Editing Ethan Allen Express (section)

== History ==
=== Planning and service start ===
[[File:Rutland, Vt., Railroad Station.jpg|thumb|left|The former station in Rutland, served by the Rutland Railway until 1953|alt=A postcard view of a large railway station]]
Prior passenger service between Rutland and points south was operated by the [[Delaware and Hudson Railroad]] over the [[Rutland and Whitehall Railroad|Whitehall Branch]] (Rutland–[[Whitehall, New York|Whitehall]]) and [[Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail|Washington Branch]] ({{amtk|Castleton}}–[[Eagle Bridge, New York|Eagle Bridge]]) and by the [[Rutland Railroad]] over its mainline ({{amtk|Bellows Falls}}–Rutland–{{amtk|Burlington||Ethan Allen Express}}) and Chatham Branch (Rutland–[[Union Station (Chatham, New York)|Chatham]]). Washington Branch and Whitehall Branch passenger service ended on June 24, 1934.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 26, 1934 |title=D. & H. To Suspend Passenger Trains To And From City |page=1 |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107375149/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1934 |title=Plan New Bus Lines |page=7 |work=The Enterprise and Vermonter |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107375100/the-enterprise-and-vermonter/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Rutland Railroad continued to operate passenger service to Rutland, including the New York City–Montreal ''[[Green Mountain Flyer]]'' and ''Mount Royal'', until 1953.<ref name="nne" /> After the Rutland filed to abandoned its entire system in 1963, the state-owned [[Vermont Railway]] took over freight service on most of the lines in 1964. The [[Central Vermont Railway]] continued to operate the ''[[Montrealer (train)|Montrealer]]'', providing passenger service to the eastern and northern parts of the state, until 1966. [[Amtrak]] took over intercity passenger service in the United States in 1971 and resumed the overnight ''Montrealer'' in 1972.<ref name="nne">{{Cite book |last=Lindsell |first=Robert M. |title=The Rail Lines of Northern New England |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2000 |isbn=0-942147-06-5 |pages=35–46, 175}}</ref>

Politicians including [[Curtis McCormack]] unsuccessfully attempted to obtain funding for Amtrak service to Rutland in the 1980s. Then-governor [[Howard Dean]] created the Vermont Rail Council headed by McCormack in 1991, with instruction to study Rutland service, but most attention was focused on the ''Montrealer''.<ref name="backers">{{Cite news |last=Bever |first=Frederick |date=December 2, 1996 |title=Rail Backers Had to Try, Try Again |pages=11, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104597593/rutland-daily-herald/ 13] |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104597572/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In late 1994, Amtrak announced that the ''Montrealer'' would be discontinued due to budget cuts. While state officials worked to retain that service, adding a route to Rutland (and possibly Burlington) was also supported by Dean.<ref name="backers" /> In April 1995, the ''Montrealer'' was cut back to [[St. Albans station (Vermont)|St. Albans]] as the state-subsidized ''[[Vermonter (train)|Vermonter]]'' on a daytime schedule.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bever |first=Frederick |date=March 18, 1995 |title=State Seals Train Deal |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104602696/rutland-daily-herald/ 12] |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104602721/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later than month, $3.5 million was included in a federal funding bill. Along with $1 million from the Vermont Railway and $743,000 from the state, this funded $5.24 million in trackwork, which upgraded {{convert|21|miles}} of the Whitehall Branch from {{convert|25|mph}} to {{convert|59|mph}} maximum speed.<ref name="areset">{{Cite news |date=April 26, 1996 |title=Rutland Train Funds are Set |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104608187/rutland-daily-herald/ 3] |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104608168/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="newtrain">{{Cite news |last=Daley |first=Fred |date=April 28, 1996 |title=New train will link local area with NYC |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104608587/the-post-star/ 7] |work=The Post-Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104608550/the-post-star/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

