Trains In The Valley

06/02/2026

Train time in Northampton

Amtrak Vermonter at Northampton Station

06/02/2026

ALL ABOARD, BRATTLEBORO!

Join the celebration as Brattleboro officially opens its new Amtrak station platform on Wednesday, June 24, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

This project marks a major investment in passenger rail in the Connecticut River Valley and features a new station waiting room along with a 345-foot high-level boarding platform, improving the passenger experience and making boarding easier and more accessible.

Whether you’re a regular rider, transportation advocate, or just curious to see the new station, this is a great opportunity to celebrate a big step forward for passenger rail in our region.

Location: New Brattleboro Amtrak Station, 21 Depot Street, Brattleboro, VT. (If you plan to attend we recommend using the parking garage, since there will be no parking at the station during this event.)

Come celebrate the future of rail travel in the Valley!

More event details here: https://brattleboro.gov/blog/amtrak-event-06-24-2026

New look, who dis??! The time has come to celebrate this monumental, 100-year project right in the heart of Downtown Brattleboro.

The Town of Brattleboro is coming together on June 24 to celebrate the opening of a beautiful new ADA-compatible platform for the Brattleboro station of Amtrak’s Vermonter Line!

11:30-1p: Join dignitaries and Amtrak folks for the official ribbon-cutting and unveiling of a new Brattleboro Words Trail Mural by Cynthia Houghton. Food, Kid’s Activities, and a peek at our shiny new train station- EXCITING!

1p: The first train arrival to the new station, we’ll welcome it in style!

2p: Of COURSE we need a mini-train situation. Head up to 139 Main Street, The Museum of Things Tiny & Found, for a model train display and teeny ribbon-cutting that’s sure to delight.

All Aboard Brattleboro! Travel to southern Vermont just got a little easier.

05/21/2026

Four counties, three routes, one region fully connected.
https://berkshirerta.gov/link413/

05/18/2026

The Berkshire Flyer returns this summer with a new schedule!

The train will now operate round-trip between Moynihan Train Hall (New York Penn Station) and Pittsfield, MA on Fridays and Sundays this summer.

And there's more — the northbound train is now scheduled to arrive in Pittsfield in the mid-afternoon at 3:15 pm, rather than the evening. (The schedule can be found in the comment section.)

This seasonal passenger rail service will begin on Friday, June 12th, and will operate on Fridays and Sundays through Sunday, September 19th.

News NEW YORK – Amtrak, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), is kicking off the 2026 summer season with the return of the Berkshire Flyer train for travel between New York City and Pittsfield, MA. Th...

05/01/2026

Bridging the Divide: The Past and Future of Northern Tier Rail

From the days of the B&M Minute Man to today’s Link413 bus pilot, the history of rail across Northern Massachusetts is fascinating.

This neat video breaks down the current fight for a "one-seat ride" between Boston and Western Mass. It's a great primer for anyone following the East-West rail discussions.

Check it out:

Boston & Western Mass – A Great Divide

04/18/2026

Major News — Amtrak has officially started the process to replace its aging long-distance equipment. The video linked below shows what Amtraks has in mind for this order.

Highlights:
• 800+ new railcars planned
• Will serve all 14 long-distance routes
• New coaches, sleepers, dining, and lounge cars
• Contract expected in 2027, with new cars starting in the early 2030s

A major step toward modernizing long-distance rail in the U.S.

04/17/2026

Rail News Roundup #52 is now live
trainsinthevalley.org/2026/04/17/rail-news-roundup-52

Today's Headlines:
• Compass Rail – Phases I, II & III
• Palmer Station Planning Study Finalized
• Amtrak Advances Interlocking Project in Springfield

• Vermonter Low-Speed Derailment in East Northfield
• One Track Today, Room for Two Tomorrow

• New Hartford Line Coaches Coming Soon
• Hartford Line Customer Survey
• Passenger Rail Braces for Cuts

Rail News for the Pioneer Valley region of Western Mass

04/15/2026

Do you ride the Hartford Line (either Amtrak or CTrail)? If so, please take a few minutes to tell CTDOT what you think of the service by taking this customer survey — your feedback helps improve schedules, operations, and facilities along the line.

Survey link
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3PJ3PB2

⏰ Last chance to make your voice heard! Share your feedback on CTrail Hartford Line services and help improve your ride. 🚂

➡️ Take the survey: CTrail.com/hlsurvey
Survey closes April 19, 2026.

04/09/2026

A great read — Western Mass Politics & Insight breaks down how expanded rail service in Western Mass is finally coming into focus.

The clarity Slesinger offered on the future of passenger rail in Western Mass more generally may have been more significant.