A little history course here. I pulled a Boston and Maine passenger timetable from my collection dated April 29, 1956 to figure out just how much passenger service operated in and out of White River Junction at that time. My first time in White River Junction was very early in 1957 and it was pretty much the same at that time. Here is what there was offered on a normal Monday to Friday basis:
Boston and Maine Railroad south and east
1:40 AM - New York and Washington (The "Boot")
3:30 AM - Boston
6:05 AM - Boston
6:05 AM - Springfield/New York
6:40 AM - Boston via Bellows Falls and the Cheshire Branch
12:30 PM - Boston
12:30 PM - Springfield/New York
3:05 PM - Springfield/New York
3:20 PM - Boston
6:15 PM - Boston
7:00 PM - Springfield/New York
Boston and Maine Railroad north
3:00 AM - Wells River/Newport/Montreal via CPR.
7:30 AM - Berlin, NH
12:40 PM - Wells River/Newport/ Montreal via CPR.
4:35 PM - Bretton Woods Fabyan
4:50 PM - Berlin, NH
Central Vermont Railway north
3:22 AM - Montpelier/St. Albans/Montreal via CNR The "Boot"
4:30 AM - St. Albans, VT Local
4:45 PM - Montpelier/St. Albans/Montreal via CNR
Total of 19 trains. Some of the Springfield/New York trains required a change of trains at Springfield while others had through cars.
I think this is right about the time that McGinnis took over the railroad and the effects of his mis-management had not been felt as yet.
Ten short years later the last two round trips between New York and Montreal (via the CV) came off and White River Junction went from being a very important railroad junction to freight service only.
In 1956 steam was still in use on the Central Vermont on most of their passenger trains including The "Boot". The station was open 24/7, manned 24/7, had a lunch counter and newstand, had baggage carts all over the place loaded with baggage, express and shipments. I remember crates of baby chicks on many of them. Both the B & M and the CV had very active yards and engine terminals with a fair amount of steam on the CV. OH and the Hotel Coolidge right across from the passenger station with a clean and decent room at night and you could count on a good meal there too. GREAT DAYS!!!!!
Noel Weaver