Newburyport/Rockport Line#History
{{Short description|Commuter rail service in Massachusetts, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox rail line
|name = Newburyport/Rockport Line
|color = {{rcr|MBTA|Newburyport}}
|image = MBTA 1009 leads an outbound train over Manchester Draw, May 2014.JPG
|image_width = 300px
|caption = An outbound train in Manchester-by-the-Sea in 2014
|type = Commuter Rail
|system = MBTA Commuter Rail
|status =
|locale = Greater Boston
|start = North Station
|end = {{bts|Newburyport}} or {{bts|Rockport}}
|stations = 12 (Newburyport–Boston)
14 (Rockport–Boston)
(7 serve both routes)
|routes = 2
|trainnumber = 6–93, 102–193 (weekdays)
5010–5093, 5102–5187 (weekends)
|daily_ridership = 11,333 (October 2022){{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-10/GM%20Report%20to%20Board%2010.27.2022.pdf |title=GM Report |page=6 |first=Steve |last=Poftak |date=October 27, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}
|open =
|close =
|owner = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
|operator = Keolis North America
|character =
|stock =
|linelength = {{convert|36.2|miles}} (Newburyport–Boston)
{{convert|35.3|miles}} (Rockport–Boston){{MBTA Bluebook 2014}}
|tracklength =
|tracks =
|gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg}}
|electrification =
|speed =
|elevation =
|map = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|from=Newburyport/Rockport Line.map}}
|Show interactive map
|{{Newburyport/Rockport Line}}
|Show route diagram map
}}
|map_state =
}}
The Newburyport/Rockport Line is a branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail system, running northeast from downtown Boston, Massachusetts towards Cape Ann and the Merrimack Valley, serving the North Shore. The first leg, operating via the Eastern Route of the former Boston and Maine Railroad, serves Chelsea, Lynn, Swampscott, Salem, and Beverly. From there, a northern branch continues via the Eastern Route to serve Hamilton, Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport, while other trains operate east from Beverly via the Gloucester Branch, serving Manchester, Gloucester, and Rockport. A bicycle coach is offered on the Rockport branch during the summer.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Riding_the_T/Bikes_on_the_T/Eastern%20Route%20Bike%20Train_11.pdf |title=MBTA Bike Train |author=MBTA |access-date=August 11, 2013 |archive-date=October 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023104534/http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Riding_the_T/Bikes_on_the_T/Eastern%20Route%20Bike%20Train_11.pdf |url-status=dead }} With over 11,000 daily riders in October 2022, the line is the second-busiest on the system.
History
{{Main|Eastern Railroad}}
File:Newburyport (MBTA station).jpg
The Eastern Route main line between Boston and Portsmouth, New Hampshire opened in 1836 as the Eastern Railroad. Ferries were used to transport passengers between the East Boston terminal and Boston proper. The line was extended to Portland, Maine, in 1842 under a track-sharing agreement with the Boston and Maine Railroad.{{cite web |url=http://www.rememberthebmrr.info/eastern/division.htm |title=Eastern Division |publisher=Remnants of the Boston & Maine Railroad |date=January 1, 2010 |author=T. Zabek |access-date=August 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331024132/http://www.rememberthebmrr.info/eastern/division.htm |archive-date=March 31, 2012 }} The Gloucester Branch was constructed in 1847, but despite local support, it was not extended to Rockport until November 1861.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YUoWAAAAYAAJ&q=eastern+railroad+rockport&pg=PA1388 |title=History of Essex County, Massachusetts: with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Volume 2, Part 1 |author=Hurd, Duane Hamilton |publisher=J. W. Lewis & Co. |year=1888}} In 1854, with the opening of the Grand Junction Railroad, the Eastern Railroad acquired direct access to downtown Boston.
The Boston & Maine leased the Eastern Railroad in 1884, and in 1893 the new North Union Station became the terminus of the B&M, its subsidiaries the Eastern Railroad and Boston & Lowell Railroad, and the Fitchburg Railroad.
