Newton Lower Falls Branch
Encyclopedia
The Newton Lower Falls Branch was a branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad
running a distance of approximately one mile from the Riverside Station (although not the current layout for the Green Line
but the original station above the Charles River
which was closed in the 1970s, although the platforms and a dilapidated tunnel still exist) in Newton
to Lower Falls
in Wellesley
and Newton.
a few hundred yards before ending. Most of the rail grade in Newton is intact, while in Wellesley it has mostly been built over.
The line currently branches off from the Highland Branch which has been converted to light rail. It crosses highway ramps and Route 128 before running parallel to the Leo J Martin golf course. It transects a residential area before crossing Concord Street and the Charles in to Wellesley. The tracks have been removed.
The line originally branched off from the Boston and Albany main line on the Weston side of the Charles, and then crossed back over the Charles before continuing on its current course; the grade can still be followed across the golf course. When the Highland Branch was built, it made more sense to connect to that line. The line originally served the mill area at the falls, and later, the Grossman's Lumber Yard.
One of the more interesting aspects of this short branch line was the use of an interrban-looking electric car #01 (nicknamed the "ping pong"), which would provide shuttle service between the Riverside Station on the Boston and Albany main line and a single station at Lower Falls. According to The Rail Lines of Southern New England: A Handbook of Railroad History, ISBN 0-942147-02-2 by Ronald Dale Karr, to eliminate the cost and inconvience of running a steam-powered train, early in the 20th century, the Boston and Albany Railroad hung trolley wire over the track. For a brief period before passenger service ended, a single coach was pulled or pushed by an RS-1 locomotive.
Boston and Albany Railroad
The Boston and Albany Railroad was a railroad connecting Boston, Massachusetts to Albany, New York, later becoming part of the New York Central Railroad system, Conrail and CSX. The line is used by CSX for freight...
running a distance of approximately one mile from the Riverside Station (although not the current layout for the Green Line
Green Line (MBTA)
The Green Line is a streetcar system run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the Boston, Massachusetts area of the United States. It is the oldest line of Boston's subway, which is known locally as the 'T'. The Green Line runs underground downtown and on the surface in outlying...
but the original station above the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
which was closed in the 1970s, although the platforms and a dilapidated tunnel still exist) in Newton
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
to Lower Falls
Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts
Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts is a village of Newton, Massachusetts, on the Charles River. The commercial area extends across the river into Wellesley, Massachusetts, where it is known as Wellesley Lower Falls, where a majority of the retail businesses are.The Charles River drops 18 feet over...
in Wellesley
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of Greater Boston. The population was 27,982 at the time of the 2010 census.It is best known as the home of Wellesley College and Babson College...
and Newton.
Track route
The tracks extended across Route 16 after crossing the Charles RiverCharles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
a few hundred yards before ending. Most of the rail grade in Newton is intact, while in Wellesley it has mostly been built over.
The line currently branches off from the Highland Branch which has been converted to light rail. It crosses highway ramps and Route 128 before running parallel to the Leo J Martin golf course. It transects a residential area before crossing Concord Street and the Charles in to Wellesley. The tracks have been removed.
The line originally branched off from the Boston and Albany main line on the Weston side of the Charles, and then crossed back over the Charles before continuing on its current course; the grade can still be followed across the golf course. When the Highland Branch was built, it made more sense to connect to that line. The line originally served the mill area at the falls, and later, the Grossman's Lumber Yard.
One of the more interesting aspects of this short branch line was the use of an interrban-looking electric car #01 (nicknamed the "ping pong"), which would provide shuttle service between the Riverside Station on the Boston and Albany main line and a single station at Lower Falls. According to The Rail Lines of Southern New England: A Handbook of Railroad History, ISBN 0-942147-02-2 by Ronald Dale Karr, to eliminate the cost and inconvience of running a steam-powered train, early in the 20th century, the Boston and Albany Railroad hung trolley wire over the track. For a brief period before passenger service ended, a single coach was pulled or pushed by an RS-1 locomotive.
