Winchester Center station

File:Winchester station postcard.jpg

The Boston and Lowell Railroad opened between its namesake cities in 1835; local stops were added soon after.{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |author=Karr, Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=1995 |isbn=0942147022 |pages=229–231}}{{cite book |title=Boston's Commuter Rail: The First 150 Years |author1=Humphrey, Thomas J. |author2=Clark, Norton D. |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |year=1985 |isbn=9780685412947 |pages=55–57}} Woburn Gates station – later Winchester – was open by 1838.{{cite book |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hn4hia&view=1up&seq=61 |page=49 |title=The Boston Almanac for the Year 1838 |first=S.N. |last=Dickinson |year=1838}} By the 1840s, service on the line was suitable for commuting to Boston. Elimination of the grade crossing at Winchester was considered in 1903 and 1906, and again in 1915.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73501586/the-boston-globe/ |title=Grade Crossing Hearing Postponed |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 17, 1906 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73838746/the-boston-globe/ |title=On Grade Crossings |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 17, 1903 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74978980/the-boston-globe/ |title=Winchester Grade Crossing Hearing |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 30, 1915 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} The 1915 proposal called for the tracks to be lowered by {{convert|4|feet}} and the streets to be raised by {{convert|17|feet}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75921199/the-boston-globe/ |title=Exhibit of Work by Winchester |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=November 11, 1915 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} The B&M installed bike racks at the station in 1942 in an effort to reduce parking needs.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85328787/the-boston-globe/ |title=Bicycle Racks at Winchester for B.& M. Patrons |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 21, 1942 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In the early 1950s, the B&M began planning a project to raise the tracks of the New Hampshire Main Line and the southern end of the Woburn Branch for a mile through Winchester, eliminating troublesome grade crossings downtown.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57216175/the-boston-globe/ |title=Winchester Overpass Cost Boosted to $6,000,000 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 21, 1953 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Construction began in 1955; boxy two-story brick stations opened at {{bts|Wedgemere}} and Winchester Center in 1957.{{cite book |title=A Field Guide to Southern New England Railroad Depots and Freight Houses |author=Roy, John H. Jr. |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2007 |isbn=9780942147087 |page=260}}

Until 1981, the Woburn Branch diverged from the main line just north of the Winchester Center platforms. A short stub is still in place.{{NETransit}}

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File:Inside the outbound ramp at Winchester Center, January 2013.JPG

Winchester Center station had not been substantially renovated since the viaduct was completed in 1957. In September 2008, the MBTA approved $1.4 million in platform and ramps repairs, as well as electrical and lighting work, at the station.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/?id=15685 |title=Agenda for September 11, 2008 Board Meeting |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=11 September 2008 |accessdate=3 August 2008}} The work was completed in 2010; the MBTA intended to renovate the station before the 5-year life of the platform patches was reached.{{cite news |url=http://winchester.wickedlocal.com/article/20150715/NEWS/150718025 |title=Winchester Center MBTA stop partially closed |newspaper=Wicked Local Winchester |last=Berkowitz |first=Bram |date=15 July 2015}}

On July 7, 2015, the Winchester Department of Public Works discovered a hole in the inbound platform, which prompted the closure of the northern {{convert|500|feet|m}} of the platform and one ramp due to concrete deterioration. One ramp and the remaining section of the platform remained open for service. The MBTA planned to make temporary repairs before the end of the year. Further repairs were made in 2017 to support the platforms and ramps.{{cite news |url=http://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_9374d662-8c03-11e7-ba22-572c23700e00.html |title=Train station temp repairs |newspaper=Daily Times Chronicle |date=July 28, 2017}}

