The page contains a listing of report and studiess that relate — either directly and indirectly — to freight and passenger rail service in the Pioneer Valley region of western Massachusetts.
Contents
Active Studies
NEW – Northern Tier Rail Economic Impact Study | 2025 –
MassDOT has awarded $90,000 to the Franklin County Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) to fund an economic impact study of the proposed Northern Tier Passenger Rail service, a potential new east–west passenger route along the Route 2 corridor.
The study will examine how passenger rail service through Worcester, Franklin, and northern Berkshire counties could affect local economies. Areas of analysis include construction and operating impacts, tourism growth, housing development near stations, workforce attraction, and job creation.
October 15, 2025 | The FRCOG issued a Request for Proposals for the Economic Impact Study for the Proposed Norther Tier Passenger Rail Service. (FRCOG, RFP 2025-2173)
Palmer Station Planning and Design Study | 2024 –
As part of MassDOT’s Compass Rail program to expand intercity passenger rail in Massachusetts, MassDOT is conducting a study to identify a new passenger rail station along the proposed Compass Rail corridor serving the Town of Palmer and surrounding communities.
The proposed new passenger rail station will enhance mobility and connectivity, support local planning goals, and drive economic development.
The study if being conducted by the MassDOT Rail and Transit Division with VHB serving as the lead consultant.
December 16, 2024 | MassDOT hosted a public information meeting for the Palmer Station Planning and Design Project. During the meeting the project team provided an overview of the study’s background, the station site alternatives and evaluation, and design considerations for a potential future rail station in Palmer. Attendees were asked to provide feedback on the alternatives and design considerations.
February 2, 2025 | MassDOT announced that it has selected the “South of Palmer Yard” location (1199 South Main Street) as the preferred alternative for the future Palmer train station.
October 7, 2025 | MassDOT hosted a 2nd public information meeting for the Palmer Station Planning and Design Project. During the meeting the project team presented a conceptual design for the proposed new station in Palmer.
Further reading
Palmer Station planning & design
MassDOT Rail and Transit Division
Citizens for a Palmer Rail Stop
A local advocacy group in Palmer
Study to determine if Palmer should have rail platform
By G. Michael Dobbs | The Reminder | August 5, 2024
Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID)
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program is a intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.
On December 8, 2023 that FRA announced 69 corridor selections across 44 states in the first round of the Corridor ID Program.
In our region the FRA selected three corridors — The Boston & Albany Corridor, the Hartford Line Corridor, and the Vermonter Corridor.
In Step 1 of the program the grantee will develop a scope, schedule, and cost estimate for preparing, completing, or documenting its Service Development Plan.
In Step 2 of the program the grantee will prepare a Service Development Plan (SDP). The SDP will identify the draft purpose and need for intercity passenger rail development and will incorporate an analysis of alternatives — that may vary, as applicable, in terms of geographic route, service characteristics, and required capital projects — for implementing the Corridor. The SDP will also identify the governance structure for the Implementation and operation of the Corridor.
In Step 3 of the program the grantee will complete the environmental review and preliminary engineering required to make projects identified in the SDP’s Corridor project inventory ready for Implementation (i.e., final design and construction).
The three corridors in our region that are currently part of the Corridor ID program are detailed below —
Boston & Albany Corridor (Corridor ID)
Grantee: Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation
Award Date | 12/8/2023
Step 1 | Mar 2024 – May 2025 | Complete
Obligation date | 3/6/2024 (USASpending.gov)
Step 2 | Apr 2025 – Apr 2028 | In Progress
Obligation date | 5/13/2025 (USASpending.gov)
The proposed Corridor would connect Boston, MA, and Albany, NY, via Springfield, MA. The corridor would provide up to eight daily round-trip passenger trains on an existing alignment that is currently being used by Amtrak’s long-distance Lake Shore Limited service.
Further information
Boston & Albany Corridor project
MassDOT
Hartford Line Corridor (Corridor ID)
Grantee: Connecticut Dept. of Transportation (CTDOT)
Award Date | 12/8/2023
Step 1 | Apr 2024 – Aug 2026 | In Progress
Obligation Date | 3/27/2024 (USASpending.gov)
The Corridor would provide improvements to the existing Amtrak Northeast Regional, Springfield Shuttles, Valley Flyer, and CTrail Hartford Line service as well as the Vermonter and future Inland Route corridors between New Haven, CT, and Springfield, MA, inclusive of Hartford, CT, by restoring and constructing new rail infrastructure including track, stations, signal upgrades, and safety enhancements, for the purpose of increasing regional intercity passenger rail service through additional frequencies and improved reliability.
