Compass Rail

During a presentation in December, VHB and MassDOT officials touched on the "South of Palmer Yard" site, also known as "Site B." Barring a repurposing of CSX track, the site appeared to have the least amount of potential issues compared to other

News

MassDOT announces location pick for future Palmer passenger rail station

Officials in Massachusetts have selected a site that could be the home of a future passenger rail station in Palmer – part of the state’s West-East and Compass Rail plans.

Purchased by Blake and Robin Lamothe in 1987, the old Union Station in Palmer, Massachusetts now houses the Steaming Tender restaurant. Blake Lamothe and daughter, Scarlet, gave a presentation there Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, detailing a proposal to bring a passenger rail station to the site - a spot MassDOT officials say did not pass a feasibility test project leaders implemented last year. A project team involving consultants and state transportation personnel are currently evaluating sites for a future station in the city of just over 12,000.

News

As MassDOT weighs potential Palmer station sites, supporters of old Union Station spot rally

James Paleologopoulos

Passenger rail service could be returning to the small Hampden County town of Palmer in the not-so-distant future – but where a future station might go is still being hashed out. Advocates for putting it downtown, at the historic Union Station site, have been making their case, even as officials consider other options.

A map displaying some of the six potential sites MassDOT and a consulting firm have been evaluating - studying their potential for a future passenger rail station in Palmer, Massachusetts. Not visible is a sixth site

News

Potential sites for Palmer passenger rail station to be discussed at MassDOT meeting

James Paleologopoulos

Massachusetts state transportation officials will be in Palmer tonight to collect feedback on plans for a potential new passenger rail station in the Hampden County town.