Amesbury Branch service ended in 1936, and Essex Branch service in 1942.{{cite book |title=Boston's Commuter Rail: The First 150 Years |last1=Humphrey |first1=Thomas J.|last2=Clark |first2=Norton D. |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |year=1985 |isbn=9780685412947 |pages=75–77}} Branch line service declined heavily in the 1950s, with the single Salem–Marblehead round trip gone by 1957. Massive service cuts on May 18, 1958, ended all Saugus and Danvers branch service, closed all stations south of Lynn, and halved Marblehead service. Further cuts on June 14, 1959, ended Marblehead Branch service; stations at East Lynn, Salisbury, and West Manchester were also closed.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71698391/the-boston-globe/ |title=Cities, Towns, Labor Officials Protest State O.K. of B&M Cutbacks |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 13, 1959 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}
On February 28, 1956, a southbound Danvers–Boston commuter train crashed into the rear of a stopped Portsmouth–Boston local train just north of Swampscott station during a snowstorm. The collision, blamed on the engineer operating at unsafe speeds for the conditions, killed 13 people and injured 283.{{rp|317}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71695137/the-boston-globe/ |title=Train Crashed at 50 M.P.H., Three Say |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 9, 1956 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71695242/the-boston-globe/ 13] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}} A second collision in Revere later that morning injured 143 people — some of whom had already been in the Swampscott wreck.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71696061/the-boston-globe/ |title=B. & M. Sure Signals O.K. |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 9, 1956 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71696574/the-boston-globe/ |title=Two Railroad Wrecks in One Day Enough for Seven B&M Riders |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 28, 1956 |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}} On December 27, 1966, an outbound Budd RDC struck an oil tanker truck at Second Street in Everett, killing 13 people.{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |edition=2 |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2017 |isbn=9780942147124 |pages=}}{{rp|317}}
=MBTA era=
In the 1960s, the B&M's passenger services - which, by that time, were almost exclusively commuter services — began to become financially unviable until the MBTA subsidized, and then acquired, the services. The line beyond Newburyport was abandoned in 1982; however, commuter service had been cut back from Newburyport to Ipswich in 1976. In 1998, service was restored to Newburyport at a cost of $46 million.{{cite journal | title=The railroad returns to Newburyport | author=Dodge, John | journal=Trains | date=October 1998 | volume=57 | issue=10 | pages=48}}
In the late 1980s, the MBTA planned to construct a park and ride relief station off Route 107 in Saugus. A $400,000 planning study was funded in February 1988; the proposed $11-million station would have had 1,000 parking spaces and opened in late 1991.{{cite news |title=MBTA OK's funds for Saugus study |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 18, 1988 |first=Peter J. |last=Howe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102378573/the-boston-globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}} The station was not built; instead, a high-level platform and parking garage opened at {{bts|Lynn}} in January 1992.{{NETransit}}
In February 2001, the MBTA began two parallel planning processes for the North Shore region: a Draft Environment Impact Statement for the Blue Line Extension (DEIS), and a Major Investment Study (MIS) for other projects primarily north of Salem. The MIS, released in 2004, identified a number of possible improvements to the Newburyport/Rockport Line, including upgrades to current stations, grade crossing eliminations, signal system improvements, increased frequencies, a second Salem tunnel, a branch line to Danvers, and new stations at Revere and South Salem.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Documents/North_Shore_Transit_Improvements/Chapter_3.pdf |title=Chapter 3: Project Definition & Assessment |work=Draft North Shore Transit Improvements Project-MIS |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=March 2004 |author=PB/DMJM+HARRIS, Joint Venture |access-date=March 25, 2016 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310170128/http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Documents/North_Shore_Transit_Improvements/Chapter_3.pdf |url-status=dead }} None of the projects in the DEIS or MIS was actually built due to lack of funding, except for parking structures at Salem and Beverly which were mandated as Big Dig mitigation. {{As of|2024}}, design of South Salem station is being undertaken by the city.{{cite web |url=https://www.salemma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif12836/f/uploads/south_salem_station_neighborhood_meeting_061824_final.pdf |title=MBTA South Salem Commuter Rail Stop Conceptual Design Neighborhood Meeting |date=June 18, 2024 |publisher=City of Salem}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-06-26/healey-driscoll-administration-celebrates-over-25-million-federal-funding-three |title=Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates over $25 Million in Federal Funding for Three Critical Transportation Projects |date=June 26, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}
