Old Bennington in Bennington County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)
The "Corkscrew" Railroad
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, October 24, 2008
1. The "Corkscrew" Railroad Marker
Inscription.
The "Corkscrew" Railroad. . When wealthy North Bennington resident Trenor Park purchased the Bennington-Rutland Railroad, he found that the railroad "barons" of the Troy and Boston Railroad refused him access to the New York lines. Rather than fight this monopoly, Park built a rail line from Bennington to Lebanon Spring, NY, where he could transfer his trains to southbound rails while bypassing Troy. The dozens of turns over 40 miles of hilly terrain gave this stretch of railroad the name "Corkscrew." Passenger service was canceled in 1931 and the line was officially abandoned in 1953. Remnants of the old rail bed can be seen where it crossed the highway at this point.
When wealthy North Bennington resident Trenor Park purchased the Bennington-Rutland Railroad, he found that the railroad "barons" of the Troy and Boston Railroad refused him access to the New York lines. Rather than fight this monopoly, Park built a rail line from Bennington to Lebanon Spring, NY, where he could transfer his trains to southbound rails while bypassing Troy. The dozens of turns over 40 miles of hilly terrain gave this stretch of railroad the name "Corkscrew." Passenger service was canceled in 1931 and the line was officially abandoned in 1953. Remnants of the old rail bed can be seen where it crossed the highway at this point.
Erected 2003 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 42° 52.982′ N, 73° 12.539′ W. Marker is in Bennington, Vermont, in Bennington County. It is in Old Bennington. Marker is on West Main Street (Vermont Route 9), on the right when traveling east. The marker is located beside the parking lot of the Bennington Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7 Main Street, Bennington VT 05201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vermont (within shouting distance of this marker); Bennington Civil War Monument
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, October 24, 2008
2. The "Corkscrew" Railroad Marker
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, October 24, 2008
3. The "Corkscrew" Railroad Marker
The Bennington Museum is in the background.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, October 24, 2008
4. The "Corkscrew" Railroad R.O.W.
The old Corkscrew railbed Right of Way crossed VT 9 at this point, right behind the automobile in the photo, as described on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,829 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
