172-552: The Fitchburg Line is a branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail system which runs from Boston 's North Station to Wachusett station in Fitchburg, Massachusetts . The line is along the tracks of the former Fitchburg Railroad , which was built across northern Massachusetts , United States , in the 1840s. Winter weekend service includes a specially equipped seasonal "ski train" to Wachusett Mountain . At 54 miles (87 km) long,
344-584: A concurrency of Route 2 and Route 3 , was to run along the Fitchburg right-of-way from Union Square in Somerville to Sherman Street in North Cambridge . This expressway would have taken up some or all of the trackbed, which was then four tracks wide in that section. After successful highway revolts , Governor Francis W. Sargent placed a hold on all highway construction inside Route 128 in 1970. Following
516-494: A 1981 fare tariff , but never added. Gardner service was ended on January 1, 1987, when Amtrak took over the MBTA contract, due to a dispute between Amtrak and Guilford; the MBTA only owned the trackage to Fitchburg. In December 2006, the MBTA began branding certain winter weekend round trips as "ski trains". The train used includes a car equipped with ski racks; a shuttle bus to Wachusett Mountain connects at Wachusett station. (Until
688-519: A bridge was built two miles above the town where the river contained an island. Merrimack Arms and Brown Manufacturing Company made Southerner Derringer pistols in their Newburyport factory from 1867 to 1873. The sea captains of old Newburyport (as elsewhere in Massachusetts) had participated vigorously in the triangular trade , importing West Indian molasses and exporting rum made from it. The distilleries were located around Market Square near
860-569: A causeway to a narrow part of the Plum Island River just to the south of where it connects to the mouth of the Merrimack. A drawbridge was built there, the only access to the island by road. On the Newburyport side a small airport, Plum Island Airport , was built at the edge of the marsh. The portion of Plum Island that is in the city has no direct access to the rest of the city; similarly, there
1032-476: A city's architecture and heritage, while still having it remain functional and liveable. Newburyport is located at 42°48′45″N 70°52′39″W / 42.81250°N 70.87750°W / 42.81250; -70.87750 (42.812391, −70.877440). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 10.6 square miles (27 km ), of which 8.4 square miles (22 km )
1204-571: A cost of $ 203 million, with deliveries to begin in mid-2026. An $ 165 million option for 39 additional coaches (29 trailers and 10 cab cars), which would allow the retirement of all remaining single-level equipment, was exercised in November 2024 with deliveries to begin in 2027. As the MBTA assumed control of the commuter rail during the 1970s, it inherited various equipment from predecessor railroads. The 1976 purchase of B&M and Penn Central equipment included 94 Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs) – 86 from
1376-470: A female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. Of all households, 33.1% were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.90. In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
1548-595: A flyover at Willows, and stop consolidations. The three Weston stops were to be combined, Ayer and Shirley combined into a Devens station, and Waverley and Belmont stations combined. Few of these expanded alternatives were ultimately pursued. The MBTA applied for a federal Small Starts grant in September 2005, and the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority filed a scoping package in April 2007 that began
1720-416: A free family concert, a lecture on the summer's repertoire, and a world premiere of a newly commissioned work often based on the culture, history, or landscape of the region. Prominent composers who have written for the festival include Jon Deak , Eric Ewazen , Jay Reise , and others. Newburyport has the following sister cities [REDACTED] Bura, Kenya Over the years, the town has cultivated
1892-850: A freight-only track between Providence and Central Falls. No freight operates on the Needham Line, the Northeast Corridor between Readville and Back Bay, the Old Colony mainline between Boston and the Greenbush Line junction in Braintree, the Plymouth/Kingston Line, and most of the Greenbush Line. CSX also operates on most northside lines; prior to its 2022 purchase by CSX, Pan Am Railways operated over these lines. The Berkshire and Eastern Railroad (formerly Pan Am Southern ) operates over
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#17328590182202064-460: A great location to enjoy boutique shopping. The city sponsors several youth sports leagues, including baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and hockey. The city's youth services program also provides classes, campouts, and activities in robotics, music, rock climbing, chess, fencing, sewing, dance, skateboarding, judo, academics, cooking, yoga, cheerleading, art, fashion design, photography, biking, and frisbee. Yankee Homecoming, run not by
2236-472: A large increase was expected. Since it owned the tracks and equipment, the MBTA bid out the operating contract, which was won by the B&;M. The B&M began operating the southside lines on March 15, 1977; for the first time, all Boston commuter service was operated by one entity. Although all operation was subsidized by this time, a small number of cuts took place. The lightly used Lexington Branch closed after
2408-866: A large part of the city's income. A Coast Guard station oversees boating activity, especially in the sometimes dangerous tidal currents of the Merrimack River . At the edge of the Newbury Marshes, delineating Newburyport to the south, an industrial park provides a wide range of jobs. Newburyport is on a major north–south highway, Interstate 95 . The outer circumferential highway of Boston, Interstate 495 , passes nearby in Amesbury . The Newburyport Turnpike ( U.S. Route 1 ) still traverses Newburyport on its way north. The Newburyport/Rockport MBTA commuter rail from Boston's North Station terminates in Newburyport. The earlier Boston and Maine Railroad leading farther north
2580-580: A local train in the same direction). Portions of the Fitchburg, Haverhill, and Newburyport/Rockport lines operate under NORAC rule 251, which allow trains to run only in a single direction on each track. Most lines are either double track , or single track with passing sidings; portions of the Northeast Corridor have three or four tracks. Freight service is operated over most of the MBTA Commuter Rail system by several private railroads. CSX Transportation operates freight on most southside lines, of which
2752-718: A new commuter rail station for the tracks near Alewife station . The city of Cambridge wants to put a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the tracks in this area to connect the two relatively isolated areas on either side, known as the Alewife Triangle part of North Cambridge and the Quadrangle in Cambridge Highlands . In June 2022, the MBTA indicated plans to begin short turn service on 30-minute headways between Boston and Brandeis/Roberts or Lincoln by 2024. A tail track to support this service, estimated to cost $ 6–7 million,
2924-411: A new station with two full-length high-level side platforms in September 2012. The new station opened on December 21, 2015, with some minor work lasting into June 2016. An additional 1.7 miles (2.7 km) of double track was installed through the station, filling the gap between the separately funded double tracking to the west and previously existing double track to the east. Previously, the section of
3096-430: A number of freight-only or abandoned lines. This also marked the start of a five-year contract for the B&M to operate the service, replacing a series of one-year contracts. After acquiring the B&M and Penn Central rolling stock, the MBTA painted it with purple, yellow, silver, and black to create a visual identity. Federal subsidies allowed MBTA subsidies to Penn Central to remain the same until March 1977, when
3268-466: A popular spot for fishing and recreation, and the Plum Island Lighthouse, built in 1838. As of the census of 2010, there were 17,416 people, 8,264 households, and 4,428 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,086.2 inhabitants per square mile (805.5/km ). There were 7,897 housing units at an average density of 942.0 per square mile (363.7/km ). The racial makeup of the city
3440-553: A population of 2,800 living in 357 homes. There were three shipyards , no bridges, and several ferries , one of which at the foot of Greenleaf Lane, now State Street, carried the Portsmouth Flying Stage Coach, running between Portsmouth, New Hampshire , and Boston. The town prospered and became a city in 1851. Situated near the mouth of the Merrimack River , it was once a fishing, shipbuilding and shipping center, with an industry in silverware manufacture. In 1792,
3612-404: A renewal of the commuter rail operating contract, which expired at the end of 1986. Amtrak won the contract for commuter rail operations and took over the system on January 1, 1987. Gardner service was cut back to Fitchburg at that time due to a dispute between Amtrak, Guilford, and the MBTA. The late 1980s saw the beginning of substantial expansion of the system. The Southwest Corridor project
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#17328590182203784-643: A seasonal weekend-only service to Cape Cod , operates using MBTA equipment over the Middleborough/Lakeville Line plus the Cape Main Line (which is not otherwise used by the MBTA). Special express service to Foxboro station is operated during New England Patriots home games and some other events at Gillette Stadium . It runs from South Station via the Franklin/Foxboro Line, and from Providence via
