In April 1995, the "Montrealer" was shifted to daytime operation, cut back to St. Albans, and renamed as the "Vermonter", providing daytime service to eastern and central Vermont for the first time since 1966. The western part of the state then advocated for rail service to Rutland as well. $4.7 million in federal funds was secured to upgrade the former Delaware and Hudson Railway Whitehall Branch between Whitehall and Rutland for passenger speeds. Service was initiated on December 2, 1996. This was the first passenger service to Rutland since the Rutland Railroad ended its Burlington–New York City service in 1953, and the first passenger service on the Whitehall Branch since 1936.