BELLOWS FALLS -- Anthony Marquise is 12, but he's already a full-fledged train fan.
The Bellows Falls almost-teen was beside himself with excitement Monday afternoon, waiting for the southbound "The Vermonter" to arrive in Bellows Falls, on its way to Brattleboro and points south, signaling the return of rail passenger service to Vermont after a 16-month hiatus. It had left St. Albans that morning, headed to Washington, D.C.
Marquise was carrying a hand-held scanner so he could eavesdrop on the Amtrak conductors, and he would announce to the waiting crowd outside the historic train station that the train was getting closer -- and closer ... and closer.Â