3956-521: A series of experiments to determine how fares and service levels affected ridership. This included a trial on the MTA bus network, as well as a $ 4 million test from January 1963 to March 1964 on New Haven and B&M lines. (The NYC, uninterested in its commuter service, declined to participate.) The MTC found that higher frequency was most important to attract additional ridership; lower fares would attract additional riders, while even higher fares would not result in
4128-410: A significant tourist population. The quaint downtown shopping center includes businesses that appeal to all ages. Local businesses and restaurants surround Market Square and along State Street. During festivals throughout the year, visitors are invited to enjoy concerts, food, and entertainment. An old mill building on Liberty Street is home to other small businesses and a local farmers' market during both
4300-476: A single weekend. As with other MBTA services, discounted fares and passes are available for several groups including disabled passengers, passengers over age 65, and students attending certain schools. Foxboro special event services and the CapeFlyer have separate fares; regular MBTA fares and passes are not valid. Fares are collected by train conductors; while fare evasion is explicitly illegal under state law, it
4472-428: A single zone to $ 7.25 for travel between Zone 1 and Zone 10. Fares can be purchased on the MBTA mTicket app, at automatic vending machines located at major stations, from businesses near some stations, or from conductors on board trains. Discounted passes include monthly passes (with or without free transfer to other MBTA services), "flex passes" valid for five 24-hour periods, and $ 10 passes offering unlimited travel on
4644-486: A snowstorm on January 10, 1977. Declining subsidies from Rhode Island resulted in off-peak Providence service being cut back to Attleboro in April 1979, with peak service cut on February 20, 1981. Woburn Branch service ended on January 30, 1981, amid state budget cuts. However, the energy crises of the 1970s and the formation of regional transit authorities prompted some expansions and improvements. $ 70 million in reconstruction work (equivalent to 582 million in 2023) on
4816-573: A study, Sargent permanently canceled the 1948 plans in 1972, thus also securing the corridor's future for railroad use. In January 1958, passenger service on the Fitchburg Division was cut back from the B&M's western terminal in Troy, New York to Williamstown ; branch line service to Bellows Falls, Vermont , (with connections for Montreal ) and Maynard was discontinued that May, while Main Line service
4988-574: A three-story garage which provides 340 parking spaces. The $ 7.7 million project, which was funded by the FTA through earmarks and formula funding, includes a covered busway and charging stations for electric cars. Originally to be completed in August 2013, the garage was delayed due to high summer heat which prevented pouring concrete as well as contractor's financial problems. The garage opened on May 20, 2014. Construction of full-length high-level accessible platforms
5160-621: A universal crossover between the two mainline tracks, plus a new connection to a siding with 1,000 feet (300 m) of space for maintenance-of-way equipment storage and 1000 feet to connect to existing freight customers. Construction work began in October 2009 and finished by the end of 2011. Located just off Route 2, the North Leominster station was often crowded for commuter parking spaces. After 5 years of planning, construction began in March 2012 on
5332-739: Is signalled and operates with Positive Train Control using the Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System . The southside lines have cab signals for automatic train control ; cab signals will be placed in service on the northside lines in 2023. The MBTA is a member of the Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) and uses its operating rules. Most portions of the system operate under NORAC rules 261 and 562, which allow bidirectional train movements on every track (such as an express train passing
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5504-485: Is standard in the northeastern United States . Some accessible stations have full-length high platforms for accessible boarding on all cars; others only have "mini-high" platforms about 40 feet (12 m) long – which allow for level boarding on two cars – with the rest of the platform length not accessible. As of December 2022 , the MBTA is designing a temporary accessible platform that can be added to stations pending full reconstructions. The MBTA Commuter Rail system
5676-478: Is Sean Reardon, and the next election year for mayor is 2025. Newburyport is part of the Massachusetts Senate's 1st Essex district . Interstate 95 passes through the western side of town, with one exit at Route 113 . Route 113 itself has its eastern terminus at U.S. Route 1 and Massachusetts Route 1A , with Route 1A continuing along the same right of way as 113 towards Newbury. Route 1 and 1A cross
5848-467: Is a privately owned general aviation airport located within the city limits. It is open to the public and managed by Plum Island Aerodrome, Inc., a not-for-profit organization. The nearest scheduled commercial air service can be found at Boston's Logan International Airport , Worcester's Worcester Regional Airport , Portsmouth's Pease International Tradeport or Manchester's Manchester-Boston Regional Airport . The current site of Newburyport High School
6020-675: Is about 5 miles, with most outer terminals in zones 6 through 8. Only two stations use further zones: T.F. Green Airport in Zone 9, and Wickford Junction in Zone 10. Zone 1A fares are identical to MBTA subway fares (though subway passes on CharlieCards are not accepted, except for Fairmount Line stations that have CharlieCard validator machines). As of 2024 , one-way fares within Zone 1A are $ 2.40, while fares between further zones and Zone 1A range from $ 6.50 for Zone 1 to $ 13.25 for Zone 10. Trips that do not enter Zone 1A have less expensive interzone fares; as of 2024 , these range from $ 2.75 for travel within
6192-473: Is bordered by Newbury to the south, Joppa to the northeast, and downtown to the northwest. The border between the South End and Joppa is just behind Hancock Street, Chestnut Street and part of Prospect Street. Plum Island: The Newburyport neighborhood on North end of Plum Island is geographically isolated from the rest of Newburyport but served by Newburyport services and schools. It features Plum Island Point,
6364-522: Is currently planned for either electric or diesel service provided by Amtrak with at least five round trips per day; there is currently no timeline for service implementation. In November 2007, following the completion of five years of conceptual studies, the MBTA announced $ 150 million in projects to significantly upgrade the Fitchburg Line. The project focuses on reducing travel times, increasing service frequency, and improving on-time performance. With
6536-407: Is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km ) (20.77%) is water. The city is part of Massachusetts' North Shore ; Newburyport was laid out on the elevated south bank of the Merrimack River between the river and Newbury marshes. The shipyards, now boatyards (and still vigorously active), extended along the bank at the edge of the river. They were connected by Merrimac Street, which ends upriver where
6708-417: Is no access between the mainland and Woodbridge Island or Seal Island, west of Plum Island (the latter being shared between Newburyport and Newbury). Several parks and beaches dot the city, including Plum Island Point Beach, Simmons Beach, Joppa Park, Waterfront Park, Woodman Park, Cashman Park, Moseley Pines Park and Atkinson Common and March's Hill Park. Newburyport Forest is located in the southwest corner of
6880-633: Is no regular freight service on the line east of Willows. The Walden Street Cattle Pass crosses beneath the Walden Street bridge in Cambridge, adjacent to the tracks; it was last used in the 1920s. The Union Square Branch of the Green Line Extension shares the right-of-way of the Fitchburg Line from the Inner Belt area to Union Square station . The station opened on March 21, 2022. A portion of
7052-949: Is not criminal. Faregates have also been installed at North Station, with plans for installation at Back Bay and South Station. The second-generation MBTA fare collection system, planned for completion in 2025, will standardize fare media across modes and allow uses of CharlieCards for all commuter rail trips. Eight intercity mainlines radiating from Boston opened between 1834 and 1855: the Boston and Worcester Railroad (B&W) in 1834–35, Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P) in 1834–35, Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L) in 1835, Eastern Railroad in 1838–1840, Fitchburg Railroad in 1843–45, Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) in 1845, Old Colony Railroad and Fall River Railroad in 1845–46, and Norfolk County Railroad in 1849–55. Commuter rail service allowing suburban residents to work in Boston began with
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7224-568: Is operated by Keolis Commuter Services – a subsidiary of French company Keolis – under contract to the MBTA. The MBTA owns all passenger equipment and most stations. Most trackage is also owned by the MBTA. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (parent agency of the MBTA) owns several portions of the Framingham/Worcester Line as well as the Grand Junction Branch , which is used for non-revenue equipment moves between
7396-478: Is provided by push-pull trains powered by diesel locomotives with a cab car on the opposite end. The locomotive is usually on the end facing away from Boston so that diesel exhaust does not enter the passenger concourses at North Station and South Station. Trains typically have four to eight coaches (with six the most common) and seat between 400 and 1,400 passengers. Approximately 62 trainsets are needed for weekday service. The primary heavy maintenance facility
