What's the route of the Vermonter between Amherst and Springfield, Mass.?

Question

There was debate about this at the Watering Hole. I was "out-voted," as we might say here, by two guys who insisted that it's running through Northampton again. (One said it has 20 cars going 70 mph but I talked him down from those Zephyrine figures.) Wikipedia's with me on this ... but I thought I'd ask (and share the ridiculousness). Incidentally, the Watering Hole is the actual name of the pub: Ye Ol' Watering Hole & Beer Can Museum; you could look it up on the Web.

Answer 1

Although not an American, I am a rail enthusiast, and thought I would google your query. Seems the best place to get the answer is straight form the (iron?) horse's mouth so click on the source. I was intrigued to learn, whilst surfing this page, that some stations in the US are only open for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple in the evening.

Answer 2

Local Yokel here:

It certainly does *not* go through Northampton. The Vermonter follows the old Central Vermont (now New England Central) from Brattleboro through Amherst to Palmer, MA. In Palmer, the train changes ends, and goes into Springfield via the old Boston & Albany where it enters the former New Haven Railroad trackage, and follows the old NH Hartford Div into CT to New Haven...

The change in Palmer is due to the track layout, and the move is accomplished by either having a locomotive on each end, or a control cab car on the south end.

As for the consist and speed, well both of your friends claims are a little outlandish. The Vermonter is around 5-7 cars (including a food service car), with 1-2 locomotives. Speeds on the CV are pretty low due to the trackage - on the B&A its around 50mph or so (give or take a few).