The state originally planned to call the new service the ''Green Mountain Flyer'' after the former Rutland Railroad train. However, the [[Green Mountain Railroad]] objected, as they already used that name for a tourist train. On August 15, 1996, the state announced it would be called the ''Ethan Allen Express'' after Vermont cofounder and American Revolutionary War patriot [[Ethan Allen]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallace Allen |first=Anne |date=August 16, 1996 |title=NYC-to-Rutland Train is Ethan Allen Express |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104609666/rutland-daily-herald/ 4] |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104609649/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The state agreed to a $200,000 annual subsidy, which reflected the cost of extending one ''Empire Service'' round trip from Albany to Rutland.<ref name="areset" /> Service began with the northbound trip on December 2, 1996, with the first southbound trip the following day.<ref name="ink201312">{{Cite journal |date=December 2013 |title=In Amtrak History |url=http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/591/660/Amtrak-Ink-Dec-2013,0.pdf |journal=Amtrak Ink |volume=18 |issue=11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719213609/https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/591/660/Amtrak-Ink-Dec-2013,0.pdf |archive-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="rollsin">{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Bruce |date=December 2, 1996 |title=Ethan Allen Express Rolls In Tonight |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104610082/rutland-daily-herald/ 4] |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104610072/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The ''Ethan Allen Express'' began with stops in {{amtk|Rutland}}, {{amtk|Fort Edward}}, {{amtk|Saratoga Springs}}, {{amtk|Schenectady}}, {{amtk|Albany}}, {{amtk|Hudson}}, {{amtk|Rhinecliff}}, {{amtk|Poughkeepsie}}, {{amtk|Croton}}, {{amtk|Yonkers}} and New York City.<ref name="nov1996timetable">{{Cite web |date=November 10, 1996 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=19961110ne&item=0024 |publisher=Amtrak |page=24 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref> Because the ''Adirondack'' already served the section between New York City and Whitehall, the ''Ethan Allen Express'' only added {{convert|44|miles||adj=pre|route}} and one station (Rutland) to the Amtrak system.<ref name="50years">{{Fifty Years of Amtrak Trains|pages=56–57}}</ref> A trailer was used as a temporary station at Rutland; the station building, funded by $700,000 from the federal government, did not open until 1999.<ref name="backers" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rutland, VT (RUD) |url=http://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/rutland-vt-rud/ |website=Great American Stations |publisher=Amtrak}}</ref>

=== Early service changes ===
[[File:Ethan Allen Express at Rutland station, May 2001.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Ethan Allen Express'' at Rutland in 2001|alt=A passenger train approaching a small brick station]]
The ''Ethan Allen Express'' was intended to support tourism in the Rutland areas, particularly winter travel to [[Killington Ski Resort]] and [[Pico Mountain]].<ref name="rollsin" /> The train's schedule has been adjusted a number of times, particularly in the early years of its operation, in an attempt to serve both tourists to Vermont and Vermonters traveling to New York City.<ref name="50years" /> The initial schedule had a running time slightly over five hours, with afternoon departures from both terminals on weekdays. Saturday southbound trains departed Rutland at 7:05am to allow for weekend trips to New York City, while Sunday trains in both directions departed in the later afternoon to accommodate weekend trips.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 1997 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=19970710ne&item=0026 |publisher=Amtrak |page=26 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref>

In October 1997, the southbound Saturday departure moved to the same afternoon time as weekdays, while the Friday and Sunday northbound departures moved to the late-afternoon time.<ref name="50years" /><ref name="oct1997timetable" /> An [[infill station]] at [[Fair Haven station|Fair Haven]] was added on November 12, 1997.<ref name="oct1997timetable">{{Cite web |date=October 26, 1997 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable: Fall/Winter 1997–98 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=19971026ne&item=0026 |publisher=Amtrak |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Bruce |date=November 8, 1997 |title=Ethan Allen Express Soon Starting to Stop in Fair Haven |page=8 |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104353707/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On February 15, 1998, Amtrak added a morning northbound train from Albany to Rutland, providing a connection from the northbound ''Maple Leaf''; this gave a second northbound trip to Rutland, though still only one southbound trip. The change reduced the state subsidy by eliminating the need for overnight crew accommodations: the morning northbound trip turned around to become the afternoon southbound trip, while the afternoon northbound trip [[Dead mileage|deadheaded]] from Rutland to Albany in the late evening for servicing.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bever |first=Frederick |date=January 17, 1998 |title=Rutland Gets Second Train |page=1 |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104670799/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 1998 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=19980405ne&item=0022 |publisher=Amtrak |page=22 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref>

