trains | Bricklyn, Vermont: "A City Within A City"

February 7, 2024

by Paul B. Macro, Bricklyn Eagle Business Reporter

Brickstar train passing through farmland south of Brickpelier, Vermont. Please note that *all photos in this post are by Paul B. Macro, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI unless otherwise indicated.*

The slogan”A Star in Every Rail Car” has been replaced by the smiling cartoon face of a Brickstar locomotive, with the simple words “Ride Brickstar!” Brick Link has even named the cartoon engine “Bobby Brickstar” and used Bobby for marketing the train, and for selling t-shirts to youngsters. Illustration by Carol Tiler Nelson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

This past November, Brick Rail introduced ultra-high speed “Brickstar” passenger rail service with a new fleet of advanced rail cars and locomotives.

While the branding slogan of Brickstar as “A Star in Every Rail Car” fell flat — despite advertising featuring rock star Bruce Springbrick — the rail service itself is what appears to be a star.

Brickstar’s currently operates on two routes, one between the North Street Station in Bricklyn, Vermont, to Central Station in Brickover, New Hampshire, with intermediate stops in Brickpelier and Northbrick, Vermont. The second Brickstar route runs from Brickover, New Hampshire to Brattlebrick, Vermont.

New Brickstar on left, boarding passengers at Bricklyn’s North Station. A BrickExpress train is on the right. BrickExpress trains are in the process of being replaced by the Brickstars. Photo by Paul B. Macro.

Bricklyn Eagle business reporter Paul B. Macro recently spoke with Stephen Tiler Marshall, Brick Rail’s Director of Customer Service.

All of the accompanying photos are by Paul Macro, with assistance on most from Dall E-3 AI – and “no” to those jokers who claim that Macro only uses a macro lens!

Paul B. Macro, for The Bricklyn Eagle: Thank you Mr. Marshall for taking the time to speak with us this morning. As a starting point, can you tell us how often Brickstar trains are running on their two routes?

Stephen Tiler Marshall: Very glad to be here with you today. Brickstar is currently operating four trains a day each way on the Bricklyn-Brickover route, with two of these trains continuing onto our Brickover to Brattlebrick route. Both routes include overnight service, though the 96 mile long Bricklyn-Brickover route also includes two trains in each direction that leave during morning hours and arrive at their end points in the evening.

*Brickstar at North Station in Bricklyn. Note that Brickstar is trying out several different liveries and will evaluate passenger preferences.*

The Bricklyn Eagle: With Brickstar have you been able to reduce the travel time between those city pairs?

*Inside Brick Rail’s maintenance shop in Bricklyn where Brickstars are handled with loving care.*

Stephen Tiler Marshall: Yes, and that was our number one aim for Brickstar. We’ve dramatically reduced running times compared to our previous “BrickExpress” service that began on these routes in 1991.

With Brickstar, the 96 mile run between Bricklyn and Brickover now takes just 15 hours, while the longer 165 mile route between Bricklyn and Brattlebrick via Brickover takes 27 hours. That represents a remarkable 25 percent reduction in travel time on these two routes from that of the older BrickExpress trains.

Top speeds for Brickstar now reach 7.2 mph, with speeds averaging just over 6 mph.

*Overnight Brickstar train leaving Brickover, NH this January 7th, heading northwest towards Bricklyn, VT.*

➤ Since I know your readers are primarily from Outland communities, it is important that they keep in mind the considerable differences in the scale of distances and speed between Outland and Inland realms. You basically need to multiply Inland numbers by 30 to find the Outland equivalent.

For example, a train moving at 6 mph in an Inland LEGO city like Bricklyn, VT would be the equivalent to moving at 180 mph in an Outland city like Burlington, VT. Similarly, Brickstar’s top speed of 7.2 mph would equate to 216 mph in the Outland world (7.2 x 30 = 216).

How Brickstar Achieves High Speeds

The Bricklyn Eagle:

How has the Brickstar obtained top speeds as high as 7.2 mph?

Stephen Tiler Marshall:

Brickstar has achieved its high speeds through a combination of innovations in the design and materials used in the rail cars and engines; track improvements; and changes in the technology used to power Brickstar.

*Inside the Brick Rail materials lab where scientists and engineers have developed stronger, lighter weight materials for the Brickstar trains.*

As you can tell just by looking at the Brickstar, it has a sleeker design to reduce air resistance and increase energy efficiency.

Brick Rail scientists (with financial support from the League of Inland Cities) have developed carbon fiber and aluminum that is actually much lighter, stronger, and more durable than the combination of LEGO tiles, plates, and bricks we had previously used.

A LEGO figure of a train conductor sitting in the driver's seat of a train, surrounded by control panels and dials. — Brick Rail engineer Vanessa Plater Swanson. Six of Brick Rail’s twenty engineers are women — a much higher proportion than other railroads.

Also important, Brickstar trains — like the Outland world’s high speed TGV trains — make use of distributed power systems where each train car has its own traction motors and power supply.

This distributed arrangement enhances the flexibility and efficiency of the train, as power can be applied precisely where needed. It also contributes to better acceleration and braking performance.

*Larry B. Hogan, one of Brick Rail’s dispatchers in the Brick Rail operations center.*

One last thing I’ll note. We now have a state-of-the-art operations center at Brick Rail’s headquarters in South Bricklyn. Bear in mind also that we don’t just control Brickstar train movements, we are also responsible for coordinating all our passenger trains with a growing number of intercity freight trains.

