Green Mountain Railroad in Chester / Bellows Falls, Vermont
Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesExcursions spring through fall; foliage trips September and October
The Green Mountain Railroad is a Vermont shortline founded in 1964 by preservationist F. Nelson Blount, and its Green Mountain Flyer carries passengers through the valley between Bellows Falls and Chester Depot each spring, summer and fall.
- Founded in 1964
- Green Mountain Flyer valley ride
- Fall foliage trips Sept to Oct
- Green and yellow company colors
Green Mountain Railroad at a glance
- Hours
- Seasonal, spring through fall; check Vermont Rail System Passenger Services for dates
- Admission
- Fares are posted with each trip on the booking site
- Train rides
- Green Mountain Flyer, Bellows Falls to Chester Depot, spring through fall; foliage runs September and October
- Seasonal events
- Fall foliage trips
- Plan for
- About 2.3 hours for the Flyer
- Best for
- Families and leaf peepers who want a scenic diesel train ride
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Green Mountain Railroad? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Chester / Bellows Falls.
Rally Takes the Train
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See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A Steamtown founder's railroad between Bellows Falls and Chester
The Green Mountain Railroad was founded in 1964 by F. Nelson Blount, the railroad preservationist who also founded Steamtown, U.S.A. Through the 1960s and 1970s it carried freight while giving Steamtown's excursion trains access to the track between Bellows Falls and Chester. The line it bought was the Vermont section of the old Boston and Maine and Rutland Railroad right of way, running from North Walpole, New Hampshire, to Rutland, and it has operated as a small Class III railroad ever since.
Today the railroad's passenger side runs the Green Mountain Flyer, a diesel-hauled excursion from Bellows Falls to Chester Depot through the valley. Bookings, schedules and questions go through Vermont Rail System Passenger Services in Burlington. The railroad's corporate colors are green and yellow, which makes its equipment easy to spot.
From Bellows Falls station up the valley to Chester Depot
The Green Mountain Flyer runs between Bellows Falls and Chester Depot, a trip of roughly 2.3 hours, through farm and river valley country. The Bellows Falls end uses the village's historic station, which still serves both the Green Mountain Railroad and Amtrak. Exact boarding points, schedules and fares are posted by Vermont Rail System Passenger Services, so check there before you plan the day.
Don’t miss
- The Green Mountain FlyerThe railroad's signature excursion between Bellows Falls and Chester Depot, the easiest way for families to ride this historic line.
- Fall foliage tripsSeptember and October runs from Chester are the railroad's busiest, timed for Vermont's autumn color.
- Bellows Falls stationThe historic station still serves both the Green Mountain Railroad and Amtrak, so you may see two kinds of trains in one stop.
A real ride through the valley
For kids, the draw here is simple: a real train ride with Vermont valley views out the window. At a little over two hours, the trip suits children who can sit for a while, and the foliage season is the most colorful time to go. Ask passenger services about seating, restrooms on board and age policies before you book.
Plan your visit: tips for Green Mountain Railroad
- Book foliage trips early; September and October are the peak months.
- Passenger services answers the phone Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.
- Confirm whether your trip boards in Bellows Falls or Chester before you drive.
Part of Vermont's working railroad family
The Green Mountain Railroad is a working freight railroad as well as an excursion line, and its passenger trips are handled by Vermont Rail System Passenger Services in Burlington. The best way to support it is to ride: book a Flyer or foliage trip, and share your photos with the railroad on social media.
Rail history around Bellows Falls and Chester
In Bellows Falls itself, the Bellows Falls Railroad Station is about 12 miles from Chester and is where the Flyer and Amtrak meet. The Rutland Railway Museum in Center Rutland is about 31 miles away and open Saturdays, and the Contoocook Railroad Museum in New Hampshire is about 44 miles east. Browse Vermont's train museums and rides for more ideas.
- Bellows Falls Railroad Station historic siteBellows Falls, VT · about 12 mi
- Rutland Railroad MuseumRutland, VT · about 31 mi
- Contoocook Railroad MuseumContoocook, NH · about 44 mi
- Shelburne Falls Trolley MuseumShelburne Falls, MA · about 46 mi
- New England Southern Railroad historical collectionsNew Hampshire, NH · about 52 mi
- Ashland Railroad Station MuseumAshland, NH · about 56 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A two-hour ride up a Vermont valley in October is all about the window seat. In our book, Rally rides with his nose to an arched window, watching the ocean and saying hello to a white bird. Here it would be red and gold hillsides instead of waves, but I think the feeling is the same for a little one. My kids are learning to read now, and spotting things out a train window is half the fun.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Vermont: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Vermont
- Halloween train rides in Vermont
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Green Mountain Railroad?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Green Mountain Railroad: 20 questions riders ask
What is the Green Mountain Railroad in Vermont?
The Green Mountain Railroad is a Vermont shortline founded in 1964 that runs on the former Boston and Maine and Rutland right of way between North Walpole, New Hampshire, and Rutland. It hauls freight and also offers passenger excursions, most notably the Green Mountain Flyer between Bellows Falls and Chester Depot.
Does the Green Mountain Railroad run fall foliage tours?
Yes. Foliage trips from Chester run in September and October, the railroad's peak season for autumn color in the valley. These are the most requested trips, so book early. Schedules and seats are handled by Vermont Rail System Passenger Services at (800) 707-3530 or passenger@vrs.us.com.