In July 2019, Wynn Resorts proposed a combination commuter rail and Silver Line station in Everett to serve the newly owned Encore Boston Harbor casino and proposed surrounding development.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2019/07/11/wynn-offers-investors-glimpse-everett-development-potential/Y1alZ7tIRVCvWcwRCnVWRK/story.html |title=Wynn offers investors a glimpse of Everett's development potential |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 11, 2019 |first=Jon |last=Chesto}}
=Movable bridges and replacements=
File:Mystic river drawbridge no. 7.jpg
Owing to its position along the North Shore coastline, the Newburyport/Rockport Line has a large number of river crossings, including movable bridges over the Saugus River and Danvers River on the mainline as well as Days Creek and the Annisquam River on the Rockport Branch. Draw Number 7 over the Mystic River between Somerville and Everett, built in 1877, was the oldest horizontally folding drawbridge in the country{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/ma1397/ |title=Mystic River Drawbridge No. 7, Spanning Mystic River at Boston & Maine Railroad Eastern Route, Somerville, Middlesex County, MA |publisher=Historic American Engineering Record (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division) |date=December 1988 }} until it was replaced by a fixed high-level concrete span on August 26, 1989. The new $34.2-million bridge, which was completed nine months ahead of schedule, eliminated the {{convert|5|mph|adj=mid}} speed restriction on the old bridge.{{cite news |title=Swing-Bridge Operators Drawing Down Curtain |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 25, 1989 |last=Coughlin |first=William |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102378542/the-boston-globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=MBTA mulls asking state for $6m |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 28, 1989 |last=Ackerman |first=Jerry |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102378621/the-boston-globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}
The Beverly Drawbridge spanning the Danvers River was replaced in 2017. The abutments of the approach spans were repaired, followed by a 21-day service shutdown from July 17 to August 13, 2017, for the complete replacement of the swing bridge section.{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/beverly-drawbridge-project-community-meeting-april-1/ |title=Beverly: Drawbridge Project Community Meeting April 1 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=March 24, 2015 |last=Jessen |first=Klark |access-date=March 24, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402150803/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/beverly-drawbridge-project-community-meeting-april-1/ |url-status=dead }} The MBTA Board approved the $16.2-million contract in February 2016; work will last from March 2016 to December 2017.{{cite news |url=http://beverly.wickedlocal.com/article/20160210/NEWS/160219223 |title=Contractor named for Beverly drawbridge project |newspaper=Wicked Local Beverly |date=February 10, 2016 |first=Jennie |last=Oemig |access-date=February 24, 2016}} The line was shut down on weekends from July 8 through August 27, 2017, for the installation of Positive Train Control equipment in order to meet a 2020 federal deadline; four of those weekends overlapped with the already planned service curtailments for drawbridge work.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/K.%20%20%20FINAL%20FMCB%20PTC%20WE%20Suspension%20Comm%20Plan%203-27-17.pdf |title=Commuter Rail Positive Train Control (PTC): Update and Communications Plan for Suspension of Weekend Service |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=March 27, 2017 |page=6 |access-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-date=March 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331205623/http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/K.%20%20%20FINAL%20FMCB%20PTC%20WE%20Suspension%20Comm%20Plan%203-27-17.pdf |url-status=dead }}
The Gloucester Drawbridge over the Annisquam River formerly consisted of a steel drawbridge and western approach span with a timber trestle for the eastern approach. It was built in 1911, modified in 1932, and substantially repaired in 1984–85. It was completely replaced with a modern box beam bridge on steel piles.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/t_projects/?id=6442454025 |title=Gloucester Drawbridge Replacement |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=March 30, 2015}} By February 2016, bidding was planned to begin by June for the four-year, then-$34-million project, though funding had not been allotted.{{cite news |url=http://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/we-need-to-get-going-on-this-mbta-bridge-plans/article_4ef61bcc-8b49-57e6-8412-3faca3c5261f.html |title='We need to get going on this': MBTA bridge plans to be outlined Tuesday night |newspaper=Gloucester Times |date=February 23, 2016 |first=Ray |last=Lamont |access-date=February 24, 2016}} The MBTA Board approved a $56.9-million contract in October 2017; funding is split between federal and state funds. The 44-month project was to require 10 weekend shutdowns of the branch.