Some more details on the "Conn River Line".....
From VT/MA border north to Brattleboro:
Was always CV (NECR after Feb 1995) ownership, but was jointly operated with B&M, along with another line which crossed the river right at the border, only to cross again in Brattleboro (that bridge and some track remains, but oos for many years).
From Brattleboro north to White River Jct:
Was B&M until c 1988 when Amtrak "seized" the line and sold it immediately afterwards to the Central Vermont. The details are large but generally, Amtrak accused B&M of not maintaining its track to passenger train speeds. CV took it over, rebuilt it, and ran it until 2/95, when NECR (New England Central) took over. Guilford/B&M/PanAm retains trackage rights. This line has CTC and some signals have been replaced recently. At one time it was double track, but judging by the close clearances on many sections, I find the entire line double-tracked hard to believe.
From White River Jct to Wells River:
Was B&M until around 1999/2000, when finally they got rid of it and sold it to the state of Vermont. It had been out of service for a while. Typical Guilford dragging their feet on service to the point where about 1 customer was left and the line was in bad shape. VT leased it to the Northern Vermont Railroad, then a BAR subsidiary. When they went belly up, litterally, VT Rail System took over and operates it as the Washington County Railroad - Conn River Division. They are building traffic and rebuilding as finances permit.
From Wells River beyond:
New Hampshire lines up to Littleton were abandoned in the 1990s. On the VT side up to St Johnsbury, was CP until the 1990s, then to NVR, then VTRS. Also VT-owned, IIRC. North of St J, same scenario. Traces of ABS system remain, but not "turned on". Same situation up to Newport, where MMA takes over.
-Jay H.
