River Works station

River Works station is located in the southwest part of West Lynn, Massachusetts, near the Saugus River. The River Works complex surrounds the station on the north and west; an undeveloped site (formerly part of the plant) is located to the east. The Eastern Route has two main tracks through the station site, with freight sidings on both sides. Adjacent to a private grade crossing, short paved segments bracketing the siding tracks serve as side platforms.{{cite web |url=http://acm.jhu.edu/~sthurmovik/movies/MBCR+Maps+(2010).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008000656/http://acm.jhu.edu/~sthurmovik/movies/MBCR+Maps+(2010).pdf |archive-date=October 8, 2013 |title=Massachusetts Bay Colony Railroad Track Charts |date=2010 |author=Held, Patrick R. |publisher=Johns Hopkins Association for Computing Machinery}} The station has no high-level platforms and is thus not accessible. Small bus-stop-style shelters are located on each platform; a security gate next to the inbound platform leads to the River Works plant. The station is only open to General Electric employees – the only such private station on the MBTA system.

File:Staircase to former West Lynn station, May 2017.JPG

The Eastern Railroad was built through Lynn in 1837. The railroad added a West Lynn station at Commercial Street by 1849 to supplement the Central Square station.{{cite map |url=https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:x059c958v |title=Plan of the city of Lynn Mass. from actual surveys |first=Henry |last=McIntyre |year=1852}}{{cite journal |doi=10.2307/3111453 |title=Commuter Services in the Boston Area, 1835-1860 |journal=The Business History Review |volume=36 |issue=2 |date=Summer 1962 |pages=153–170 |first=Charles J. |last=Kennedy|jstor=3111453 |s2cid=154294514 }}{{rp|154}} The 1853-opened Saugus Branch Railroad was acquired by the Eastern Railroad in 1855 and extended from Lynn Common to the Eastern mainline, joining it just south of West Lynn.{{cite book |title=The Eastern Railroad: A Historical Account of Early Railroading in Eastern New England |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hb42t0 |last=Bradlee |first=Francis Boardman Crowninshield |year=1917 |publisher=Essex Institute |via=Hathi Trust |page=53|hdl=2027/hvd.hb42t0 }} The Eastern Railroad was acquired by the rival Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) in 1883, becoming its Eastern Route.{{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 |page=}}{{rp|75}}

The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad (BRB&L) opened on July 28, 1875, running roughly parallel to the Eastern through West Lynn. The BRB&L had its own West Lynn station at Commercial Street, about {{convert|250|feet}} southeast of the Eastern's station.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KygwAQAAMAAJ |title=The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Narrow Gauge Railroad |last=Bradlee |first=Francis Boardman Crowninshield |year=1921 |publisher=Essex Institute |via=Google Books |pages=3, 4}}{{cite book |title=Narrow Gauge: The Story of the Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad |last=Stanley |first=Robert C. |year=1980 |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |page=12}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77703387/the-boston-globe/ |title=The New Road to Lynn |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 21, 1875 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}} Within days, high passenger volumes led the railroad to authorize construction of larger stations at West Lynn, Revere, and Winthrop.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77697552/the-boston-globe/ |title=The Beach Railroad |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 3, 1875 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}} Construction of the expanded West Lynn station began in September 1875 and was completed later that year.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77712868/the-boston-globe/ |title=Lynn |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 25, 1875 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}} The station was a boxy two-story wooden structure adjacent to the grade crossing.{{cite book |title=Narrow Gauge to Boston: A Nostalgic Window on the Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad |last=Kyper |first=Frank |year=2010 |publisher=South Platte Press, Bruggeggenjohann/Reese, and Outer Station Project |isbn=9780942035872 |page=77}}

