by Paolo Roffo/photos as noted
Centered around the city of Springfield, the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts is best known for the invention of basketball and as the childhood home of Dr. Seuss. Among railroad hobbyists, the name “Springfield” means the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show, held annually across the river at the “Big E” in West Springfield. But beyond show weekend, the Pioneer Valley and the adjoining portion of north-central Connecticut still offer plenty of entertainment for railfans.
Class One, regional, short line, and passenger action can all be found here. Unfortunately, train counts have declined since the turn of the century in parallel with larger economic changes in the region — insurance and healthcare are now the area’s largest employers, replacing the mills and factories that once blanketed New England. That being said, there are still more than enough variety and photo angles to make it worth your while. For those of you who haven’t spent a lot of time in New England, the name of the game here is to get out early, and if you find a train, stick with it — there might not be another one for a while. With that in mind, come and have a look at what the Pioneer Valley has to offer.
ABOVE: ES44AH 742, the rear DPU of CSX Train Q436, passes the dam at the former Wright’s Mill at West Warren, Mass., on February 21, 2021. This view is from an overpass just off Route 67. The mill is still active under another name, but is not a rail customer. –Tim Doherty photo
The Lay of the Land
The focal point of the region is the Amtrak station in downtown Springfield. It lies just east of the Connecticut River alongside CSX’s former Boston & Albany (New York Central) route. Branching off the B&A at the west end of the station are the former New Haven Springfield Line to Connecticut and the state-owned former Boston & Maine Conn River Line to northern New England. Across the river lies the tough climb over the Berkshires to the summit of Washington Hill, generally recognized as the world’s first mountain railroad. Short line Pioneer Valley connects in downtown Westfield.
East from Springfield, the grade is less severe, but trains are still ascending away from the river. Along the way, they’ll pass through the important crossroads of Palmer, which bills itself as the “Town of Seven Railroads.” The stone depot there has been reborn as the popular Steaming Tender restaurant, complete with a 1916 Porter 0-6-0 on display. Genesee & Wyoming’s New England Central (former Central Vermont) crosses CSX on a diamond here, and Massachusetts Central branches off to the northeast as well. Sometimes NECR power is stored alongside the small office located in the same parking lot as the restaurant.
ABOVE: Pioneer Valley GP9 7031 runs light as it retreats from the Pan Am interchange in Holyoke, Mass., on March 26, 2019. The bridge crosses the Third Level Canal, adjacent to the Canal Street crossing. The last of the Pinsly-owned short lines, PVRR was sold to new owners in August 2023. —Paolo Roffo photo
Amtrak
Amtrak operates two routes through the Pioneer Valley. The Boston section of the Lake Shore Limited (Train 448/449) traverses the CSX Boston Line to and from Chicago. The Springfield Line is operated as a spur off the Northeast Corridor, with frequent daily service south to Hartford and New Haven, Conn. Note that the train crews and dispatchers often refer to this as the “MRS Line” for its endpoints of Mill River and Springfield.
Union Station in downtown Springfield was built in 1926 by New York Central subsidiary Boston & Albany, and was also served by New Haven trains to the south and Boston & Maine trains to the north. After Amtrak took over intercity services in 1971, the main station was closed in 1973 and quickly fell into disrepair. Renovation began in 2014 with the demolition of the old baggage and express building and construction of a new parking garage and bus station in 2016. The restored station was reopened in 2017, complete with waiting area, ticket windows, and commercial space. The station is currently served by Amtrak and CT Rail trains, and there is no restricted access to the platforms for photography. Metered parking is available along Lyman Street and surrounding streets if you don’t want to use the garage.
ABOVE: Visible from the end of Sears Way in West Springfield, the Boston section of Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited (Train 448) passes Connecticut Southern power at the west end of the CSX yard on January 25, 2015. —Tim Doherty photo
River crossings are the key photo opportunities here; the east end of the Connecticut River bridge between Enfield and Windsor Locks can be accessed from Old Depot Hill Road, with a lengthy walk on a bike path offering access to the west end. As the bridge lies about three miles from Bradley Airport, drone operators will need to obtain a LAANC clearance before flying at the east end; the west end is a Connecticut state park, where drones aren’t allowed…
