MassDOT To Reveal Conceptual Amtrak Station Design for Palmer
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
South Main Street proposed site for Amtrak station in Palmer, Mass.
MassDOT
PALMER, Mass. - A proposed new Amtrak station located between Springfield and Worcester is part of the "Compass Rail" plan for more intercity passenger service in the Commonwealth.
MassDOT’s “Compass Rail” plan seeks to advance west-east rail and “integrates existing MassDOT-supported services with new, proposed services in a unified vision,” according to MassDOT. The Palmer Station is part of the plan’s projects. Other projects in the “Compass Rail” plan include a Front and First Street grade crossing elimination, Springfield area track reconfiguration, and Pittsfield track capacity project among others. Before the “Compass Rail” plan, MassDOT had the NNEIRI, the Northern New England Intercity Rail Plan. At the time, the town tried to be identified in that study as a “definite stop.” However, the plan was shelved.
In 2024, a new study was funded to plan and design a station in Palmer. Palmer, Mass. is located 14 miles east of Springfield and 28 miles west of Worcester. The planning and design efforts have begun. Study components include conceptual design of the site, environmental scoping, and market analysis. With a population of just over 12,000, the town would be the smallest in the Commonwealth to have an Amtrak station, according to StreetsBlogMass. As such, the town has been advocating for a train station since 2015, as part of the NNEIRI.
Previously, there were eleven potential sites, and five were eliminated due to “being located off-corridor or having insufficient right-of-way to accommodate MassDOT’s required infrastructure.” This is an 800′ high-level platform on a 1,775′ siding track. Six remaining sites were presented in December 2024, and the report states that consultants recommended a proposed site earlier this year. Located in an industrial area on South Main Street, the station would be a half-mile southeast of downtown Palmer. Now, MassDOT will begin to coordinate with CSX, the site property owner, and Amtrak. The design phase will outline station details, access, and amenities. Early details show a basic station that would be wheel-chair accessible and have a shelter for passengers to wait under in case of inclement weather.
MassDOT will reportedly hold a hearing for the new station in Palmer on October 7. During this public information meeting, MassDOT says a project team will provide a presentation on the conceptual design of the future station. Additionally, there will be time allotted for a Q&A portion.
