Northampton had Amtrak service restored on December 29, 2014 when the Vermonter was rerouted via the rebuilt Pan Am Southern Line (the Knowledge Corridor). The stop was previously served by Amtrak in the middle of the night between 1973 and July 1987 by the Montrealer. Train service was discontinued in July 1987 because of deteriorating track conditions and when it was restored in 1989 trains began running via a more eastern route stopping in Amherst (a now discontinued stop) 6 miles east of today's stop. Trains stopped at a low-level platform in the same location as today. The station appears to have been unstaffed then.
To restore service a temporary 30 foot wooden high-level platform was construction in the parking lot just south of the historic 1897 Union Station. This building is currently a banquet facility and bar. The high-level platform has a wooden canopy and is complete with a ramp and short staircase up to trains. The platform has one MBTA style sign that's blue with all caps white text above a white line hanging from the wooden canopy.
Photos 1-12 taken on 29 December, 2014, the day service restarted
About to step off the first Vermonter to stop in Northampton and train in 27 years
The Northampton MBTA style sing on the temporary wooden covered and high-level platform
Looking forward at the four coaches in the front of today's Vermonter
The wooden ramp up to the top of the temporary platform
Union Station is behind the new rail platform. It's now a banquet hall and bar space
The Northampton MBTA style except blue sign and first Amtrak train to stop in front of it
The crowded and short, wooden temporary platform
Ex-Metroliner Cab Car #9645, the last one ton the Vermonter oday's first Vermonter has ex-Metroliner Cab Car #9646 and a P42 Locomotive bringing up the rear
The crowd boarding the inaugural Vermonter
The crowded short, high-level platform in Northampton
All Aboard in Northampton for Washington on Amfleet I #82745
Happy on lookers on the platform in Northampton with the resumption of passenger service
Last Updated: 29 December, 2014
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