7568-615: Is the MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility , located in the Inner Belt District in Somerville . It is also used for midday and overnight storage of trains on the northside lines. Southampton Street Yard and the Readville Interim Layover facility are used for light maintenance and layover service. Various other layover facilities are used for midday and overnight storage; most are located near
7740-566: The CapeFLYER . The agency issued a $ 279 million contract (total project cost of $ 345 million) for 80 additional Rotem bilevel coaches in September 2019, with delivery expected from September 2022 to June 2024. The contract was later modified to 83 coaches, of which 43 are cab cars. The first four of the 83 bilevel cars arrived in June 2022 and entered service in 2023. In May 2024, the MBTA exercised an option order for 41 additional trailer coaches at
7912-578: The Gulf of Maine (Atlantic Ocean) to the east, Newbury to the south and southeast, West Newbury to the west and southwest, Amesbury to the north and northwest, and Salisbury to the northeast. Joppa: Joppa is bordered by Newbury to the southeast, the South End to the southwest, and Downtown to the Northwest. This is the closest neighborhood to Plum Island Airport located in Newbury. South End: The South End
8084-717: The Mass Central Rail Trail is planned to parallel the Fitchburg Line from Linden Street in Waltham to Brighton Street in Belmont, using the abandoned Central Massachusetts Railroad right-of-way. MBTA Commuter Rail [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The MBTA Commuter Rail ( reporting mark MBTX ) system serves as the commuter rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 's (MBTA's) transportation coverage of Greater Boston in
8256-635: The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association . The athletics program offers a variety of sports for girls and boys during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. The school colors are Crimson and Old Gold and the mascot is a Clipper Ship . Newburyport makes activities available for its residents, including a year-round ice skating rink and a beautiful waterfront and boardwalk. Many Newburyport residents love boating, fishing, swimming, and other water sports. The city's picturesque downtown shopping district also makes it
8428-514: The Old Colony Lines and Greenbush Line , which have full-length high-level platforms at all stops. All BTC-3, CTC-3, BTC-4C, and BTC-4D coaches have restrooms. During winter months, a Ski Train serving Wachusett Mountain runs on the Fitchburg Line , using a coach car which is equipped for carrying bicycles or skis. Three converted coaches – a bike car and two cafe cars – are reserved for
8600-791: The Riverside –Framingham portion of the Worcester Main Line. (The inner section of that line was already owned by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority .) The purchase also included several freight-only or abandoned lines, including the Old Colony mainline between Braintree and Brockton. Subsidies began for the Framingham Line in January 1973, for Canton Junction and Sharon stations in June 1973, and all Providence/Stoughton Line service on September 28, 1976. The MBTA purchased
8772-545: The United States . Trains run over 394 mi (634 km) of track to 135 stations. It is operated under contract by Keolis , which took over operations on July 1, 2014, from the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR). In 2023, the system had a ridership of 26,190,500, or about 109,300 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024, making it the fifth-busiest commuter rail system in
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#17328590182208944-597: The docks , which are shown on earlier maps extending into the channel of the Merrimack River, and the shipyards, where the waterfront parking lot is currently located. George Whitefield, the well-known and influential English preacher who helped inspire the First Great Awakening in America, arrived in Newburyport in September 1740. The revival that followed his labors brought into existence Old South Church, where he
9116-477: The fugitive slave act was passed, requiring all US states to capture and return runaway slaves. Because of this, runaways had to flee the country or risk returning to slavery. In this era, some white Newburyporters became stops on the Underground Railroad . As a port city and part of the triangle trade, Newburyport's abolitionists were often mariners. Capt. Alexander Graves, for example, smuggled slaves from
9288-414: The waterfront . Caldwell's Old Newburyport rum was manufactured locally until 1961. As a part of the triangle trade, the first leg of which involved the purchase of slaves from West Africa, many Newburyporters were anti-abolitionists. Massachusetts abolished slavery in 1783, and many runaway slaves found refuge in the state. In the early 1800s, around 6000 runaway slaves were living in Newburyport. In 1850,
9460-636: The 1920s. Service levels declined more significantly during the 1930s; the 88 stations case resulted in the New Haven closing dozens of suburban stations and several lines in 1938. The BRB&L ceased all operations in 1940. Ridership increased during World War II but decreased soon afterwards, prompting further cuts. The railroads converted from steam to diesel in the 1950s. All three purchased substantial fleets of Budd Rail Diesel Cars , which lowered operating costs – but not enough to save most branch lines. A 1945–47 state report proposed suburban extensions of
9632-408: The 1980s, but several infill stations were opened, including Shirley in 1981, West Natick in 1982, Mishawum in 1984, and Chelsea in 1985. The MBTA also began replacing the aging Rail Diesel Cars and other equipment; 18 EMD F40PH diesel locomotives and 60 passenger cars arrived between 1978 and 1980. Several major disruptions occurred in the mid-1980s. On January 20, 1984, a fire destroyed
9804-400: The 2008-built network. The MBTA would not pay for the new network; the company would have a two-tier model with a fee for higher bandwidth. The MBTA canceled the plan in August 2017 due to local opposition to the erection of 320 monopoles , each 70-foot (21 m) tall, as well as the need to focus on more critical projects like the Green Line Extension . By that time, the 2008-built system
9976-432: The 2016–2017 ski season, the bus ran to Fitchburg station instead.) Due to the cyclic expansion and contraction for the first three decades of the MBTA's existence, the Fitchburg Line was largely neglected and its infrastructure began to decline. The Fitchburg route was once fully double tracked from Boston to Troy, New York ; however, the second main was removed in many sections as passenger service declined. By 2000, there
10148-440: The 2020s. A new midday layover yard at the former Beacon Park Yard is planned to be constructed by 2032 as part of the realignment of I-90. A large midday and overnight layover yard, which would support expanded service including regional rail and electrification , is planned at Widett Circle near South Station. The MBTA also plans to construct a southside maintenance and layover facility at Readville in 2023–2028, replacing
10320-565: The B&A was reduced from four to two tracks in 1959 for construction of the Massachusetts Turnpike , with several inner stations closed; all local stops west of Framingham were closed in 1960. The New Haven filed for bankruptcy for the last time in 1961. Faced with the imminent threat of losing what service remained, public opinion began to support subsidies for commuter rail. The state Mass Transportation Commission (MTC), formed in 1959 to coordinate transportation and land use, held
10492-468: The B&M Western Route between Somerville and Wilmington Junction in September 1973 for construction of the Haymarket North Extension . From 1967 to 1973, a series of state appropriations covered 90–100% of outside-of-district subsidy. This was reduced to 50% in January 1974, substantially increasing the cost of these municipalities. This resulted in several cuts as municipalities refused
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#173285901822010664-434: The B&M and eight from Penn Central – plus 116 Penn Central coaches and 25 Penn Central E8 and GP9 diesel locomotives. Although the MBTA purchased some new equipment in 1978–1980, large locomotive and coach fleets were not purchased until the late 1980s, so the first decade of combined operations used a variety of secondhand equipment in addition to that acquired in 1976: Most of the secondhand and inherited equipment
10836-651: The B&M discontinued the Concord trip; the Dover trip was cut back to Haverhill with local subsidies. In 1969, the B&M averaged 24,000 weekday passengers, with a yearly deficit of $ 3.2 million (equivalent to 27 million in 2023). The single daily trip on the Central Mass Branch ended on January 26, 1971. On July 28, 1965, the MBTA signed an agreement with the New Haven Railroad to purchase 11 miles (18 km) of
11008-415: The B&M in 1983. This did not initially affect commuter rail operations. Guilford's attempts to regain profitability, which included reducing employee headcount and pay, soon soured labor relations. This resulted in two strikes by Guilford employees; the first shut down the commuter rail system from March 21 to May 12, 1986. Local media was critical of Guilford during the strike; the company did not bid for
11180-604: The B&W in 1834; by the 1860s, commuting was possible on the eight mainlines and a number of branch lines. Mergers prior to the 1880s were primarily acquisitions of branch lines and consolidations with connecting lines: the B&A merged with the Western Railroad in 1874 to become the Boston and Albany Railroad (B&A), the Fall River Railroad and several other lines merged into the Old Colony Railroad, and
