 On May 1, 1971, Amtrak took over most passenger service in the United States.Service between Worcester and Albany along the Boston and Albany Railroad route, as well as all service on the Housatonic, was discontinued, leaving Pittsfield with no passenger rail service for the first time in 130 years.Two weeks after taking over service, Amtrak added the Boston-New Haven "Bay State", which restored service on the B&A as far west as Springfield.