This page contains an edited list of organizations and groups that are related to Trains In The Valley in one way or another.
Advocacy groups in the Western Mass
Chester Massachusetts Railway Station & Museum
Advocating a station stop in Chester along the East-West rail corridor.
Citizens for a Palmer Rail Stop
Citizens of Palmer and surrounding towns who support the restoration of passenger rail service.
The Train Campaign
An advocacy group working to revive passenger rail service between western Massachusetts and New York City.
Western Mass Rail Coalition
An association of rail advocacy groups working together to expand passenger rail in Western Massachusetts.
Transportation Justice for Franklin County
A group promoting transit equity for all aspects of public transportation in Franklin County.
Dormant groups
Central Corridor Passenger Rail Coalition (2012-2014)
Advocated for the passenger rail service on the rail corridor between New London CT, and Brattleboro VT.
Working on the Railroad (2007-2010)
The inactive site of Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail, a now-defunct rail advocacy group.
Other groups in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club | Transportation Committee
Massachusetts Railroad Association
A trade association representing 11 freight-hauling railroads that operate across the Commonwealth along with many supporting businesses that provide goods and services to the railroad industry.
TransitMatters
An advocacy group dedicated to improving transit in and around Boston.
Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA)
A diverse coalition of organizations working together to create safe, convenient, and affordable transportation for everyone.
Advocacy groups in New England
Commuter Action Group (Connecticut)
A grassroots organization dedicated to empowering rail commuters on Metro-North to improve service by giving them a voice before the railroad, the CT Dept of Transportation and state and federal lawmakers.
Connecticut Commuter Rail Council
An independent board that acts as an advocate for commuters on railroad lines throughout Connecticut.
Empire State Passenger Association (New York)
A volunteer network of citizens working to improve and expand Amtrak and public transit services across New York State.
Maine Rail Group
A non-profit group working to enhance rail service in Maine and New England.
Northeast Association of Rail Shippers
A group representing shippers and professionals in the rail industry.
NH Business for Rail Expansion (New Hampshire)
Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers
TrainRiders/Northeast (Maine)
A volunteer organization dedicated to bringing modern and efficient passenger rail service to Northern New England.
Vermont Rail Action Network
A group working to convert generalized public support for rail in Vermont into an active, organized, and unified constituency that helps lead Vermont into a new age of the train.
National advocacy groups
Commuter Rail Coalition
An association of commuter rail agencies, operators, and other interested parties acting together to engage and educate stakeholders on the value commuter railroads bring to the communities they serve.
GoRail
GoRail works with community leaders across the country to tell the local story of freight rail.
Rail Passengers Association
A national organization that acts as a voice for rail passengers.
Rail Users’ Network
A group representing many different types of rail passengers, including long distance, commuter, and transit riders.
States for Passenger Rail Coalition
An advocacy group made up of 20 state departments of transportation and 4 passenger rail authorities from across the United States who work together to support the development and growth of passenger rail service.
Transportation for America
An alliance of elected, business and civic leaders from communities across the country, united to ensure that states and the federal government step up to invest in smart, homegrown, locally-driven transportation solutions.
Other notable rail advocacy groups
New River Valley Passenger Rail
A broad-based community initiative to bring Amtrak passenger rail service to Virginia’s New River Valley.
Community Rail Network
A UK-based organization supporting community-based groups and partnerships that connect their community with their railway and deliver social benefit.
Other rail groups & organizations
American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Council on Rail Transportation
The Council on Rail Transportation addresses all policy, regulatory, safety, operations and investment issues States use to develop an efficient national freight and passenger rail system.
Connecticut Commuter Rail Council
The Connecticut Commuter Rail Council is an independent board that acts as an advocate for passenger rail users on the Hartford Line and Metro-North’s New Haven Line, as well as other rail lined in the state.
State-Amtrak Intercity Rail Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC)
SAIPRC members represent Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the 21 agencies in 18 states responsible for funding 29 Amtrak routes.
Vermont Rail Advisory Council
The Vermont Rail Council provide advice to the Governor and the Agency of Transportation on rail issues.
Railroad history and hobby groups in the Pioneer Valley
Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer group on Facebook
A group of people on Facebook with a common interest in the Valley Flyer and Vermonter service.
Amtrak Vermonter group on Flickr
An image and video hosting group dedicated to the Amtrak’s Vermonter service.
Chester Massachusetts Railway Station & Museum
Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum
Nancy L. Dole Books & Ephemera
20 State Street | Shelburne Falls, Ma. | 413-625-9850
This shop has a large selection of railroad related postcards, books and ephemera.
Useful online tools
Amtrak station signboards
A webpage that can be used to display train status information at smaller Amtrak stations. Simply change the 3-character Amtrak station code in the web address to display another station. (unofficial)
Amtrak Status Maps
Regional maps showing the real-time status of Amtrak trains. (unofficial)
Amtrak Status Maps Archive Database (ASMAD)
Historical Amtrak on-time performance data and analysis. (unofficial)
North America Intercity Rail Tools
Improved version of real-time Amtrak Trains Map. (unofficial)
Railrat.net
Real-time Amtrak train status, with arrival and departure updates organized by route, station and train. (unofficial)
Page last updated: April 18, 2022
Page last reviewed: February 5, 2020