SnoozerZ49 wrote:Yes, you are correct. The traditional route for Montreal service was always the B&M's Conn River Route out of Springfield, up the valley to Greenfield and beyond. The first reroute of the train after the Guilford fall out was via New London CT and an all CV routing to East Alburgh, VT.
When the Vermonter was instituted as a day train the service was routed via Conrail and the NECR at Palmer. It is a shame that the added time to run to Palmer and up the NECR does little to help the train. There are some decent loadings at Amherst but the main population centers along the old B&M are missed. Passengers are also confuces by the long trip from Springfield to Amherst via the current routing. "How come it takes so long?"
The reason that it takes so long to get between Springfield and Amherst is
because at Palmer the train has to reverse direction. The engine crew
after stopping the train has to set up the brakes and cut out the controls
on the head end and walk to the other end and set up the controls there.
After that has been done, a brake test has to be performed before the
train can proceed. It all requires time.
In my opinion, it would be better if this particular train ran via New London
and up from there as this reverse move and loss of time would not be
there. The south end of the NEC is in reasonable shape and a bus
connection to Amherst could take care of the passengers from Springfield.
Noel Weaver