In October 1998, the Sunday southbound departure was shifted two hours later to allow more time for skiers, while the Saturday southbound departure was moved up to match weekdays.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 1998 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable: Fall/Winter 1998–99 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=19981025ne&item=0028 |publisher=Amtrak |page=28 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 14, 1998 |title=Amtrak promotes Vermont ski tours |page=3B |work=The Burlington Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105096275/the-burlington-free-press/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> From August 16 to October 31, 1999, the Vermont Railway operated the ''Ethan Allen Connection'' between Rutland and Burlington with an intermediate stop at [[Middlebury, Vermont|Middlebury]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 3, 1999 |title=Ethan Allen Connection [Advertisement] |page=41 |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105043084/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was discontinued due to low ridership; most passengers only rode between Rutland and Burlington, with just 20–25% connecting to the ''Ethan Allen Express''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keays |first=Alan J. |date=October 13, 1999 |title='Connection' Is Nearing End Of Line |pages=13, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105043132/rutland-daily-herald/ 15] |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105043104/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On October 31, northbound service was reconfigured. A daily train departed New York at 6:15 am – an hour earlier than the ''Maple Leaf''. The afternoon northbound train continued to run Monday–Thursday; the Saturday northbound shifted to that time, while the Sunday afternoon northbound was canceled. The Friday northbound trip became an express operating nonstop between New York and Schenectady, with a {{frac|4|1|2}} hour schedule – the fastest time ever scheduled for the ''Ethan Allen Express''.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 1999 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable: Fall/Winter 1999–2000 |url=http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19991031ne&item=0030 |publisher=Amtrak |page=30 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref>

A baggage car was added to the train for bikes and ski equipment in late 1998, but it could not be used for luggage until February 2000 when an attendant was hired for Rutland station.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keays |first=Alan J. |date=January 16, 1999 |title=The Express Still Has A Few Bugs |page=8 |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540150/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Keays |first=Alan J. |date=February 4, 2000 |title=Rail depot staffed; baggage car can be used |page=8 |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540084/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The baggage car was removed in 2002 due to low usage, elimination of station agents due to state budget cuts, and the older baggage cars not being certified for as high speeds as the rest of the train.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Anne Wallace |date=November 8, 2002 |title=Passenger rail contract proposed |page=15 |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540878/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Bruce |date=July 26, 2004 |title=Vt. pays $2.5 million to keep Amtrak |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540785/rutland-daily-herald/ C10] |work=Rutland Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540853/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The schedule was simplified on April 29, 2001: daily afternoon trips in both direction, plus a morning Albany–Rutland northbound trip with no New York connection.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2001 |title=Amtrak National Timetable: Spring–Summer 2001 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=20010429n&item=0025 |publisher=Amtrak |page=25 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref> The morning trip became a New York–Rutland trip on July 9, while the Sunday trip was again moved to later in the afternoon.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2001 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable: Summer 2001 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=20010709ne&item=0038 |publisher=Amtrak |page=38 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref> The morning trip was cut back to an Albany–Rutland shuttle in January 2002 and discontinued entirely that April.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2002 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable: Winter–Spring 2002 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=20020128ne&item=0032 |publisher=Amtrak |page=32 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2002 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable: Spring–Summer 2002 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=20020429ne&item=0036 |publisher=Amtrak |page=36 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref> In April 2003, the Friday northbound trip was moved later in the evening, while weekday southbound trips were moved to a 7:15 am departure.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2003 |title=Amtrak Northeast Timetable: Spring–Summer 2003 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=20030428ne&item=0036 |publisher=Amtrak |page=36 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref> Monday and Saturday southbound departures were moved to 10:45 am in November 2004.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2004 |title=Amtrak System Timetable: Fall 2004 {{!}} Winter 2005 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=20041101&item=0067 |publisher=Amtrak |page=67 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref> The Monday southbound trip was moved back to match the other weekdays in October 2007.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2007 |title=Amtrak System Timetable: Fall Winter 2007–08 |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=20071029&item=0064 |publisher=Amtrak |page=64 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}</ref>

