly operated the "Green Mountain Flyer," a that passed through Vermont between New York City and Montreal. The two companies operated the train together until 1900, at which time the Burlington & Rutland Railroad took over as sole operator until 1947.

In 1896, a train called the "Express" began operation between New York City and Ottawa along the CVR line.

During the 1890s, the CVR employed 25 Hungarian immigrants to erect woven wire fencing along their rail lines.

In mid-November of 1891, a new express freight service began operation between Boston and Montpelier with the slogan "Express Boston, Montpelier, and Barre Freight."

The "Italy Yard" was constructed in St. Albans in 1893. The yard consisted of a large, new freight terminal with tracks a mile long, covering over 25 acres, that handled 1,500 cars per day

In 1896, a new line was proposed from Burlington, through Colchester, and across the water to the southern tip of South Hero.

During Dewey Day in 1899, Montpelier constructed a 12-track rail yard on Langdon's Meadow near the village to accommodate 22 special trains bringing visitors to the celebration.

On March 23, 1900, the Long Dock freight house in East New London burned, destroying 37 carloads of freight.

In 1897, the Mt. Mansfield Electric Railroad began operation, connecting Waterbury and Stowe. It was abandoned in 1932.

CVR workers went on strike at the New London waterfront in September and October 1900. St. Albans repair shop employees went on strike from May 18, 1901, until July 20, 1902.

In 1900, the last steel track of the CVR was laid.

On June 15, 1902, a heavy rainstorm in central Vermont washed away tracks in 9 different locations between Essex Junction and Montpelier.

Train 5, the "Fast Limited Express," began operation between New York City and St. Albans on June 21, 1903. Train 9, the "Vermont and Lake Champlain Express," also began operation at this time.

During 1903, many of the old railroad ties on the CVR line were replaced with new ones.

In 1905, a new line was completed to the White Granite Quarries in the hills behind Bethel village.

On July 24, 1905, the "New England States Limited" began operation as a deluxe train with matching cars. The name was changed to the "Ambassador" in 1926.

In 1906, new industrial spurs were added to existing lines; industrial spurs connected main lines with industries.

On June 23, 1912, a summer only line called the "Seashore Limited" began operation between Montreal and New London and was in service for 5 summers.

In early 1912, the Barre Granite Railway was commissioned to lay 10 miles of track into a large quarry complex in Barre.

During WWI, the federal government took control of the nation's railroads and had control from January 1, 1918, until March 1920.

In 1916, a new U.S. Immigration Service building and a new ice house were constructed in St. Albans

In 1919, the CVR purchased milk houses in Colchester, Georgia, and Oakland. Milk receiving platforms were built at Enosburg Falls and Alburg, and Randolph and Richford received facilities the following year. An oil house was constructed in St. Albans, adjoining the engine house.

On April 8, 1920, Vermont's largest train ever left St. Albans pulled by Engines 682 and 109.

In 1920, new automatic signals were installed in the Burlington tunnel on North Avenue.

1920 and 1921 were economically very bad years for the Central Vermont Railroad. Thirteen of the smaller stations closed.

During mid-April of 1922, high water caused a number of washouts. A considerable amount of track work was done during 1922.

In 1923, a new brick roundhouse with 22 stalls was constructed in St. Albans.

The "Montrealer" and "Washingtonian" began operation in 1924. These trains were the flagships of the passenger fleet.

High water caused a number of washouts between Essex Junction and White River Junction in September 1924.

On April 25, 1926, the "New Englander" began operation.

On May 17, 1926, a special excursion train called the "Maple Sugar" began operation.

During the 1920s, the granite industry was thriving along the lines in Barre.