Beacon Park Yard

File:Freight cars in Beacon Park Yard, circa 1900.jpg

The Boston and Worcester Railroad (B&W) began operating through Allston in 1834. The railroad established car shops near Cambridge Street by the mid-1840s.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h-Y3AAAAIAAJ&pg=RA3-PA6 |page=6 |title=Report of the Directors of the Boston and Worcester Railroad |date=June 7, 1847 |publisher=Boston and Worcester Railroad}} Beacon Trotting Park opened east of Cambridge Street in 1864 on land just north of the railroad.{{cite web |url=http://www.bahistory.org/bahdates.html |title=Important Allston Brighton Dates |publisher=Brighton Allston Historical Society |access-date=17 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415041614/http://www.bahistory.org/bahdates.html |archive-date=15 April 2012 }} In 1890, the Boston and Albany Railroad (B&A), successor to the B&W, bought the land for use as a rail yard, named Beacon Park Yard after the trotting park. The B&A became part of the New York Central Railroad in 1900.{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=1995 |isbn=0942147022 |pages=278–282}}

In 1958, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority bought the rail line east of Route 128, including the rail yard and freight sidings, from the NYC for construction of the Massachusetts Turnpike. The Turnpike was routed along the north edge of the yard, with a toll plaza and interchange to Cambridge Street and Soldiers Field Road there. A truck tunnel was built under the Turnpike at the west end of the yard to provide access from Cambridge Street, and a set of ramps provided yard access to and from the westbound Turnpike. This enabled use of the yard for transload operations, where freight was transferred from long-distance freight trains to local trucks in the yard.

The NYC became part of Penn Central on February 1, 1968, which in turn became Conrail on April 1, 1976.{{cite web |url=http://www.transithistory.org/roster/MBTARouteHistory.pdf|title=Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district 1964-2015 |last=Belcher |first=Jonathan |date=27 June 2015 |publisher=NETransit |accessdate=17 December 2015}} When Conrail was broken up in 2000, freight operations on the line, including Beacon Park Yard, became part of CSX Transportation.{{cite web |url=https://www3.epa.gov/region1/npdes/permits/2005/ma0025704rtc.pdf |page=10 |title=CSX Transportation, Inc. Beacon Park Yard in Allston, MA: Response to Comments on Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |year=2005 |access-date=17 December 2015}}

{{Clear}}

File:Filleted container train at Beacon Yard.jpg

In the late 1990s, Harvard University began planning a major expansion southward in Lower Allston, where substantial parcels of marginal industrial and derelict land could be redeveloped for academic, research, and commercial use. In 2000, the university purchased {{convert|47|acres}} of "Allston Landing North" - land north of Cambridge Street, and between Cambridge Street and the Turnpike - from the Turnpike Authority.{{cite web |url=https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/8/docs/HighlightedProjects/AllstonInterchange/PresentationHarvard_081915.pdf |title=I-90 Allston Interchange Task Force Meeting |date=17 August 2015 |author=Harvard University |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |accessdate=17 December 2015}} In April 2003, the university purchased {{convert|91|acres}} of "Allston Landing South" - including Beacon Park Yard, the Worcester mainline tracks, the Turnpike mainline and interchange, and CSX's engine yard - from the Turnpike Authority for $75 million despite the objections of local politicians including Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Although both purchase agreements granted permanent easements to CSX and MassDOT, the objectors expressed concerns that wealthy Harvard would attempt to buy out CSX and disrupt freight service to Boston.{{cite news |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2003/4/11/officials-irked-by-land-deal-despite/ |title=Officials Irked by Land Deal: Despite protests, board approves Harvard bid |date=11 April 2003 |newspaper=Harvard Crimson |last1=Pasternack |first1=Alex L. |last2=Schuker |first2=Lauren A.E. |accessdate=17 December 2015}}

In 1998, a new station in Allston-Brighton began to be considered as part of the Urban Ring planning process. In 2007, the City of Boston allocated $500,000 in funding for the Allston Multimodal Station Study.{{cite news |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/allston/local_news/x1306418680#axzz1x9dt5sAz |title=Allston could get commuter rail station |newspaper=Wicked Local |author=Elowitt, Karen |date=26 April 2007 |accessdate=7 June 2012}} The study analyzed both commuter rail and DMU local service along the corridor, with potential stops at Faneuil, Market Street, Everett Street, Cambridge Street, West (Ashford Street) inside Beacon Park Yard, and Commonwealth Avenue. It recommended an Everett Street stop, with stations at the other locations to come later.{{cite web |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/theurbanring/downloads/AllstonMultimodal_061509.pdf |title=Allston Multimodal Station Study |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation |date=15 June 2009 |accessdate=7 June 2012 |archive-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709000411/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/theurbanring/downloads/AllstonMultimodal_061509.pdf |url-status=dead }}