=== Further changes ===
[[File:Castleton station.jpg|thumb|right|Castleton station (pictured) replaced Fair Haven station in January 2010|alt=A large wooden train station building]]
In October 2008, the [[Vermont Agency of Transportation]] (VTrans) proposed eliminating the ''Ethan Allen Express'' and replacing it with a bus, citing budgetary restrictions. The proposal was rejected by a legislative committee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2008 |title=Ethan Allen Safe...Until January |url=http://www.railvermont.org/component/content/article/53-passenger/113-ethan-allen-safe-for-now.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052017/http://www.railvermont.org/component/content/article/53-passenger/113-ethan-allen-safe-for-now.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |publisher=Vermont Rail Action Network}}</ref> VTrans again proposed ending service in January 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hirschfeld |first=Peter |last2=Peters |first2=Stephanie M. |date=January 20, 2009 |title=Amtrak rally draws 200 people |work=Rutland Herald |url=http://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/amtrak-rally-draws-200-people/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615192020/https://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/amtrak-rally-draws-200-people/ |archive-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref> Opposition from the Vermont Rail Action Network and local political leaders resulted in the service being kept.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hirschfield |first=Peter |date=February 26, 2009 |title=Official softens stance on Amtrak |work=Rutland Herald |url=http://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/official-softens-stance-on-amtrak/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412084238/https://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/official-softens-stance-on-amtrak/ |archive-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2009 |title=2009 Vermont Rail Action Network Accomplishments |url=http://www.railvermont.org/about-vran/vran-accomplishments.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424144745/http://railvermont.org/about-vran/vran-accomplishments.html |archive-date=April 24, 2012 |website=Vermont Rail Action Network }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Stephanie M. |date=January 10, 2009 |title=State panel, county delegation speak against Amtrak bus service |url=http://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/state-panel-county-delegation-speak-against-amtrak-bus-service/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615192429/https://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/state-panel-county-delegation-speak-against-amtrak-bus-service/ |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |website=Rutland Herald}}</ref> On January 2, 2010, the ''Ethan Allen Express'' began stopping at Castleton. Service to Fair Haven ended on January 9.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Amtrak Ethan Allen Express to Provide Service at Renovated Castleton, Vermont Depot |date=December 29, 2009 |publisher=Amtrak |url=http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/Amtrak_ATK-09-109_Castleton_Depot_Opening.pdf}}</ref>

Beginning in the mid-2000s, poor track conditions between Whitehall and Rutland also affected the train's performance. In February 2011, VTrans began an investigation into the Vermont Rail System's handling of the ''Ethan Allen Express'' after Amtrak ranked VRS as the worst host railroad in the country.<ref name=":0" /> On-time performance of the train was below 70% by that time, with track conditions responsible for 91% of delays.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=February 24, 2011 |title=Amtrak ranks Vermont last as worst railroad |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110224/NEWS02/110223031/Amtrak-ranks-Vermont-last-as-worst-railroad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730013202/http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110224/NEWS02/110223031/Amtrak-ranks-Vermont-last-as-worst-railroad |archive-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref> Vermont Rail Systems began track work in April 2011, which reduced travel times by 10 minutes by that October. The project, funded by both the railroad and the state of New York at a cost of $3.25 million, involved rebuilding about {{convert|8|mi|km}} of track and eight grade crossings.<ref name="progressive">{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2011 |title=Vermont Rail System posts progress on trackwork for Amtrak's Ethan Allen service |work=Progressive Railroading |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/Vermont-Rail-System-posts-progress-on-trackwork-for-Amtraks-Ethan-Allen-service--27612 |access-date=July 6, 2022}}</ref> By February 2012, additional trackwork had resulted in a 15-minute southbound and 25-minute northbound reduction in travel time between Rutland and Whitehall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 8, 2012 |title=Vermont Rail System's bolstered track improves Amtrak transit times |work=Progressive Railroading |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/short_lines_regionals/news/Vermont-Rail-Systems-bolstered-track-improves-Amtrak-transit-times--29853 |access-date=July 6, 2012}}</ref>

