The Lamoille Valley Railroad began operations on 1 January 1978, taking over the state-owned line across northern Vermont between Swanton and St. Johnsbury. Built around a mixture of bridge traffic and a small number of on-line industries, the railroad relied heavily on interchange connections with the Maine Central, Canadian Pacific, Boston & Maine, and Central Vermont.
The Lamoille Valley Railroad freight car fleet was shaped by this traffic mix, with a strong emphasis on modern boxcars capable of handling both bridge traffic and on-line industries.
Freight traffic was varied but modest, including talc, grain, limestone, and other bulk commodities, as well as more time-sensitive loads such as paper products. The railroad actively sought to capture bridge traffic moving between eastern Canada and the Midwest, placing a premium on reliable, modern rolling stock capable of handling long-distance movements.
As a result, the LVRC’s freight car fleet was dominated by boxcars, particularly high-capacity 50ft cars acquired new or leased during the late 1970s. Many were fitted with cushioned underframes for damage-sensitive traffic and were finished in the railroad’s distinctive yellow livery, becoming a defining feature of the line during its peak years of operation.
The Lamoille Valley Railroad boxcar fleet became one of the most distinctive among New England shortlines, characterised by modern 50ft high-capacity cars, widespread use of cushioned underframes, and the striking yellow “Vermont Gateway” livery.
Lamoille Valley Boxcars
Boxcars formed the core of the Lamoille Valley Railroad’s freight operations. From the outset in 1978, the line relied heavily on modern, high-capacity cars to support both on-line industries and bridge traffic moving between connections at St. Johnsbury and Swanton.
Much of the fleet consisted of relatively new cars, including FMC-built boxcars from the late 1970s and large groups of Pullman-Standard cars delivered in 1979. Many were fitted with cushioned underframes for paper traffic, reflecting the importance of damage-sensitive loads moving over the route.
The result was a distinctive fleet dominated by bright yellow cars with bold “Lamoille Valley” branding, supplemented by earlier blue cars and leased equipment used to support traffic levels.
Built by FMC in 1978. Plate C cars used in general freight service, often seen in dark blue “Cushion Service” livery, indicating cushioned underframes for damage-sensitive traffic.
LVRC 4000-4099
50ft Boxcar
PS (lot 1024); 4/1979
LVRC 4100-4259
ex BN, various; nee POVA 35001-35100
LVRC 5000-5049
50ft Boxcar
Built in October 1979 by Pullman-Standard (Lot 1043C). 5,344 cu ft capacity. Delivered new in yellow with blue “Lamoille Valley” lettering and “Vermont Gateway” branding.
LVRC 5050-5399
50ft Boxcar
Built in October and November 1979 by Pullman-Standard (Lot 1044). Similar to the 5000–5049 series, forming the bulk of the railroad’s modern boxcar fleet.