11352-600: The Boston terminal areas, with several exceptions. The Providence/Stoughton Line and Franklin/Foxboro Line both use the Northeast Corridor between Readville and South Station, with the Needham Line also sharing the tracks between Forest Hills and South Station. The Old Colony Lines and the Greenbush Line all use the Old Colony mainline between South Station and Braintree . The Haverhill Line and Newburyport/Rockport Line share tracks between North Station and near Sullivan Square . A small number of Haverhill Line trains use
11524-509: The COVID-19 pandemic. Six additional stations are under construction as part of the South Coast Rail project; several other stations are planned. South Station, North Station, and Back Bay all have MBTA subway and Amtrak connections; nine other stations have subway connections, and six others have Amtrak connections. Stations range in size from small platforms like North Wilmington to
11696-501: The December 14 vote went into place, with no weekend service on seven lines. Service changes on April 5, 2021, increased midday service on most lines as part of a transition to a regional rail model. Weekend service on the seven lines resumed on July 3, 2021. Ridership dropped substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with daily boardings just 12,800 during the first quarter of 2021. Ridership rose to 47,100 average weekday boardings in
11868-455: The Eastern in 1883, the B&L in 1887, and the Fitchburg in 1900, giving it a near-monopoly on rail service north of Boston. North Union Station was built in 1893 to provide a union station for northside service; it was replaced by North Station in 1928. The Old Colony obtained control of the B&P in 1888; the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad acquired the Old Colony in 1893 to obtain access to Boston. The New Haven also acquired
12040-413: The Fitchburg Line is the second-longest line in the system (and was the longest until the Providence/Stoughton Line 's 2010 extension to T. F. Green Airport and later to Wickford Junction ), and ranked as one of the worst lines in terms of on-time performance. The Fitchburg Line had the oldest infrastructure in the system, and commuter trains must share trackage with freight trains on the outer segment of
12212-479: The Fitchburg Line west of Ayer. Their combined Freight Main Line between Mechanicville, New York , and Mattawamkeag, Maine , shares tracks with sections of the Fitchburg, Lowell, and Haverhill lines. No freight service is operated over the Newburyport/Rockport Line north of Salem . Weight limits and loading gauge vary across the system. The full Framingham/Worcester line is rated for car weights of 315,000 pounds (143,000 kg), sections of lines that are part of
12384-643: The Fitchburg Railroad near Walden Pond in his book Walden . The Boston and Maine Railroad leased the Fitchburg Railroad in 1900 and bought it outright in 1919. In 1948, The Master Highway Plan for the Boston Metropolitan Area proposed the construction of eight radial expressways around Boston connecting to the Inner Belt, Interstate 695 . A section of the Northwest Expressway, carrying
12556-682: The Franklin Line and several northside lines, partially funded by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration , began in 1977 under the Commuter Rail Improvement Program. Service to Haverhill resumed on December 17, 1979, and to Fitchburg and Gardner on January 13, 1980. Federally-funded experimental service to Nashua , Manchester , and Concord, New Hampshire ran from January 28, 1980, to March 1, 1981. Little-used stations continued to be closed until
12728-553: The Freight Main Line for 286,000 pounds (130,000 kg), and other lines for lower weights. The western portion of the Framingham/Worcester Line and the southern section of the Providence/Stoughton line can accommodate cars up to 20 feet 8 inches (6.30 m) ( AAR Plate H or Plate K ). The Fitchburg Line west of Ayer can accommodate cars up to 19 feet 0 inches (5.79 m) (AAR Plate J), while most of
12900-530: The Lowell and Haverhill lines. Private companies also operate freight service over much of the system (see § Freight service ). As of November 2024 , there are 137 active stations – 55 northside and 82 southside. One additional station, Haverhill , is temporarily closed due to reconstruction of an adjacent bridge. Five additional stations ( Prides Crossing , Mishawum , Hastings , Plimptonville , and Plymouth ) are indefinitely closed due to service cuts during
13072-411: The MBTA awarded Keolis the contract for $ 2.68 billion over eight years, with the possibility of two two-year extensions that could bring the total price to $ 4.3 billion. Keolis took over the operations on July 1, 2014. Keolis lost $ 29.3 million in its first year of operation. In June 2020, the MBTA extended the contract through at least 2025. Free Wi-Fi internet service was piloted in January 2008 on
13244-661: The MBTA bought the Boston and Maine Railroad's northside commuter rail assets, including the entire length of the Fitchburg Line. The closure of the Lexington Branch the next month represented the limit of the contraction of the northside lines; as a result of the 1970s energy crisis and especially the 1979 energy crisis , a period of rapid expansion began in the end of the 1970s. Service was restored to Fitchburg and beyond to Gardner on January 13, 1980. Potential infill stations in Westminster and South Ashburnham were included in
13416-555: The MBTA clashed with state regulators: several stations including West Natick and Chelsea were built without accessible platforms despite state rules; the latter resulted in fines from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB). The opening of South Attleboro was delayed by the MAAB because of the MBTA's refusal to build full-length high-level platforms. However, the MBTA did slowly increase accessibility of
13588-478: The MBTA has been retired: Newburyport Newburyport is a coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts , United States, 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Boston. The population was 18,289 at the 2020 census . A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island . The mooring, winter storage, and maintenance of recreational boats, motor and sail, still contribute
13760-493: The MBTA owned 552 coaches. Of these, 448 were in active service, three being repaired or overhauled, and 101 stored pending disposition or reuse. Coaches whose designations start with BTC (Blind Trailer Coach) are conventional coaches, while those starting with CTC (Control Trailer Coach) are cab cars . Coaches acquired before 1990 were single-level cars with 88 to 127 seats; those since are bilevel cars with 173 to 185 seats. Some coaches are equipped with electronic doors for use on
13932-457: The MBTA proposed to close six low-ridership stations. On December 14, the MBTA Board voted to enact a more limited set of cuts, including indefinitely closing five stations. That day, temporary reduced schedules were again put into place, with four of the five stations ( Hastings , Silver Hill , Prides Crossing , and Plimptonville ) not served. On January 23, 2021, reduced schedules based on
14104-497: The MTA service area were closed; three more branches closed in 1959. The New Haven experimentally increased Old Colony Division service for several years in the 1950s, but new management soon sought to reduce costs. Service to Fall River and New Bedford was cut in 1958; a one-year state subsidy was given for the remaining Old Colony service, which ended in 1959 after the Southeast Expressway opened. The inner portion of
14276-702: The New England Railroad (successor to the NY&;NE) in 1898. South Station opened in 1899 as a union station for the southside lines (New Haven and B&A). The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad – which later became the New York Central) (NYC) – leased the B&A in 1900; this brought all Boston commuter service save the BRB&;L under the control of three large multi-state railroads. The three railroads all planned electrification of some suburban lines in
14448-546: The New Haven had Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) permission to discontinue them otherwise. Three out-of-district stations were cut, while Franklin subsidized its station. The Millis and Dedham lines were discontinued on April 21, 1967. The NYC and the Pennsylvania Railroad merged to form Penn Central on February 1, 1968; the New Haven joined at the end of the year. Penn Central declared bankruptcy in 1970. Amtrak took over most intercity passenger service in
14620-654: The Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and the Waterfront Trust and were sponsored by a local insurance agency, Arthur S Page Insurance. Held during the last weekend of April, the Newburyport Literary Festival was started in 2006 as a new effort by the city to increase interest in reading and literary arts. Many local authors are invited to sign and chat about their books, and schoolchildren create projects to show to an author who visits their school. Among
14792-724: The Newburyport School Committee unanimously (with one member absent) voted to implement a Start School Later policy, the first of the Cape Ann League to do so. The times will be: Newburyport is served by the Newburyport Public Library , part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium . Newburyport High School competes in the Cape Ann League , an athletic conference in District A of
14964-589: The Norfolk County Railroad eventually became part of the New York and New England Railroad (NY&NE). The narrow gauge Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad (BRB&L) opened in 1875, competing with the inner portion of the Eastern Railroad. Unlike the other lines, it never built rails into downtown Boston, and instead relied on a ferry connection from East Boston . The B&M obtained control of
