View source for Champlain Flyer

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width       =
| name            = ''Champlain Flyer''
| logo            =
| logo_width      =
| image           = Burlington Union Station platform.jpg
| image_width     =
| caption         = ''Champlain Flyer'' platform at Burlington
| type            = [[Commuter rail]]
| status          = Discontinued
| locale          = [[Chittenden County, Vermont]]
| predecessor     =
| first           = December 4, 2000
| last            = February 28, 2003
| successor       = ''[[Champlain Valley Flyer]]''
| operator        =
| formeroperator  = [[Vermont Railway]]
| ridership       =
| start           = [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]]
| stops           = 2
| end             = [[Charlotte, Vermont|Charlotte]]
| distance        = {{convert|13|mi|km|0}}
| journeytime     =
| frequency       = 7.5 round trips per day
| trainnumber     =
| line_used       =
| class           =
| access          =
| seating         =
| sleeping        =
| autorack        =
| catering        =
| observation     =
| entertainment   =
| baggage         =
| otherfacilities =
| stock           =
| gauge           = {{RailGauge|ussg}}
| el              =
| speed           =
| owners          = [[Vermont Railway]]
| routenumber     =
| map             = {{Champlain Flyer}}
| map_state       =
}}
The '''''Champlain Flyer''''' was a [[commuter rail in North America|commuter train]] service in [[Vermont]] that ran from 2000 to 2003 between [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]], [[South Burlington, Vermont|South Burlington]], [[Shelburne, Vermont|Shelburne]], and [[Charlotte, Vermont|Charlotte]], in the eastern [[Champlain Valley]]. The [[Vermont Railway]] operated the {{convert|13|mi|adj=on}} route along the former [[Main line (railway)|main line]] of the [[Rutland Railroad]].

==History==

The ''Champlain Flyer'' was conceived as an alternate transportation option during the reconstruction of [[U.S. Route 7 in Vermont|U.S. Route 7]]. It benefited from public funds earmarked for public transportation.

The train began operation on December&nbsp;4, 2000, with two daily round-trips, with plans to operate as many as ten. Startup costs were $18&nbsp;million (${{format price|{{inflation|US|18000000|2000}}}} in {{inflation year|US}} adjusted for inflation), most of which were provided by the 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=BIG BUCKS FOR A LITTLE RAILROAD|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67627782.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409142138/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67627782.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2016|publisher=[[Cincinnati Post]] |accessdate=December 10, 2012|date=December 5, 2000}}</ref><ref name="globe">{{cite web|title= ISSUE OF REPAYMENT RAISED IN RAIL DEBATE|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7702323.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309194315/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7702323.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2016|publisher=[[Boston Globe]]|accessdate=December 10, 2012|date=March 18, 2002}}</ref>

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.<ref name="globe" /> The newly elected Gov. [[Jim Douglas]] (who succeeded Gov. [[Howard Dean]] of [[Shelburne, Vermont|Shelburne]]) decided that the train was not viable, and the last train ran on February&nbsp;28, 2003, despite all contracts being pre-paid through the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vermont Transportation Authority's Champlain Flyer|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-100606585.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304041228/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-100606585.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2013|publisher=[[Railway Age]] |accessdate=December 10, 2012|date=April 1, 2003}}</ref>

===Later service===

The [[Vermont Railway]] has periodically operated an [[excursion train]] service from Burlington to Charlotte and back known as the ''Champlain Valley Flyer''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Melzer |first1=Matt |title=Champlain Valley Flyer Excursion |url=http://www.trainweb.com/travelogues/mattmelzer/2004h15a.html |website=www.trainweb.com |publisher=TrainWeb.com |access-date=8 August 2022 |date=15 August 2004}}</ref>

Regular passenger service returned to [[Burlington Union Station]] in July 2022, when [[Amtrak]] extended the ''[[Ethan Allen Express]]'' north from [[Rutland (city), Vermont|Rutland]]. The train uses the former route of the ''Champlain Flyer'', but does not serve any of its former stations except Burlington. The [[Vermont Agency of Transportation]] has raised the possibility of adding an [[infill stop]] in [[Shelburne, Vermont|Shelburne]], where the ''Champlain Flyer'' platform still exists.<ref name=2021vrp>{{cite book |title=Vermont Rail Plan |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/planning/documents/Vermont%20Rail%20Plan%205-20-2021%20Final.pdf |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation |date=May 2021}}</ref>{{rp|41}}

==Operations==

The service's rolling stock consisted of a rebuilt [[Vermont Railway]] [[GP38-2]] and ten ex-[[Virginia Railway Express]] de-motored [[Budd Rail Diesel Car|RDC]] cars. Two of these cars were outfitted with [[Control car (rail)|cab control]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Commuter Rail update 2001|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-72986655.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329170129/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-72986655.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2015|publisher=Mass Transit |accessdate=December 11, 2012|date=March 1, 2001|first=Van|last=Wilkins}}</ref> Fares were $1 for a one-way trip, collected on the honor system by being deposited in a box upon entering the train.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rail Travelogue: Matt Melzer's East Coast Rail Journey|url=http://www.trainweb.com/travelogues/mattmelzer/2001g19a.html#vtry|accessdate=February 9, 2015|date=July 31, 2001|first=Matt|last=Melzer}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.jtbell.net/transit/Burlington/ Pictures of the ''Champlain Flyer'']

{{VermontTransSystems}}

[[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Vermont]]
[[Category:Former United States regional rail systems]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2000]]
[[Category:Railway services discontinued in 2003]]
[[Category:Commuter rail in the United States]]