Today’s Headlines
• Federal Grant Boosts Springfield Rail Upgrades
• Boston & Albany Rail Service Planning Gets Underway
• Berkshire Flyer Moves from Pilot to Permanent Seasonal Service
• CTDOT Opens New Station in Windsor Locks
• Alliance Seeks Rail Stop Between Springfield and Pittsfield
• Knowledge Corridor Fiber-Optic Project Approved
• Grant Funds Westfield Quarry Rail Siding
• East Deerfield Railyard Project Wraps Up
• Grant Targets Vermont Bridge on Route to Montreal
Calendar
Vermont Rail Advisory Council
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
1 pm – 3 pm
VTrans, 2178 Airport Rd, Barre, VT
(hybrid meeting w/online option)
Federal Grant Boosts Springfield Rail Upgrades
MassDOT Wins $130 Million Federal Grant for Springfield Rail Improvements
MassDOT has been awarded $130 million in federal funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization project. The grant was part of $2.3 billion in funding for freight and passenger rail projects in 45 states and the District of Columbia announced by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on October 16.
This federal grant will fund the first phase of construction of the Springfield Union Station Track Reconfiguration project, a large, multi-phase effort to upgrade and expand tracks, platforms, signals, and other infrastructure in and around the station. The project aims to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, improve operating efficiency, and allow expanded rail service in the coming years.
The diagram below, from 2025, provides a high-level overview of what the full project will look like when fully built out.
September 2025 | MassDOT
The first phase of construction will reconstruct the diamond interlocking, where the MassDOT-owned north-south line intersects the CSX-owned east-west line. It will also reconfigure a second interlocking, upgrade a wye track that will be connected to Springfield Union Station’s platform tracks, and make associated track, viaduct, and signal improvements at the station.
MassDOT, particularly the team in its Rail & Transit Division, led by Administrator Meredith Slesinger, deserves great credit for securing this federal grant, in what was a highly competitive selection process.
The FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program received 368 applications requesting roughly $12 billion in funding. Ultimately, $2.3 billion was awarded to 105 projects across the country. The vast majority of the projects and funding in this round went to smaller freight carriers rather than passenger rail projects, making this award to MassDOT particularly significant.
As a few readers might recall, the track layout and other infrastructure at Springfield Union Station were much more extensive back in the day when the New York Central, Boston & Maine, and New Haven railroads together operated many more passenger trains from the station than Amtrak and CTrail operate today.
The historic track diagram below, possibly dating from the 1950s, shows 11 station tracks during that period, along with an extensive network of sidings and storage tracks east of the station. The reduction in tracks, interlockings, and yard facilities occurred gradually through the mid-to-late 20th century as passenger and freight traffic declined, following the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad, the closure of the main station building in 1973, and subsequent downsizing by both Conrail and Amtrak.
MassDOT, working with both Amtrak and CSX, is now beginning the work of rebuilding and reconfiguring the track layout and other infrastructure at Springfield Union Station to support what many expect will be a renaissance of passenger rail service as part of MassDOT’s Compass Rail program.
This work will take time and require significant investment, but the result will be a station that is properly equipped to handle a robust network of passenger trains running south to New Haven and New York City, east to Boston, west to Pittsfield and Albany, and north to to Greenfield, Vermont, and Montreal.
Further reading
“West-East’ rail efforts in Massachusetts receive crucial $130M grant”
By James Paleologopoulos and Sam Dingman | WAMC Northeast Public Radio | October 20, 2026
“One step forward for West-East Rail”
By Hallie Claflin | Commonwealth Week | October 16, 2026
Boston & Albany Rail Service Planning Gets Underway
Earlier this month, MassDOT hosted a virtual public meeting to kick off what is expected to be a two-year effort to develop and finalize a Service Development Plan (SDP) for the planned Boston & Albany Corridor project. The project aims to expand passenger rail service between Boston South Station and Albany, NY, via the existing rail corridor that runs through Springfield.
The development of a Service Development Plan is a planning step required by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program. It serves as a detailed blueprint and business plan outlining the operational, infrastructure, and financial requirements needed to introduce or improve intercity passenger rail service along a specific corridor.
The public meeting, held via Zoom, focused largely on an overview of MassDOT’s Compass Rail program, the West-East Rail initiative, and the process that will be followed to develop the SDP.
At the conclusion of the formal presentation, MassDOT answered questions using the chat feature on Zoom.
The Q&A session went on for a good 45 minutes, with a great many detailed and thoughtful questions. Here are a few notable questions that we think readers would be interested in.
