Wachusett station

File:Westminster freight wreck (1), April 1914.jpg

The first portion of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad opened on September 1, 1847 as an extension of the Fitchburg Railroad.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/vermont-temperance-herald/128426420/ |title=Railroad |newspaper=Vermont Temperance Herald |date=September 7, 1847 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{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 |page=87}} Two stations were located near the modern Wachusett site:{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |author=Karr, Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=1995 |isbn=0942147022 |pages=163–5, 200, 203}}{{rp|163}}

Westminster station, serving Westminster, Massachusetts, was located on Bartherick Road off State Road (Route 2A), about {{convert|1.4|miles}} west of the modern station site.{{cite map |map-url=https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~254402~5519352:Massachusetts--Atlas-Plate-No--18- |title=Atlas of Massachusetts |map=Atlas Plate No. 18 |scale=1:63,360 |publisher=George H. Walker & Co. |year=1891 |pages=170–171 |via=David Rumsey Map Collection}} It was among the original stations opened with the railroad.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofwestmin00heyw/page/232 |page=232 |title=History of Westminster Massachusetts (first named Narragansett no. 2) from the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893; with a biographic-genealogical register of its principal families |year=1893 |last=Heywood |first=William Sweetzer |publisher=Vox Populi Press |location=Lowell, Massachusetts}} The station building burned in 1908.{{cite web |url=https://www.westminster-ma.gov/sites/westminsterma/files/uploads/westminster_reconnaissance_report.pdf |title=Westminster Reconnaissance Report |page=22 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |date=June 2006 |archive-date=May 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507073354/https://www.westminster-ma.gov/sites/westminsterma/files/uploads/westminster_reconnaissance_report.pdf |url-status=dead }} In April 1914, 17 cars of an eastbound freight derailed and damaged the replacement station building.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-z8_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1236 |page=1236 |volume=56 |issue=23 |magazine=Railway Age Gazette |title=Train Accidents in April |date=June 5, 1914 |via=Google Books}}

Wachusett station was located south of Princeton Road (Route 31) in the Crockerville section of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, about {{convert|0.3|miles}} northeast of the modern station. It opened by 1865.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-weekly-herald/128426626/ |title=Explanatory |newspaper=Rutland Weekly Herald |date=December 14, 1865 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} A freight wreck at the station in July 1905 killed two men.{{cite news |title=GEORGE E. POWERS FREE.: B & M Conductor Who Figured in Wachusett Wreck Pardoned |newspaper=Boston Daily Globe |date=October 19, 1906 |page=13 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69909778/the-boston-globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

The Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) acquired the Fitchburg Railroad in 1900. Westminster station closed between 1917 and 1929; Wachusett was served only by a single westbound train by 1929, and was closed between 1942 and 1946.{{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=83–89 |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=46–49 |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{cite book |title=Boston and Maine Modern Transportation |date=May 24, 1942 |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |pages=34–37 |title-link=:commons:Boston and Maine Railroad 1942 timetable.pdf |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{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=30–35}} All passenger service west of Fitchburg was terminated by the B&M in 1960.{{rp|203}} MBTA Commuter Rail service was extended west from {{bts|Fitchburg}} to {{bts|Gardner}} in January 1980 with no intermediate stations. A possible infill station in Westminster was included in a 1981 fare tariff.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119506298/the-boston-globe/ |title=Public Hearing Notice |author=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 16, 1981 |page=46 |via=Newspapers.com}} Service was cut back to Fitchburg at the end of 1986. The derelict Wachusett freight depot, located just south of the station, was demolished in 2005 or 2006.{{citation |title=Google Earth aerial imagery |publisher=Google Inc. |author1=Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Affairs |author2=United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency}} The freight depot is visible in April 29, 2005 imagery but is gone in September 10, 2006 imagery.

