PROVIDENCE/STOUGHTON LINE


The 'Providence/Stoughton Line' is a line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system running southwest from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The main line was originally built by the Boston and Providence Rail Road, and now carries service between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. The Stoughton Branch, built as the Stoughton Branch Railroad, splits at Canton Junction and runs for two more stations to Stoughton, Massachusetts.

Contents
History
Ownership
Accessibility
Station listing
Main Line
Stoughton Branch
External links
References

History


On December 31, 1968 the recently-formed Penn Central bought the failing New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The MBTA bought the section of the Providence-Boston line in Massachusetts, as well as many other lines including the Stoughton Branch, from Penn Central on January 27, 1973. On April 1, 1976 Conrail took over Penn Central and the commuter rail equipment was sold to the MBTA, though operation continued to be done by Conrail. Full subsidies by the MBTA for the Providence and Stoughton lines began on September 28, 1976, before which the Federal government helped. On March 31, 1977 the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority and Rhode Island Department of Transportation began to subsidize service beyond the MBTA district, and Stoughton began to pay to keep its station open, that cost later going to the Brockton Area Transit Authority.
On November 3, 1979 the line was closed north of Readville for long-term reconstruction as part of the Southwest Corridor project. All trains began using what is now the Fairmount Line, and special shuttle trains connected South Station to Back Bay. The new line, rebuilt below grade with space for three tracks (the old one had been above grade with room for four tracks), opened on October 5, 1987.
On February 20, 1981 the MBTA stopped serving Rhode Island, as funding from the state had ended. Rush-hour service was restored on February 1, 1988. Some off-peak weekday trains were extended to Providence starting on December 11, 2000. Weekend service to Providence has resumed as of July 29, 2006.

Ownership


The MBTA owns the track from Boston to the Rhode Island border. Track in Rhode Island is owned by Amtrak. The entire line is part of what is known as the Northeast Corridor.

Accessibility


All stations but Sharon are handicapped accessible. See also MBTA accessibility.

Station listing


Main Line

StateMilepostCityStationOpening dateConnections and notes
MABoston South Station1899Red Line and all south side Commuter Rail lines
Amtrak Acela Express, Regional and Lake Shore Limited
227.8 Back Bay1899splits from Framingham/Worcester Line
Amtrak Acela Express, Regional and Lake Shore Limited
original line continued northeast from here to a terminal at Park Square
227.1Chickeringclosed
226.7 RugglesOctober 5, 1987Orange Line
226.3Roxburyclosed
225.6Heathclosed
225.0Boylstonclosed
224.5Jamaica Plainsclosed
223.9Forest HillsOrange Line; only served by Needham Line trains
Needham Line (old Dedham Branch) splits
222.8Mount Hopeclosed November 2, 1979
221.8Clarendon Hillsclosed
221.2Hazelwoodclosed
220.7 Hyde ParkOctober 5, 1987temporarily closed November 2, 1979
219.4Readvilleonly served by trains using the Fairmount Line
Franklin Line splits and Fairmount Line joins (both part of the Midland Railroad (NYNH&H))
split with Dedham Branch
217.4Dedham Route 128Amtrak Acela Express and Regional
originally Green Lodge
Westwood
CantonDedham Roadclosed
214.1 Canton Junctionsplit with Stoughton Branch
211.0SharonSharon
206.4FoxboroughEast Foxboroclosed November 1977
204.2Mansfield Mansfieldjunction with Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg and New Bedford Railroad (NYNH&H), now the line to Foxboro (special events)
197.1Attleboro Attleborojunction with Attleborough Branch and Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg and New Bedford Railroad Attleborough Branch (NYNH&H)
East Junctionnot a station
split with old main line to East Providence
193.9Hebronvilleclosed
191.9 South AttleboroJune 20, 1990
RI190.9Central FallsBoston Switchnot a station
merge with Providence and Worcester Railroad
188.5PawtucketPawtucket-Central Fallsclosed February 19, 1981
187.3Woodlawnnot a station
junction with Moshassuck Valley Railroad
186.4Providence ProvidenceFebruary 1, 1988Amtrak Acela Express and Regional
temporarily closed February 19, 1981 (but still served by Amtrak)

South of Providence, the T. F. Green Airport station is planned on the old New York, Providence and Boston Railroad in Warwick.
Stoughton Branch

StateMilepostCityStationOpening dateConnections and notes
MA0.0Canton Canton Junctionsplits from main line to Attleboro
0.6 Canton Center
18.3 (~4)Stoughton Stoughtoncontinued as Easton Branch

External links



MBTA - The Providence/Stoughton Line

References



Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district (PDF)

★ Mileposts from FRA Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory Files

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