Until December 2020, a small number of Haverhill Line trains ran via the Wildcat Branch and the inner Lowell Line, making stops including Winchester Center.{{cite news |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2020-fall/2020-11-02-cr-lowell-accessible.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130015122mp_/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2020-fall/2020-11-02-cr-lowell-accessible.pdf |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |title=Lowell Line: Fall/Winter Schedule |date=November 2, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-winter/2020-2021-cr-lowell-reduced-accessible.pdf |title=2020/2021 Reduced Service Schedule: Lowell Line |date=December 14, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} This routing was resumed in April 2021, with the trains no longer making the intermediate stops.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-spring/2021-04-05-spring-haverhill-accessible.pdf |title=Haverhill Line 2021 Spring Schedule |date=April 5, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405122058/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-spring/2021-04-05-spring-haverhill-accessible.pdf |archive-date=April 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-spring/2021-04-05-spring-lowell-accessible.pdf |title=Lowell Line 2021 Spring Schedule |date=April 5, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423161734/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-spring/2021-04-05-spring-lowell-accessible.pdf |archive-date=April 23, 2021}}

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The MBTA is making renovations to the station which will repair water damage and make it fully accessible. The station design was advanced to 15% in December 2011; Jacobs Engineering was then chosen as the contractor for final design in June 2012. Funding issues prevented this design work from beginning until 2013. It was later determined that the mini-high platforms of the 15% design were not sufficient for state accessibility requirements, and that full-length high-level platforms would be required. The town objected to simply changing the design to accommodate these platforms.{{cite web |url=https://www.winchester.us/DocumentCenter/View/1605/Winchester-Center-Station---15-Design-Report-PDF |title=MBTA Winchester Center Station Renovation Project: 15% Design Report |author=Jacobs Engineering |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=December 2015}}

After several iterations, a new 15% design was reached in December 2015. The rebuilt station will have {{convert|724|ft|adj=on}}-long high-level platforms; although shorter than the {{convert|800|ft|adj=on}} MBTA standard, they will still be able to platform 9 cars. A gauntlet track may be installed to allow CSX Transportation freight trains to pass. A new interlocking may be built south of the station, which will allow greater flexibility during construction and allow the retirement of the former Woburn Branch interlocking north of the station after completion. Although early designs called for replacement of existing ramps, the new 15% design added two redundant elevators at the southern end of each platform. The 1957-built station was originally to be demolished to make room for the elevators and staircases. The northern ramp to the outbound platform will be moved north of the adjacent rotary; the northern inbound ramp will be rebuilt at its present location south of the rotary, with the possibility of an additional ramp north of the rotary in the future.

Design of the station was then expected to be completed by the end of 2016, with the $25.8 million construction beginning in 2017.{{cite news |url=http://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_d75c194c-c6a4-11e5-ae2e-b71052b395ad.html |title=MBTA commuter rail project ongoing |newspaper=Daily Times Chronicle |date=29 January 2016 |first=Ryan |last=LaRoche |accessdate=24 February 2016}} By October 2016, bidding was expected to begin that December.{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014220608/http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/future_solicitations/ |archivedate=October 14, 2016 |url=http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/future_solicitations/ |date=October 2016 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |title=Future Construction Contract Bid Solicitations}} The MBTA designated $34 million in funding in 2016, but the projected cost rose to $54 million by 2018.{{cite news |url=https://winchester.wickedlocal.com/news/20180607/winchester-commuter-rail-station-is-falling-apart-but-mbta-funding-is-still-up-in-air |title=Winchester Commuter Rail station is falling apart, but MBTA funding is still up in the air |newspaper=Wicked Local Winchester |date=June 7, 2018 |first=Mariya |last=Manzhos}} By late 2019, the total project budget was $49.9 million: $7.3 million for design and $42.5 million for construction.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/2019-11-21-winchester-public-meeting-accessible.pdf |title=Winchester Center Station Improvements Public Meeting |date=November 21, 2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} By May 2020, the MBTA expected to begin construction in fall 2020, with completion in spring 2023.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-05/2020-05-26-swa-initiatives-accessible.pdf |title=SWA Initiatives—May 2020 |date=May 26, 2020 |first=Laura |last=Brelsford |pages=7–8}} However, the project was put on hold in 2020 due to budgetary issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/2020-11-30-swa-initiatives.pdf |title=System-Wide Accessibility Initiatives—November 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Department of System-Wide Accessibility |first=Laura |last=Brelsford |date=November 30, 2020 |page=7}}

