Cape Cod Central Railroad (1861–1868)
Encyclopedia
The Cape Cod Central Railroad was a railroad in southeastern Massachusetts
. It was incorporated in 1861 as an extension of the Cape Cod Railroad
from Yarmouth
to Orleans
through the towns of Dennis
, Harwich
and Brewster
. The 18.7 mile line opened for service in December, 1865.
The Cape Cod Central Railroad merged with the Cape Cod Railroad
in 1868. Its line later became part of the Old Colony Railroad
in 1872. In 1873, the line was extended to Provincetown
by the Old Colony Railroad
.
In 1887, the Chatham Railroad Company would complete its line from the original Cape Cod Central line at Harwich
to Chatham, Massachusetts
.
Unlike the rest of the rail lines on Cape Cod
which became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
in 1893 upon its lease of the entire Old Colony Railroad
network, the Chatham line remained independent until 1905 when the NY,NH&H contracted to operate the line.
Regular passenger service to Provincetown ended in 1938 and in 1959 all passenger service on Cape Cod
ceased.
Today, much of the original 1865 right-of-way of the Cape Cod Central Railroad is part of the popular Cape Cod Rail Trail
, which runs from South Dennis to Wellfleet
.
Also, the Cape Cod Central Railroad
name continues as a tourist railroad during the summer and fall months with service from Hyannis
, although not on the lines of the original Cape Cod Central Railroad.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. It was incorporated in 1861 as an extension of the Cape Cod Railroad
Cape Cod Railroad
The Cape Cod Railroad was a railroad in southeastern Massachusetts. It was incorporated in 1846 as the Cape Cod Branch Railroad to provide a rail link from Fall River Railroad line in Middleborough to Cape Cod...
from Yarmouth
Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Yarmouth is a New England town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census....
to Orleans
Orleans, Massachusetts
Orleans is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 5,890 at the 2010 census....
through the towns of Dennis
Dennis, Massachusetts
Dennis is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States; located near the center of Cape Cod. The population was 14,207 at the 2010 census.The town encompasses five distinct villages, each of which has its own post office...
, Harwich
Harwich, Massachusetts
Harwich is a New England town on Cape Cod, in Barnstable County in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The town is a popular vacation spot, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore. Harwich's beaches are on "the Sound side" of Cape...
and Brewster
Brewster, Massachusetts
Brewster is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population of Brewster was 9,820 at the 2010 census.Brewster is twinned with the town of Budleigh Salterton in the United Kingdom....
. The 18.7 mile line opened for service in December, 1865.
The Cape Cod Central Railroad merged with the Cape Cod Railroad
Cape Cod Railroad
The Cape Cod Railroad was a railroad in southeastern Massachusetts. It was incorporated in 1846 as the Cape Cod Branch Railroad to provide a rail link from Fall River Railroad line in Middleborough to Cape Cod...
in 1868. Its line later became part of the Old Colony Railroad
Old Colony Railroad
The Old Colony Railroad was a major railroad system, mainly covering southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It operated from 1845 to 1893. Old Colony trains ran from Boston to points such as Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Newport, Providence, Fitchburg, Lowell and Cape Cod...
in 1872. In 1873, the line was extended to Provincetown
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown is a New England town located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,431 at the 2000 census, with an estimated 2007 population of 3,174...
by the Old Colony Railroad
Old Colony Railroad
The Old Colony Railroad was a major railroad system, mainly covering southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It operated from 1845 to 1893. Old Colony trains ran from Boston to points such as Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Newport, Providence, Fitchburg, Lowell and Cape Cod...
.
In 1887, the Chatham Railroad Company would complete its line from the original Cape Cod Central line at Harwich
Harwich, Massachusetts
Harwich is a New England town on Cape Cod, in Barnstable County in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The town is a popular vacation spot, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore. Harwich's beaches are on "the Sound side" of Cape...
to Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,625 at the 2000 census...
.
Unlike the rest of the rail lines on Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
which became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
in 1893 upon its lease of the entire Old Colony Railroad
Old Colony Railroad
The Old Colony Railroad was a major railroad system, mainly covering southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It operated from 1845 to 1893. Old Colony trains ran from Boston to points such as Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Newport, Providence, Fitchburg, Lowell and Cape Cod...
network, the Chatham line remained independent until 1905 when the NY,NH&H contracted to operate the line.
Regular passenger service to Provincetown ended in 1938 and in 1959 all passenger service on Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
ceased.
Today, much of the original 1865 right-of-way of the Cape Cod Central Railroad is part of the popular Cape Cod Rail Trail
Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a paved rail trail located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.Operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, it occupies an abandoned Old Colony Railroad corridor and extends from Route 134 in South Dennis to LeCount Hollow Road in South Wellfleet.Its...
, which runs from South Dennis to Wellfleet
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Wellfleet is a New England town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Located halfway between the "tip" and "elbow" of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the town had a population of 2,749 at the 2000 census, which swells nearly sixfold during the summer...
.
Also, the Cape Cod Central Railroad
Cape Cod Central Railroad
The Cape Cod Central Railroad is a heritage railroad located in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.Originally founded in 1999, it operates a variety of excursion trains from downtown Hyannis to the Cape Cod Canal during spring, summer, and fall. Recently, it has expanded service in a limited capacity to offer...
name continues as a tourist railroad during the summer and fall months with service from Hyannis
Hyannis
Hyannis may refer to a location in the United States:* Hyannis, Massachusetts* Hyannisport, Massachusetts* Hyannis, Nebraska...
, although not on the lines of the original Cape Cod Central Railroad.