In September 2009, MassDOT reached a major agreement with CSX and Harvard over several railroad properties in the state. The state bought the outer Framingham/Worcester Line, Track 61, the Grand Junction Railroad, and several branch lines needed for South Coast Rail from CSX. The state also partially funded a new container yard in Worcester and a transload facility in Westborough, which allowed CSX to eventually vacate Beacon Park Yard for redevelopment.{{cite press release |url=http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2009/finalized-agreement-with-csx-transportation.html |title=PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION FINALIZES AGREEMENT WITH CSX TRANSPORTATION |publisher=The Official Website of the Governor of Massachusetts |date=23 September 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/allston/news/x1699594913/Harvard-will-be-allowed-to-purchase-and-develop-Beacon-Park-Yard |author=Kyle Cheney |title=Harvard will be allowed to purchase and develop Beacon Park Yard |publisher=Gatehouse Media, Inc. |work=Wicked Local |date=23 September 2009 |accessdate=17 December 2015}} The state inherited CSX's easements, requiring Harvard to petition the state before developing any property; because of this, Harvard did not include the site in its 2007 master plan.{{cite news |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2009/9/25/state-to-take-over-allston-railyards/ |title=State To Take Over Allston Railyards: Move potentially opens up Harvard-owned land for long-term development |newspaper=Harvard Crimson |date=25 September 2009 |accessdate=17 December 2015 |last1=Quach |first1=Michelle L. |last2=Zhu |first2=Peter F.}}

Construction of the Worcester container yard began in 2011, and CSX vacated Beacon Park Yard in February 2013.{{cite news | url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20130617/NEWS/306179788/1237 | title=CSX project wrap-up means money for city | work=Telegram & Gazette |location=Worcester, Massachusetts | date=June 17, 2013 | accessdate=1 September 2014 | author=Kotsopoulos, Nick}}{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2011/02/14/land_at_a_premium_railroad_exploits_its_air_space |title=Land at a premium, railroad exploits its air space |first=John |last=Dyer |work=Boston Globe |date=14 February 2011 |accessdate=17 December 2015}} CSX demolished buildings, removed old rail cars, and completed soil and groundwater remediation to make the site usable for future development.

In December 2015, Harvard University completed the purchase of an additional {{convert|19|acre|m2}} of CSX land north of Cambridge Street for $97.25 million. Harvard's plan is to use the land as a park and later redevelopment.{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/real_estate/2015/12/harvard-completes-allston-landing-acquisition-with.html |title=Harvard completes Allston Landing acquisition with $97M land buy |newspaper=Boston Business Journal |date=16 December 2015 |last=Carlock |first=Catherine |accessdate=17 December 2015}}

In 2017 and 2018, the yard was used as a staging area for the replacement of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge over the Massachusetts Turnpike.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/07/20/trouble-ahead-comonwealth-ave-bridge-replacement-project-begin-next-week/WHnLdGNuuZQdUfgKCh9oyK/story.html, |newspaper=Boston Globe |title=Commonwealth Avenue bridge replacement project to begin Thursday |date=July 20, 2018 |first=Andres |last=Picon}}

In late 2023, the rail yard was partially rebuilt by Harvard and reopened for use as a solid hazardous waste transfer facility to begin the clean up process for the Allston Multimodal Project,[https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.viasant_llc.cc46445029f3bf7f4eefd55934257d5c.html Dun & Bradstreet entry on Viasant] starting with Harvard's Enterprise Research Campus. Dirt excavated from construction of new buildings is loaded into containers, which are then trucked to the Beacon Park Yard transfer facility. There, the containers are loaded onto railcars destined for landfills, mostly to Fairport, New York.

File:Beacon Park Yard with press conference train, September 2014.JPG|Beacon Park Yard, empty of CSX cars, in 2014. The MBTA train at left was being used for the press conference announcing plans for West Station

File:Beacon Park Yard 2016.agr.jpg|Beacon Park Yard in 2016, with all but seven yard tracks removed. The second track from the right was converted from a yard track to a mainline track to improve commuter rail capacity and reliability.

File:Beacon Park Yard 2023 Wide.jpg|Yard in 2023 with new loading tracks

File:Nighttime CSX train servicing Beacon Park Yard September 2024.jpg|A nighttime CSX train services the loading tracks in 2024

File:Harvard Enterprise Research Campus UC 2024.agr.jpg|Harvard's Enterprise Research Campus under construction in 2024. Contaminated soil from the project is shipped to landfills via the reopened rail yard.