The Friday northbound trip operated on the same mid-afternoon schedule from July 10 to September 5, 2017, during [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)#2017–2018 service disruptions and track improvements|track work at New York Penn Station]].<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2017 |title=Amtrak System Timetable |url=https://juckins.net/amtrak_timetables/archive/timetables_National_20170701.pdf |publisher=Amtrak |page=51}}</ref> From May 26 to September 3, 2018, the ''Ethan Allen Express'' and other Empire Corridor trains were diverted to [[Grand Central Terminal]] during further Penn Station track work.<ref name="50years" /><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Amtrak Announces Summer Infrastructure Renewal Work |date=April 10, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2018/04/amtrak-announces-summer-infrastructure-renewal-work/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814003305/https://media.amtrak.com/2018/04/amtrak-announces-summer-infrastructure-renewal-work/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 26, 2020, the ''Ethan Allen Express'' was suspended north of Albany–Rensselaer at the request of Vermont Governor [[Phil Scott]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Eric |date=March 26, 2020 |title=Vermont governor suspends Amtrak service to state, tells residents to stay home |work=Albany Times-Union |url=https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Vermont-governor-suspends-Amtrak-service-to-15159597.php |access-date=July 6, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Service Adjustments Due to Coronavirus |date=April 6, 2020 |publisher=Amtrak |url=https://www.amtrak.com/alert/nec-modified-schedule.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406235024/https://www.amtrak.com/alert/nec-modified-schedule.html |archive-date=April 6, 2020}}</ref> Service to Rutland resumed on July 19, 2021, with $1 promotional fares on that date for travel within Vermont.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 19, 2021 |title=Vermont marking return of Amtrak service after COVID |language=en |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-vermont-amtrak-500a655ce3ce219ce44d20b8357084c6 |access-date=July 6, 2022}}</ref><ref name="covid-service-restored">{{Cite press release |title=Amtrak and Vermont Agency of Transportation Celebrate Restoration of Vermont Trains With One Dollar Tickets, Half Off Summer Travel and Special Events |date=July 13, 2021 |publisher=Amtrak |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2021/07/amtrak-and-vermont-agency-of-transportation-celebrate-restoration-of-vermont-trains-with-one-dollar-tickets-half-off-summer-travel-and-special-events/}}</ref>

=== Extension to Burlington ===
[[File:Street side at Burlington Union Station.jpg|thumb|left|Union Station in Burlington, Vermont, became the northern terminus of the ''Ethan Allen Express'' in July 2022.|alt=A large railroad station building in an urban area]]
Even before service began, state planners intended to later extend the ''Ethan Allen Express'' from Rutland to [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]].<ref name="newtrain" /><ref name="vpr">{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2008 |title=Critics question whether money for rail in western Vermont is being well spent |url=https://archive.vpr.org/vpr-news/critics-question-whether-money-for-rail-in-western-vermont-is-being-well-spent/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |publisher=Vermont Public Radio}}</ref> In 2005, Senator [[Jim Jeffords]] obtained a $30 million earmark for upgrades to the Rutland–Burlington rail corridor in preparation for a possible ''Ethan Allen Express'' extension. Jeffords had long championed passenger rail in western Vermont, which does not have an [[Interstate Highway System|interstate highway]]. His original goal was New York–Burlington service via [[Bennington, Vermont|Bennington]].<ref name="vpr" /><ref name="freep">{{Cite news |last=Remsen |first=Nancy |date=August 21, 2011 |title=To Rutland by train: 68 miles and many millions of dollars |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105481138/the-burlington-free-press/ 7B] |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105481084/the-burlington-free-press/}}</ref> The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) applied three times for [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]] funds to rebuild the tracks between Rutland and Burlington; none of the applications were successful.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirschfeld |first=Peter |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Rutland to Burlington state rail service tied to stimulus |url=https://www.timesargus.com/articles/rutland-to-burlington-state-rail-service-tied-to-stimulus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214742/https://www.timesargus.com/articles/rutland-to-burlington-state-rail-service-tied-to-stimulus/ |archive-date=August 26, 2018 |website=[[Barre Montpelier Times Argus]]}}</ref><ref name="freep" />