File:Former MBTA platform, Gardner MA.jpg

Restoring commuter rail service past Fitchburg has been considered since 1987. In 2000, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a bill that directed the MBTA to "conduct a feasibility study regarding the reestablishment of the commuter rail line to the cities of Gardner and Athol on the existing Fitchburg/Gardner/Athol spur line" as one of many expansion and improvement projects.{{cite web |url=http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2000/Chapter125 |title=An Act Providing for an Accelerated Transportation Development and Improvement Program for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |work=Session Laws: 2000 |date=June 30, 2000 |publisher=Massachusetts State Legislature |access-date=July 5, 2015}}

However, restoration of service all the way to Gardner, much less Athol, was deemed impractical for several reasons. Gardner is {{convert|64|mi|km}} and Athol {{convert|81|mi|km}} by rail for North Station – outside normal commuting distances. The line between Fitchburg and Gardner would cost $104.2 million to double track, and speeds are limited due to the grades going through the Wachusett Mountain range. Because the Route 2 expressway is faster along the corridor than rail service would be, the station at Gardner would have attracted just 50 riders per day.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719071402/http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-4.pdf |archive-date= July 19, 2011 |url=http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-4.pdf |title=Chapter 5C: Service Expansion |work=2004 Program for Mass Transportation |author=Central Transportation Planning Staff |publisher=Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization |date=January 2004 |pages=56–57}} The Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Service Expansion Study was released in February 2005; it recommended a shorter interim extension to a new park-and-ride station off Route 2 in West Fitchburg, with possible extension to Gardner later.{{cite web|url=http://www.mbta.com/projects_underway/pdf/Fitchburg/Fitchburg_Expansion_Main.pdf |archive-date=March 18, 2006 |title=Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Service Expansion Study |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=February 2005 |author=McMahon Associates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318010516/http://www.mbta.com/projects_underway/pdf/Fitchburg/Fitchburg_Expansion_Main.pdf |pages=27–28}}

File:MBTA construction site, Fitchburg MA.jpg

On February 17, 2010, the US Department of Transportation awarded a $55.5M TIGER grant for the station in West Fitchburg and a new layover facility in the town of Westminster.{{cite web |url=https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.dev/files/docs/Tiger_I_Awards.pdf |author=U.S. Department of Transportation |title=Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants |date=February 17, 2010 |page=8}} In June 2010, the MBTA and Pan Am Railways reached an agreement for trackage rights and fees on several lines, including MBTA access to Wachusett station and the layover on the Pan Am Southern mainline partially owned by Pan Am Railways.{{cite journal |url=http://www.atlanticnortheast.com/onl/iss/10_06B.pdf |title=Massachusetts |journal=Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports |pages=10–12 |date=July 1, 2010 |volume=10 |issue=6B |access-date=May 13, 2016 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903224455/http://www.atlanticnortheast.com/onl/iss/10_06B.pdf |url-status=dead }} The project officially began with a publicized groundbreaking on October 18, 2010, and was originally scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2012.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2010-10-18/patrick-murray-administration-us-transportation-secretary-lahood-congressman-olver |title=Patrick-Murray Administration, U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood, Congressman Olver Kick off Wachusett Commuter Rail Extension Project |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=October 18, 2010}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306214015/http://www.env.state.ma.us/mepa/mepadocs/2009/112309em/nps/enf/14516.pdf |archive-date=March 6, 2012 |url=http://www.env.state.ma.us/mepa/mepadocs/2009/112309em/nps/enf/14516.pdf |title=Fitchburg Commuter Rail Extension Project: Environmental Notification Form |author=Montachusett Regional Transit Authority |publisher=Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs}} However, by February 2012, the station was just at 30% design phase, with track and signals to reach 30% design by late spring. As of then, the estimated completion date was October 2013.{{cite report |title=Meeting of the MART Advisory Board: Tentative Agenda |date=February 16, 2012 |publisher=Montachusett Regional Transit Authority |quote=Design is at approximately 30% completion for Jacobs and HNTB is expected to complete the 30% track and signal design by late spring... Project completion is expected in October 2013.}}

The new station includes a single gently curving, high-level side platform {{convert|800|ft|m}} long, located on a siding that allows trains to pull fully clear of the more-curved Pan Am Southern mainline. The station has a parking lot with 359 spaces as well as a Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) bus dropoff area and a kiss-and-ride area.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/t_projects/default.asp?id=25985 |title=MBTA Wachusett Commuter Rail Extension Project |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=December 4, 2012 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315130509/http://mbta.com/about_the_mbta/t_projects/default.asp?id=25985 |url-status=dead }}

