The best passenger rail route from the Berkshires to New York City might be through Albany, to start. That was the loose conclusion Monday of a group exploring two options to connect to New York as a way to grow the local economy. The preferred route would build off Amtrak’s existing service between Albany and Penn Station, a trip that would take up to four hours — 20 minutes longer than the alternative route. But that shorter option, one that turns south before reaching the Albany-Rensselaer station, would require a new connection track, land takings and other expensive complications. Read more getting groups to the Berkshires >>
