The Lamoille Valley Railroad ran from St. Johnsbury, on the eastern side of Vermont, to Swanton, next to Lake Champlain on Vermont’s western border, a distance of 96 miles.  The railroad was never profitable and over the years became increasingly costly for the State of Vermont to maintain.

In recent years, the railroad was not used and once there was enough snow to cover the rails, became a snowmobile trail in the winter.  Several years ago, VAST began negotiating the conversion of the old railbed into a multi-use four season recreation trail.  

Some of the rails and ties in Walden were pulled late in the fall of 2004.  During the summer of 2005, the contractor began pulling the rails and ties between St. Johnsbury and Morrisville.

After the rails and ties are removed, the rail bed will be graded to a 12' wide gravel trail. The trail will be multi-use allowing cross-country skiiers and snowshoeing in the winter and all non-motorized recreational uses in the summer. ATV's will not be allowed to use the trail.

The entire project is expected to take five years to complete.The federal governmeent is funding 80% of the cost, or 5.7million. VAST is required to provide the remaining 20% of the funding.

When it is completed, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail will connect towns like St. Johnsbury, Hardwick, and Wolcott with Cambridge, and Swanton in the northwest corner of Vermont. The small convience stores, bed and breakfasts, motels and restaurants will all benefit from the increased year-round use.