~ THE HISTORY of MARLBOROUGH'S TROLLEY AND RAIL SYSTEM ~ Rails from the South Side
Submitted by Ray Shoop
The original survey of the Boston & Worcester RR routed the railroad through Framingham Centre, but opposition led the railroad to build through South Framingham instead. Soon after the B&W opened in 1834, residents of Framingham Centre began to regret being left off the railroad. To remedy this situation, in 1849, the B&W completed a short line to Framingham Centre.
Even before the construction of this short line, the Agricultural Branch RR had been chartered in 1847 to extend westward to Northborough. Construction finally got under way in 1852. The initial segment from Framingham Centre to Marlboro was opened in June 1855 and the remainder of the line to Northborough the following December. In July 1866, the line was extended north from Northborough to an intersection that provided access to Fitchburg.
The fourteen mile Agricultural Branch started in South Framingham {0} and served Framingham Center {2}, Fayville {5}(Faysville), Southborough {6}, Marlboro Jct. {8}, Talbot {12} (Hospital Station) and Northborough {14}.
From Marlboro Jct. (approximately the current location of the asphalt plant), the Marlboro Branch rail connection proceeded two miles to the north and ended at the Marlboro station.
The Agricultural Branch RR supported both freight and passenger travel.
The typical passenger train consisted of a steam engine (4-4-0) with two passenger cars.As activity on the branch increased, several warehouse buildings and railroad sidings were added in the downtown area. In 1902, the New York, New Haven and Hartford RR depot was erected on the corner of Main Street and Florence Streets
The number and frequency of passenger trains servicing the Marlboro branch varied until 1937, when passenger service was suspended.
Examination of an N&H 1930 timetable reveals three passenger trains leaving from Fitchburg supported Marlboro Jct. enroute to Framingham then Boston. There were five passenger trains leaving Boston that terminated in Marlborough.
Typical departure times were: 6:50am, 7:45am, 8:45am, 4:03pm, and 5:40pm.
Typical travel time to Boston was about 1:30 min.There were seven trains for Boston every weekday and three on the weekends. The fare to Boston was seventy-two cents. A three month ticket, good for 162 rides, cost $27.00 -- less than seventeen cents per trip. The train ride to Boston would take one hour.
Examination of an N&H 1932 timetable reveals NO passenger trains leaving from Fitchburg supported Marlboro Jct. enroute to Framingham then Boston.
Trackside view of the New Haven Railroad Passenger Station, Marlboro, Mass. in October 1927.
View is behind City Hall
(From the collection of Bob’s Photo 1-203-734-6666)Despite local efforts to preserve the building, it was demolished in 1939.
The two-mile line from downtown Marlborough to Marlboro Junction was abandoned in 1966.
Epilog
While passenger service ended in 1937, the line has continued to carry freight. Unlike most central Massachusetts branch lines, the Agricultural Branch was transferred to Conrail in 1976. Conrail has operated the branch until the recent transfer to CSX. The line continues to supply service to many customers along the right of way. In Marlborough those customers include Corn Syrup, Propane to name a few.
Bibliography
Karr, Ronald Dale “The Rail Lines of Southern New England – A Handbook of Railroad History” Branch Line Press, Pepperell, Mass.
Located in Marlborough Public Library, 385.0974Liljestrand, Bob “New England 1930’s Steam action Worcester – The Railroad Press.
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