Our dispatchers are essential in seeing that all trains are safely moving through our rail network. They use state-of-the-art technologies to communicate with train crews and others to control and direct the safe movement of trains.

*Brick Rail control tower just south of Brickpelier, VT, clearing a northbound Brickstar heading towards Bricklyn.*

Improving the Passenger Experience

The Bricklyn Eagle: As you are Brick Rail’s Director of Customer Services, we would especially value hearing what you’ve done to improve the passenger experience while on board the new Brickstars.

Stephen Tiler Marshall:

That’s a very important question. Let me answer by saying that Brickstar has improved the passenger experience in five major ways:

*Brickstar provides spacious seating for its coach passengers. Aisles in each car have been widened to make it easier for passengers using wheelchairs to move about.*

First, let’s consider the train’s interior design and seating: Brickstar trains are designed with spacious and ergonomic interiors.

The seating arrangements are built for comfort, with features such as ample legroom, adjustable seats, and well-padded seat cushions and head rests.

The layout of the coaches is optimized to provide a comfortable and relaxing environment for passengers during their journey.

Second, Brickstar trains are equipped with technologies to minimize noise, creating a quieter travel environment. Soundproofing materials are used in the construction of the train cars, and noise reduction measures are implemented in the design of components such as wheels and suspensions.

*Young passengers enjoying the view from their Brickstar coach.*

A third important aspect of a rail passenger’s experience relates to what we call “ride quality.” We’ve developed advanced suspension systems to minimize vibrations and ensure a smooth ride quality even at high speeds and on curves.

*Dunk Them Donuts on board Brickstar train.*

A fourth way in which we’ve sought to improve the passenger experience is by enhancing the range of onboard services and amenities available.

We’ve brought in top-quality dining services provided on board by staff and students of the Bricklyn Culinary Institute. For those with a sweet tooth, we also have an onboard Dunk Them Donuts shop on each Brickstar.

We have also taken steps to improve Wi-Fi connectivity, provide additional power outlets, and offer entertainment options built into the seat backs.

Brickstar decided to retain the look and feel of its 1950s era dining cars, but with all new equipment in the dining car’s kitchen. Dining car chefs and servers are usually students from the Bricklyn Culinary Institute.

*Cut-away view of a Brickstar sleeping car. Photo courtesy of Brick Rail.*

Also of note, our sleeping cars have been designed with input from Le Bricklyn Hotel. Their employees, on a rotating basis, staff the sleeper cars. We believe this is an innovative arrangement in the world of rail travel.

We’ve received rave reviews from our sleeping car passengers about Le Bricklyn’s on board service, and also many comments on how comfortable our deluxe “sleep tight” beds are.

Finally, and not to be forgotten, Brickstar trains have been designed to be accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. This includes features such as ramps, priority seating, accessible restrooms, and extra wide aisles in all train cars.

Future Plans for Brickstar Service

The Bricklyn Eagle: What does the future hold for Brickstar?

*Rail Brick crew laying track near the town of St. Brickard, in the southern part of the Realm of Montbrick, Quebec, about 28 kilometers north of the Vermont border.*

Stephen Tiler Marshall: Brick Rail has two key priorities. First, we plan on adding two more Brickstar routes, one connecting Bricklyn, VT, with Albrick, NY, the other linking Bricklyn to Montbrick, Quebec.

We expect to receive in early 2025 eight additional six car long train sets. That comes to 48 new passenger cars and eight new locomotives. With this, and with some track work underway, we expect these routes to be in service by the Fall of 2027.

*Brickstar on viaduct passing through a densely developed part of South Bricklyn, VT, en route to North Station in downtown. Bricklyn, VT.*

Our other priority is to maintain, and even improve on, the level of service we’re offering our Brickstar passengers. We regularly survey our customers, and also hold focus group sessions to get candid feedback about their travel experience on Brickstar.

Finally, I want your readers to know we welcome their comments and suggestions. Even though they can’t ride a Brickstar (Outlanders are way too big!), they can see them in operation during visits to Bricklyn.

The Bricklyn Eagle: Thank you so much for your time.

Stephen Tiler Marshall: Appreciate the opportunity to connect with Bricklyn Eagle readers. ✥

We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com — are there suggestions you have from your own rail travel experiences?

To the Editor: We’ve had improvements to Amtrak service here in Maine, but they don’t compare to what the new Brickstar service offers to LEGO passengers in Bricklyn. I’m glad Brick Rail is expanding service, I noticed to the Realm of Brickover, New Hampshire. I hope some day Brickstar trains will connect to the Realm of Brickport, Maine, but know that’s a long distance to cover by rail. Thanks for the article. –– Peter in Maine.

*Rendering of proposed Brick Air supersonic plane. Image supplied by Brick Air, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.*

To the Editor: Do we really need to spend taxpayer money for rail service? Yes, I know it looks very nice, but haven’t Bricklyn leaders and folks at the League of Inland Cities heard the expression “time is money”? What we need is a supersonic air service so we don’t have to spend long hours getting to other Realms that belong to the League. — Eric in Bricklyn.

Reply from the Editor: Outland readers should recall that to obtain equivalent speeds between Inland and Outland communities, multiply the Inland speed by 30 to ge the approximate Outland speed. So a train running at 6 mph in Bricklyn (the average speed of Brickstar high speed trains) would equal 180 mph in Burlington, VT. Similarly, the average speed of current Brick Air planes is 17 mph, which would equate to about 510 mph for human-based planes.