15136-461: The Old Colony Lines. The lines vary in length from the 9.2-mile (14.8 km) Fairmount Line to the 62.9-mile (101.2 km) Providence/Stoughton Line, with typical lengths in the 25–40-mile (40–64 km) range. The system has 394 miles (630 km) of revenue trackage and covers roughly the eastern third of Massachusetts plus central Rhode Island. Most lines do not share trackage outside
15308-561: The PMT conclusions. Recommended short-range improvements included station consolidation, track upgrades, and station improvements; longer-term projects included double-tracking, increased service frequency, and an extension to Wachusett or Gardner. The report priced out $ 55 million in infrastructure upgrades including double tracking through downtown Waltham and from South Acton to Willows, signal improvements, rebuilding Littleton/Route 495 station, and grade crossing modifications. An extension to Wachusett
15480-527: The Providence/Stoughton Line has 37. Running times vary from 30 minutes on the Fairmount Line to nearly 120 minutes for some Providence/Stoughton Line trips, with 60–75 minutes typical. Most trains stop at all stations on the line; some stations have limited service, and peak-hour express trains operate on several lines. Several lines additionally have some short turn service. The CapeFlyer ,
15652-456: The Providence/Stoughton Line. During the winter, one "ski train" round trip of the Fitchburg Line operates with a bicycle car on weekends and Wednesday evenings, with a shuttle bus to Wachusett Mountain . All MBTA commuter rail service is provided by push-pull trains powered by diesel locomotives (see § Rolling stock ). Maximum speed for trains is 79 miles per hour (127 km/h), though some lines have lower limits. The entire system
15824-526: The South and to Canada. Newburyport once had a fishing fleet that operated from Georges Bank to the mouth of the Merrimack River. It was a center for privateering during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 . Beginning about 1832, it added numerous ships to the whaling fleet. Later, clipper ships were built there. Today, the city gives little hint of its former maritime importance. Notably missing are
15996-709: The Southwest Corridor, a shuttle service was retained as the Fairmount Line . Peak-hour service to Providence resumed in 1988 (with off-peak and weekend service later added); South Attleboro was added in 1990 as a park-and-ride station to replace Pawtucket–Central Falls . The Franklin Line was extended to Forge Park/495 in 1988; infill stations in that era included Yawkey in 1988 to serve Boston Red Sox games at Fenway Park , and Dedham Corporate Center in 1990. Massachusetts had state accessibility laws since 1977 – prior to 1990 federal legislation . At times,
16168-509: The U.S. , behind the three New York-area systems and the Chicago-area system . The line's characteristic purple-trimmed coaches operate as far south as North Kingstown, Rhode Island , and as far north as Newburyport and as far west as Fitchburg , both in Massachusetts . Trains originate at two major terminals in Boston – South Station and North Station . The only connection between
16340-555: The US on May 1, 1971, including New York–Boston trains. The state agreed in December 1971 to purchase 145 miles (233 km) of Penn Central rights of way to prevent them being sold off in bankruptcy. The MBTA purchased the lines effective January 27, 1973. They included almost all the lines with passenger service: the Attleboro Line and Stoughton Branch , Franklin Branch , Needham Branch , and
16512-633: The Whittier Memorial Bridge, which brings Interstate 95 to Amesbury. The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority provides regular bus service between the city and Haverhill, which includes access to the commuter rail station in Newburyport. The bus is free as of March 2023. Newburyport is the northern terminus of the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system, providing access through several North Shore cities to Boston's North Station . Plum Island Airport
16684-543: The Worcester Line, where 45 coaches were fitted with routers which connected to cellular data networks. This was the first Wi-Fi available on a commuter rail service in the United States. The program was considered successful; in December 2008, the MBTA announced that Wi-Fi would be available on all trains by mid-2009. In July 2014, the MBTA announced that a private company would be building a new network by 2016 to replace
16856-519: The addition of several smaller funding sources, the improvements ultimately became a $ 306 million project with five major components: The first work completed was the addition of CPF-43, a new interlocking located at Derby Curve in Leominster. Financed by $ 10.2 million in ARRA funds, the work was intended to "provide commuter rail operational flexibility and to minimize conflicts with freight". CPF-43 includes
17028-405: The agency had misled the town about construction delays. Construction was eventually allowed to proceed; the layover yard opened on November 21, 2016, along with full service to Wachusett station. Work like laying track, connecting switches, and testing new signals was difficult or impossible to perform during regular daily service. In order to accommodate this work, during 2013 through 2015 service
17200-414: The analysis of construction alternatives. The Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvements Project Alternatives Analysis was released in September 2007 and outlined six options: no build with the addition of some continuously welded rail to the line, a $ 30 million baseline with a new layover facility, and three build options ranging from $ 150 million to $ 239 million. Build Alternative 1, costing $ 150 million,
17372-568: The authors who regularly visit are Andre Dubus III , Tess Gerritsen , and Rhina Espaillat . Held towards the beginning of August, the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival was founded in 2001 by resident Jane Niebling and Philadelphia violist David Yang . For the duration of the festival, exceptional international artists are embedded in the community, giving many concerts but also holding open rehearsals in public places, chamber music reading parties in local homes (“hausmusiks”),
17544-440: The automobile. At this time, construction of major highways brought larger cities such as Lawrence and Lowell into shopping range. Consequently, by 1970, Newburyport's historic downtown section was scheduled to be razed prior to reconstruction with federal money. Ideas to rebuild the city's downtown were numerous, ranging from hotels and new stores to, ironically, a strip mall, with few buildings left for historical reasons. At
17716-571: The bank merges into bluffs covered with pine forest. Colonial residences extend up the bank from Merrimac Street to High Street running parallel to it near the top of the ridge. The homes of the seafaring entrepreneurs line High Street. Many feature widow's walks , structures on the roof where the residents could watch for the return of sailing vessels. Nearly every home maintains a splendid flower garden, most dating to colonial times. Various cross streets, such as State Street, Green Street and Market Street, connect Merrimac Street and High Street. The top of
17888-571: The city's downtown streets and neighborhoods. There is also a 45-minute fireworks show on Saturday night, which is followed the concluding Sunday by the famous Yankee Homecoming parade. First held in 1958, Newburyport's "Yankee Homecoming" is the second-oldest homecoming festival in the United States. Many charities raise their funds during this time. This was held Friday evenings in Waterfront Park in downtown Newburyport, these free concerts were intended for all ages. The concerts were presented by
18060-503: The city's oldest fire engine , the "Neptune #8", and the participation of many local businesses. There is also an antique car parade. Each Yankee Homecoming features a grand marshal and numerous street vendors. The festival includes eight days and over 200 events. There are concerts every night at Market Landing Park. Other popular events include the Newburyport Lions' 10-mile (16 km) and 5-kilometer road races, which run through
18232-457: The city, and Maudslay State Park lies along the northwest part of the city, along the banks of the Merrimack. Newburyport is located 37 miles (60 km) north-northeast of Boston, 19 miles (31 km) east-northeast of Lawrence , and 21 miles (34 km) south-southeast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire . Situated 5 miles (8 km) south of the New Hampshire border, the city is bordered by
18404-540: The city, but by the non-profit Yankee Homecoming, Inc., is the annual festival celebrating the natives coming home to Newburyport. The event was initiated in 1957 by native Newburyporter George Cashman, who sought to stimulate the economy and lift the spirit of the citizens. It lasts one week. The first Sunday of the festival, known as "Olde Fashioned Sunday", is celebrated at the Bartlet Mall in Newburyport, and features many activities, including an art show, an appearance by
18576-498: The early 20th century. The New Haven tested electrification on small parts of the Old Colony system, but never followed through on its plans to electrify South Station and the inner section of the ex-B&P. Despite a study to electrify the mainline to Framingham plus the Highland branch , the NYC only electrified the short Lower Falls Branch. Quadruple-tracking and electrification of part of
