By Justin Franz

The Vermont Rail System announced on April 9, that it had agreed to purchase the New Hampshire Central Railroad, including operating rights on state-owned track in the northern part of the state. The deal will require approval by state and federal regulators. 

The New Hampshire Central operates on state-owned track between North Stratford and Colebrook, N.H. (formally the North Stratford Railroad) and between Groveton and Littleton, N.H. (formally the Boston & Maine). This isn’t the first time VRS has expanded into New Hampshire; in 2020, it took over the New England Southern. VRS operates more than 400 miles of track in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York, with the heart of its operation being the former Rutland Railway. 

The New Hampshire Central was founded in 1993 by Edward Jeffery. 

“VRS has a 60-year tradition of helping local businesses with efficient and reliable freight service,” said Selden Houghton, president of VRS. “We’re excited about the opportunity to grow and expand by providing economical rail service to customers in northern New Hampshire.”