Vermonter Corridor (Corridor ID)
Grantee: Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans)
Award Date | 12/8/2023
Step 1 | Apr 2024 – Mar 2026 | In Progress
Obligation date | 5/8/2024 (USASpending.gov)
The Corridor would provide improvements to the existing Amtrak Vermonter service between Washington, D.C., and St. Albans, VT, via Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, Hartford, CT, Springfield, MA, and other intermediate points by adding frequencies (starting with an additional daily round trip between New York, NY, and White River Junction, VT), reducing travel time (by 90 minutes between Springfield, MA, and St. Albans, VT), improving reliability and extending service north to Montreal, Quebec, Canada (with the completion of a new U.S. Customs Preclearance facility at Montreal’s Central Station).
Past studies and reports
Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study | 2021 – 2024
This Massachusetts Department of Transportation study looked at the feasibility of restoring passenger rail service between North Adams, Greenfield and Boston.
Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study (Official site)
MassDOT
Northern Tier Rail Passenger Rail Study Overview
Trains In The Valley
Regional Transportation Plan updates | 2024
Pioneer Valley 2024 Regional Transportation Plan Update
Franklin County 2024 Regional Transportation Plan Update
Western MA Passenger Rail Commission Report | 2023
The Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission was established with the approval of An Act Relative to Massachusetts’s Transportation Resources and Climate on August 10, 2022.
The legislature established this commission to, “investigate and receive public testimony concerning potential public entities with the ability to design, permit, construct, operate and maintain passenger rail service proposals from the East-West Passenger Rail Study Final Report.”
The Commission hosted six public meetings during 2022 and 2023 and it issued its final report (linked below) on November 21, 2023.
The 117-page report did not recommend that the legislature create a new passenger rail authority for western Mass, as MassDOT proposed in November 2021.
Instead the Commission’s report said that MassDOT should continue to be responsible for the build-out and execution of the state-supported intercity passenger rail program in the Commonwealth.
Further information
Report of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission (PDF)
November 21, 2023
Western Mass. Passenger Rail Commission Overview
Trains In The Valley
Rail Improvements Economic Impact Study | 2020 – 2021
The Capitol Region Council of Governments [in Hartford CT] and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission completed a study of the economic benefits of that would result from two sets of proposed passenger rail improvements — finishing the Hartford Line and connecting it to Worcester, Massachusetts.
The report projects between $47 and $84 billion in new regional Gross Domestic Product over 30 years would result from the $6 to $9 billion rail investment.
Rail Improvements Economic Impact Study (archived)
Capitol Region Council of Governments
Metro Hartford-Springfield Passenger Rail Economic Impact Report Briefing (31m 42s)
via YouTube | May 6, 2021
East-West Passenger Rail Study | 2018 – 2021
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) completed a study examining the feasibility of expanded passenger rail service between Boston, Springfield and Pittsfield, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along this corridor.
East–West Passenger Rail Study (Official webpage)
MassDOT
East–West Passenger Rail Study Overview
Trains In The Valley
Rail Vision | 2019
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) conducted a two year study study to identify the most cost effective strategies for leveraging the MBTA’s extensive rail network to increase ridership and better meet the transportation and economic growth needs of the Greater Boston region.
The study will identified possible service alternatives, including longer distance service Regional Rail services that potentially could include service extensions beyond the traditional MBTA commuter rail service area.
Massachusetts State Rail Plan Update | 2018
The Massachusetts State Rail Plan examines changes to the network and services since the original state rail plan was released in 2010, as well as trends that have arisen since that time. The plan documents the state rail system and planned improvements, and outline the Commonwealth’s 20-year vision and a four-year plan for the statewide rail system.
Palmer Transit Oriented Development Study | 2017
Following the inclusion of station in Palmer in the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative study, the Palmer Redevelopment Authority commissioned Chris Ferrero and Jon Allard of Fuss & O’Neill to prepare a preliminary transit-oriented development plan focused on a passenger rail stop in downtown Palmer.
The Palmer Transit Oriented Development Draft Conceptual Downtown Plan enumerates the economic benefits of locating this passenger rail stop in Palmer’s Depot Village. The plan also demonstrates the viability of locating rail platforms at this location to take full advantage of Palmer as a regional crossroads on the Inland Route and Central Corridor rail lines. This rail junction is within a mile of Exit 8 on the Massachusetts Turnpike and the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Mass. Routes 32 and 181.