18748-545: The ex-Eastern Railroad was planned by the B&M around 1910 when it was briefly under control of the New Haven, but this fell through when they separated. Service levels on the three major railroads peaked around 1910 and began to decline from streetcar and later auto competition in the 1910s. The independent BRB&L electrified its mainline and single branch line in 1928 and increased service to near- rapid transit levels. Two Old Colony branches were converted to an extension of Boston Elevated Railway (BERy) rapid transit in
18920-444: The existing Saturday service, these temporary schedules did not include service to Hastings and four other stations. That day, the MBTA Board voted to enact a more limited set of cuts, including indefinitely closing Hastings, Silver Hill, and three of the other four stations. On January 23, 2021, reduced schedules went into place with no weekend service on seven lines, including the Fitchburg Line. All service east of Littleton/Route 495
19092-632: The existing layover yard there, as the Grand Junction Branch will be closed for several years during the I-90 project. As of October 2024 , the MBTA owned 109 locomotives. Of these, 87 were in active passenger service. Eleven were undergoing rebuild, six awaiting repairs, and five retired or out of service. All passenger locomotives are equipped with head end power . Rebuilding of 37 F40PH-2C and F40PHM-2C locomotives to F40PH-3C class by MotivePower (MPI) began in 2017; other older locomotives are also being rebuilt by MPI or in-house. As of October 2024 ,
19264-547: The first quarter of 2022, and 85,000 (69% of 2018 ridership) in October 2022. Limited Foxboro service resumed in May 2022; full pilot service began that September. The service was made permanent effective October 2, 2023. In April 2024, the MBTA extended the Keolis contract by one year to June 30, 2027, at which time a successor contract will take effect. Silver Hill station reopened on November 18, 2024. All MBTA commuter rail service
19436-528: The former Old Colony mainline from Fort Point Channel to South Braintree in order to construct a new rapid transit line along the corridor. The line was expected to be completed within two years. The agreement also provided for the MBTA to subsidize commuter service on the railroad's remaining commuter rail lines for $ 1.2 million (equivalent to 10 million in 2023) annually. Subsidies for the Needham , Millis , Dedham , and Franklin lines began on April 24, 1966, as
19608-418: The funding district; those outlying municipalities were expected to reach their own subsidy agreements with the railroads. On December 14, 1964, the MBTA reached a subsidy agreement with the B&M. The agreement only covered in-district services; on January 5, 1965, the B&M discontinued interstate service except for single commuter round trips from Dover and Concord, New Hampshire ; Portsmouth service
19780-631: The grades going through the Wachusett Mountain range. Because the Route 2 expressway is faster along the corridor than rail service would be, the station at Gardner would have attracted just 50 riders per day. Instead, a 4-mile extension to a previously considered station in West Fitchburg was recommended. The Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Service Expansion Study was released in February 2005, drawing off
19952-632: The higher subsidies: Ayer service was cut to South Acton on March 1, 1975; the single Newburyport trip ended on April 1, 1976; and the single Haverhill trip ended on April 2, 1976 (North Andover and Andover having previously ended subsidies.) The single round trip to Worcester , never subsidized, was cut to Framingham on October 27, 1975. Amtrak began running the Lake Shore Limited over that route four days later, restoring rail service to Worcester. State subsidies were increased back to 75% in June 1976 to prevent further cuts. Rapid transit extension
20124-530: The inhabitants of the other parts of the town are chiefly husbandmen; by means whereof many difficulties and disputes have arisen in managing their public affairs – Be it enacted ... That part of the said town of Newbury ... be and hereby are constituted and made a separate and distinct town .... The act was approved by Governor Francis Bernard on February 4, 1764. The new town was the smallest in Massachusetts, covering an area of 647 acres (2.62 km ), and had
20296-564: The inner Lowell Line and the Wildcat Branch , while some Franklin/Foxboro Line trains (including all weekend trains) use the Fairmount Line rather than the Northeast Corridor. Several Amtrak intercity routes run on MBTA tracks: the Acela and Northeast Regional over the Providence/Stoughton Line, the Lake Shore Limited over the Framingham/Worcester Line, and the Downeaster over portions of
20468-422: The last moment, however, the city changed its mind and signed a federal grant that allowed it to keep most of its historic architecture. Renovation and restoration began during the early 1970s, and continued throughout most of the decade, initially along State Street, and culminating with creation of a pedestrian mall along Inn Street. Newburyport is often cited as an example by preservationists of how to maintain
20640-558: The line east of Acton had an older signalling system which permitted operations in one direction on each track, which prevented express trains from passing locals and limited schedule density. Fiber optic cable was installed over this segment and new signals installed to permit full bidirectional operation. The double-tracked section west of Willows, which already had bidirectional signalling to permit passenger and slower freight trains to mix, received incremental upgrades. The new signals, along with concurrent track work, allowed maximum speeds on
20812-530: The line had 4,829 daily riders – 52% of pre-COVID ridership. Weekend ski train service resumed on December 17, 2022, after not operating for the 2021–22 season; a Wednesday evening ski train for night skiing began operating on January 4, 2023. On September 11, 2023, flash floods in Leominster washed out an embankment near North Leominster station. Service between Shirley and Wachusett was replaced with buses until September 19. Additional weekday short turn service
20984-420: The line to increase from 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h), with a faster schedule implemented on May 23, 2016. Seven bridges were replaced or significantly repaired, including one over Route 62 in Concord which was a late addition to the project. Thirteen grade crossings were replaced, nine interlockings built new or improved, and dispatching of some segments transferred from
21156-643: The line, the MBTA initiated a study of potential improvements to the line, including not only westward extension but also station improvements and travel time reductions. The 2004 edition of the Program for Mass Transportation found that restoration of service all the way to Gardner, much less Athol, was deemed impractical for several reasons. Gardner is 64 miles (103 km) and Athol 81 miles (130 km) by rail from North Station – outside normal commuting distances. The line between Fitchburg and Gardner would cost $ 104.2 million to double track, and speeds are limited due to
21328-497: The line. A $ 150 million project completed in 2017 included adding nine miles of double track, an extension to Wachusett , rebuilding two stations, and building a new layover yard. Only ten of the line's nineteen stations, including both terminals, are fully handicapped accessible – the lowest proportion of any MBTA Commuter Rail line. The Fitchburg Railroad was founded in 1842, and completed from Boston to Fitchburg in 1845. In 1854, Henry David Thoreau wrote about his skepticism of
21500-447: The lines. Service was restored as far as Ayer on June 28, 1965, along with the outer Rockport Branch and full schedules on the Lowell and Ipswich routes. Although some gains were made, including the reopening of Belmont Center and Waverley stations on March 4, 1974, the system continued to hang on by thin margins. The Central Mass Branch , which shared trackage with the Fitchburg,
21672-591: The longest without full double track. In 2000, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a bill that directed the MBTA to "conduct a feasibility study regarding the reestablishment of the commuter rail line to the cities of Gardner and Athol on the existing Fitchburg/Gardner/Athol spur line" as one of many expansion and improvement projects. In 2001, the MBTA began taking public comment for the decadal update to its Program for Mass Transportation . Following response from legislators from communities along
21844-615: The northside and southside lines. Pan Am Southern owns the section of the Fitchburg Line between Fitchburg and Wachusett, while Amtrak owns the section of the Northeast Corridor (used by the Providence/Stoughton Line) in Rhode Island. Most lines operate on regular headways , though some have additional service at peak hours. Service levels vary by lines: the Greenbush and Kingston lines have 13 round trips on weekdays, while
22016-557: The other northside lines can accommodate up to 17 feet 0 inches (5.18 m) (AAR Plate F). The inner Fitchburg and Newburyport/Rockport Lines, and the southside except for the outer Framingham/Worcester Line, have height restrictions smaller than Plate F. MBTA Commuter Rail uses a zone fare system , with fares increasing with distance. Zone 1A includes the downtown terminals and other inner core stations up to about 5 miles (8.0 km) from downtown. Ten additional zones, numbered 1 through 10, extend outwards from Boston. Each zone
22188-538: The outdated tower at Waltham to the MBTA's control center. A new freight crossover was added at Ayer, with the East Main Street bridge undercut to increase clearances. Per the recommendations of the mid-2000s studies, the line was extended 4.5 miles (7.2 km) west of Fitchburg to a new Wachusett park-and-ride station. The work was funded by a $ 55 million federal TIGER grant awarded in 2010, plus $ 19 million in state money. Construction started in mid-2013, and
