AMTRAK NEC: Springfield Shuttle/Regional/Valley Flyer/Inland Routing

[lordsigma12345]

New Hartford line website http://www.hartfordline.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wish their damn map showed "Amtrak Connection to Boston and Albany". But it doesn't.

Only one remote mention of it on their whole website. In the schedule, 448 is listed as an arriving connection at Springfield for southbound Amtrak 479. No mention of 449 at all, and the schedule doesn't have a bar for connections in Springfield for the northbound trains.

[DutchRailnut]

so to translate for nincompoops , there is no connection.

[BandA]

Gosh, they need people to be aware that other rail services exist! As well as connecting bus services.

[Arborwayfan]

What would schedule look like to run SPG ' Greenfield ' PanAm towards Albany? How massive would the track upgrades have to be? PanAm extortionate I know, but maybe less hostile to multiple frequencies than CSX because a less busy route?

[Rockingham Racer]

There really aren't many towns of notable size on either the B&A or the B&M, are there? Pittsfield and Chatham on the B&A would generate some traffic, I think. Pittsfield is touristy, as well. And the old B&M route down to Troy is long gone, too, I think.

[Greg Moore]

There really aren't many towns of notable size on either the B&A or the B&M, are there? Pittsfield and Chatham on the B&A would generate some traffic, I think. Pittsfield is touristy, as well. And the old B&M route down to Troy is long gone, too, I think.

Correct. It's B&A or nothing.

B&M is long gone, at least as far as access to Troy and Rensselaer.

Chatham and Pittsfield are both a bit touristy and definitely in the NYC weekender crowd.

[The EGE]

Westfield on the B&A would be worthwhile - it's a bit close to Springfield, but fairly large (41,000) and has Westfield State. Not suitable on the LSL, but a MA-centric intercity service should have it as a stop. On the B&M, you have Williamsburg and North Adams close to each other, plus the ex-Amtrak stops at Mechanicville and Watervliet (Troy), but that route is wayyy out of the way from the B&A. If it's ever decided that the B&M is worth passenger service - and honestly I think it could easily support a couple round trips - it'd be better to go the whole way to Boston so you can pick up Millers Falls, Orange, Athol, and Gardner. Not a fast service by any means, but Route 2 is a bear to drive especially in winter.

[Arlington]

Please: Pittsfield is best served by increased service to NYP via ALB. The trains follow the valleys and the Turnpikes cross the ridges. The train can win versus I-91 and cannot win versus I-90 (SPG-ALB)

[GU1001]

I think you meant Williamstown, not Williamsburg.
Williamsburg hasn’t had tracks for quite some time.
Williamstown is next to North Adams & is home to Williams College.

[njtmnrrbuff]

If you want to travel from Pittsfield to NYC by of Amtrak, you might as well just drive to Rennselaer.

[David Benton]

Presuming you have a car, and can drive.

[Jeff Smith]

I've once again broadened the scope of the conversation since it's all somewhat tied in. I do, however, want to point out that there is an Inland Route topic as well:

http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=75267" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jeff Smith]

Yowza: From Trains.com

Brief, fair-use:

CSX reviewing 8,000 miles of rail lines for potential sale

CSX is expected to put a handful of subdivisions on the block every few weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Routes under review include:
...
The former Boston & Albany main and related branch lines in Massachusetts.
...

[gokeefe]

Yeah no kidding ... I'm curious if this is the right topic ... Perhaps it should be a separate discussion as "Potential Sale of ex-B&A" in the New England forum especially given the implications for passenger operations beyond Amtrak and the affected freight only branch lines.

Even if it stays in this forum I would imagine a separate topic is in order (same proposed title) given the understandably lengthy discussion that seems likely to ensue.

[deathtopumpkins]

Do we know if the intent is just to sell out to states, etc. to reduce the tax burden, or to sell off entirely to a shortline, competitor, etc.?

And after reading through that list, what ISN'T CSX selling!?