BELLOWS FALLS — Railway Age magazine has named Vermont Rail System (VRS) - which includes the Green Mountain Railroad, Vermont Railway, the Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad, the New York & Ogdenberg Railway, and the Washington County Railroad - the 2012 Short Line Railroad of the Year.
The award will be presented at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's annual meeting in Indianapolis on April 24.
Railway Age managing editor Douglas John Bowen wrote: “Vermont Railway also stands as testament to the idea of shared, proactive community involvement, in good times and in difficult moments”
Variable weather in 2011 pressed VRS to the limits, as it endured very heavy snows during the winter, then floods and washouts in the spring, all before Tropical Storm Irene arrived on Aug. 28 and caused unprecedented washouts and damage to bridges and right-of-way.
The magazine cited how the railroad arranged detours and transloads for customer freight, and kept customer traffic moving, while its rail infrastructure was largely and rapidly repaired within just three weeks. The short line's efforts extended beyond one mode: In conjunction with New England Central Railroad, Vermont Railways helped repair a key state roadway by moving 130,000 tons of rock during a 10-week period.
“This industry recognition is a big deal,” said Vermont Rail Action Network executive director Christopher Parker. “When New England Central Railroad won the award a few years back, they wrote it on the side of their locomotives.”
In October, Vermont Rail Action Network awarded its Jim Jeffords Award to Vermont Rail System President Dave Wulfson in a similar recognition.
Irene devastated the Vermont Rail Network with close to 150 washouts, six compromised bridges and nearly 35 miles of track that had been destroyed. It took just three weeks for the state's rail network (excepting one bridge) to re-open, thanks to round the clock work and the assistance of many contractors, notably R.J. Corman and Engineers Construction.
Before the storm even hit, the Vermont Rail System had reserved every dump truck it could from Barrett Trucking. When the rains stopped roads were impassible and 15 miles of track were still underwater. Vermont Rail system had to hire a helicopter to assess the damage. Crews worked around the clock.
Reconstruction work was helped by the commitment of the Agency of Transportation and the state's political leaders. The usual procedures were streamlined and the state dedicated an on-site engineer, Mladen Gagulic, for immediate decisions who was praised by the railroad. Vermont Rail System was recognized by shippers for it's outstanding communication and efforts during the disruption caused by Irene to reroute freight around damaged sections.
“They are obviously a vital service provider and a big reason for Omya's success,” said Erik Bohn, director of logistics for Omya. “Their transportation services are exemplary and we depend on them heavily. Their response to Irene showed their ability to maintain a high level of service in challenging conditions.”
“We are thrilled that the honor this year went to one of our railroads in Vermont,” said Parker. “We've been watching the progress this year and are pleased and grateful for the commitment the railroad has shown in its own operations and the future of the railroad in Vermont. Vermont Rail System has long been known for excellent customer service and that commitment to dependable delivery combined with a 'Get it Done' spirit brought results.”