On March 16, 2012, a kickoff event was held for a "smart growth corridor" consisting of {{convert|12500|acre|ha|lk=out}} acres within a {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=on}} bikeable radius of the station.{{cite news |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20120317/NEWS/103179914/1003/NEWS03 |title=Input is sought on smart growth corridor |publisher=Worcester Telegram & Gazette |author=Owen, Paula J. |date=March 17, 2012 |access-date=March 17, 2012}} In October 2012, $3.6 million in federal funds was given to the now-$63 million project to cover a budget shortfall due to design and site issues. The station was then expected to be completed by the end of 2013 and to open in Spring 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci_21687010/mart-get-3-6m-federal-money-extend-wachusett |title=MART to get $3.6M in federal money to extend Wachusett rail line |author=Hartwell, Michael |newspaper=Sentinel and Enterprise |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2012}}

File:Wachusett Layover construction from the southwest, November 2015.jpg

Although the station itself was not the subject of significant controversy, the proposed layover facility {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} to the west met with community opposition in Westminster over noise pollution effects.{{cite news |url=http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci_19909451 |title=Layover-station critic in Westminster calls for study |last=Melanson |first=Alana |date=February 7, 2012 |newspaper=Sentinel and Enterprise |access-date=February 21, 2012}} The layover, with six {{convert|1000|ft|m|adj=on}} tracks, replaced a similar, smaller yard in East Fitchburg. Work on the layover began in late 2012; on December 28, 2012, the town issued a stop work order over allegations that the MBTA had not obtained the proper permits.{{cite news |quote=Selectmen today issued a cease and desist order on alleged unlawful earth removal at the construction site of the proposed Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority layover station in Westminster Business Park. |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20121228/NEWS/121229676 |title=Westminster orders MBTA to stop work on station |newspaper=Worcester Telegram & Gazette |date=December 28, 2012 |author=Owen, Paula J. |access-date=December 28, 2012}} In March 2013, the town filed a complaint to the Inspector General of the US Department of Transportation, alleging that delays in the project were a result of the MBTA misleading town officials rather than ordinary construction delays, and asking the DOT to stop work on the project pending an investigation.{{citation |title=Re: MBTA Wachusett Extension Project (Massachusetts) Award No. MA-78-0002 |first=Joseph E. |last=Flanagan |publisher=Town of Westminster |date=March 25, 2013 |display-authors=etal}}{{cite news |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20130327/NEWS/103279918 |title=Littleton train station to have big impact |newspaper=Worcester Telegram and Gazette |first=Paula J. |last=Owen |date=March 27, 2013 |access-date=March 16, 2016}} By early 2014, the MBTA proceeded with construction of the layover yard.

File:Wachusett station construction, December 2014.JPG

The MBTA begin soliciting bids for pre-construction site preparation for the station and the associated layover yard in June 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/design_and_construction/construction_bid/?cbid=211 |title=Construction Bid Solicitation |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=June 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026210020/http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/design_and_construction/construction_bid/?cbid=211 |url-status=dead }} A $3.75 million contract was awarded and notice to proceed given on November 26, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/awarded_contracts/?cnumber=D40CN01 |title=Awarded Contract: D40CN01 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=December 3, 2012 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220909/http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/awarded_contracts/?cnumber=D40CN01 |url-status=dead }} Site preparation work began in early December. Bidding on a nominally-$27.592 million contract for the primary station and layover yard construction opened in February 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/design_and_construction/construction_bid/?cbid=220 |title=Construction Bid Solicitation #D40CN02 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=February 15, 2013 |access-date=February 22, 2013 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205743/http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/design_and_construction/construction_bid/?cbid=220 |url-status=dead }} Bids came in lower than expected; a $22.9 million contract was awarded on May 22, 2013, for construction to be completed by the end of 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20130523/NEWS/130529802/1116 |title=Contract awarded for Westminster layover train station |newspaper=Worcester Telegram & Gazette |author=Owen, Paula J. |date=May 23, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2013}} Track and signal work and bridge repairs were placed in separate contracts.

