I missed the trip to Essex Junction, but a couple of years earlier (1989, I think) Mass Bay ran a two-day trip. Rutland to North Bennington and return the first day, and Rutland to Burlington the second. At that time, VTR was a good, solid 25 MPH railroad. I don't remember any slow orders to speak of.
The next year Mass Bay ran the trip again, and this time they went all the way into Bennington, on the line that used to connect to the NYC to Chatham. That line is now abandoned.
I'm sorry I missed Essex Junction. Doesn't look like I'll ever get that mileage unless Amtrak starts running to Burlington (and presumably wyes the train at the junction).
By the way, the connection from North Bennington to Hoosick Falls on Pam Am Southern is in service, and VTR has been interchanging cars there for more than a year now. I doubt, however, that it's in condition to carry passenger service.
Randy Resor, aka "NellieBly" passed away on November 1, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.