{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/sites/default/files/fmcb-meeting-docs/2017/october/2017-10-16-gloucester-drawbridge.pdf |title=Contract H62CN03: Replacement of Gloucester Drawbridge over the Annisquam River |date=October 16, 2017 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} All service between West Gloucester and Rockport was replaced by buses from June 1 to 30, 2019 to allow for construction.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2019-06-13/rockport-and-west-gloucester-shuttle-bus-replacement-extended-2-weeks-through-june |title=Rockport and West Gloucester Shuttle Bus Replacement Extended 2 Weeks Through June 30 |date=June 13, 2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}
On April 29, 2020, service between West Gloucester and Rockport was indefinitely replaced by buses due to a failure of the old bridge.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501214142/https://www.mbta.com/diversions/rockport-line |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |url=https://www.mbta.com/diversions/rockport-line |title=Rockport Line Service Changes |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=April 29, 2020}} That June, the MBTA indicated the closure would continue until the completion of the bridge replacement in mid-2021.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-06-09/newburyportrockport-trains-between-rockport-and-west-gloucester-replaced-shuttle |title=Newburyport/Rockport Trains between Rockport and West Gloucester Replaced with Shuttle Buses through Summer 2021 |date=June 9, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} In October 2020, weekend service was modified with the outbound bus connection at Manchester, so that trains could idle between the two stations. This was repeated with weekday service on November 2, 2020. On April 5, 2021, weekend bus shuttles were changed to run between Beverly and Rockport. Other work during the closure included replacement of 11,000 wood ties with plastic ties, replacement of 12 culverts, and replacement of an old spring switch east of the drawbridge with a modern interlocking.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-12-23/gloucester-drawbridge-replacement-project-rockport-commuter-rail-service |title=Gloucester Drawbridge Replacement Project: Rockport Commuter Rail Service Restoration Expected May 2022 |date=December 23, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Portions of the line are being replaced by buses in several phases from April 11 to June 5, 2022, to allow for several construction projects including the completion of the drawbridge.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-04-07/newburyportrockport-commuter-rail-line-service-changes |title=Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line Service Changes |date=April 7, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Regular service to Rockport over the bridge resumed on May 23, 2022.{{cite press release |url=https://www.keoliscs.com/news/mbta-commuter-rail-spring-summer-schedule-to-take-effect-may-23/ |title=MBTA Commuter Rail Spring/Summer Schedule to Take Effect May 23 |date=May 10, 2022 |publisher=Keolis Commuter Services |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513000252/https://www.keoliscs.com/news/mbta-commuter-rail-spring-summer-schedule-to-take-effect-may-23/ |url-status=dead }} Work on the bridge was completed in December 2022.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-12-14/gloucester-drawbridge-newburyportrockport-commuter-rail-line-has-been-successfully |title=Gloucester Drawbridge on Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line Has Been Successfully Completed |date=December 14, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}
The MBTA plans to replace the Saugus River drawbridge in the mid-to-late 2020s.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-02/2.%20February%20AF%20Subcommittee_CIP%20Update_Draft%20for%20Review_02032022_0.pdf |title=Capital Investment Plan Update: Initial FY23-27 program sizes and public engagement process preview |date=February 10, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}
=COVID-19 changes=
Substantially reduced schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic were in effect from March 16 to June 23, 2020. Schedule changes effective November 2, 2020 shifted some peak service to off-peak, providing 30-minute midday headways on the inner portion of the line, as part of a transition to a regional rail model.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-09/2020-09-14-fmcb-K-fall-commuter-rail-schedules-accessible.pdf |title=Fall 2020 Commuter Rail Schedule Changes |date=September 14, 2020 |first=Rob |last=DiAdamo |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The final Newburyport-bound train on weekdays began operating as a shuttle from Salem, with a transfer from a Rockport-bound train.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2020-fall/2020-11-02-cr-newburyport-rockport-accessible.pdf |title=Newburyport/Rockport Line Fall/Winter Schedule |date=November 2, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} In November 2020, as part of service cuts during the pandemic, the MBTA proposed to close {{bts|Prides Crossing}} along with five other low-ridership stations on other lines.