Come Travel on an 8-day, 7-night all-Private Pullman Railcar trip through Vermont for a fabulous Fall Foliage adventure!  We will be joined by other AAPRCO Car Owners who have lovingly restored their cars to operate on the Amtrak network.  NOTE: This trip is subject to change based upon Amtrak policy, AAPRCO contracts with third party suppliers, and weather conditions that may affect the route.

We are offering 3 Railcars: Executive Sleepers "BERLIN", "NORTHERN DREAMS" and Sleeper/Diner/Lounge "Blue Ridge Club".

Experience the beautiful vistas, rivers, farms and lakes as we travel during the peak of the Fall Foliage season on the Vermont Rail System.

American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners - American Autumn Explorer V

Join AAPRCO as an Associate Member

All participants must be over 18 years old.  

All areas onboard the railcars are strictly Non-Smoking.

All guests must be at least an Associate Member of the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners (AAPRCO) and you may join by clicking here.

This offer is limited to a total of:

 - 3 Double Bedrooms (BERLIN or NORTHERN DREAMS) 

 - SOLD OUT 3 bedrooms on BLUE RIDGE CLUB (maximum of 6 overnight guests)

AAPRCO is offering a-la-carte tour options shown below unter the title "What's not included" and you may sign up by clicking this link.

Trains may be delayed due to a variety of factors and we cannot assure that scheduled dates and times will not change. In the event there is an equipment malfunction with a railcar, the operator will attempt to substitute similar railcars but the accommodations may vary from those originally described. 

Scheduled 5:04 PM Departure from Amtrak Station at Albany-Rensselaer, NY on tail end of Amtrak Train 291 "The Ethan Allen Express" via Schenectady, NY, Whitehall, NY with Arrive at Burlington, VT around 9:50 PM.  Our cars will be uncoupled from the Amtrak Train and we will travel over the Vermont Rail System to Bellows Falls, VT overnight.

City of Bellows Falls optional Breakfast 6:30 AM 7:45 AM. 

Scheduled 9:00 AM Departure from Bellows Falls, VT travelling along the picturesque Connecticut River to arrive St Johnsbury, VT at 3:00 PM.

Optional tour of the  Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium  (8 minute walk from Station).

At 5:00 PM we are scheduled to depart St Johnsbury for Orleans, VT with arrival at approximately 7:30 PM. 

Dinner onboard Blue Ridge Club.

Guests enjoy a quiet evening of fellowship, chat and cards and then enjoy a restful sleep in Pullman Comfort.

Guests are free to explore rural Vermont. 

Our train remains parked in Orleans, VT while our guests will be traveling to The Jay Peak Resort for lunch at Base Lodge then enjoy a Tram Ride to the top of the Peak to take in the beautiful vistas.

Optional dinner at The Eastside Restaurant and Pub in Newport, VT with beautiful views of Lake Memphremagog.  

Scheduled Departure 8:00 AM from Orleans and both Breakfast and Lunch will be enjoyed while leisurely following the Connecticut River enroute to Bellows Falls, VT.

Scheduled arrival at Bellows Falls is approximately 4:15 PM.

Our guests will be able to de-train and explore Bellow Falls while the cars are serviced and prepared for the overnight parking.

Guest may re-board for the evening at 6:45 PM with Dinner served around 7:30 PM.

Guests will enjoy another night of peaceful sleep in Pullman Berths while we remain parked in Bellows Falls.

Guests will enjoy Breakfast in Blue Ridge Club starting at 8:00 AM.

Scheduled Departure from Bellows Falls is 9:00 AM and we will traverse the highest elevation on our travels to Middlebury via Rutland with a brief fresh air stop from 12 Noon to 12:30 PM in Rutland, VT.

Lunch in Blue Ridge Club will be served at 12:30 PM.

We Arrive Middlebury, VT at 2:00 PM where guests may detrain to explore this quaint town. Optionally our guests may elect to take a tour of Fort Ticonderoga.

4:00 PM special departs Middlebury for Burlington, VT with arrival planned for 5:00 PM. 

Guests are free to explore the restaurants in Burlington for dinner on their own.

Our special will remain parked at 267 Battery Street, Burlington, VT until Monday October 7, 2024.

Breakfast will be served on Blue Ridge Club at 8:00 AM.

Guests are free to explore the sights around Burlington or to stroll along Lake Champlain.

Spend a leisurely afternoon seeking Champ aboard the optional  Spirit of Ethan Allen Lake Champlain Cruise 

Dinner on your own.

7:00 PM Beverages and Conversation in Blue Ridge Club

Breakfast in Blue Ridge Club at 8:00 AM.

A day to explore Burlington and the Docks along Lake Champlain at your own leisure.

Lunch on your own.

Optional trip: Board the 4:00 PM Vermont Rail Champlain Valley Dinner Train for a fine dining experience.

Another night of peaceful sleep as we remain parked along Lake Champlain.

Breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM in Blue Ridge Club.

We are scheduled to depart Burlington at 9:50 AM at the head end of Amtrak Train 290 The Ethan Allen Express.  

Lunch will be served at Noon after departing Rutland, VT.

Our train will arrive Albany-Rensselaer, NY at 2:21 PM and Guests will depart from the cars promptly upon arrival.