File:South ramp construction at Winchester Center station, September 2022.JPG

The station was closed effective January 8, 2021 due to deterioration.{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108004633if_/https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Lowell/alerts |archivedate=January 8, 2021 |url=https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Lowell/alerts |title=Lowell Line Alerts |date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/08/metro/winchester-center-commuter-rail-abruptly-closed-due-structural-problems/ |title=Winchester Center commuter rail closed due to structural problems |first1=John R. |last1=Ellement |first2=Adam |last2=Sennott |date=January 8, 2021 |newspaper=Boston Globe |accessdate=January 9, 2021}} On January 11, the MBTA reinstated funding for the project due to the closure.{{cite news |url=http://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_26cc4e0a-54f0-11eb-abc7-3f5239a4e4b4.html |title=Winchester Center station project gets green light |newspaper=Daily Times Chronicle |date=January 12, 2021 |accessdate=January 13, 2021}} The MBTA received a demolition permit on January 25.{{cite news |url=http://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_ce0d0ff0-5feb-11eb-947f-ef7584845da4.html |title=MBTA gets demo permit for Winchester Center Commuter Rail Station |date=January 26, 2021 |newspaper=Daily Times Chronicle |accessdate=February 3, 2021}} Demolition of the ramps was completed in June 2021.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-03/2021-02-23-winchester-station-meeting-presentaion-accessible.pdf |title=Winchester Center Station Demolition Work & Accessibility Improvements |date=February 23, 2021 |first=Nathan |last=Rae |page=28 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/winchester-center-station-accessibility-improvements/update/demolition-work-complete |title=Demolition Work Complete at Winchester Station |date=June 11, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} A $47.6 million construction contract was approved on October 27, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-10/10-27-2021-8-winchester-center-station-contract-vote.pdf |title=MBTA Construction Services Contract No. J66CN01: Winchester Center Station Accessibility Improvements: Construction Contract Award |date=October 27, 2021 |first=Nathan |last=Rae |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The 28-month construction phase began in December 2021.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-12/2021-12-03-swa-initiatives.pdf |title=System-Wide Accessibility Initiatives—December 2021 |date=December 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Department of System-Wide Accessibility |page=7}} Site preparation began in March 2022.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/winchester-center-station-accessibility-improvements/update/winchester-center-station |title=Winchester Center Station Construction Prep Begins March 28 |date=March 22, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Demolition of the remaining platforms and ramps took place in May and June 2022. Some demolition and utility work lasted through the remainder of 2022.{{cite web |url=https://mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-06/2022-06-14_Winchester%20Center%20Station_Virtual%20Public%20Meeting.pdf |title=Winchester Center Station Accessibility Improvements: Construction Update |pages=10–14 |date=June 14, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}

A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 30, 2022.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-06-30/mbta-celebrates-winchester-center-commuter-rail-station-groundbreaking |title=MBTA Celebrates Winchester Center Commuter Rail Station Groundbreaking |date=June 30, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Construction was 25% complete by December 2022 and 30% complete by June 2023, with completion expected in April 2024.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-12/2022-12-7-swa-initiatives-report-december-accessible.pdf |title=System-Wide Accessibility Initiatives—December 2022 |date=December 6, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Department of System-Wide Accessibility |pages=6–7}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/2023-06-05-swa-initiatives-june-2023-accessible.pdf |title=System-Wide Accessibility Initiatives—June 2023 |date=June 5, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Department of System-Wide Accessibility |page=6}} Work was delayed by plumbing code compliance issues, supply chain issues, and reduced work windows due to a September–November 2023 diversion of Haverhill Line service over the Lowell Line.{{cite news |url=https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_417031b0-5e14-11ee-8328-cbb2af560ad7.html |title=Delays hurt, but MBTA hopes to keep Winchester Center Commuter Rail Station project on schedule |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002221858/https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_417031b0-5e14-11ee-8328-cbb2af560ad7.html |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |newspaper=Daily Times Chronicle |date=September 28, 2023}} By November 2023, the new station was 40% complete. The southern portion of the new station, including {{convert|320|feet}} of each platform, was expected to open in July 2024; the remaining portion was expected to open in October 2024.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-10/2023-10-04-Winchester-Construction-Update-Presentation.pdf |title=Winchester Center Station Accessibility Improvements: Construction Update |date=October 4, 2023 |first=Nathan |last=Rae |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-11/2023-11-27-accessibility-initiatives.pdf |title=System-Wide Accessibility Initiatives—November 2023 |date=November 27, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Department of System-Wide Accessibility |page=7}} On March 25, 2024, weekday midday service was reduced to accommodate Winchester Center reconstruction and other construction work.{{cite press release |url=https://news.keolisna.com/temporary-changes-to-lowell-commuter-rail-schedule-take-effect-march-25 |title=Temporary Changes to Lowell Commuter Rail Schedule Take Effect March 25 |date=March 21, 2024 |publisher=Keolis North America}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/2024-03-25-lowell-line-construction-schedule.pdf |title=Lowell Line Fall/Winter Construction Schedule |date=March 25, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}

