AMTRAK NEC: Springfield Shuttle/Regional/Valley Flyer/Inland Routing

DutchRailnut wrote:
It has absolutely nothing to do with bathrooms, the contractor for CT rail will not operate in Massachusetts.
the greenfield extension will be run by Amtrak.

But three CTrail trips run to Springfield.

yes but not providing transportation between two massachusetts stations , the outfit running CT rail can not provide services out of state.
Amtrak is only carrier going to greenfield, like it or not.

I'd much rather ride in an Amfleet than an MBB Coach anywhere on the SPG Line, especially if I am continuing to Holyoke or Greenfield. Personally if I could do it all over again, instead of having Ctrail, I would have just operated everything on the SPG Line with Amtrak equipment and Amtrak crew.

MassDOT can chose whomever the operator would be, and they believe that Amtrak is their preferred operator to get this pilot service off the ground.

DutchRailnut wrote:

Traingeek3629 wrote:

DutchRailnut wrote:No CTrail consist will run to greenfield .

Especially with the bathroom issues and how uncomfortable those cars are.

It has absolutely nothing to do with bathrooms, the contractor for CT rail will not operate in Massachusetts.
the greenfield extension will be run by Amtrak.

Um, CTrail already goes to Massachusetts. So, if they won't operate in Massachusetts, how are there already trains to Springfield?

looks like you have a problem with reading comprehension. terminating a line vs providing service .

Nevertheless, they still provide service to Massachusetts.

MassDOT owns the line from Springfield to Greenfield, so they can pick anybody they want to operate it. Guess basically the choices were to extend CTRail trains or Amtrak trains or run dinkies & they chose Amtrak.

Amtrak will run the "Demonstration" Commuter service,if it does go "fulltime",Figure on a MassDOT/Keolis creating "T west" to operate the service.
and getting PAR to live with PTC(ACSES II) installed to Greenfield Ma.

Amtrak will provide the equipment and their crew will operate the trains on the new extensions to Greenfield.

I'm still amazed this extension is happening. Of all the places one would have expected to see additional service first ... Good for them and good for MassDOT.

The amazing driving force behind the choo choos is the desire to make sure MGM is a cash cow for Springfield. The fact that most buses from Greenfield to Springfield typically don't carry ten passengers makes one wonder about the hoped for crowds for this new service. Maybe Smithies really are compulsive gamblers.

Safetee wrote:The fact that most buses from Greenfield to Springfield typically don't carry ten passengers makes one wonder about the hoped for crowds for this new service. Maybe Smithies really are compulsive gamblers.

Perhaps a few passengers would consider taking the train to points south of Springfield.

When the pair of shuttles are extended north of SPG, it will open up many opportunities, especially for people who might live in Greenfield and want to spend a full day in Central Connecticut-maybe a full day of sightseeing in Hartford.

njt/mnrrbuff wrote:...maybe a full day of sightseeing in Hartford.

Uh, I'm guessing that you haven't spent a whole lot of time in downtown Hartford. Not exactly a tourist mecca.