22360-595: The outer ends of the lines. Some maintenance and storage of MBTA equipment is contracted out to the Seaview Transportation Company in North Kingstown, Rhode Island . Several additional yards are under construction or planned. Two layovers are under construction for South Coast Rail, with service planned for mid-2025, and the Haverhill Line layover at Bradford is proposed for relocation later in
22532-489: The outer portion of the Worcester Line has the most freight traffic. Massachusetts Coastal Railroad operates south of Middleborough on the Middleborough/Lakeville Line, as well as on future South Coast Rail trackage. The Fore River Railroad operates between Braintree Yard and East Braintree on the Old Colony mainline and the Greenbush Line. The Providence and Worcester Railroad shares tracks with Providence/Stoughton Line trains between Providence and Wickford Junction; it uses
22704-506: The poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over. Upon adopting a new charter in 2011 which took effect in 2013, Newburyport has been run by a mayor with a four-year term and an eleven-member City Council (prior to that, the mayor's term lasted for two years). During the mid-twentieth century, Newburyport enjoyed a typical "small community" approach, conducted, most notably, by city mayor and activist Ed Molin, who died in 2005. The current mayor of Newburyport
22876-494: The project, funded by a total of $ 172 million in state money and Federal Transit Administration "Small Starts" funding, involved incremental improvements to existing infrastructure. Work started in 2012 and was largely completed by the end of 2015. South Acton station is the busiest station on the line, with 902 daily riders by a 2013 count. Like Littleton, it formerly had a single low-level platform. After significant design changes based on community input, construction started on
23048-467: The rapid transit lines. MBTA maps began showing the B&M and Penn Central lines as a single system. Penn Central became Conrail on April 1, 1976; the MBTA purchased most of their commuter rolling stock at that time. After delays due to the B&M bankruptcy, the MBTA purchased the B&M commuter equipment, maintenance facility , and 250 miles (400 km) of right of way on December 27, 1976. This included all lines with passenger service, as well as
23220-740: The rapid transit system, largely using railroad rights-of-way, with the expectation that most commuter rail service would be cut back to the rapid transit terminals or abandoned entirely. Prompted by the report, part of the BRB&L was reactivated as rapid transit in 1952–54 by BERy successor Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), and the Highland branch was converted to a rapid streetcar line in 1958–59. The three railroads all made major cuts to suburban service in 1958–1960 as commuters began using new expressways. The B&M became unprofitable in 1958 and moved to shed its money-losing passenger operations. Four branch lines were cut that May, and most stations in
23392-520: The restoration of 8 miles (13 km) of double track from Central Street in West Acton to Willows Junction in Ayer. This leaves a short section in Waltham as the only single-track section of the line. Like many of the outer stations on the line, Littleton/Route 495 was built in 1980 with a bare low-level concrete platform (not accessible for handicapped riders) serving a single track. Beginning in early 2012, it
23564-399: The ridge proved an ideal location for later institutions, such as Newburyport High School and nearby Anna Jaques Hospital. The ridge drops more sharply to the marsh on the other side. Along its margin a third parallel street developed, Low Street. The river bank gradually descends to marshes at Joppa Flats beyond downtown Newburyport. The Plum Island Turnpike was pushed out over the marsh on
23736-665: The river along the Newburyport Turnpike Bridge; it had originally followed State Street and ended at Merrimac and Water Streets before crossing the river via ferry to Salisbury. The Turnpike Bridge is the easternmost crossing of the Merrimack; upstream the river is crossed by the Newburyport Railroad Bridge (just west of the Turnpike Bridge), the Chain Bridge , one of the oldest bridges along the river, and
23908-446: The services becoming profitable. At the recommendation of the MTC, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) was created on August 3, 1964, with a 78-municipality funding and service district. The MBTA was to build rapid transit extensions (as planned in 1947) along some lines, with the others to be subsidized or allowed to be discontinued. Most remaining lines ran to points outside
24080-556: The sprawling downtown terminals. Most stations outside downtown Boston have one or two side platforms or a single island platform . Standard MBTA platforms are about 800 feet (240 m) long – enough for a nine-car train – and a minimum of 12 feet (3.7 m) wide for side platforms and 22 feet (6.7 m) wide for island platforms. 110 active stations are accessible , including all terminals and all stations with rapid transit connections; 26 are not. The MBTA uses 48-inch (1,200 mm)-high platforms for accessible level boarding, as
24252-677: The state agreed to build a set of transit projects as part of the settlement of a lawsuit by the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) over auto emissions from the Central Artery/Tunnel Project ( Big Dig ). Among these project were extensions of the Framingham Line to Worcester and the Ipswich/Rockport Line to Newburyport, restoration of the Old Colony Lines , and addition of 20,000 park and ride spaces outside
24424-532: The station opened for limited service on September 30, 2016, to satisfy the terms of the federal grant. Funded by the same grant was a new layover yard in Westminster , just west of the new station, which replaced a smaller yard in East Fitchburg. The town of Westminster opposed the project due to noise pollution issues, and filed complaints about the MBTA alleging that proper permits had not been obtained and that
24596-508: The system to have Positive Train Control activated was the inner Worcester Line on August 15, 2020. Most of the southside lines already had cab signals for automatic train control (ATC) prior to PTC implementation, but the northside lines did not. Cab signals on the southside were completed in 2020; cab signals on the northside will be completed in 2023. Temporary bus replacements for several lines took place between 2017 and 2022 during PTC and ATC construction and testing. Weekday service
24768-407: The system. Most Ipswich/Rockport line stations were made accessible during the 1984–85 closure, and renovations followed at other stations. South Station was made accessible in the late 1980s, Back Bay during the Southwest Corridor project, and North Station in the early 1990s, providing accessibility at the main downtown Boston stations. By 1992, 44 commuter rail stations were accessible. In 1991,
24940-614: The two halves of the system is the non-revenue Grand Junction Branch . The North–South Rail Link is a proposed tunnel between North Station and South Station to allow through-running service. The system consists of twelve lines – four of which have branches – radiating from downtown Boston . Eight "southside" lines terminate at South Station , with four (Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Franklin/Foxboro, and Providence/Stoughton) also running through Back Bay station . Four "northside" lines terminate at North Station . The Kingston Line and Middleborough/Lakeville Line are often grouped together as
25112-410: The urban core. Peak-hour service to Worcester began in 1994, followed by off-peak and weekend service; four intermediate stations were added in 2000 and 2002. Service on the Old Colony Lines (Middleborough/Lakeville Line and Kingston/Plymouth Line) began in 1997. Newburyport and Rowley opened in 1998. The MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility , which replaced the ex-B&M Boston Engine Terminal,
25284-604: The wooden approach trestles to the North Station drawbridges . The four northside lines used temporary terminals with rapid transit connections while the trestles were rebuilt. Another bridge fire between Beverly and Salem on November 16, 1984, isolated part of the Ipswich/Rockport Line from the rest of the system. Service to North Station resumed on April 20, 1985; service to Ipswich and Rockport resumed on December 1, 1985. Guilford Transportation Industries purchased
25456-405: Was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 78,557, and the median income for a family was $ 103,306. Males had a median income of $ 51,831 versus $ 37,853 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 34,187. About 2.8% of families and 5.2% of the population were below
25628-465: Was 90.2% White , 3.6% African American , 0.1% Native American , 0.61% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.7% of the population. The top five ethnic groups are: (United States 2010 Census quickfacts) There were 7,519 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 8.5% had
25800-532: Was a 9 miles (14 km) section of single track between South Acton and Ayer, and a shorter section in Waltham. This limited the number of trains which could continue past South Acton to Fitchburg. Until the extension of the Providence leg of the Providence/Stoughton Line to T.F. Green Airport in 2010, the Fitchburg Line was the longest line on the MBTA system; it is now the second longest, and still
25972-515: Was buried after his death in 1770. The city's historical highlights include: Historic events: The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank on State Street was founded in 1854 and is one of the oldest banks in the United States still in operation. Historic houses and museums: Literary interests: Despite its former prosperity, in the 1950s and 1960s Newburyport's center fell into disrepair because of several factors, most notably strip malls taking away from local business and increased use of