One of the questions concerned a possible stop in the Hilltowns in the western part of the state. MassDOT said that the study will include the development of a methodology to determine whether a new station is warranted along the corridor, keeping in mind that this is an intercity express service and that too many additional steps would defeat the purpose of an express service.
Another question focused on travel time on the corridor. MassDOT said that current travel times are roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes from Boston to Springfield, 4 hours to Pittsfield, and a little over 5 hours to Albany. This project will look at travel time savings through investments in infrastructure.
In response to one question, MassDOT indicated that the new Inland Route Service that starts in 2030 would be operated with Amtrak’s new Airo fleet, which is good news. This is a development that we had not heard before.
Another question focused on when when service west of Springfield would start. MassDOT said that the “full build” goal of five round trips would come in 2045, which doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing starts until 2045. With incremental advances over time we should see additional service, and the SDP will bring a lot of clarity to what the schedule for this will look like.
(The written version of the Q&A is expected to be released by MassDOT shortly. We will post it here once it is released.)
While this new planning effort is getting underway, MassDOT is also moving forward with design and construction projects that support both the planned Inland Route service and future Boston & Albany service. These projects include the Springfield Hub Modernization project, planning for a second passenger platform in Pittsfield, adding capacity on the CSX main line west of Pittsfield, and planning for a future station in Palmer.
Further information
A recording on the Zoom meeting can be found here:
Boston & Albany Corridor Service Development Plam – Public Meeting
MassDOT | October 6, 2026
Boston & Albany Corridor project
MassDOT
Berkshire Flyer Moves from Pilot to Permanent Seasonal Service
Timeout New York | June 9, 2023
MassDOT has announced that the Berkshire Flyer, which operates seasonally on summer weekends between New York City, Albany, and Pittsfield, will continue as a permanent seasonal service after operating for four seasons on a pilot basis.
The initial agreements between CSX and MassDOT for the Berkshire Flyer stipulated that MassDOT would implement infrastructure improvements to add rail capacity in and around Pittsfield to enable permanent service.
MassDOT recently entered into funding agreements with CSX totaling approximately $18 million to construct a 3-mile siding just west of Pittsfield, in the town of Richmond, and improve a siding in CSX’s Pittsfield Yard, just east of the Pittsfield station. The yard siding would allow the Berkshire Flyer train set to clear the CSX main line between runs.
The planned 3-mile passing siding in Richmond will be built along a stretch of single track that currently extends for 20 miles. The siding will benefit CSX, Amtrak’s existing Lake Shore Limited service, and the future Boston & Albany West-East Rail service by increasing capacity for both freight and passenger rail.
Further information
Permanent Berkshire Flyer
Rail & Transit report presented to the MassDOT Board | October 21, 2026
CTDOT Opens New Station in Windsor Locks
On October 13, 2026, Windsor Locks residents celebrated two ribbon cuttings, one for a new train station and the other for the newly renovated historic station building, along with a groundbreaking for a transit-oriented development adjacent to the new station. The three events marked an important milestone for both rail transportation and downtown redevelopment.
The new station, years in the making, includes a 500-foot platform for fully accessible level boarding, overhead canopies, passenger information displays, and heated waiting areas. The station also has a 160-space parking lot with multiple electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
The overall $121.2 million project includes $46.1 million for station and roadway improvements and $75.1 million for track and pedestrian bridge improvements. The project is funded with approximately 85% state funds and 15% federal funds.
Importantly, the station also provides an across-the-platform connection to CTtransit Route 24, which now runs seven days a week, with frequent service between the new station and Bradley International Airport.
The new station, in planning, development, and design since 2009, entered construction in 2022 and officially opened for service on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with the arrival of the first Amtrak and CTrail trains.
By Scott A. Hartley | Link to Trains Magazine post
This is an important station for western Massachusetts, particularly residents who live in Agawam, East Longmeadow, Granville, Longmeadow, Southwick, and Tolland.
For residents of these towns, driving south to Windsor Locks to catch a southbound train toward New Haven or New York City can save both time and money. Using this station avoids the drive north to Springfield Union Station only to travel south again by train.
Another advantage that could make this station attractive to travelers from throughout western Massachusetts is free parking.
Everything you need to know about using this station can be found on the newly updated Trains In The Valley page: Windsor Locks Station
Further information
Video: CTDOT Unveils New Train Station in Windsor Locks (0:59)
CTDOT | October 15, 2026 | YouTube
“Windsor Locks’ downtown revitalization project launches with new train station and apartments”
By Abigail Brone | Connecticut Public Radio | October 14, 2026
Alliance Seeks Rail Stop Between Springfield and Pittsfield
The newly formed Southern Hilltowns/Berkshire Rail Stop Alliance has launched a campaign advocating for a future train station roughly midway between Springfield and Pittsfield on the planned West-East Rail corridor.