Palmer TOD Draft Conceptual Downtown Plan presentation (PDF)
September 2017
Central Corridor Passenger Rail Feasibility Study (PDF) | 2017
The Central Corridor Line Passenger Rail Feasibility Study examined the implementation and operation of an intercity passenger rail service along the Central Corridor. The Central Corridor Line connects the cities of Brattleboro, Vermont to New London, Connecticut via the New England Central Railroad Palmer Division line south.
NEC FUTURE Plan | 2017
NEC FUTURE is the Federal Railroad Administration’s comprehensive plan for improving the Northeast Corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston, MA. The plan creates a framework for the future investments needed to improve passenger rail capacity and service through 2040.
Bradley Airport Light Rail Feasibility Study | 2016
In the fall of 2014, the Bradley Development League initiated an alternatives analysis and feasibility study to determine the viability of a rail connection between Bradley Airport and the future Windsor Locks rail station. The goal of this study was to preserve a rail corridor which would provide a future connection to Bradley.
Bradley Airport Light Rail Feasibility Study
Bradley Airport
Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative | 2016
This study, which is often referred to as the NNEIRI Study, examines the opportunities and impacts of more frequent and higher speed intercity passenger rail service on two major rail corridors known as the Inland Route (New Haven-Springfield-Boston) and the Boston to Montreal Route.
Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative
MassDOT
NNEIRI Study Information
Trains In The Valley
Massachusetts Regional Bus Study | 2013
This study analyzes the changes since 1980 in the regional bus services (both intrastate and interstate) that operate within Massachusetts, identifies the reasons for the changes, and examines how these regional services relate to local rail and bus services.
Market Analysis of the Knowledge Corridor Study (PDF) | 2012
This study looks at the market potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) along the Knowledge Corridor rail lines. The study identifies the economic development benefits of transit, discusses the drivers of TOD demand nationally, and provides an introduction to concepts of real estate economics, in order to provide a context for the regional market study.
Holyoke Station Feasibility Study and Site Analysis (PDF) | 2011
This study was prepared to evaluate the options for a new passenger rail station in the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts.
The study also examined the feasibility of providing a passenger rail stop in Holyoke as part of the restoration of passenger rail service on the route that passes through the City.
Massachusetts State Rail Plan (PDF) | 2010
Knowledge Corridor Feasibility Study (PDF) | 2009
This study was prepared to assess the feasibility of possible future passenger rail improvements to reduce travel time, maximize accessibility, and provide viable transportation alternatives within the Knowledge Corridor.
Boston-Western Corridor High-Speed Transportation Market Feasibility Study | 1973
The only known public copy of the study is in the UMass Amherst main library.
Other studies
This section includes a few recent studies from outside of western Mass that we found to be of particular interest.
MA/NH | Nashua-Manchester (Capitol Corridor) Commuter Rail project
An effort to extend MBTA Commuter Rail service from Lowell to southern New Hampshire, with proposed station stops in Nashua (2 stops), Bedford and Manchester.
Official project website
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
CT | Southeast to Danbury Rail Link Feasibility Study | 2021 – 2022
The Southeast, NY to Danbury, CT Rail Link Feasibility Study evaluated the restoration of passenger rail service on the southern Beacon Line, an approximate 11-mile rail corridor between the Southeast and/or Brewster Stations on the MTA Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line in New York and the Danbury Station on the State of Connecticut/Metro-North Danbury Line in Connecticut.
Official study webpage
New York Metropolitan Transportation Council
Reports
Towards a Passenger Station on the East-West Massachusetts Train Line: The Case for Palmer (PDF)
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Center for Economic Development, UMass Design Center | 2019
Long-Distance Commuting in the Boston Region: Necessity or “Strategic Mobility Choice”? (PDF)
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization | 2017
Attracting Visitors by Passenger Rail to Franklin County, MA (PDF)
Franklin Regional Council of Governments | 2017
Making it Happen: Opportunities and Strategies for Transit-Oriented Development in the Knowledge Corridor (PDF) – Update link
Capitol Region Council of Governments, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and the Sustainable Knowledge Corridor Consortium by Jonathan Rose Companies and the Center for Transit Oriented Development | 2013
Transforming the Rail Network for Economic and Community Development Report (PDF)
Office of Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray | 2012
Environmental Assessment: Knowledge Corridor – Restore Vermonter Springfield to East Northfield, Massachusetts
Mass. Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works | 2009
Redevelopment Plan for the Union Station Intermodal Transportation Facility (PDF)
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority and the Springfield Redevelopment Authority | 2009
Preserving Freight and Passenger Rail Corridors and Service
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine | 2007
Page last updated: December 30, 2025
Page last reviewed: October 28, 2025