I understand that,the New England Central would like to enlarge the tunnel, in Bellow's Falls,VT so they can run double stack's though it,,,has anyone heard anything about this.....thanks Pat

According to recent Railpace magazine excerpt:

A proposal is being made by the New England Central RR and The Railroad Association of Vermont to open up the tunnel to accomodate double stack cars. Although the track has been lowered in the past, ithe tunnel still cannot handle these type of cars.

They propose the project be in two phases, phase 1: Will increase tunnel to 19'6" and estimated to cost $1 million. Undercutting the tunnel will have an effect on the railroad bridge over the power canal just north of the tunnel, and the grade crossing at the south portal would have to be rebuilt to match the grade.

Phase II will allow the tunnel to be open to a 20'6" clearance. This according to the article "will require more resources" The bridge north of the tunnel is four feet above the canal water and will have to be replaced. To complicate matters, two buildings, one of historical significance, are located above the tunnel. Upgrading the tunnel to phase 1 clearance would open a north-south link for double stack service between Canada and P&W RR's Worcester MA, intermodal facility, via the Willimantic, CT interchange.

On Sunday, February 13th, the association operated a special passenger train over NECR from Bellows Falls, VT to Palmer, MA and return to pitch the proposal to state Transportation officials. The train consisted of NECR GP38 3857 and Green Mountain RR passenger cars 4,13,12, & 1323.

The state is currently reviewing it's rail plan and the final report is due in April.

Pat, Join this group, they have discussed the BF tunnel project in detail:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/VRSandRutland/