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/2020-11-09-fmcb-N-forging-ahead-service-scenarios-accessible.pdf |title=Forging Ahead: Scenario and Service Planning |page=21 |date=November 9, 2020 |first1=Laurel |last1=Paget-Seekins |first2=Kat |last2=Benesh |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} On December 14, the MBTA Board voted to enact a more limited set of cuts, including indefinitely closing Prides Crossing and four of the other five stations.{{cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2020/12/14/mbta-control-board-approves-service-cuts |title=MBTA Control Board Votes To Scale Back Bus, Train And Ferry Service |newspaper=WBUR |date=December 14, 2020 |first=Zeninjor |last=Enwemeka |accessdate=February 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/2020-12-14-fmcb-F-forging-ahead-service-proposal.pdf |page=17 |title=Forging Ahead: Service Proposal |date=December 14, 2020 |first1=Laurel |last1=Paget-Seekins |first2=Kat |last2=Benesh |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} That day, temporary reduced schedules were again put into place, with Prides Crossing not served.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-12-10/commuter-rail-temporarily-operate-reduced-service-schedule-starting-december-14 |title=Commuter Rail to Temporarily Operate Reduced Service Schedule Starting December 14 |date=December 10, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Full service resumed on April 5, 2021, with Prides Crossing still closed.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-spring/2021-04-05-spring-kingston-accessible.pdf |title=Kingston Line Spring 2021 Schedule, Effective April 5th, 2021 |date=April 5, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}
{{As of|February 2022}}, weekday service had 12 Boston–West Gloucester round trips, 13 Boston–Newburyport round trips, three Boston–Beverly round trips, and one Salem–Newburyport outbound trip. Weekend service had nine round trips on each branch, with no short turns.{{cite magazine |magazine=Rollsign |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |date=January–February 2022 |issue=1–2 |volume=59 |title=MBTA Vehicle Inventory as of February 28, 2022 |first=Jonathan |last=Belcher |page=17}} A series of partial and complete closures of the line took place from March 5 to June 12, 2022, to allow for signal construction work. Several shorter closures took place in July through September. Lynn station temporarily closed on October 1, 2022, pending a reconstruction project.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-09-16/lynn-station-close-october-1-improvements |title=Lynn Station to Close on October 1 for Improvements |date=September 16, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} By October 2022, the line had 11,333 daily riders — 76% of pre-COVID ridership. Rockport Branch service was replaced by buses from October 15 to December 18, 2022, for the final phase of signal work. All trips on the line were reduced to Zone 1A fares (the least expensive) from July 1 to August 31, 2023, during a closure of the Sumner Tunnel.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-06-22/entire-newburyportrockport-line-accept-zone-1a-fares-july-1-august-31 |title=Entire Newburyport/Rockport Line to Accept Zone 1A Fares July 1 – August 31 |date=June 22, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Four weekday round trips were cut from March 24 to June 1, 2025, to accommodate track work.{{multiref2|{{cite press release |url=https://news.keolisna.com/commuter-rail-announces-spring/summer-schedule-to-take-effect-march-24 |title=Commuter Rail Announces Spring/Summer Schedule to Take Effect March 24 |publisher=Keolis North America |date=March 4, 2025}}|{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/2025-03-24-cr-newburyport-rockport-line-temporary-construction-schedule.pdf |title=Newburyport/Rockport Line Temporary Construction Schedule |date=March 24, 2025 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}|{{cite press release |url=https://news.keolisna.com/mbta-and-keolis-announce-schedule-changes-on-commuter-rail-effective-june-2 |title=MBTA and Keolis Announce Schedule Changes on Commuter Rail Effective June 2 |publisher=Keolis North America |date=May 22, 2025}}|{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/2025-06-02-newburyport-rockport-line-spring-summer-schedule.pdf |title=Newburyport/Rockport Line Spring/Summer Schedule |date=June 2, 2025 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}}}
=Proposed electrification=