{{further|Massachusetts Turnpike#Allston Interchange}}

As part of the development of the yard, the state plans to reroute the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) just south of its current alignment within the confines of the old yard, in order to make the road safer and free up 60 acres for development. All-electronic toll collection eliminated the need for toll booths (since demolished) at the interchange, allowing a simpler layout.{{cite news |last1=Rocheleau |first1=Matt |title=Photos: Conceptual designs of project to straighten Mass. Pike in Allston |url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/allston_brighton/2013/10/photos_conceptual_designs_of_project_to_straighten_mass_pike.html |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=23 October 2013 |accessdate=18 July 2014}} In September 2014, MassDOT announced that a new commuter rail station, West Station, will be constructed at the south edge of the yard.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/09/30/weststation/ZB4d0trnj1VGo66u7kkkZP/story.html |title=New transit station to connect Allston to downtown |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=30 September 2014 |last=Dungca |first=Nicole |accessdate=1 October 2014}} The plan includes new streets, bicycle paths and more parkland along the Charles River.[https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/8/docs/HighlightedProjects/AllstonInterchange/6-27-16_Presentation.pdf Allston Interchange Presentation], MassDOT, June 27, 2016 MBTA plans included in 2013 a layover facility for commuter rail trains, with storage for up to 30 train consists.{{cite web|url=https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/25/Docs/efs/C-LayoverFacilityAlternativesAnalysisReport.pdf|title=MBTA Layover Facility Alternatives Analysis Report, March 2013|publisher=}} In April 2024, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt mentioned in a speech that she preferred the yard be located on recently purchased property in Widett Circle;{{cite magazine|url=https://commonwealthbeacon.org/transportation/transportation-secretary-gives-unfiltered-take-on-challenges/ |magazine=Commonwealth Magazine |author=Bruce Mohl |date=April 18, 2024 |title=Transportation secretary gives ‘unfiltered’ take on challenges }} MassDOT was also negotiating with Amtrak for layover space.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/09/30/business/railyard-allston-widett-mbta-amtrak/ |newspaper=The Boston Globe |title=Amtrak and the MBTA are looking to increase passenger service. But where to park the trains? |author=Jon Chesto |date=30 September 2024}} In November 2024, the state indicated plans to have a four-track layover yard at Beacon Park.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/26/business/train-storage-allston-beacon-park-yard-turnpike/ |title=State officials want to save space for train parking in Allston despite neighborhood concerns |first=Jon |last=Chesto |date=November 26, 2024 |newspaper=Boston Globe |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241126235928/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/26/business/train-storage-allston-beacon-park-yard-turnpike/ |archive-date=November 26, 2024}}

File:Beacon Park Yard aerial.JPG|Beacon Park rail yard, upper left and Interstate 90 Allston interchange, center, facing south-west. Under the proposed plan, I-90 would be moved closer to the MBTA mainline at the southern edge of the yard. West Station would be constructed near the large white building at top left.

File:Mass Pike viaduct at the throat panorama.agr.jpg|Massachusetts Turnpike viaduct that would be rebuilt as part of the proposed Allston Interchange Project, as seen from across the Charles River.

• List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards
• Harvard University's expansion in Allston, Massachusetts

{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Kyle |author-link1= |last2=Deusser |first2=Becky |author-link2= |last3=Haberlin |first3=Kim |author-link3= |date=September 23, 2009 |title=Massachusetts finalizes agreement with CSX Transportation |url=https://www.rtands.com/news/massachusetts-finalizes-agreement-with-csx-transportation/ |url-status=bot: unknown |volume= |issue= |edition= |location= |agency=Office of the Governor & Lt. Governor |page= |pages= |no-pp= |arxiv= |asin= |bibcode= |doi= |jfm= |jstor= |lccn= |mr= |oclc= |ol= |osti= |pmc= |pmid= |rfc= |ssrn= |zbl= |id= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815122212/https://www.rtands.com/news/massachusetts-finalizes-agreement-with-csx-transportation/ |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |access-date=June 16, 2022 |url-access= |quote= }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/AllstonI90InterchangeImprovementProject.aspx Allston I-90 Interchange Improvement Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009223124/https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/AllstonI90InterchangeImprovementProject.aspx |date=2016-10-09 }}, MassDOT

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Category:CSX Transportation

Category:Harvard University

Category:History of Boston

Category:Rail yards in Massachusetts

Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Boston

Category:Rail transportation in Boston