Amtrak raises safety awareness as part of Vermonter service expansion

In preparation for the Vermonter service's reroute through the "Knowledge Corridor" in western Massachusetts starting today, Amtrak officials have been meeting with local authorities and community groups to raise awareness about safety.

The Vermonter will travel on a new route through the corridor, providing service to Greenfield, Northampton and eventually Holyoke, Mass.

"This reroute brings Amtrak service to new communities and with it the opportunity to inform, educate and change behavior about rail safety," said Michael Logue, Amtrak's chief safety officer, in a press release.

Amtrak's team of three community resource officers have given more than 100 presentations to 50 local schools, warning students to stay away from tracks and rights of way, and educating them on the meaning of railroad crossing signs and train stopping distances. Train speed will be set by Pan Am Southern Railway, which owns and maintains the track.

The Amtrak Police Department also has been conducting grade-crossing awareness events. Outreach efforts have used safety information from Operation Lifesaver and its "See Tracks? Think Train!" campaign.