Amherst and Belchertown Railroad
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | New London, Willimantic and Springfield Railroad |
| Founded | 1847 |
| Fate | Leased by Central Vermont Railroad in 1871; operations now by New England Central Railroad |
| Headquarters | New London , United States |
Area served | Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont |
| Products | Rail freight and passenger services |
The New London Northern Railroad operated a route stretching from New London, Connecticut northward to Brattleboro, Vermont, eventually becoming integrated into the Central Vermont Railway. After a period of management by the Canadian National Railway, its operations are currently overseen by the New England Central Railroad. Remarkably, it was the sole through railroad in Connecticut that was not under the control of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.
History
Initially chartered in May 1847 as the New London, Willimantic and Springfield Railroad, the company underwent a name change in 1848 to become the New London, Willimantic and Palmer Railroad, reflecting a revision of its northern endpoint to Palmer, Massachusetts. The railway line was gradually opened between 1849 and 1850, establishing a connection from New London through Norwich and Willimantic up to Palmer. Additionally, a steamship service operated between New London and New York City via Long Island Sound.
The Amherst and Belchertown Railroad received its charter in 1851 and commenced operations in 1853, running from Palmer northward to Amherst. Following bankruptcy in 1857, it was reorganized as the Amherst, Belchertown and Palmer Railroad in 1858.
On April 1, 1861, the New London Northern Railroad took over from the New London, Willimantic and Palmer. It expanded its network by acquiring the Amherst, Belchertown and Palmer Railroad in 1864, extending its service area north to Amherst. By 1867, the line had reached further north to Millers Falls, where it connected with the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad.
The Central Vermont Railroad leased the New London Northern on December 1, 1871, designating it as its Southern Division. This arrangement linked routes through the Vermont Valley Railroad and the Brattleboro Branch of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad.
The Ware River Railroad, which opened between 1870 and 1873 from Palmer to Winchendon, was initially leased to New London Northern but came under control of the Boston and Albany Railroad in April 1873.
In May 1880, New London Northern extended its northern terminus by acquiring the Vermont and Massachusetts branch stretching from Millers Falls to Brattleboro. Earlier that year, it also leased the narrow gauge Brattleboro and Whitehall Railroad, which operated a branch northwest from Brattleboro to South Londonderry; however, this line never reached Whitehall, NY.
The Grand Trunk Railway purchased Central Vermont in 1896; later, Grand Trunk became part of Canadian National Railway in 1923.
After declaring bankruptcy in 1905, the Brattleboro and Whitehall reorganized as the West River Railroad and converted its tracks to standard gauge.
On February 3, 1995, operational control shifted to the New England Central Railroad—a regional carrier running from New London northward to East Alburg, Vermont—following approval by the Interstate Commerce Commission in December 1994.
Branches
- Palmertown
The Palmertown Branch extended westward from Montville, Connecticut to Palmertown, Connecticut.
- Fitchville
The Fitchville Branch connected Fitchville Junction in northwest Norwich, Connecticut westward to Fitchville, Connecticut.
- Flynt's Granite
Owned and operated by the Flynt Granite Company, the Flynt's Granite Branch Railroad served their quarry operations located in Monson, Massachusetts.
Passenger service
Following its acquisition by the Central Vermont Railway, the New London Northern's passenger operations were incorporated as a branch of CV. The line running through Brattleboro, Amherst, Palmer, Norwich, and New London remained active for passenger travel until September 27, 1947. Mansfield station was the nearest rail point serving the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs. Passenger trains made a comeback in 1989 when Amtrak redirected the Montrealer along this route, initially stopping at New London, Amherst, and Palmer; Willimantic was included as a stop starting in 1991. This service ceased in 1995.