The B&M station and several nearby factories were destroyed by a fire on December 6, 1906.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77766186/the-boston-globe/ |title=Lynn Conflagration Causes Loss of $500,000 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 6, 1906 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}} A small waiting room was soon constructed on the site.{{cite book |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3764lm.g037721908 |title=Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts |year=1908 |publisher=Sanborn Map Company |page=36}} On March 29, 1910, a Boston-bound express train from Portland derailed at the freight yards just west of the station; despite the damage to the locomotive, there were no serious injuries.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77768356/the-boston-globe/ |title=Several Hurt in Fast Express Wreck |newspaper=Boston Globe|date=March 30, 1910 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} A 1909–1914 project eliminated grade crossings on the Eastern Route in Lynn. The B&M tracks were raised above Commercial Street, with a new station building constructed slightly to the east.{{cite journal |title=Track Elevation at Lynn, Mass. |journal=Engineering News |volume=74 |issue=12 |last=Breed |first=Charles B. |publisher=Hill Publishing Co. |date=September 16, 1915 |pages=533–537 }}{{cite web |url=https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:4m90fn49x |title=Aero view of Lynn, Mass, 1916 : looking north |year=1916 |author=Fowler & Downs |publisher=Hughes & Bailey}}{{cite book |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3764lm.g03772193801 |title=Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts |volume=1 |year=1938 |publisher=Sanborn Map Company |page=58}}

In 1928, the BRB&L was electrified with pre-pay stations, making it more like a rapid transit line than a conventional railroad.{{rp|77}}{{cite journal |url=https://archive.org/stream/electricrailwayj72mcgrrich#page/990/mode/2up |title="Narrow Gage" Electrified for Economy |journal=Electric Railway Journal|date=December 8, 1928 |volume=72 |issue=23 |pages=991–998 |via=Internet Archive}} Due to the Great Depression, the BRB&L shut down on January 27, 1940.{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=1995 |isbn=0942147022 |pages=268–272}} Most of the closed stations, including West Lynn, were soon demolished.{{rp|108}} By 1946, the B&M served West Lynn with just two daily round trips.{{cite book |title=Northern New England Travel Guide |title-link=:commons:File:Boston and Maine Railroad 1946 timetable.pdf |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |date=April 28, 1946 |via=Wikimedia Commons |pages=14–15, 17}} It was closed entirely prior to the 1958 cuts that eliminated Saugus Branch service and all local stops south of Lynn.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36816192/the_boston_globe/ |title=B.&M. Closes Saugus Branch, 3 Other Lines |newspaper=Daily Boston Globe |date=May 17, 1958 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36829507/the_boston_globe/ |title=Drastic Service Cuts Approved on Five B.& M. Divisions |newspaper=Daily Boston Globe |page=11 |date=April 19, 1958 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

File:River Works aerial photo, July 2016.JPG

The Thomson-Houston Electric Company opened its factory in West Lynn in 1883. The River Works plant expanded to a sprawling complex by the time it became part of General Electric in 1892.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.nia.org/history_and_guide/chapters/Vol_1-8_The_New_England_Supply_Companies.pdf |title=A History and Guide to North American Pintype Insulators |url=https://www.nia.org/history_and_guide/ |chapter=Thomson-Houston Electric Company |pages=60–63 |first=Joe Jr. |last=Mauruth |editor=John and Carol McDougald |year=1990 |publisher=National Insulator Association}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/2016/01/18/local-news/ge-has-always-been-massachusetts-story |title=GE Has Always Been A Massachusetts Story |author=Edgar B. Herwick III |date=January 18, 2016 |first=WGBH}} By 1917, a small number of local trains stopped at River Works, about {{convert|1|mile}} south of West Lynn; it was gone from timetables by 1929.{{cite book |title-link=:commons:File:Boston and Maine Railroad 1917 timetable.pdf |title=Local Train Service |date=September 30, 1917 |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |pages=15–18 |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{cite book |title-link=:commons:File:Boston and Maine Railroad 1929 timetable.pdf |title=Time Tables |date=September 29, 1929 |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |pages=33, 46–49 |via=Wikimedia Commons}} The plant was expanded during World War II; the stop appeared as a timetable note for two weekday inbound trips in 1946, and one in 1952.{{cite web |title=IRP Phase I Air Force Plants Nos 28+29 |url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a226942.pdf |publisher=Air Force Engineering Services Center |page=27 |date=June 1984 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116114933/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a226942.pdf |archive-date=January 16, 2014}}{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:April 1952 Boston and Maine Railroad timetable.pdf |date=April 27, 1952 |title=Passenger Train Schedules |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |via=Wikimedia Commons |pages=14, 15}} It was gone from public timetables by the late 1950s, but appeared again as a timetable note by 1962.{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:October 1957 Boston and Maine Railroad timetable.pdf |date=October 27, 1957 |title=Complete Rail Schedule |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |via=Wikimedia Commons |pages=16, 17}}{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:April 1962 Boston and Maine Railroad timetable.pdf |date=April 29, 1962 |title=Passenger Train Schedules |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |via=Wikimedia Commons}}

