Greenfield police: Residents beware, Amtrak now sending fast-moving test trains through city

GREENFIELD -- Amtrak, in anticipation of high speed passenger rail service slated to start late next month, has begun sending test trains through the city that operate at significantly higher speeds than what residents are used to, police warn

The tests started Thursday, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. The new passenger trains are expected to reach speeds of nearly 80 mph in parts of the city, according to police..

Police say they will be stepping up patrols near all railroad property, looking for trespassers. Those who do so, face the possibility of arrest.

"We are very concerned about people being on the tracks," Lt. William Gordon said.

High school students crossing the tracks between Chapman and Wells streets, a common but dangerous practice, is of particular concern, Gordon said.

People are also often seen walking their dogs on or near the tracks, Gordon said. Built with $73 million in federal stimulus money, the so-called Knowledge Corridor will also stop in Springfield, Holyoke and Northampton.

Riders will be able to go from Washington, D.C., to Burlington, Vt. Until now, the line has gone through Amherst, but it ran through Northampton until 1989, when the condition of the tracks made it unsafe for passenger trains.

Pan Am Railways recently rebuilt the tracks through Massachusetts, using state-of-the-art rails that are fused together to cut down on noise and provide a smoother ride. Trains will cruise at 70 to 75 miles per hour between stops. Commuters will be able to travel to New Haven, New York and points south.

In Northampton, the passenger stop will be at Union Station, which was once the old stop. Greenfield built a $15.1 million multi-modal center next to the tracks near downtown.

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