26144-523: Was chosen. A proposal known as Northern Tier Passenger Rail is in the early stages of planning, and would extend the Fitchburg Line westward through Greenfield and terminate at North Adams , following the existing CSX (formerly Pan Am ) rail corridor. The first official study meeting was scheduled to take place in Fall 2021. In January 2023, MassDOT announced that the total price for corridor track upgrades would cost between $ 1.044 billion to $ 2.187 billion and would take three years to construct. The line
26316-472: Was completed in 1987 with a new below-ground alignment for commuter rail, Amtrak, and Orange Line trains. Back Bay and Forest Hills stations were completely rebuilt as transfer stations, and Ruggles opened to serve the growing Longwood Medical Area . The Needham Line, closed since 1979 for construction, was reopened. The Attleboro and Franklin lines had been diverted over the previously freight-only Dorchester Branch during construction; after they returned to
26488-453: Was completed in 1998. Two tenders were submitted in 2003, one from GTI and another from the newly formed Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR), a partnership between Connex (later Veolia), Bombardier Transportation and Alternate Concepts, Inc. MBCR won the contract, and took over the MBTA Commuter Rail operation from Amtrak in July 2003. The MBCR contract originally expired in July 2008 but had an additional five-year option; it
26660-474: Was considered as part of the project, but the platforms would have cost an additional $ 18 million and created clearance issues with passing Pan Am freight trains. The freight trains, which are slightly wider than standard passenger cars, frequently impact the mini-high platforms and would cause severe damage to full-length platforms. $ 43 million ($ 40 million in ARRA funds and $ 3 million from the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development) provided for
26832-445: Was curtailed on weekends when ridership is significantly lower. Full service was operated during winter months, when snowy weather may make driving a less palatable alternative. In 2013, weekend service was cut back to South Acton from June through August and to Brandeis/Roberts from September to November. In 2014, it was cut back to Brandeis/Roberts from late April to July, and discontinued entirely until November. In 2015, weekend service
27004-491: Was cut back to a single Newburyport round trip. Subsidies began for six lines on January 18; all out-of-district service to Fitchburg , Lowell , Haverhill , Ipswich , and Rockport was discontinued except for three single round trips. Agreements were reached to restore most out-of-district service; after delays due to a lawsuit by the competing Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway , full service returned to Ayer , Lowell, Ipswich, and Rockport on June 28. On June 30, 1967,
27176-568: Was cut on November 26, 1971. In December 1973, state subsidies for towns outside the MBTA funding district were halved, resulting in the MBTA needing to renegotiate subsidies from 14 municipalities. Ultimately Ayer, with just 14 daily commuters, refused to pay its $ 8,200 bill in 1974; Littleton also refused $ 12,300 for its 21 riders. On March 1, 1975, the line was cut back to South Acton , dropping stops at Ayer, Littleton , and West Acton . Two lightly used stops in Waltham – Clematis Brook and Beaver Brook – closed in June 1978. On December 27, 1976,
27348-425: Was discontinued from April 25 to November 22 except on holiday weekends. Substantially reduced schedules were in effect from March 16 to June 23, 2020. In November 2020, as part of service cuts during the pandemic, the MBTA proposed to close Hastings, Silver Hill, and four other low-ridership stations on other lines. On December 14, reduced schedules went into effect due to limited employee availability. Again based on
27520-455: Was discontinued, but a portion of it has been converted into a recreation trail. On January 28, 1764, the General Court of Massachusetts passed "An act for erecting part of the town of Newbury into a new town by the name of Newburyport." The act begins: Whereas the town of Newbury is very large, and the inhabitants of that part of it who dwell by the water-side there, as it is commonly called, are mostly merchants, traders, and artificers, and
27692-596: Was further truncated to Greenfield in December. All service west of Fitchburg was dropped on 23 April 1960. When the newly formed MBTA began subsidizing the Boston & Maine Railroad 's intrastate service on January 18, 1965, service was only kept to communities in the MBTA's limited funding district. All service on the Fitchburg Line west of West Concord was cut, as was the low-ridership stop at Riverview; several other northside lines were cut or run at reduced service levels as well. The MBTA scrambled to find funding; subsidy agreements were soon reached with towns along
27864-472: Was in planning. The MBTA owns all track between Boston and Fitchburg. Pan Am Railways owns the track between Fitchburg and Wachusett, and the rest of the former Fitchburg Railroad all the way to Rotterdam, New York as part of their main line between Rotterdam and Mattawamkeag, Maine . From Fitchburg to the old Stony Brook Railroad (which joins at Willows, east of Ayer), Pan Am runs both through freights to Lowell and beyond and Fitchburg-based locals; there
28036-416: Was largely unusable to the decommissioning of 3G networks . Mobile ticketing was introduced on the northside lines on November 12, 2012, and on the southside lines on November 28. Positive Train Control was implemented on the entire system per a federal mandate, which required installation by the end of 2018 with the possibility of a two-year extension. Construction began in 2017. The final segment of
28208-418: Was later extended three years to July 2011 and then another two to July 2013. After concerns about on-time performance, the 2011 extension increased the fine for late trains from $ 100 to $ 300. The MBTA considered running the service directly rather than contracting it out, but this "public option" was rejected in 2012. In August 2012, MBCR and Keolis were the two bidders for the contract. On January 8, 2014,
28380-416: Was operated between Porter and North Station from July 15–26, 2024, providing half-hour headways between those points while the Red Line was closed for maintenance work. Silver Hill station reopened on November 18, 2024. The MBTA has unsuccessfully attempted to sell air rights for development over the tracks along Somerville Ave, near Porter station . Air rights development has also been proposed along with
28552-405: Was purchased from Alice L. Atkinson in 1935, and the deed was recorded at the Southern Essex County Registry of Deeds as Book 3030, Page 279 in March 1935. Newburyport High School is one of the oldest public high schools in the United States . Newburyport is served by several public schools, belonging to the Newburyport School District, and several private schools. On Monday, November 4, 2019,
28724-426: Was rebuilt with a full-length island platform serving the original track and a new second track. The new station opened in June 2013. In August 2014, with the double tracking nearly complete, all South Acton short turns were extended to Littleton. The double tracking work, including 8 grade crossing replacements and a new interlocking just east of Littleton station, was completed in November 2014. The largest piece of
28896-514: Was replaced by Littleton– Alewife shuttle buses from March 1 to May 2, 2021, during positive train control installation. Upon resumption on May 3, weekday service on the line was changed to a regional rail model with hourly service all day. Weekend service on the Fitchburg Line and the six other lines resumed on July 3, 2021. As of May 2022, the line has 15 Boston–Wachusett round trips and two Boston–Littleton round trips on weekdays, with eight Boston–Wachusett round trips on weekends. By October 2022,
29068-411: Was retired between 1979 and 1989. 33 ex-B&M RDCs were converted to locomotive-hauled coaches (designated BTC-2 and CTC-2) in 1980 and 1982; they were retired by 1989. This left all MBTA service operated by locomotives and coaches purchased new by the MBTA. At several points since, the MBTA or its contract operator has temporarily leased locomotives when needed. Some passenger equipment acquired new by
29240-405: Was slower than expected; by 1971, the only extension in service was the first portion of the Red Line Braintree Branch on the Old Colony mainline. In 1972, as part of a funding shift from highways to transit, Governor Francis Sargent initiated a Commuter Rail Improvement Program. On October 8, 1974, the MBTA began using purple to represent the commuter rail system, as had been done in 1965 with
29412-408: Was substantially cut on March 17, 2020, due to reduced ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic . On June 22, service was increased to 85% of normal weekday levels. Changes effective November 2 reduced peak service and increased off-peak service, providing more consistent midday headways on some lines; Foxboro pilot service was suspended. In November 2020, as part of service cuts during the pandemic,
29584-507: Was to cost $ 39 million, with Gardner costing an additional $ 50 million. As an immediate change, the MBTA began running express trains on the line. The Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvement Implementation Plan , released in September 2005, included a longer list of possible improvements, and outlined a goal of reducing travel time between Porter Square and Fitchburg to one hour. The $ 300 million list included high-level platforms at all stops from Porter to Littleton, grade crossing eliminations,
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