New trains provide Western Mass same-day service to and from New York City.

It was the year of the Red Sox impossible dream – the team’s first winning season since 1958 and its first World Series appearance since 1946. According to local rail experts, that year was also the last time you could take a train from Western Mass and return the same day. Starting on August 30, area travelers will be able to leave in the morning for New York City and return the same night.

Amtrak’s new Valley Flyer train service offers departures and returns from Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield. Two trains will be in operation on weekdays and one on weekends. For example, on weekdays Amtrak trains leave Greenfield (stopping at Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield) at 5:45 and 7:35 a.m. and arrive at New York City’s Penn Station at 10:22 a.m. and 12:22 p.m. respectively and will make the same stops on the return trip. This new service is in addition to the Vermonter, which also connects the region to New York City.

So, whether it is business or pleasure, same-day train service to and from New York City is now available.