Bellows Falls – Saxtons River Tram

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The Bellows Falls – Saxtons River tram was an intercity tram operation in the US state of Vermont , which existed from 1900 to 1924 and connected the places Bellows Falls and Saxtons River .

history

Saxtons River was an up-and-coming industrial town in the 19th century, but is located in a side valley above the Connecticut River and was therefore not connected to the railway network. The nearest train station was in Bellows Falls, ten kilometers away. As early as 1892, a group of entrepreneurs from both places received a concession to build and operate an electric railway. Construction work did not begin until October 5, 1899. The line officially went into operation on July 1, 1900. It began at Bellows Falls Station, where track connections to the Rutland Railroad and the Boston and Maine Railroad were built. From the station forecourt in Depot Street, the route led eastwards, shortly afterwards turned south and led through Bridge Street, Rockingham Street, Atkinson Street, Henry Street, Pine Street, Center Street, Old Terrace and along Saxtons River Road through North Westminster to Main Street in Saxtons River. The terminus was at the east end of Grafton Road. The route was single-track with an evasion. One of the turnouts was at Rockingham Street and Atkinson Street. The line made a steep curve here and a track triangle had been built in North Rockingham Street. The total track length was 10.06 kilometers. The custodian of the train was in North Westminster. The railway company had built a recreational park, Barber Park, between North Westminster and Saxtons River . The trains ran every 35 to 45 minutes.

In addition to passengers , the railway also transported goods and mail . A freight railcar that could transport general cargo at the same time could pull several freight cars that were handed over to the railroad in Bellows Falls . Only on the steep section in Pine Street could only one full car be attached. In 1902 the railway company received a concession for an extension over Saxtons River through Cambridgeport to Grafton. In 1906 routes to North Walpole and Westminster were approved. However, none of these routes were built.

In January 1924, the depot in North Westminster burned down along with six railcars , the snow plow and the workshop and stores . With only two railcars left, operations were temporarily maintained, but the company went bankrupt and operations were finally ceased on November 24, 1924.

literature

  • Robert C. Jones: Railroads of Vermont, Volume I. New England Press Inc., 1993. ISBN 1-881535-01-0 .