In June 2024, the schedule was delayed to a partial opening in late September and full opening in December.{{cite news |url=https://homenewshere.com/middlesex_east/article_41e9f6d6-2f00-11ef-8975-bfb48fad99b2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621173228/https://homenewshere.com/middlesex_east/article_41e9f6d6-2f00-11ef-8975-bfb48fad99b2.html |archive-date=June 21, 2024 |title=Winchester MBTA project wrapping up |first=Ryan |last=Larouche |newspaper=Middlesex East}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/06-25-winchester-station-presentation.pdf |title=Winchester Center Station Accessibility Improvements: Construction Update |date=June 25, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |first=Nathan |last=Rae}} The first portion was planned to reopen on September 30, 2024.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-09-17/mbta-announces-partial-opening-winchester-center-station |title=MBTA Announces Partial Opening of Winchester Center Station |date=September 17, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} However, delays in the completion of the elevator work resulted in the reopening date being pushed back a day to October 1.{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Lowell/alerts |title=Lowell Line Alerts |date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=September 30, 2024|publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930234956/https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Lowell/alerts|archive-date=September 30, 2024}} By December 2024, construction was 80% complete.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2024-12/2024-12-06-accessibility-initiatives.pdf |title=Accessibility Initiatives—December 2024 |date=December 6, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |page=8}} The town and the MBTA clashed in 2025 over mitigation measures, including whether the MBTA would repave a parking lot, and over extensions for a construction easement.{{cite news |url=https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_8fb22392-a09e-4d24-97b8-9dc99ddcd50b.html |title=Town, MBTA issues persist |newspaper=Daily Times Chronicle |date=May 21, 2025 |access-date=June 7, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_8eb21e1a-217a-4de8-abfb-582dcda8d00c.html |title=MBTA grant easement extension |newspaper=Daily Times Chronicle |date=June 5, 2025 |access-date=June 7, 2025}} Regular midday service on the Lowell Line resumed on June 2, 2025; the remaining portion of the platforms opened on June 3.{{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-cr-lowell-line-spring-summer-schedule.pdf |title=Lowell Line Spring/Summer Schedule |date=June 2, 2025 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/winchester-center-station-accessibility-improvements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607011451/https://www.mbta.com/projects/winchester-center-station-accessibility-improvements |archive-date=June 7, 2025 |title=Winchester Center Station Accessibility Improvements |date=June 2025 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}

{{As of|2024}}, transit oriented development with 56 residential units is planned to replace the MBTA-owned and town-owned surface parking lots on the south side of Waterfield Street.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-05-17/mbta-advances-nearly-1000-units-housing-through-collaborative-agreements-including |title=MBTA Advances Nearly 1,000 Units of Housing Through Collaborative Agreements, Including Significant Affordable Housing |date=May 17, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}

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• [https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-NHRML-0078 MBTA – Winchester Center]
• [https://www.mbta.com/projects/winchester-center-station-accessibility-improvements MBTA – Winchester Center Station Accessibility Improvements]

Category:MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Category:Buildings and structures in Winchester, Massachusetts

Category:Former Boston and Maine Railroad stations