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Vermonter adding 3 MA stops Dec 29


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#21 KevinKorell

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Posted 23 December 2014 - 12:21 PM

From above cited article: 

 

A new era of train travel arrived in these Connecticut River communities on Monday for the first time since 1989 when deteriorating track conditions forced Amtrak to pull its Vermonter service into a roundabout route through Palmer and off the populated Connecticut River and Interstate 91 corridor.

Keep in mind that in 1989 this wasn't the Vermonter, it was the Montrealer. And besides going into Canada, it also ran on a very different schedule. So when Northampton and Greenfield last had Amtrak service, it was in the middle of the night.   The 10 mph running probably wasn't noticed by most passengers since they most likely were asleep.   The Vermonter will service these stations during the midday hours.



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#22 CNJRoss

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Posted 24 December 2014 - 10:06 AM

Amtrak news release, 12/22:

 

AMTRAK PROMOTES RAIL SAFETY IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Vermonter rerouted to provide service to Greenfield and Northampton starting Dec. 29

 

WASHINGTON – In preparation for the Amtrak Vermonter service that is being rerouted through the Knowledge Corridor starting Dec. 29, Amtrak has been actively reaching out to local authorities and meeting with community groups and schools in an effort to raise public visibility on rail safety awareness.

 

The Vermonter will travel on a new route through western Massachusetts, providing passenger rail service to Greenfield, Northampton and eventually Holyoke, Mass.

 

“This reroute brings Amtrak service to new communities and with it the opportunity to inform, educate and change behavior about rail safety,” said Michael Logue, Amtrak Chief Safety Officer. “Our goal is to make sure everyone realizes that when you SEE TRACKS, THINK TRAIN. If you are on or near the tracks outside of an approved grade-crossing or station, you are likely in a trespassing situation and may even be breaking the law.”

 

Amtrak has a team of three community resource officers assigned to raising rail safety awareness in the Knowledge Corridor. The teams have met with local police departments, community groups and schools and will continue to spread the safety message well into the new year.

 

The team has given more than 100 presentations to 50 schools in the area, warning them to stay away from the tracks and right-of-way, while making sure they understand the meaning of railroad crossing signs and the stopping distances of trains. Train speed is set by Pan Am Southern Railway which owns and maintains the tracks.

 

“As a former locomotive engineer, there is nothing more chilling than seeing trespassers on or around the tracks or watching a vehicle trying to beat a train across the tracks at a highway rail grade crossing knowing the train may not be able to stop in enough time to avoid a collision,” Logue stressed.

 

Community resource officers have also worked with various schools to send rail safety messages to the parents of students using district wide letters, automated phone calls and text messages, posts on district websites and school webpages, as well as including information in school newsletters. The team is working with local driver’s education classes to include a rail safety component as part of their training curriculum.

 

The Amtrak Police Department has also been conducting positive enforcement grade crossing awareness events, where officers pass out literature at rail grade crossings educating motorists to approach with care, prepare to stop, look both ways and listen, and not to enter a crossing unless you can get completely through.

 

Outreach efforts utilize material and rail safety information provided by Operation Lifesaver, a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing railroad-related deaths and injuries.

 

The restoration of train service to the Knowledge Corridor is a project of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Passengers may book travel for this service via Amtrak.com, mobile apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.



#23 Sloan

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 09:34 AM

 

 

Photos: Sunday was the last day of Amtrak Vermonter service to Amherst

 

Slide show here:

http://www.masslive....e_last_day.html



#24 Sloan

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Posted 30 December 2014 - 11:32 AM

 

 

First passenger train in a generation stops at Northampton as new Amtrak service begins

 

NORTHAMPTON — The first Amtrak train on the inaugural run through Northampton pulled into the station at 1:46 p.m. Monday, precisely 15 minutes behind schedule.

http://www.masslive....n_in_a_gen.html



#25 CNJRoss

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Posted 30 December 2014 - 10:05 PM

Knowledge Corridor First Day Photo Album - Railway photography by Brian Solomon



#26 Sloan

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Posted 13 January 2015 - 01:40 PM

 

 

Greenfield celebration of Amtrak service takes a sharp turn into protest

 

Tina Cote, who operates a booth there for the Franklin Regional Transit Authority and cannot sell train tickets, has been shouted and spit at, McInerney said.

http://www.masslive....on_of_amtr.html



#27 KevinKorell

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Posted 13 January 2015 - 01:52 PM

I can understand the frustration in not being able to physically purchase a ticket--- but it can be done without a smart phone but one does need the Internet or a regular telephone to call Amtrak.  The article doesn't mention whether a Quik-Trak machine has been placed in the station --- which would still not be human presence but at least one could purchase their tickets before boarding.

 

Nevertheless there is no excuse for shouting at or spitting at somebody just because they are sitting behind a booth -- a booth that has to do with the local bus transit authority and no connection with Amtrak.

 

If these stations do become heavily used stops, Amtrak should consider some sort of presence not only to sell tickets but to deal with baggage on the Vermonter.   Having commuter rail in the area as well either run by the state of Massachusetts or as an extension of the Hartford Line will also require some means of selling tickets, whether by ticket agent or vending machines.



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#28 KevinKorell

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Posted 10 May 2015 - 03:58 PM

We have a case of date slippage with regard to the Holyoke station stop.

 

Springfield, MA Republican, 5/6/15:

 


Under Construction: New Holyoke rail station to be completed by August

 

The Paper City's new passenger rail platform on the newly reinvigorated Knowledge Corridor line should be completed by August.

 

The new station will include a 400-foot high-level platform, partially covered, along with parking spaces for 20 to 25 cars and a circular drop-off and pick-up area, said Marcos A. Marrero, city director of Planning & Economic Development.

 

Update



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