Minuteman Tales: Bellows Falls, Vermont

The village of Bellows Falls, Vermont truly defined the term "railroad town" in the greater picture of New England railroading. In this episode, we visit the historic railroad crossroads and dive into its rich history.

[@ZacharyTarbell]

I work for VRS, primarily on the Green mountain railway. Excellent video

[@sauced2007]

I worked for NECR for a while. Used to run in Bellows Falls every now and then on 602. Never did see Bellows Falls in daylight sadly.

[@davido856]

My father ran Osgood’s Garage. I remember Ramblers loaded in box cars and he and the mechanics would go down and unload them. I also remember riding to Boston on the train with my father and mother. They would pick a new car there drive it back to BF. Vague memories from 60 plus years ago.

[@RHJ3]

Your explanation of the railroad activity in Bellows Falls really helps sort it out for a person who is not familiar with the area (like me), thank you!

[@windbreaker2432]

I live in this town and it still saddens me that the train station isn’t fully renovated yet. I know there are plans but I fear it’s been delayed.

[@jimfrisk688]

the town of rockingham is in the process of purchasing the station, then renovation can begin.

[@emdxemdx]

Thanks for the memories. I worked at Steamtown in the summer of 1980.

[@generalsb6332]

Really nice enjoyable informative video. Have always had a soft spot for Vermont railroads. I live in the upper Midwest and Vermont reminds me of my state on scenic steroids. I subscribed. Keep up the vids.

[@Rheilffordd]

The algorithm recommended me here. I’m from Australia, no where near Vermont. But goodness, this was a wonderful video to watch, well edited, great selection of photos, light music, and the present day shots of the location. Shame that Steamtown didn’t work out here in this location, it looked spectacular the way all the buildings were in the one spot. Well done, will watch more later! 😁

[@barrysmith7208]

You guys should look into a very interesting old railroad that used to be part of the B&M . It was located in New Boston NH. It was a short line but a very interesting short line. My great grandfather was the engineer of the train, Bill Fisk, who was an interesting person in himself. Barry Smith

[@robertmorris7332]

Small town New England - so interesting. Your videos are outstanding, hope you keep doing them

[@chrisdaniel1339]

I would take the Vermonter Amtrak just for a nice scenic ride up through the state of Vermont.

[@ralphbalfoort2909]

As a VRS retiree, this is one of the most accurate railfan-produced videos I've seen on railroads in the Conn River Valley.

[@tedfisk1211]

Very well done video. It certainly cleared up some things in my mind about Bellows Falls. Thank you

[@mattydred72]

Same here.

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Great Video, Thanks for Sharing !

[@b79holmes]

2nd or 3rd time I am watching this video. We stopped here last year on our way to see experience eclipse. A train ran thru the tunnel while we were there. VERY cool experience. Yes there is a lot of train activity there and when we heard the train whistle we didn't realiz it was right where we were.

[@olentangyriver1191]

It looks beautiful there 🥰 hello from Ohio

[@Play_fare]

Thanks for this informative and well done video of Northeast Kingdom railroading of an important rail crossroads. I hope you will be planning similar videos of rails in St. Johnsbury and White River Junction😊

[@warrenjones744]

I grew up un Williamstown Mass. The B&M mainline ran a short walk through the woods behind our home .Many fond memories of the men and machines that would work on the tracks.The big derailment sometime in the 70's. A cool train ride on a Budd Car through the Hoosac tunnel. The highlight was the track crew took me with them for a day and showed me all about maintaining tracks and the grade. My parents were out of town and my grandmother was not pleased with me. The track crew would never be able take a kid today. They would probably have him arrested. Different times for sure. The train still runs back and forth behind Mom and Dads from the west out of Mechanicville NY east to Deerfield Ma and beyond. I left for the Air Force in 1982 and quite a bit has changed, the number of trains and their length. The caboose is long gone and the locomotives much quieter. All or most of the old infrastructure is with exception of the Maine line and old station (which is a moving company) has been slowly taken up and trains don't stop on the long gone siding anymore. And the livery has changed. Oddly enough I now live not far from Bellows Fall and White River junction. Both very interesting places to have a look around. But alas much of that old infrastructure in the past ten years is slowly disappearing too. Thanks for the memories. I will have a look at your other films. Cheers

[@rickkearn7100]

Excellent content and presentation, BMRHS. I was so impressed I subscribed. Cheers.

[@mattydred72]

Love that picture of 1851.

[@mattydred72]

You guys are continuously putting out great videos. This one is a home run.

[@JohnTrombley]

Nice job, Well done I worked for the CPR in the late 50's from White River Jct to Newport VT.

[@centeroftheearthmining4095]

Fantastic!!!

[@TheTrainDudes31]

Great show again 🎉❤😮

[@davidmorris7696]

Well done ... from WV.

[@lasvegasroger]

Well done - and great narration! Recently moved from 'out West' to Rockland, Maine, so ordered - and just finished reading last night! - "Passenger Trains of Northern New England in the Streamline Era" by Kevin J. Holland in order to get to know some rail history in my new region. Bellows Falls was a prominent location featured in that book, so very much appreciate you shedding even more light on this very interesting location! By the way, also love those Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Geeps at 3:10. Both a favorite city (Duluth) and favorite railroad of mine.

[@davidsharp3110]

Nice presentation with great information. I love railroad towns. Thanks!

[@gronmic]

Outstanding work. Based on the comments below I will subscribe. Your narration was very professional.

[@pauludulutch4353]

Nice video. I enjoyed coming here a couple times in the 90’s/ 2000’s once on Amtrak.

[@mrjsanchez1]

Great video, I am a Pennsylvanian who loves New England railroading, glad to see the rails still going strong in Bellows Falls.

[@bobmorse5896]

What a super video! I haven't been to Bellows Falls for about 50 years, back when Steamtown was located there. Your video certainly brings back great memories, from some of the old locomotives to the milk trains. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@12thgacof]

You do a great job ! I enjoy your videos!

[@ts109]

So many memories thankyou.

[@skruloos1]

Great video..

[@linesided]

I love Vermont. I wish there was a train to Burlington from Montreal! Nice video.

[@baker3person]

Great job, please do Athol or Gardner

[@nhrrman3413]

Great video Rick and colleagues! Thank you!

[@frederickmoller]

An excellent video, in an area of the of your country (I'm Canadian) that I always truly admire...Thanks!

[@raycooney7632]

I’ve loved this town. Great video.

[@petercole8798]

Great vid , nostalgic railroads history. ❤.

[@douglasalan5783]

Fine video! I’d love to get up to Bellows Falls some day just so I can see that great tunnel! I wonder if anyone has modeled that scene?

[@roberttaylor3157]

Great Work. Thank You

[@michaelthayer643]

Thanks for sharing.

[@MarkDoucette-v7l]

Good job thank you

[@MH-fb5kr]

Great job… enjoyed your presentation a lot… one thing, a map would have helped in a few places.

[@artrioangelus]

Why did Steamtown pull out and move to Scranton?

[@jimfrisk688]

vermont's air quality restrictions preventing steam locomotives from running is one thing.

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

Was there not also an issue with the State or Vermont choosing to ban all roadside billboards so to promote how scenic Vermont was without those "unsightly" billboards? I believe that this was one case. Steamtown was not able to promote their attraction without them.

[@MillersRailfan]

It’s truly tragic that the oligarch class of this country moved all industries in this area south or overseas Mellon and his minions acted as scavengers and picked the bones of whatever was left

[@timothykelly5588]

I'm from BF my grandfather Maurice Kelly Sr worked for B+M