Winter trail users must always be aware of the existence of steel rails under the snow cover. Indeed, these buried rails are particularly hazardous in the vicinity of switches, bridges, road and farm crossings!
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The burned out shell of the Beecher Falls Station. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on March 6, 2000.
Spot checks from the parallel highway and paved public road crossings on March 6, 2000 suggest that the railroad is intact from the railroad bridge to West Stewartstown to the end of track at the Ethan Allen factory complex. Winter trail users must always be aware of the existence of these rails under the snow cover. Indeed, these buried rails are particularly hazardous in the vicinity of switches, bridges, road and farm crossings!
The snowmobile trail that runs south from the Beecher Falls Station to the railroad bridge to West Stewartstown is signed as NH Corridor 3A despite its location in Vermont. Note however that snowmobile trail maintenance ends at the trail crossing a few feet north of the Station, and that public usage of the railroad track north of that point is largely blocked by the growth of trees and brush between the rails!
The long forgotten mill switch engine and ballast tamper at Beecher Falls. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on March 6, 2000.
The railroad turntable and roundhouse near the Beecher Falls Station. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on March 6, 2000.
The track ends between the buildings of the Ethan Allen furniture factory at Beecher Falls, just short of the US-Canadian Border. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on March 6, 2000.
Toilets and water are available at the US Customs Station just north of the Ethan Allen factory buildings.
Picnic tables and benches have been placed beside the track between the Ethan Allen
factory buildings for the use of the factory employees on breaks. Accordingly,
simple courtesy requires trail users to yield the use of these tables during
factory break periods.
The post office and a large restaurant are located just southwest of the highway
bridge between VT Route 253 and US Route 3 (not shown in the location map). The
restaurant may be open for dinner only. Toilets and water are presumably
available in the restaurant upon request.
A gas station is located adjacent to the highway bridge between VT Route 253 and
US Route 3 (not shown in the location map). Coffee, cold sodas, hot dogs, and
packaged snacks may be available at this gas station.
Sign images are from the Manual of Traffic Signs by Richard C. Moeur.
Updated on March 01, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <[email protected]>.
Unintentional errors are likely!