The state received $9 million in [[Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery]] funds for the project in 2013, and an additional $10 million in 2015. This completed funding for the $26 million project, which included rebuilding {{convert|20|miles}} of track to allow speeds of {{cvt|40|mph}} for freight and {{cvt|60|mph}} for passenger trains between Rutland and Burlington. Other work included the construction of stations at {{amtk|Middlebury}} and {{amtk|Ferrisburgh–Vergennes}}, a new platform at [[Burlington Union Station]], adding crossovers and passing sidings, improving grade crossings, and rebuilding a wye at Rutland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2013 |title=USDOT announces $474 million in TIGER V grants |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/USDOT-announces-474-million-in-TIGER-V-grants--37546 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Progressive Railroading}}</ref><ref name="tiger2015">{{Cite web |title=TIGER 2015 Awards |url=https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/TIGER%202015%20Project%20Fact%20Sheets_0.pdf |publisher=United States Department of Transportation |page=40}}</ref> The former [[New Haven Junction station]] building was relocated, as it was too close to the tracks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 2022 |title=Vermont depot set to move Jan. 12 |work=Trains |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/vermont-depot-set-to-move-jan-12/ |access-date=January 7, 2022}}</ref> A [[Middlebury station#Downtown rail tunnel|separately-funded project]] constructed a rail tunnel in downtown Middlebury to replace aging bridges and increase clearances for freight use.<ref name="middtunnel">{{Cite news |last=Flowers |first=John |date=December 23, 2021 |title=Middlebury rail project comes in on budget |work=Addison County Independent |url=https://www.addisonindependent.com/2021/12/23/middlebury-rail-project-comes-in-on-budget/ |access-date=July 12, 2022}}</ref>

VTrans originally planned for trains to lay over overnight at Union Station, but nearby residents objected to having the locomotive idle there. In March 2020, VTrans indicated that the Vermont Railway yard to the south would instead be modified to accommodate the train.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Vermont Agency of Transportation announces Amtrak Burlington train parking location |date=March 12, 2020 |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/press-releases/Vermont%20Agency%20of%20Transportation%20announces%20Amtrak%20Burlington%20train%20parking%20location.pdf}}</ref> The two new stations and the new Burlington platform were built in 2020–2022.<ref name="middtunnel" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bakuli |first=Ethan |date=January 27, 2021 |title=Progress on Burlington Amtrak service and bike path relocation moves along |work=The Burlington Free Press |url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2021/01/27/progress-burlington-amtrak-service-and-bike-path-relocation-moves-along/4276848001/ |access-date=July 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Amtrak to Burlington |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/rail/documents/AMTRAK%20to%20Burlington%20PR%20flyer_Draft_Upated%202022.pdf |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation}}</ref> In October 2021, Amtrak and Vermont Rail System began running qualification trips between Rutland and Burlington to familiarize train crews with the new route.<ref>{{Cite news |last=St. Angelo |first=Lilly |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Watch for trains: Amtrak's route to Burlington is doing practice runs |work=Burlington Free Press |url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2021/10/21/amtrak-burlington-practice-runs-begin-anticipation-start/6115983001/}}</ref> 

Revenue service to Burlington began on July 29, 2022, with trains departing early afternoon northbound and late morning southbound all days.<ref name="startdate">{{Cite web |last=Delabruere |first=Dan |date=June 16, 2022 |title=Agency of Transportation Announces Start Date for Long-Awaited Amtrak Service in Burlington, Vergennes, and Middlebury |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/press-releases/06.16.2022%20-%20Agency%20of%20Transportation%20Announces%20Start%20Date%20for%20Long-Awaited%20Amtrak%20Service%20in%20Burlington,%20Vergennes,%20and%20Middlebury.pdf |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation}}</ref> It was the first direct passenger rail service to Burlington in 69 years.<ref name="RailPassengers" /> The first day of service was marred by a temporary suspension of all Amtrak service west of Albany caused by a deteriorating trackside structure, the [[Central Warehouse (Albany, New York)|Central Warehouse]], in North Albany. Passengers were bussed between Saratoga Springs and [[Albany–Rensselaer station|Albany–Rensselaer]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Steve |date=July 29, 2022 |title=Crumbling Central Warehouse shuts down Amtrak service west of Albany |language=en-US |work=[[Times Union (Albany)|Times-Union]] |url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Amtrak-temporarily-suspends-service-west-of-17337788.php |access-date=July 29, 2022}}</ref> The extension caused an immediate increase in ridership, with August 2022 ridership about 50% higher than August 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=C.B. |date=October 23, 2022 |title=New Amtrak service makes a strong start |work=Vermont Biz |url=https://vermontbiz.com/news/2022/october/23/new-amtrak-service-makes-strong-start |access-date=November 7, 2022}}</ref> Ridership in Fiscal Year 2023{{efn|name=FY Note}} – the first full fiscal year of Burlington service – was 86,638, exceeding the pre-pandemic FY 2019 figure of 50,515.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/FY19-Year-End-Ridership.pdf |title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2019 Ridership |date=November 2019 |publisher=[[Amtrak]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Amtrak-Fiscal-Year-2023-Ridership.pdf |title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023 Ridership |date=November 2023 |publisher=[[Amtrak]]}}</ref> 