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) was founded in 1964 to subsidize suburban commuter rail service. The agency began funding Eastern Route service in January 1965. Stops at the plant resumed on September 9, 1965. It was not initially shown in public schedules or maps; it later appeared on maps as G.E. Works (1974), G. E. River Works (1976), and River Works (1978), but not in timetables.{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:April 1967 Boston and Maine timetable.pdf |date=April 30, 1967 |title=Timetable No. 15 |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:1974 MBTA system map reverse.png |date=1974 |title=Metropolitan Boston Transportation Map |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:B&M system timetable, November 1976.pdf |date=November 26, 1976 |title=Timetable No. 21 |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:1978 MBTA map reverse.png |date=1978 |title=T system map 1978–1979 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |via=Wikimedia Commons}} Not until January 1989 was the station – once again as River Works – regularly listed in public timetables. Ridership has never been high; the station averaged just 7 daily inbound boardings in 1983, and 27 in 2018.{{rp|0}}

Reduced schedules based on existing Saturday service were in effect from March 16 to June 23, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These schedules did not initially include River Works and five other limited-service stations not normally served on Saturdays. Service to River Works, but not the other stations resumed on March 23. River Works and {{bts|Lynn}} stations were changed from fare Zone 2 to Zone 1A (allowing subway-fare rides to Boston) from May 22–31, 2020, and July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 to provide additional travel options during the COVID-19 pandemic (as many of the 400-series bus routes were reduced in frequency) and to examine the impact of temporary fare changes.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-08-13/lynn-zone-1a-pilot-fares-lynn-commuter-rail-station-lowered-zone-1a-extended |title=Lynn Zone 1A Pilot: Fares at Lynn Commuter Rail Station Lowered to Zone 1A Extended through December 31 |date=August 13, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-11-23/brockton-commuter-rail-fare-initiative-fares-lowered-zone-1a-eligible-brockton |title=Brockton Commuter Rail Fare Initiative: Fares Lowered to Zone 1A for Eligible Brockton Residents Beginning December 1 |date=November 23, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The change was found to have diverted just 8 daily riders to commuter rail, and the stations reverted to Zone 2 on July 1, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/2021-04-12-fmcb-K-midyear-tariff-changes.pdf |title=July Tariff Change Proposals and Fare Pilot Updates |first=Andy |last=Stuntz |page=14 |date=April 12, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Service on the inner portion of the Newburyport/Rockport Line was suspended for several periods in March–September 2022 to accommodate signal work on the line.

The land east of the station was formerly home to General Electric's Gear Plant, which closed in 2011. Four years prior to the closure, the city upzoned the {{convert|77|acre|adj=on}} site to allow buildings up to 20 stories high in hopes of attracting new commercial development.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2014/07/12/lynn-officials-cheer-potential-redevelopment-former-gear-plant-site/4eTBB4oJJnaIavRniAMpBJ/story.html |title=Developer considers GE land for waterfront project |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 13, 2014 |last=Laidler |first=John |access-date=September 29, 2015}} In July 2014, a developer reached an agreement with GE to buy {{convert|65.5|acres}} of the site. The developer, Charles Patsios, indicated that he planned to leave an easement for public access to the station.

