East-West Rail Service in Massachusetts

This page is written for people who wish to travel by train between the western and eastern parts of Massachusetts on Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited service.

For information on the East–West Passenger Rail Study please visit this page.

The Lake Shore Limited in Chester, MA | Jacob Pike | via Flickr

Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited (trains 448 and 449) provides service between Boston South station and Albany-Rensselaer, NY, with intermediate stops in Boston Back Bay, Framingham, Worcester, Springfield, and Pittsfield.

Through service to/from Chicago, and intermediate stations, is also available.

Full route of the the Lake Shore Limited | Wikimedia Commons

Station specific information for Springfield be found on this link
Springfield Union Station

Timetable

Not currently available.

Please visit the Amtrak website for schedule information.

Accommodations and amenities on board

• Coach Class seating

• Business Class seating

• Café Car | menu (PDF)

• Free Wi-Fi Onboard

• Take your pet with you

• Sleeping car accommodations, for those traveling longer distances.

Amtrak fares

One-way in coach (Adult)

    • Springfield Union Station
    • ⮂ Boston South Station | Starting at $9
    • ⮂ Boston Back Bay Station | Starting at $9
    • ⮂ Framingham, MA | Starting at $7
    • ⮂ Worcester, MA | Starting at $7
    • ⮂ Pittsfield, MA | Starting at $9
    • ⮂ Albany-Rensselaer, NY | Starting at $9
    • ⮂ Chicago, IL | Starting at $90

Important notes

  1. The fare listed is for a ticket purchased more than fourteen (14) days in advance.
  2. Higher fares are possible during peak travel times and when seats are limited on a particular train.
  3. Discounted fares are available for Children (12 and under), Seniors (65 and­ over), Military (Active), Veterans Advantage, and members of the Rail Passengers Association.
  4. The sample fares listed are for tickets purchased on July 1, 2021 for travel on July 20, 2021.

Tickets

Tickets should be purchased on Amtrak’s mobile app or website [Amtrak.com].

Tickets can also be purchased by calling Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) or by visiting a staffed Amtrak ticket office, for example at Springfield Union Station.

Further information is available on Amtrak’s How to Purchase Tickets webpage.

Train one-way and bus the other

For those wanting to try the train to/from Boston you might want to consider taking the train one-way and an intercity bus in the other direction — if the train times don’t work for you.

Both Peter Pan Bus Lines and Greyhound offer daily service between Boston South Station and Springfield Union Station.

Note that some of the bus runs also stop at Worcester and/or Framingham.

Background

The Lake Shore Limited service is part of Amtrak’s Long Distance Service Line. It is financed primarily through funds made available by the federal government.

See also

East-West Passenger Rail Study

Other Rail Travel Options in the Pioneer Valley

Further information

Lake Shore Limited (Amtrak)

Lake Shore Limited (Wikipedia)

“East West Rail Across Massachusetts”
A travelogue by Robert Kearns | December 15, 2019

Page last updated: July 1, 2021
Page last reviewed: January 11, 2020