How much are Green Mountain Railroad fall foliage tour tickets?
Fares for the foliage trips are posted with each departure on the Vermont Rail System Passenger Services booking site and can vary by date and seating. Check rails-vt.com for current prices, or call (800) 707-3530, Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, to ask before you book.
Where does the Green Mountain Railroad leave from in Chester, VT?
Chester trips use Chester Depot, which sits at the far end of the Green Mountain Flyer route from Bellows Falls. A Depot Street address in Chester is listed for the railroad, but confirm the exact boarding point for your trip with passenger services before you drive, since some runs start in Bellows Falls.
Does the Green Mountain Railroad board in Bellows Falls?
Yes. The Green Mountain Flyer runs between Bellows Falls and Chester Depot, and the historic Bellows Falls station serves both the Green Mountain Railroad and Amtrak. Check which end your chosen departure leaves from when you book, because boarding points can differ between trips and seasons.
What is the Green Mountain Railroad schedule?
The railroad runs passenger trips from spring through fall, with foliage runs out of Chester in September and October. Exact days and departure times change each year, so check the current schedule on the Vermont Rail System Passenger Services website or call (800) 707-3530 on weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
How do I buy Green Mountain Railroad tickets?
Tickets are sold through Vermont Rail System Passenger Services, which books the railroad's excursions online at rails-vt.com. You can also call (800) 707-3530 or email passenger@vrs.us.com. Phone lines are staffed Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, so plan weekend questions ahead.
How long is the Green Mountain Flyer ride?
The Green Mountain Flyer trip between Bellows Falls and Chester Depot lasts about 2.3 hours. That makes it a good half-day outing; plan on extra time to park, board and look around the station. Ask passenger services if your departure is a round trip or one way.
Does the Green Mountain Railroad have a dinner train?
The Green Mountain Railroad's passenger trips are booked through Vermont Rail System Passenger Services in Burlington, which also offers dining trains from Burlington. Dining trips are listed separately from the Flyer, so check the rails-vt.com booking page or call (800) 707-3530 to see which dinner trains are running and where they board.
Is the Green Mountain Railroad in Burlington, VT?
The excursions covered here run between Bellows Falls and Chester in southern Vermont, but the passenger services office that books Green Mountain Railroad trips is in Burlington. Burlington-area trains depart from there. If you are booking, double-check the departure town so you do not end up at the wrong end of the state.
Does the Green Mountain Railroad run a Christmas train?
Holiday trains are not listed with the spring through fall season. Vermont Rail System Passenger Services posts any special holiday departures on its booking site, so check rails-vt.com in the fall or call (800) 707-3530 to ask whether a Christmas train is planned for the year.
Who founded the Green Mountain Railroad?
The railroad was founded in 1964 by F. Nelson Blount, a railroad preservationist best known as the founder of Steamtown, U.S.A. In the 1960s and 1970s the Green Mountain Railroad ran freight while giving Steamtown's excursion trains access to its track between Bellows Falls and Chester.
What are the Green Mountain Railroad's colors?
The railroad's corporate colors are green and yellow. Rail fans use the paint scheme to pick out Green Mountain locomotives in photos and on the line. If you are watching trains near Bellows Falls or Chester, look for that combination.
What are Green Mountain Railroad 405 and 89?
Rail fans often search Green Mountain Railroad equipment by number, including 405 and 89. Details about specific locomotives are not posted with the ride information, and equipment assigned to excursions can change. Ask Vermont Rail System Passenger Services at (800) 707-3530 which locomotive is expected on your trip.
Is there a Green Mountain Railroad roundhouse to visit?
No public roundhouse tour is listed for the Green Mountain Railroad. The public side of the railroad is its passenger excursions, such as the Green Mountain Flyer. If you are interested in shop facilities, ask passenger services whether any open houses or special photo events are planned.
Is the Green Mountain Railroad good for kids?
Children who love trains usually enjoy a real ride with valley views, and the Flyer's roughly 2.3 hour trip suits kids who can sit for a while. Bring snacks and something to do for younger ones. Ask passenger services about child fares, restrooms and seating before you book.
Is the Green Mountain Railroad open right now?
Passenger trips run seasonally, spring through fall, with foliage runs in September and October. Outside that window there may be no regular excursions. Check the Vermont Rail System Passenger Services booking site or call (800) 707-3530, Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm, for current operating days.
Is there a map of the Green Mountain Railroad route?
The excursion route runs through the valley between Bellows Falls and Chester Depot, part of the railroad's longer line from North Walpole, New Hampshire, to Rutland. Route details for each trip are on the Vermont Rail System Passenger Services site, where you can also confirm the boarding station.
What do riders say about the Green Mountain Railroad?
Tripadvisor keeps a page of rider reviews for the Green Mountain Flyer, and it is worth reading for tips on seating, timing and the history of the line. The foliage runs in September and October are the most popular trips. For current details on schedules and fares, rely on passenger services rather than older reviews.
What train attractions are near the Green Mountain Railroad?
The historic Bellows Falls station is about 12 miles from Chester, and the Rutland Railway Museum in Center Rutland is about 31 miles away and open Saturdays. The Contoocook Railroad Museum in New Hampshire is about 44 miles east, and the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum in Massachusetts is about 46 miles south.
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