The idea of a new rail line connecting the Berkshires to New York City, as proposed by the Housatonic Railroad Co., has local business and economic development officials pondering the possibilities, the Berkshire Eagle reports. The concept, they say, holds substantial promise for the local economy.

Passenger rail between New York and Berkshire County was quite popular through the early 1900s, but it faded away as popularity of the automobile bloomed. The idea of reviving it had been talked about periodically, but until September, nothing serious had been put forward.

Last summer, Canaan, Conn.-based Housatonic Railroad commissioned a survey that found a passenger rail connecting New York City, northwest Connecticut and the Berkshires could generate two million one-way riders a year.

"This line could provide access to an enormous potential market," said Colin Pease, Housatonic Railroad's vice president for special projects. "And once you have that ease of movement, you'll have more people interested in living in Berkshire County."

He stressed that the concept is very early in the planning stage.

Railroad officials estimated that refurbishing the rail line, rail cars and rail stations could cost more than $200 million. The rail service itself could create about 200 jobs, with as many as 800 more created by growth in businesses around the train stations, Pease said. He added that if everything went well and financing fell swiftly into place, the line could be operational in five years, although it would more likely take longer.

Local officials are watching the process, and have expressed concerns about the company's ability to obtain financing and hope to see more data that supports the survey results.

Housatonic Railroad officials anticipate train stops in Sheffield, Great Barrington, Lee, Stockbridge, Lenox and Pittsfield. In Great Barrington, the existing train station, right behind Town Hall, is privately owned, but initial discussions have occurred about bringing it back on line for the rail service, Pease said. The stations in Lenox Dale and Stockbridge, currently in use by the Berkshire Scenic Railway, could also be put to use for the New York line. And some discussion has occurred about the idea of building a new station in Housatonic that would serve residents of a paper mill that could be redeveloped within walking distance.

Pease said the Sheffield stop would probably be more of a transportation hub serving travelers from Connecticut, the southern Berkshires and from east and west on the turnpike. Essentially, any station serving a rail line connected to New York would provide business opportunities in serving a new growth market of visitors and second homeowners.

Typically, depending on the demographics, a station for a new rail line could attract businesses like coffee shops, dry cleaners, restaurants, doughnuts shops, car and bicycle rental agencies, newsstands, hotels, and wireless phone stores. Residential development has been known to occur near train stations to reduce the need for travel to the stations.

And while people in the Berkshires are finding their way through the early stages of this process, one town in Texas is experiencing the tail end of a decades-long effort to bring commuter rail to the suburb north of Dallas known as Carrollton.

Three stations were built there to handle commuters heading to downtown Dallas and back. During the past 10 years, Carrollton city officials and residents have been setting up zoning and land-use plans to facilitate new business and residential development near each station.

Carrollton planning officials have estimated that up to $1 billion in new business development is likely to occur at the three stations combined over the next 30 years. Retail, office and residential opportunities were identified and some of the projects are already under way, with the commuter rail line slated to start operating next month.

In Berkshire County, Pease said each station would serve different economic development goals, depending on the wishes of each community.

Kevin O'Donnell, town manager of Great Barrington, said the New York passenger line wouldn't generate the development of many new businesses, since most of the downtown area is already populated with successful retail and office operations. But he did say it would make those businesses even more successful.