VRS to Acquire New Hampshire Central
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
“VRS has a 60-year tradition of helping local businesses with efficient and reliable freight service,” VRS President Selden Houghton said, “and we are excited at the opportunity to grow and expand by providing economical rail service to customers in northern New Hampshire.” (VRS Photograph of Vermont Railway, Railway Age's 2022 Short Line of the Year)
Vermont Rail System (VRS) will grow its portfolio to seven short line railroads with the acquisition of New Hampshire Central.
On April 9, VRA reported entering an agreement with New Hampshire Central “to purchase certain assets and operating rights” related to its operations in northern New Hampshire. The acquisition is pending state and federal regulatory approvals.
Burlington, Vt.-based VRS operates over 400 miles of track in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York, handling both general freight and passenger excursions, as well as hosting Amtrak. It is currently an affiliation of six short lines: Vermont Railway, Railway Age’s 2022 Short Line of the Year, Green Mountain Railroad, Clarendon and Pittsford Railroad, Washington County Railroad, New York and Ogdensburg Railway, and New England Southern Railroad. Approximately 90% of carloads handled originate or terminate in Vermont.
New Hampshire Central Railroad operates over 56 miles of track leased from the state of New Hampshire between North Stratford and Colebrook and between Groveton and Littleton. VRS said that it would retain the short line’s name and that the current owner, Edward W. Jeffrey, “expects a smooth transition over the next few months.”
“I couldn’t be happier to know that such a dedicated group will continue to serve New Hampshire businesses and grow this important link to the regional and national rail network,” Jeffery said.
“VRS has a 60-year tradition of helping local businesses with efficient and reliable freight service,” VRS President Selden Houghton said, “and we are excited at the opportunity to grow and expand by providing economical rail service to customers in northern New Hampshire.”
