From RPA 12-8-2017
A group is studying the reintroduction of through passenger rail service from Pittsfield, MA to New York City, that would run through the Capital Region of New York. The route being studied would run along Amtrak’s Empire Corridor to Rensselaer, NY, and then reverse direction and travel over a line through southern Rensselaer County, which is already used by the Lake Shore Limited's Boston section, to then connect to the CSX line to Pittsfield, MA.
The panel is studying this specific route as it is expected to cost significantly less than others that have been in consideration. The proposed route likely wouldn't require any significant additional investment in new track, signals or land purchases on the Amtrak-owned segments, though any potential CSX requirements, including for the overnight storage and servicing of the train at Pittsfield, are unclear. It is envisioned that the service could be supplied by extending an existing train that now terminates at Rensselaer. Eddie Sporn, a West Stockbridge resident who heads real estate and planning firm Robin Road Consulting, said that while another option that would avoid running through Rensselaer is still on the table, the Rensselaer option appears to be the favored.