RLBA recently was selected to update the Vermont State Rail Plan. Tasks included an inventory of the State railroad system, cost benefit analysis of state investments in its rail system, review of state rail line acquisition procedures, a national review of state railroad agency planning and funding “best practices” and proposal of a new mission statement, with the goal of optimizing the vision, mission and goals of the rail mode in Vermont. RLBA was also asked to organize and make presentations at public meetings, to recommend objectives for the state rail planning process, to recommend a mission statement for the Rail Section, and to prepare a history of events occurring since the last state rail plan update.