Trains In The Valley

06/24/2026

What a wonderful day for Brattleboro!

06/23/2026

Brattleboro’s New Amtrak Station Opens Wednesday!

Battleboro has been served by passenger rail since 1849, and this week marks a major new chapter in that history.

The town’s new stand-alone Amtrak station features Vermont’s first-ever full-length, level-boarding platform. Passengers on Amtrak's Vermonter will no longer need to use steps to get on or off the train at this station, making travel completely accessible.

Grand Opening Celebration
When: Wednesday, June 24, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (First train arrives at 1:00 PM)
Where: 21 Depot Street

At 3:30 PM There will be a gathering of rail advocates at 28 Vernon Street. All are welcome to attend to celebrate this milestone and discuss ways to expand and improve passenger rail service throughout the Connecticut River Valley.

Check out the link below for full event details, parking info, and the new mural unveiling.

Opening Day Schedule for the New Train Station in Brattleboro, Vermont

06/22/2026

Brattleboro’s New Amtrak Station Opens Wednesday!

Battleboro has been served by passenger rail since 1849, and this week marks a major new chapter in that history.

The town’s new stand-alone Amtrak station features Vermont’s first-ever full-length, level-boarding platform. Passengers on Amtrak's Vermonter will no longer need to use steps to get on or off the train at this station, making travel completely accessible.

Grand Opening Celebration

When: Wednesday, June 24, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (First train arrives at 1:00 PM)

Where: 21 Depot Street

At 3:30 PM State Senator Wendy Harrison is hosting a gathering of rail advocates at 28 Vernon Street. All are welcome to attend to celebrate this milestone and discuss ways to expand and improve passenger rail service throughout the Connecticut River Valley.

Check out the link below for full event details, parking info, and the new mural unveiling —

Opening Day Schedule for the New Train Station in Brattleboro, Vermont

06/08/2026

Sure would be nice if we had a station like this in Northampton!

The Brattleboro Vermont Amtrak Station.
The Station is almost complete.
Ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 24.

06/04/2026

MassDOT to Host Public Meeting in West Springfield to Present Three Concepts for Eliminating the Front Street and First Street Rail Crossings

The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 6 PM at West Springfield Town Hall, 26 Central Street.

Residents of Agawam and West Springfield, along with other interested community members, are encouraged to attend and help demonstrate strong public support for this long-overdue project.

06/03/2026

Passenger rail supporters, transit advocates, and anyone interested in the future of mobility in Western Massachusetts — mark your calendars.

The Western Massachusetts Transportation Advocacy Network (WMTAN) will host its 4th Annual Transportation Forum, “Are We There Yet? Bridging Transit Gaps in the 413,” on Friday, June 12, at Mount Holyoke College.

The forum will bring together advocates, planners, elected officials, transportation professionals, and community members to discuss the future of transportation across the region.

Of particular interest to the rail community: the afternoon Rail Advocacy session will focus on the role of passenger rail in creating a more connected Western Massachusetts. This is an important opportunity for supporters of East-West Rail, Valley connectivity, station access, and broader regional rail expansion to join the conversation, share ideas, and help shape advocacy priorities moving forward.

Passenger rail does not exist in isolation — strong connections between trains, local transit, and regional mobility are essential to building a transportation system that works for everyone.

If you care about better transit in the 413 and beyond, we encourage you to attend and join the conversation.

Please note that the entire event is free and open to anyone and everyone.

Registration and event details are available the this page:
https://wmtan.org/2026/05/27/are-we-there-yet-bridging-transit-gaps-in-the-413/

06/03/2026

The Massachusetts Central Railroad is set to change hands.

Regional Rail, a short line holding company backed by 3i Group, plans to acquire Mass Central from its current owner, according to a June 2 filing with the Surface Transportation Board.

Mass Central operates 25 miles of former New York Central trackage between Palmer and South Barre, Massachusetts, and interchanges with CSX and New England Central at Palmer. If approved, the deal is expected to be completed on or shortly after July 1.

PALMER, Mass. — Regional Rail will acquire the Massachusetts Central Railroad from its current owner, becoming the company’s 15th short line, according to a Tuesday, June 2, filing with the Surface Transportation Board. Regional Rail, backed by private equity firm 3i Group, will acquire all stoc...

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 Exhibit
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.

2:30 p. - The Latchis will show a train-themed film, Hugo. Suggested donation is $5.

3:30 p. - Senator Wendy Harrison will host a gathering at River & Rail Tavern with train advocates from Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. All are welcome to come hear the stories and discuss how we can promote increased train travel in our region.

6 p – Actors led by the Tiny Theater will perform “From Revolution to Reflection: Live on the Brattleboro Words Trail,” an America 250-inspired, outdoor performance at Union Station Park, which is the lawn behind the new train station (rain location at Brooks Memorial Library). More information about that can be found on brattleborowords.org.

Travel to Brattleboro just got a little easier and whole lot more fun!

05/21/2026

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