Notice to proceed for construction was given on June 14, 2013. A second publicized groundbreaking was held on August 12, 2013.{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/west-fitchburg-new-wachusett-rail-station/ |title=West Fitchburg: New Wachusett Rail Station |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=August 12, 2013 |last=Jessen |first=Klark |access-date=August 13, 2013 |archive-date=August 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820155347/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/west-fitchburg-new-wachusett-rail-station/ |url-status=dead }} In January 2014, an MBTA presentation stated that service would begin in "early 2015".{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Fitchburg%20Project%20Update%2001-06-14.pdf |title=Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvement Project: Project Update |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=January 2014 |page=16 |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811013039/http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Fitchburg%20Project%20Update%2001-06-14.pdf |url-status=dead }} By October 2014, the planned completion date slipped to later in 2015, partially due to a bonding company taking over for the original contractor which went out of business.{{cite news |url=http://www.leominsterchamp.com/news/2014-10-24/Neighborhoods/MART_announces_plan_for_commuter_rail_access_for_G.html |title=MART announces plan for commuter rail access for Gardner residents |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026192918/http://www.leominsterchamp.com/news/2014-10-24/Neighborhoods/MART_announces_plan_for_commuter_rail_access_for_G.html |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |newspaper=Leominster Champion |date=October 24, 2014 |last=Petalas |first=Kimberly}}

In October 2014, MART announced that it would run dedicated bus service from Gardner to Wachusett station when the station opened. By the end of 2014, retaining walls for ramps to the platforms and concrete bases for light poles in the parking lot were in place. Track and signal work on the Pan Am Southern mainline began in Spring 2015. In January 2015, the opening was delayed further to Fall 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Fitchburg%20Project%20Update%2001-15-15(2).pdf |title=Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvement Project: Project Update |date=January 2015 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |page=38|archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223806/http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Fitchburg%20Project%20Update%2001-15-15(2).pdf |url-status=dead }}

On July 11, 2016, the MassDOT Board approved spending an additional $19 million to finish the station by the end of September, bringing the total cost of the extension to $93.3 million. The additional cost included replacement for several Pan Am Southern-owned bridges which were in poorer shape than originally thought, and night and weekend work to speed completion. Service to the station had to begin by September 30, or the state risked a revocation of the $59.2 million in federal funds.{{cite news |url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/wachusett_commuter_rail_projec.html |title=Massachusetts spending more on Wachusett commuter rail project to cover delays and remain on-time |newspaper=Mass Live |date=July 11, 2016 |first=Gintautas |last=Dumcius |access-date=July 12, 2016}} Limited service began on September 30, 2016, with two weekday round trips; full service began with the schedule change on November 21, 2016.

The station was estimated to draw 400 daily riders upon opening.{{cite web |url=http://www.mrpc.org/sites/montachusettrpc/files/file/file/chapter_7_transit.pdf |title=Transit |work=2012 Regional Transportation Plan |publisher=Montachusett Metropolitan Planning Organization |author=Montachusett Regional Planning Commission |date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=December 4, 2012 |page=32 |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207210542/http://www.mrpc.org/sites/montachusettrpc/files/file/file/chapter_7_transit.pdf |url-status=dead }} By February 2017, ridership averaged 45 to 75 passengers per day, but was growing.{{cite news |url=http://www.telegram.com/news/20170225/ridership-interest-grow-at-new-fitchburg-t-station |title=Ridership, interest grow at new Fitchburg T station |newspaper=Worcester Telegram |date=February 25, 2017 |first=George |last=Barnes |access-date=March 21, 2017}} This increased to 132 in a 2018 count. At {{convert|54|miles|km}} from North Station, Wachusett is the outermost MBTA station in Massachusetts; only Wickford Junction in Rhode Island is further from Boston.{{MBTA Bluebook 2014}} During winter months a free shuttle bus is offered to the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. The shuttle is timed to connect with an MBTA "ski train", which includes a passenger car with ski racks.{{cite web |url=http://www.wachusett.com/default.aspx?tabid=66 |publisher=Wachusett Mountain Ski Area |title=Ski Train To Wachusett |year=2016 |access-date=December 11, 2016 |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411135558/http://www.wachusett.com/default.aspx?tabid=66 |url-status=dead }}

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• [https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-FR-3338 MBTA – Wachusett]

Category:MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Worcester County, Massachusetts

Category:Former Boston and Maine Railroad stations

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1847

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 2016

Category:Buildings and structures in Fitchburg, Massachusetts