Passenger train service in town ended 40 years ago.
PALMER – Nearly 50 officials from across Western Massachusetts met here this week at the town’s old rail depot to advocate for the “central corridor” project that would enhance freight and passenger train service from Brattleboro, Vt., to New London, Conn.
“We’re trying to coordinate our efforts as a region and lobby for it that way,” said Town Council president Paul E. Burns.
While passenger service in Palmer ended 40 years ago, there is a push to get it back, especially as the New England Central Railroad runs through the town, from Vermont through Amherst, then Palmer, before ending in New London.
“It’s a great opportunity for economic growth and a marketing tool for everyone is this area as well,” Blake E. Lamothe, owner of the Steaming Tender restaurant. His restaurant is located in Palmer’s old train station, and Lamothe is also a member of the Palmer Redevelopment Authority.
“It would upgrade the quality of life here,” Lamothe said of expanded rail service. “Everyone won’t have to drive out of town to do something all the time.”
Amherst Town Manager Laurence R. Shaffer said there is a lot of interest among communities on the rail route in preserving and enhancing freight and passenger train service along the corridor. The widespread interest prompted organization of the regional coalition, he said.
So far, officials from Amherst, Palmer and Storrs, Conn., are the main communities interested, but they are trying to spread the word so more cities and towns become involved.
There is a plan to eventually close the Amherst station, which serves more than 13,000 passengers annually, according to Shaffer.
The Federal Railroad Administration has committed $70 million to upgrade the passenger line that runs north-south through Western Massachusetts.
Amtrak’s Vermonter service currently stops in Springfield and Amherst, but plans are to move the route to the other side of the Connecticut River, where it will stop in Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield, as well as in Springfield. At that time, the Amherst stop is slated to close.
Shaffer said the “central corridor” through Amherst should be maintained, especially given the numerous college students who use the service.
“We would like to see expanded service. We would love to see Palmer opened up for passenger service,” Shaffer said. “We’re going to lobby in a concerted effort and speak with a unified voice.”
Palmer railroad enthusiast Philip Opielowski said if the Palmer depot reopened, it would be a way to connect passengers with Boston and its suburbs. Opielowski runs www.sevenrailroads.com, which includes Palmer’s history as “the town of seven railroads” along with ideas about future rail service in Palmer and the entire Quaboag Valley region.