=== Future ===
{{anchor|Green Mountain Corridor}}
VTrans listed several possible improvements to the ''Ethan Allen Express'' in the 2021 Vermont Rail Plan. These included potential [[Infill station|infill]] [[Request stop|flag stops]] in [[Brandon, Vermont|Brandon]] and [[Shelburne, Vermont|Shelburne]].<ref name="2021vrp">{{Cite book |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/planning/documents/Vermont%20Rail%20Plan%205-20-2021%20Final.pdf |title=Vermont Rail Plan |date=May 2021 |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation}}</ref>{{rp|41}} [[Positive train control]] and track upgrades would allow the ''Ethan Allen Express'' to reach speeds of {{convert|79|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, up from {{convert|59|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, on sections between Whitehall and Burlington. This would save about 15 minutes per trip, with an estimated increase of 1,400 to 2,600 annual riders by 2040.<ref name="forecast" />{{rp|17–19}} VTrans also analyzed a possible {{Convert|7.8|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}} extension of the ''Ethan Allen Express'' from Burlington to [[Essex Junction station|Essex Junction]] via the [[New England Central Railroad]] Winooski Branch, where transfer could be made with the [[Vermonter (train)|''Vermonter'']]. The branch would first have to be upgraded to increase its current passenger train speed limit of {{convert|15|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="2021vrp" />{{rp|40}} This would attract between 4,900 and 7,800 additional riders per year by 2040 (assuming the ''Vermonter'' is extended to [[Montreal]]).<ref name="forecast" />{{rp|15–17}}

In 2014, VTrans and the [[New York State Department of Transportation]] studied the potential serving southwestern Vermont either with a second daily train or rerouting the ''Ethan Allen Express''. The proposed alternative was to extend an ''Empire Service'' train to Rutland, operating on a more southern route than the ''Ethan Allen Express'' between [[Glenville, Schenectady County, New York|Glenville, New York]] and Rutland. It would use existing Canadian Pacific Railway (now Canadian Pacific Kansas City), [[Pan Am Railways]] (now CSX Transportation), and Vermont Railway freight lines, with new intermediate stops at [[Mechanicville, New York]], [[North Bennington, Vermont]], and [[Manchester, Vermont]].<ref name="bistate">{{Cite web |date=July 2014 |title=New York – Vermont Bi-State Intercity Passenger Rail Study: Service Development Plan |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/planning/documents/planning/vt-ny.pdf |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation}}</ref> The 2021 Vermont Rail Plan indicated that should it be implemented, this second service would also extend to Burlington.<ref name="forecast">{{Cite web |date=May 2021 |title=Vermont Rail Plan: Passenger Rail Forecasting Scenarios |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/planning/documents/Tech%20Memo%204_PassengerRailRidershipForecast_20210511.pdf |website=Vermont Rail Plan |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation}}</ref>{{rp|8–10}}

In December 2023, the [[Federal Railroad Administration]] accepted an application by VTrans to enter the New York–Albany–Mechanicville–Bennington–Rutland–Burlington route into its [[Corridor Identification and Development Program]]. The program grants $500,000 toward service planning and prioritizes the route for future federal funding. The application referred to the route as the Green Mountain Corridor.<ref>{{cite web |title=FY22 Corridor Identification and Development Program Selections |url=https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2023-12/FY22%20CID%20Project%20Summaries-Map-r1.pdf |publisher=[[Federal Railroad Administration]] |date=December 2023 |page=11}}</ref>