All Aboard! Join Us for the Opening of Brattleboro's New Amtrak Station
The Town of Brattleboro and the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance invite the community and visitors to celebrate the opening of Brattleboro’s new accessible Amtrak station on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The celebration will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the station, located at 21 Vernon Street, near the Depot Street Parking Lot.
The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local and state officials, representatives from Amtrak, and project partners. Attendees will also be among the first to see the unveiling of a new Brattleboro Words Trail exhibit created by local artist Cynthia Houghton.
“This project both improves accessibility for passengers and strengthens our connection to the regional rail network,” said Brattleboro Town Manager, John Potter. “The new station aligns perfectly with the goals of the emerging Next Generation Brattleboro initiative, which envisions a vibrant future for our town. The station not only improves quality of life for residents and visitors but is also an important milestone in the revitalization of Brattleboro's riverfront and downtown.”
The new station is the crowning achievement of a $50 million rail corridor investment and is a powerful symbol of Brattleboro as Vermont’s gateway community. It features Vermont’s first level-boarding train platform, a major accessibility improvement that allows passengers to board trains without using steps. It also includes accessible indoor and outdoor waiting areas designed to better serve passengers and visitors.
The project is part of Amtrak’s ADA Stations Program, a federal initiative that upgrades passenger rail stations to meet accessibility standards and improve travel for all passengers, including people with disabilities.
Brattleboro is among the busiest stops on Amtrak’s Vermonter line, with about 17,000 passengers served a year. The completion of the project coincides with a renewed, multi-sector focus on the Connecticut riverfront experience, which includes outdoor recreation, the arts, and retail.
“We are thrilled to begin programming another dynamic space downtown that can serve as a gathering place for the community, and the gateway to Vermont for visitors,” said Kate Trzaskos, executive director of the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance.
In addition to the ceremony, guests can enjoy food from 802 Soul Kitchen, family-friendly activities, and an opportunity to explore the newly completed station.
Please note that parking at the Depot Street Lot will be limited during the event. Attendees are encouraged to use the Transportation Center or the High Grove Lot, both of which offer 10-hour parking and convenient access to downtown.
Brattleboro's new Amtrak station opening on June 24 will also feature the unveiling of a new Sister Community signboard celebrating the Town's connections with seven communities across the globe, including partners in Haiti, El Salvador, Kenya, India, and Native American communities. Funded by the Vermont Community Foundation and created through the efforts of Compassionate Brattleboro, the signboard reflects Brattleboro's commitment to compassion, cultural exchange, and honoring the ancestral homeland of the Abenaki people.
The festivities will continue beyond the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including:
1 p.m. – The first train is scheduled to arrive at the new platform, and the Vermont Jazz Center Youth Jazz Ensemble will perform.
2 p.m. – The celebration continues downtown at the Museum of Things Tiny & Found, located at 139 Main Street, where visitors can enjoy a model train display and a miniature ribbon-cutting ceremony.
2:30 p.m. – The Latchis will show a train-themed film, Hugo. Suggested donation is $5.
3:30 p.m. – Senator Wendy Harrison will host a gathering at River & Rail Tavern with train advocates from Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. All are welcome to discuss how we can promote increased train travel in our region.
6 p.m. – Actors led by the Tiny Theater will perform From Revolution to Reflection: Live on the Brattleboro Words Trail, an America 250-inspired, outdoor performance near the new train station (rain location at Brooks Memorial Library). More information available at brattleborowords.org.
For more updates, see the Facebook event page.
Click the image below for more information on parking during the event.
