For travel to/from Northampton, see Amtrak Stations / Northampton
Passenger rail platform
The current Amtrak station stop in Northampton is a covered 146-foot long timber high-level boarding platform. The platform was constructed in 2014 as part of the Knowledge Corridor–Restore Vermonter Project.
The length of the platform, which was originally just 46 feet, was expanded to its current length in 2019.
The station platform is adjacent to the historic Union Station building which served as a the train station in Northampton from 1897 until 1966.
Ownership
Station platform
MassDOT
Surface parking lot
Harmonic Rock Realty LLC
Railroad tracks
MassDOT
Historic Union Station building
Harmonic Rock Realty LLC
[property card]
Recent History
The Knowledge Corridor – Restore Vermonter Project included provisions for a new station platform just to the south of the historic Union Station building on Railroad Avenue in Northampton. (The Union Station building was not actively considered for reuse as a station stop.)
The original plan called for an Amtrak-approved kiosk-style waiting facility and low-level platform covered by a canopy.
The original plan was changed when it was determined that a full-length (400-foot) high-level station platform would be required so that the new platform would be built in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A [plan] for the construction of a 400-foot station platform was presented to the City of Northampton Planning Board in the Spring of 2014.
Later in 2014 this plan was set aside by MassDOT and a decision was made to build a smaller 46-foot long platform so that passenger service on the rebuilt line could be inaugurated in December 2014.
The timber platform that was built in 2014 was designed so that the structure could be disassembled and reused at another location at some point in the future.
Extension of the station platform (2018-19)
Northampton, Ma. | June 2017
In 2019 MassDOT completed a project that extended the station platform to a length of 146 feet.
The extended platform now allow for simultaneous level boarding of three passenger cars (one door each of the lead and rear cars and both doors of the middle car).
The project also included the reconstruction of the adjacent privately-owned parking lot.
Further information
Northampton platform extension project
Trains In The Valley
Bicycle/pedestrian underpass (2016-18)
The Knowledge Corridor – Restore Vermonter Project included funding for the construction of a bicycle/pedestrian underpass in Northampton.
Northampton, Ma. | November 12, 2017
The underpass, which opened to public in November 2017, provides a direct connection between the Mass Central Rail Trail (on the east side of the railroad tracks) with the Northampton Bike Trail which is on the west side of the tracks.
Further information
Northampton underpass project
Trains In The Valley
Route 9 railroad overpass (built in 1897)
Northampton Police Dept. Facebook page
The railroad overpass above Main Street/Bridge Street (MA Route 9) in downtown Northampton, Mass. was built in 1897.
This structure is problematic because it has a posted height of just 11 feet (3.35 meters) above the surface of the street. Because of the low clearance most large trucks simply will not fit under the bridge.
Further information
Route 9 Railroad Overpass
Trains In The Valley
See also
Further reading
Union Station – Northampton, Massachusetts (Wikipedia)
Page last updated: Feburary 27, 2022
Page last reviewed: June 28, 2017