Patsios bought the site in October 2014 and opened discussions with MBTA officials about opening River Works station for public use.{{cite news |url=http://www.ediclynn.org/news/print/GE%20gearing%20up%20for%20the%20T.pdf |title=GE gearing up for the T |newspaper=Daily Item |date=April 24, 2015 |last=Jourgensen |first=Thor}} GE granted the required easement after Patsios purchased the property.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/03/10/getrain/KYt0KvY1zo3dqbAfllO7oK/story.html |title=This commuter rail station is not for you (unless you work for GE) |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=10 March 2016 |first=Beth |last=Healy |access-date=May 13, 2021}} He intended to rename the station "Lynnport". To open the station to the public, it would have to be made accessible, with high-level platforms constructed and the tracks relocated. The state was hesitant to pay for such upgrades without proven ridership, and GE would require security considerations before approving the public opening.{{cite news |title=Long track ahead for Lynn T stop |newspaper=Daily Item |date=September 17, 2015 |last=Jourgensen |first=Thor}}

The station was proposed in 2016 to be opened only to residents of the planned development, rather than to the public at large.{{cite news |url=http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/2016/11/next-chapter-life-lynn-ge-property-emerges/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123135323/https://www.bankerandtradesman.com/2016/11/next-chapter-life-lynn-ge-property-emerges/ |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |title=Next Chapter In Life Of Lynn GE Property Emerges |newspaper=Banker and Tradesman |date=November 20, 2016 |first=Steve |last=Adams}} However, under a tentative agreement that the developer reached with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in February 2017, the rebuilt station would be open to all riders.{{cite news |url=http://www.itemlive.com/news/gearing-up-plan-for-the-lynnway/ |title=Gearing up plan for the Lynnway |newspaper=Lynn Item |date=February 15, 2017 |first=Thomas |last=Grillo |access-date=February 20, 2017}} The full agreement was signed in May 2017, although the development project had not been financed. Under the agreement, the developer would pay for new platforms, 80 parking spaces, and a bus station.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/05/12/lynn-commuter-rail-station-open-public-new-apartments-are-built-there/niWa9JzdRE8B9yHP2mb1mN/story.html |title=Lynn commuter rail station to be open to public as 1,200 new apartments are built there |date=May 12, 2017 |newspaper=Boston Globe |first=Tim |last=Logan |access-date=May 14, 2017}} In 2024, the city received a $561,000 federal grant for planning of the new station.{{cite web |url=https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2024-03/RCN%20FY23%20Awardees%20Factsheet_3_13_24.pdf |page=76 |title=Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program: FY23 Awards Factsheets |date=March 13, 2024 |publisher=United States Department of Transportation}}

Proposals to extend the Blue Line of the MBTA subway to Lynn have considered the possibility of a stop in West Lynn. The 1945 Coolidge Commission report recommended an extension over the BRB&L route, with a West Lynn station at Commercial Street.{{citation |title=Boston Rapid Transit System & Proposed Extensions 1945 – Metropolitan Transit Recess Commission Air View |year=1945 |author=Boston Elevated Railway and Boston Department of Public Utilities|title-link=:commons:File:1945 BERy extensions map.jpg |via=Wikimedia Commons}} More recent proposals have considered using either the Eastern Route or the BRB&L alignment, with a possible station at River Works.{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-3.pdf |title=Chapter 5C: Service Expansion |work=2004 Program for Mass Transportation |author=Central Transportation Planning Staff |publisher=Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization |orig-year=May 2003|date=January 2004 |pages=5C-4, 5C-5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206131017/http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-3.pdf |archive-date=February 6, 2012}}

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• [https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-ER-0099 MBTA – River Works]

Category:MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Essex County, Massachusetts

Category:Former Boston and Maine Railroad stations

Category:Private railway stations

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1965

Category:General Electric

Category:Buildings and structures in Lynn, Massachusetts