On its webpage, the Alliance makes the case for an intermediate station that would serve an estimated 35,000 residents who live within a 30-minute drive of a potential station, giving them access to expanded passenger rail service without having to drive all the way to Springfield or Pittsfield.
The Alliance contends that an intermediate station would extend the benefits of expanded passenger rail service to residents of the rural Hilltowns and surrounding communities, enhancing economic opportunity and regional connectivity. It also points out that the region has limited public transportation options and has long faced gaps in its transportation infrastructure — in particular, its limited access to the Massachusetts Turnpike.
The 2021 East-West Passenger Rail Study identified Chester as a candidate for a station stop. However, the specific station site would likely need to be determined through a feasibility study and subsequent planning and design work by MassDOT, similar to the process followed for the Palmer station.
Further reading
A Rail Stop Between Springfield and Pittsfield
Southern Hilltowns/Berkshire Rail Stop Alliance
Knowledge Corridor Fiber-Optic Project Approved
At its October 21 meeting, the MassDOT Board of Directors approved a project with Henkels & McCoy, Inc. to install a new fiber-optic cabling system along the MassDOT-owned Knowledge Corridor between Springfield and Northfield, near the Vermont state line.
The new fiber-optic cable system will allow for advanced, real-time monitoring of signal and railroad crossing equipment, giving maintenance crews better tools to schedule and perform preventive maintenance.
Notably, the installation of fiber-optic cable is also the first phase of MassDOT’s Positive Train Control (PTC) project, which will enable advanced train monitoring and control. PTC is a prerequisite for increasing passenger and freight train frequency along the corridor, making this project an important step toward expanding rail service along this line in the future.
The project is expected to take 600 calendar days from the time the contractor receives a notice to proceed from MassDOT.
Further information
Knowledge Corridor fiber-optic cable project presentation to the MassDOT Board of Directors
October 21, 2026
Knowledge Corridor Positive Train Control project
Train In The Valley
Grant Funds Westfield Quarry Rail Siding
MassDOT recently announced a $680,000 grant to John J. Lane & Son, the operator of the Westfield Quarry. The grant will fund the rehabilitation and extension of a two-track siding connecting the quarry to the CSX main line in Westfield.
Established in 1890, the Westfield Quarry is an active trap rock and aggregate mining operation. Trap rock is commonly used as railroad track ballast.
The project is being funded through the MassDOT Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP), a competitive public-private grant program that provides up to $3 million annually in state funding for freight rail infrastructure projects. The program aims to increase rail access, stimulate economic development, support local businesses, create and retain manufacturing jobs, and reduce regional truck traffic.
Further information
MassDOT Industrial Rail Program
Trains In The Valley
East Deerfield Railyard Project Wraps Up
In July, MassDOT marked the completion of a new transload facility in the MassDOT-owned East Deerfield rail yard. The new facility, shown in the image above to the left of the historic switch tower, incorporates a rail intermodal loading and unloading facility into the yard.
The bulk of the project work consisted of rehabilitating four existing Receiving Tracks, in an area of the rail yard not shown in the image.
The East Deerfield Yard, located in Deerfield, MA, is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Department of Transportation – MassDOT) and is operated, inspected and maintained by Pan Am Southern LLC through Berkshire & Eastern Railroad.
Further reading
“MassDOT marks completion of $5.6M East Deerfield Railyard project”
By Aalianna Marietta | Greenfield Recorder | July 21, 2026
East Deerfield Yard Intermodal Project
Trains In The Valley
Grant Targets Vermont Bridge on Route to Montreal
Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
In August, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded $3.95 million to the Northwest Regional Planning Commission in St. Albans, Vermont. The funding will support project planning and development to identify a long-term solution for the 112-year-old East Alburgh Bridge, a 3,500-foot wooden trestle that crosses a portion of Lake Champlain.
So why is this project on our radar? The bridge is located on the route that would be used to extend Amtrak’s Vermonter service to Montreal, a topic Trains In The Valley has followed closely for years.
Now owned by the New England Central Railroad, the bridge has had a 5 mph speed restriction for as long as anyone can remember.
The planning work will determine whether the structure requires a complete replacement or major rehabilitation.
Further reading
“New funds for Alburgh rail bridge could boost future Amtrak link to Montreal”
By Shaun Robinson | VTDigger | August 17, 2026
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