MIDDLEBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – While much of northern Vermont is preparing to host visitors for the total eclipse on April 8, many southern parts of the state are not in the path of totality. The region nonetheless will be an important staging ground for eclipse viewers, including a special rail link.
Some local hotels in Rutland say they are sold out or have limited space for the weekend leading up to the eclipse, with many many viewers planning to take the busy drive up Route 7 for prime viewing. And businesses along the way are getting ready for the potential onslaught.
“I was amazed to see the interest the eclipse brought to the area,” said Robert Barral, the owner of Cafe Provence in Brandon. ”We’re first going to look at Sunday night — being for us like a regular Saturday, meaning full restaurant, lot of people in. All the hotels in the area are full, so people will have to eat somewhere.”
Some lucky visitors won’t be driving and won’t need to stop along the way. They’re hitting the rails on the so-called “Solar Express,” Vermont Rail System’s train to Burlington that leaves Rutland the morning of the eclipse.
“We can’t anticipate the weather quite yet, so having a covered option where we can still celebrate regardless of the weather was something that was very important to us,” said Vermont Rail’s Nicole Carlson. She says the decked-out train ride includes free parking, live music, food, and other amenities to keep guests entertained for the day, but tickets are selling fast. “The Eclipse provided an amazing opportunity for us to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime day. Our rail does give us the opportunity to bring people in from Rutland who wouldn’t otherwise be able to see the eclipse.”
The train trip is extended in the morning, taking more time to use a rail siding so the regularly scheduled Amtrak Ethan Allen Express can pass by. That stop will happen in Middlebury, the southernmost part of the state which will catch a second of total darkness.
Brandon and Middlebury’s recreation departments are teaming up to host one of the region’s few scheduled watch parties on the day of the eclipse at the Middlebury Recreation Park.
Click here for all our eclipse coverage to help you get ready for the big day.