There have been two rail lines which ran through Amherst. Originally, they were called the Central Mass RR and the Amherst and Belchertown RR (later part of the CV). Due to the two railroads, there are multiple stations in town: Norwottuck and South Amherst on the CMRR, and Cushman and Amherst on the CV. Two different street railways also served Amherst: The Northampton & Amherst Street Ry and the Holyoke Street Ry (which ran up to Sunderland).
Cushman Station
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Main Street Station (CV)
This station was built in 1853 on Railroad Street, by the Amherst & Belchertown RR. It was used until passenger service ended on the line in 1947. The station didn't see regular passenger service again until 1987 when Amtrak's Montrealer service (later Vermonter) started running through Amherst when Amtrak rerouted the train regularly over this line due to poor track conditions over the Connecticut River route (through Northampton). Freight trains rarely ran on the route at this time.
On Feb 25, 1984, a special passenger excursion train was chartered by the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts.
Now, the RoW is used by the New England Central RR but the station is privately owned and not used by any railroad. The existing rail line is raised from the original grade, likely from a modernization upgrade.
To see photos of the station when it was in use by Amtrak, check out SubwayNut's Amherst page.
On Feb 25, 1984, a special passenger excursion train was chartered by the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts.
Now, the RoW is used by the New England Central RR but the station is privately owned and not used by any railroad. The existing rail line is raised from the original grade, likely from a modernization upgrade.
To see photos of the station when it was in use by Amtrak, check out SubwayNut's Amherst page.
c. 1905
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2024
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South Amherst (CM)
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Norwottuck
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Part of the Central Massachusetts Railroad, the Norwottuck Station was 94.8 miles away from Boston.
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header: rarely-used rails outside the Amherst Station ~ 2024
