MASSLIVE (September 18, 2021) Springfield Union Station now has a high-definition camera broadcasting a 24/7 livestream of train traffic to a network of aficionados known as railfans.

The Springfield livestream can be found on YouTube, on the Virtual Railfan website and on the Amherst Railway Society’s website.

“It’s a hotspot for railfans, absolutely,” said Virtual Railfan Inc. president and CEO Mike Cyr. “It’s one of our most requested locations. And the spectacular city skyline is icing on the cake, particularly at night.”

The Springfield Redevelopment Authority owns the station. It’s managed by the Appleton Corp. with the cooperation of Amtrak. All thee helped Virtual Railfan install the equipment, said John Sacerdote, director of the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show.

“The amount of cooperation we received to install the camera was extraordinary,” Sacerdote said in a news release. “Everyone pulled together to overcome any obstacles and make this a reality. The Amherst Railway Society is thrilled to sponsor Virtual Railfan’s first Massachusetts location.”

The camera offers views of Amtrak trains, CTrail commuter service, Connecticut Southern Railroad freight trains and passing CSX freight trains.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal made the now-completed $103 million rehab of Union Station a priority for more than 40 years. The station, built in 1926, reopened in 2017.