It would also be cool to see light rail connecting these areas individually with a second hub around Rutland!

Like a Newport > Brattleboro that runs alongside 91 and hits all the major towns and branches into minor towns with a another branch that splits off at White River/West Leb and goes to Rutland. Also would be cool to see a Newport > Sherbrooke > Quebec City

Once you reach Brattleboro you can get to Rutland by servicing the southeast quadrant of the state, or a faster direct line to Bennington.

From Bennington, a route that follows RT 7 with major stops in Rutland, Burlington, St Albans, up to Swanton and on to Montreal also servicing small towns.

From Rutland, a higher speed line to Albany, and from Burlington a faster route to Plattsburgh with a branch connecting the isles. Also a direct Montpelier to Rutland line and something that services Johnson/Morrisville to Stowe so you can take that route year round.

And then, in the North a St. Albans > Newport > Johnson loop with connection to the aforementioned Stowe line with a direct over-the-mountain connection into Montpelier.

It would also be cool to see trains that summit the mountains to connect adjacent towns like Northfield > Waitsfield > Starksboro or Stowe > Underhill since Budget isn't an issue