With gas prices nearing four dollars a gallon and Vermont's highway infrastructure getting harder and harder to maintain, we explore the possibilities of rail as a serious transportation alternative. We look at the incentives, the obstacles, and what it would take to make Vermont's ‘rail future' a reality. Our guests include retired rail executive Charlie Moore and Sam Lewis, Operations Manager for VTrans and the state's Acting Rail Program Manager. (Listen)

Also on the program, we talk with Rutland Herald business writer Bruce Edwards about the lawsuit filed by four Vermonters, three of them Cuban born, challenging federal restrictions on travel to Cuba. (Listen)

And we continue our series of audio postcards from Vermont towns with a tour of the granite monuments in Barre's Hope Cemetery. (Listen)

COMMENTS FROM LISTENERS ABOUT VERMONT'S RAIL FUTURE:

Hilary from Danville:
A few years ago I was aghast to see railway lines being torn up herein the Northeast Kingdom. It seemed shockingly shortsighted to me, based on my understanding of rail as being so much more efficient for freight and passenger travel, especially in the light of finite global fossil fuel supplies, and the global warming problem. (One place I recall that rails were being torn up was near Hardwick).

Paul from Bridport:
I learned recently that Bernie Sanders proudly procured funding to help convert the Lamoille Valley Railroad to a snowmobile track.We need to put that railroad back. What a boon and pleasure it would be to be able to take the train from East Hardwick to Burlington.

Chris from South Burlington:
What do we need in terms of money to buy commuter trains? What happened to the ones that ran on the Champlain Flyer? And what rider-numbers do you need to sustain a commuter line from St.Albans to Burlington? From Burlington to Richmond to Monpelier?

Alison from Huntington:
I have traveled across country round trip six times on Amtrak, and several times in Canada as well. Although we Americans are no longer used to trains as a means of transportation, we used to be, and even in Vermont, trains were once convenient and frequent. Maybe now with the price of gas, people will be willing to give them a chance again.

Traveling by train is safer. It's a great way to travel with kids (you can talk and play with them all the way). You can work or read or sleep while traveling. And there's no need to find a parking place on arrival.

The Amtrak from St. Albans to New York City is affordable and a lovely trip. Now that the bus no longer goes down the western side of the state, we desperately need a means of public transport to Bennington. It should start in Montreal. If the government (state, federal) would subsidize the trains like we do highway or air travel, railroads would be solvent and easy to use.

Daniela from South Burlington:
I find it mind boggling that there is no commuter rail or any real rail service down the west side of the state. The Champlain Flyer that was in service as a commuter train five years ago when we first moved up here seemed like a farce that was set up to fail. Why do a commuter train only to Charlotte?! It made no sense. I see ridership is up on the buses from the Middlebury/Vergennes area to Burlington and yet no moves to improve rail service. Vermont needs a commuter rail service to Burlington. Route 7 cannot support the vehicle traffic that continues to increase as southern communities grow and commute north. I really hope Vermont does grow and make these needed rail improvements.

Carla from Hardwick:
Are there any plans for linking Rutland with the rest of the state? As with the highway system, there is no direct way to get to Rutland from the Northeast Kingdom .

Philip from Brandon:
I'm a rail fan. I live in Brandon, and have enjoyed rail trips onAmtrak throughout Vermont, to Montreal, to Washington, D.C. and most recently, aboard the Ethan Allen to New York City. It was convenient, comfortable, and on time. I support commuter service along Vermont's western corridor, and hope that the Federal Government. will continue to support Amtrak in light of its tepid support over the years.

Jeff from Burlington:
It seems like there is a great deal of work that needs to be done to the Vermont rail infrastructure. That means person power. Is anyone talking about a Vista like program that would get young, vocationally-minded adults involved? Might be too much mechanization these days, but I think it would do great things to get the youth involved with rail projects in the State.

William from Woodstock:
Improvements allowing 286,000 lbs. freight cars will give us an infrastructure suitable for at least 60 mph for passenger service. Faster speeds than 60 mph will require elctronic signaling systems that indicate track conditions ahead. This system already exists south of White River Jct. Therefore,79 mph speeds would be possible on relatively straight sections along the Connecticut River.

Also, you could cut at least an hour from the Vermonter's running time by going straight through from Brattleboro to Springfield, Massachusetts, rather than the circuitous route through Palmer, Massachusetts. Utilizing the same engines on the Vermonter that are now used between Albany and New York City would obviate the engine change at New Haven, Conn. and save an additional 30 mins. Those two very practical changes would make the Vermonter considerably more attractive. (Presently, I drive to Albany, N. Y. and take the train from there.)

Michael from Tinmouth:
Regarding the Middlebury Spur: Having followed the Omya expansion proposals very closely for years I can tell you that you will not find a statement from Omya that they are promising to eliminate truck traffic should the rail spur be built. I would suggest that we take the taxpayer money earmarked for the profitability of this company's operations and spend it for the benefit of all Vermonters by upgrading for passenger rail .

Annette from Danbury:
On the Middlebury Spur: For those of us familiar with the rail issues, your guests today were talking in code. The bridge upgrades are for Omya. The issue about not being able to ship fully loaded cars is about Omya. The money for the western corridor is almost all going to Omya. Whether people want to see it or not, the fact is that all the emphasis on rail on the western corridor is going to support Omya, at the expense of those of us who want passenger service.

The Omya spur has major flooding issues and the people who live around the proposed route are simply dumbfounded by the amount of money being poured into it without any discussion about the real impacts. They keep being told to wait until the Environmental Impact Statement is issued. Their land gets trampled over by engineers but nobody's looking at the big picture, it seems.