White River Railroad (Vermont)

The White River Railroad was an intrastate railroad in central Vermont. It ran from Bethel, Vermont to Rochester, Vermont, a distance of approximately 19 miles.

History

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Planning for the White River Valley Electric Railroad began in 1896, and the line was charted along the course of the White River. The name was changed to White River Valley Railroad and finally White River Railroad before construction began in 1899. Built on a shoestring budget, the first train arrived in Rochester in December 1900. Because the railroad followed the course of the White River closely, it was frequently damaged by floods and was often referred to as "The Peavine". Like most railroads in Vermont, it was heavily damaged by the great Flood of November, 1927. Though the railroad was fully rebuilt the following year, the Great Depression reduced traffic to fatal levels, and the railroad was abandoned in 1933.

Stations

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The railroad stopped at the following locations from east to west:

Locomotives

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Locomotive Description Year(s) Number Name Built Build Year Previous Owner Notes Disposition
4-4-0 American Straight stack. Upper headlight 1901 1 Manchester 1879 B&M
4-4-0 American Straight stack. Upper headlight 2
4-4-0 American Straight stack. Upper headlight 1910 3 Portland Company 1884 Maine Central
20 pax doodlebug 4 Hummingbird 4-Wheel Drive Auto Company Clintonville, WI 1911 New
2-6-0n 5 Baldwin 1913 New Only new locomotive Rock of Ages 1933
0-4-4T 1913-1922, 1927 6 1890 Montpelier & Wells River light passenger service
2-4-2T 1913 6 Barre Railroad
2-6-0n -1927 7 Destroyed flood 1927
Stanley Steamer 1916-1931 101 1916 New Sold B&M 1931
4-4-0 American Straight stack. Upper headlight 368 B&M
4-4-0 American Straight stack. Upper headlight 1900-1905 CV 45 CV Shops St. Albans 1873 CV CV 71 W.C. Smith previously
4-4-0 American diamond stacked wood burner 1899 John R. Tupper D&H First locomotive

References

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Jones, Robert C., Railroads of Vermont, Volume II, 1993.

Herwig, Wes, A Whistle Up the Valley : The Story of the Peavine, Vermont's White River Railroad, 2005.