In April 2021, the MBTA indicated plans to electrify the line between Boston and Beverly Depot as part of its regional rail modernization initiative. Studies for facility needs and traction power were noted as being funded, while design and planning for required infrastructure changes were not.{{cite web|url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/2021-04-12-fmcb-J-regional-rail-update.pdf|title=Regional Rail Transformation Update: EMU Pilot and Phase 1 Planning Update|date=April 12, 2021|accessdate=April 15, 2021|author=Alistair Sawers}} In June 2022, the MBTA indicated plans to begin service with battery electric multiple units on the line in 2031. The section from Chelsea to Hamilton/Wenham and Manchester (save for the Salem Tunnel) would have overhead wires. A light maintenance facility would be constructed near Salem. Improvements to a turnback track near Beverly are planned to allow more frequent diesel service in the interim.{{cite web |url=https://mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-06/10.%20Rail%20Transformation%20Technology%20Board%20Update%20v2.pdf |title=Regional Rail Transformation Update: Traction Power Planning for Regional and Urban Rail Services |first=Alistar |last=Sawers |date=June 23, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} By the mid-2020s, the MBTA had adapted short-term plans for regional rail to instead optimize diesel-hauled operations for increased services on select corridors. BEMUs would be implemented as part of a later regional rail improvement phase in the late 2030s. [https://www.mbta.com/projects/regional-rail-modernization-program "Regional Rail Modernization Program | Projects | MBTA"]. www.mbta.com. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
Station listing
class="wikitable"
!State !Fare zone !Location !Station !Connections and notes |
rowspan=12|MA
| rowspan="2" |1A |{{convert|0.0|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|North Station}} |{{ric|Amtrak|name=y}}: {{lnl|Amtrak|Downeaster}} |
Chelsea
|{{convert|4.1|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Chelsea}} |{{ric|MBTA|Subway|name=y}}: {{ric|MBTA|Silver|name=y}} ({{MBTABus|SL3}}) |
rowspan="2" |2
| rowspan="2" |Lynn |{{convert|9.9|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{bts|River Works}} |For River Works employees only |
{{convert|11.5|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|{{access icon}} {{bts|Lynn}} |{{ric|MBTA|Bus|name=y}}: {{MBTA bus links|Lynn}} |
rowspan="2" |3
|{{convert|12.8|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Swampscott}} | |
Salem
|{{convert|16.8|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Salem}} |{{ric|MBTA|Bus|name=y}}: {{MBTA bus links|Salem}} |
4
| rowspan="2" |Beverly |{{convert|18.3|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Beverly Depot}} |{{bus icon}} CATA: {{MBTA other buses|Beverly CATA}} |
rowspan="2" |5
|{{convert|20.8|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|North Beverly}} |{{ric|MBTA|Bus|name=y}}: {{MBTA bus links|North Beverly}} |
Hamilton
|{{convert|22.7|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Hamilton/Wenham}} | |
6
|{{convert|27.6|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Ipswich}} |{{bus icon}} CATA: {{MBTA other buses|Ipswich CATA}} |
7
|{{convert|31.2|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Rowley}} | |
8
|{{convert|36.2|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Newburyport}} |{{bus icon}} MVRTA: {{MBTA other buses|Newburyport MVRTA}} |
bgcolor=dfdfdf
|rowspan=3|NH | |{{convert|46.5|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{bts|Hampton}} |Closed January 4, 1965 |
bgcolor=dfdfdf
| |{{convert|48.7|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{bts|North Hampton}} |Closed January 4, 1965 |
bgcolor=dfdfdf
| |{{convert|56.9|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{bts|Portsmouth}} |Closed January 4, 1965 |
colspan=6 align=center |{{color box|#dfdfdf}} Closed station |
=Gloucester Branch=
class="wikitable"
!Fare zone !Location !Station !Connections and notes |
rowspan="2" |4
| rowspan="4" |Beverly |{{convert|18.3|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Beverly Depot}} |{{bus icon}} CATA: {{MBTA other buses|Beverly CATA}} |
{{convert|19.8|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|{{access icon}} {{bts|Montserrat}} |{{bus icon}} CATA: {{MBTA other buses|Montserrat CATA}} |
rowspan="2" |5
|bgcolor=dfdfdf|{{convert|22.2|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |bgcolor=dfdfdf|{{bts|Prides Crossing}} |bgcolor=dfdfdf|Closed January 23, 2021 |
{{convert|22.9|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|{{access icon}} {{bts|Beverly Farms}} | |
6
|{{convert|25.4|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Manchester}} | |
rowspan="3" |7
| rowspan="3" |Gloucester |{{convert|29.6|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|West Gloucester}} |{{bus icon}} CATA: {{MBTA other buses|West Gloucester CATA}} |
bgcolor=dfdfdf
|{{convert|30.6|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{bts|Harbor}} |Closed January 7, 1985 |
{{convert|31.6|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|{{access icon}} {{bts|Gloucester}} |{{bus icon}} CATA: {{MBTA other buses|Gloucester CATA}} |
8
|{{convert|35.3|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}} |{{access icon}} {{bts|Rockport}} |{{bus icon}} CATA: {{MBTA other buses|Rockport CATA}} |
colspan=5 align=center |{{color box|#dfdfdf}} Closed station |
Gallery
File:Inbound train leaving Chelsea station, December 2023.JPG|Chelsea Station
File:River Works commuter rail stop.jpg|River Works
File:Swampscott MBTA Station.JPG|Swampscott
File:Beverly Depot (MBTA station).jpg|Beverly Depot
File:MBTAnbeverly2.jpg|North Beverly
File:Rowley MBTA Station, Rowley MA.jpg|Rowley
File:Gloucester (MBTA station).jpg|Gloucester
File:MBTArockport5.jpg|Rockport
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line}}
{{Attached KML}}
- [http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=NBRYROCK MBTA.com: Newburyport/Rockport Line]
{{MBTA}}
{{Massachusetts-Rhode Island transit agencies}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Newburyport Rockport Line}}