Champlain Flyer

The Champlain Flyer was a commuter train that operated in Vermont between Burlington, Shelburne, and Charlotte during 2000–03.

Champlain Flyer

Champlain Flyer platform at Burlington
Overview
Service type	Commuter rail
Status	Discontinued
Locale	Chittenden County, Vermont
First service	December 4, 2000
Last service	February 28, 2003
Successor	Champlain Valley Flyer
Current operator(s)	Vermont Railway
Route
Start	Burlington
Stops	3
End	Charlotte
Distance travelled	13 miles (21 km)
Service frequency	7.5 round trips per day
Technical
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Track owner(s)	Vermont Railway
Route map New England Central Railroad Burlington South Burlington Shelburne Charlotte Vermont Railway

The service was started to provide an alternative to US 7 during its reconstruction and to take advantage of public funds earmarked for public transportation. The train began operation on December 4, 2000, with two daily round-trips, with plans to operate as many as ten. Startup costs were $18 million, most of which were provided by Federal government for improving the tracks and grade crossings along the route. At the time of its inception, it was the shortest commuter rail system in the United States.[1][2]

The service's rolling stock consisted of a rebuilt Vermont Railway GP38-2 and ten ex-Virginia Railway Express de-motored RDC cars. Two of these cars were outfitted with cab control.[3] Fares were $1 for a one-way trip, collected on the honor system by being deposited in a box upon entering the train.[4]

Initial ridership figures were lower than expected as the highway reconstruction project was delayed. In 2002, it was threatened to be cut from the state budget.[2] The newly elected Gov. Jim Douglas (who succeeded Gov. Howard Dean of Shelburne) decided that the train was not viable, and the last train ran on February 28, 2003, despite all contracts being pre-paid through the end of the year.[5]