Arlington station (Lexington Branch)

Arlington station

Company type	Regional rail station
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	1846
Defunct	1977
Headquarters	Arlington, Massachusetts , United States

Arlington station—also referred to as Arlington Center or Arlington Centre—was a regional rail stop located in Arlington, Massachusetts, serving passengers on the Lexington Branch. Positioned in the town center near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Mystic Street, the station ceased operations in January 1977 following the suspension of Lexington Branch services.

History

The Lexington and West Cambridge Railroad began operations from West Cambridge to Lexington on September 1, 1846. Arlington station was placed at a prominent junction within Arlington, enhancing its strategic importance.

In 1887, the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) leased the Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L). During the late 1800s and early 1900s, B&M encouraged station beautification competitions; Arlington’s freight agent, Joseph Trembly, earned several accolades for his exceptional floral arrangements.

By the turn of the 20th century, grade crossings between Grove Street and Park Avenue were removed through infrastructure improvements at Arlington Heights and Brattle stations. Nevertheless, the vital crossing at Mystic Street and Massachusetts Avenue persisted due to complex engineering requirements involving substantial bridge construction.

Closure

On April 18, 1958, the Public Utilities Commission authorized the Boston and Maine Railroad to drastically reduce its suburban commuter operations by discontinuing branches, shutting down stations, and cutting back train services. This included closing four Lexington Branch stations within Arlington (, Arlington, Brattles, and Arlington Heights). Because Arlington was part of the Metropolitan Transit Authority funding district—offering parallel bus service via route 77 along Massachusetts Avenue—these stations, which collectively served approximately 200 daily riders, were closed on May 16, 1958. By 1968, the former Arlington station building had been converted into a senior center.

Following public advocacy, Arlington Center station was reopened in October 1965, with Lake Street station reopening in March 1968. Even though this rail service provided quicker access downtown compared to the 77 bus combined with a Red Line transfer at Harvard, Arlington station recorded only between seven and twelve daily passengers. Service was limited to a single round trip each day and carried a higher fare.

In January 1977, after a severe snowstorm left a train stranded at Bedford Depot, the MBTA declared it would not resume commuter rail operations on the Lexington Branch. During the 1980s, proposals to extend the Red Line through Arlington and Lexington to Route 128 along the former Lexington Branch corridor were abandoned due to strong opposition from local residents. As a result, the Northwest Extension terminated at Alewife in northwestern Cambridge.

Currently, only Bedford Depot and Lexington stations remain intact; Arlington station was demolished subsequent to its closure.