Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and a host of federal, state and local officials took an inaugural train ride Monday on newly rebuilt tracks in western Massachusetts.
The trip from Springfield to Greenfield highlighted the dawn of high speed passenger rail service along what is known as the Knowledge Corridor. For the first time in decades passenger trains will stop in Northampton and Holyoke. Kathleen Anderson, president of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, said it opens a lot of possibilities including more tourism.
" It is an incredible opportunity for economic development up and down the ( Pioneer) Valley for all of us."
The new line was built with $73 million in federal stimulus money. The Amtrak Vermonter will start traveling the new route on December 29