Boston and Providence Railroad

Boston and Providence Railroad

Company type	Railroad company
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	June 21, 1831 (1831-06-21) in Massachusetts, United States
Fate	Acquired by Old Colony Railroad in 1888; leased by New Haven Railroad in 1893; merged into Penn Central in 1968
Headquarters	Boston , United States
Area served	Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Key people	Henry Austin Whitney (president during Bussey Bridge collapse)
Products	Passenger and freight rail transport
Parent	Penn Central Transportation Company (from 1968)

The Boston and Providence Railroad was one of the earliest rail companies linking Boston, Massachusetts, with Providence, Rhode Island. Its construction occurred in stages during 1834 and 1835, marking it as one of the first railroads in the United States. A more direct route to Providence was completed in 1847, complemented by branch lines extending to Dedham (1834), Stoughton (1845), and North Attleboro (1871). The railroad was acquired by the Old Colony Railroad in 1888 and later leased by the New Haven Railroad in 1893. This line became the New Haven’s principal route into Boston, undergoing realignment during the building of South Station in 1899 and subsequent improvements aimed at eliminating grade crossings.

Following its incorporation into the Penn Central system in 1969, Massachusetts purchased its portion of the line in 1973, while Amtrak assumed control over the segment within Rhode Island in 1976. The track was electrified by 2000 and now constitutes the northern section of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, accommodating high-speed Acela Express, intercity Northeast Regional, as well as MBTA Commuter Rail services. Additionally, the MBTA Orange Line utilizes a portion of the right-of-way along Boston’s Southwest Corridor. Branch lines remain active for commuter rail operations.

History

Established on June 21, 1831, the Boston and Providence Railroad received its charter to construct a rail link between its namesake cities. Construction commenced in late 1832; the initial stretch from Boston to Canton, including a branch to Dedham, opened in 1834. The full line reached Providence on July 28, 1835, featuring the Canton Viaduct—an engineering landmark overseen by Daniel Carmichael and Reuben Fairbanks. Early stations located in Jamaica Plain contributed to the development of one of America’s pioneering commuter suburbs.

Initially built as a single-track railroad, a second track was added reaching Roxbury by 1839 and extended to Readville by 1845. Double tracking continued progressively southward through the 1860s. Authorization for a third track between Boston and Readville came in 1869, with completion by 1871; by 1873, four tracks were laid between Hyde Park and Readville. These enhancements supported increased rail traffic and service frequency.

In 1887, a tragic incident occurred when the Bussey Bridge collapsed, resulting in numerous commuter fatalities; Henry Austin Whitney served as president during this period.

Prior to South Station’s inauguration in 1899, Boston’s terminal operated out of Park Square; meanwhile, Providence’s original terminal was situated at Fox Point with ferry connections. The former mainline was repurposed largely for freight as the East Junction Branch.

A rail connection established in 1847 linked the B&P with the Providence and Worcester Railroad through Central Falls. This segment was jointly owned by both companies extending into downtown Providence.

On April 1, 1888, the Old Colony Railroad secured a lease agreement for B&P spanning 99 years. Control transferred to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in 1893, which incorporated B&P into its Shore Line network connecting Boston and New York.

The opening of South Station resulted in a new alignment along the southern side of the Boston and Albany Railroad; consequently, the original Park Square route was discontinued.

Constructed in 1908, the East Side Railroad Tunnel offered an alternative entry into Providence but is no longer in use.

In 1939, B&P sought reorganization either within the New Haven system or as an autonomous company.

Current status

Established in 1968 through a merger that included the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, the Penn Central Transportation Company filed for bankruptcy in the early 1970s, coinciding with the foundation of Amtrak. In 1972, Penn Central absorbed the Boston and Providence Railroad into its system.

The former Boston-New York main line of the New Haven's B&P combined with the Pennsylvania Railroad's New York-Washington route to create Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, which currently serves Acela, North America's sole high-speed rail offering.

In 1973, the MBTA took ownership of the Massachusetts segment of the B&P main line, including the Stoughton Branch, now incorporated into the Providence/Stoughton Line. The Rhode Island portion was transferred to Amtrak in 1976.

Branches

Dedham

The initial branch, known as the Dedham Branch, commenced operations in 1834, running from Readville to Dedham. In 1849, the Norfolk County Railroad extended southwestward from Dedham. A second branch originating at Forest Hills was established in 1850, creating a loop. A 1906 linkage connected the Dedham Branch westward to the New England Railroad at Needham Junction. Presently, only the segment between Forest Hills and Needham Junction remains active as the Needham Branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail.

Stoughton

The Stoughton Branch Railroad, incorporated in 1844 and opened in 1845 from Canton Junction to Stoughton, continues to operate as a passenger branch off the main line heading towards Attleboro and Providence.

Easton

Formed in 1854 and inaugurated in 1855, the Easton Branch Railroad extended beyond Stoughton. It became part of the Old Colony and Newport Railway in 1865 and was subsequently integrated into its primary route.

Taunton

Incorporated in 1835 and opening in 1836 between Mansfield and Taunton, the Taunton Branch Railroad was managed by B&P until 1840 when it was extended by the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad. The Mansfield and Framingham Railroad, launched in 1870 on the opposite side of B&P tracks heading northwest, provided further connectivity. A connecting link from northwest of Taunton on the Taunton Branch to B&P at Attleboro was finished in 1871.

Attleborough

The Attleborough Branch Railroad, which began service in 1870 from Attleboro to North Attleborough, was leased by B&P and linked to an Old Colony Railroad branch by 1890.

Moshassuck Valley

Chartered in 1874 and operational by 1876, the Moshassuck Valley Railroad branched north from B&P/P&W at Woodlawn towards Saylesville. It remained independent until P&W acquired it in 1981.

Seekonk

The brief Seekonk Branch Railroad, created in 1836 along the east bank of the Seekonk River, intended to run independently over B&P lines but failed due to legislative barriers. B&P purchased it outright in 1839; later, this line became part of an extension by the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad in 1855.

Warren, Bristol and Fall River

Reorganized by 1852 from earlier Providence and Bristol Railroads, the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad opened a route from East Providence southeastward to Warren and Bristol in 1855. With majority ownership by B&P, it leased the Old Colony Railroad starting in 1891.

The Rhode Island-based Warren and Fall River Railroad merged with Massachusetts' Fall River and Warren Railroad in 1860 to form the Fall River, Warren and Providence Railroad, which launched a line eastward from Warren to Somerset. The Boston and Providence Railroad Bridge connecting to Old Colony Railroad at Fall River opened in 1875. Control passed from B&P to Old Colony through a lease agreement.

Main line

The following table presents stations situated along the B&P route established after 1847, extending from Park Square in Boston to Providence. Distances are measured from Park Square; the distance to South Station is 0.8 miles greater. Mileage figures correspond to original alignments prior to rerouting in Pawtucket and Providence. Certain stations commenced operations following the B&P's integration into the Old Colony system. Stations currently in service are indicated with highlighting.

-

Stoughton Branch

State	Milepost	City	Station	Opening date	Closing date	Notes
MA	0.0	Boston	Park Square (Boston)	June 1834	1899	Closed upon South Station's opening, which consolidated separate terminals on Boston's south side.
	0.5		Back Bay	1899		Constructed during the 1899 realignment toward South Station; underwent reconstructions in 1928 and between 1979–1987. The Boston and Albany Railroad mainline crossed here.
	1.1		Chickering			Presumed closure occurred during the 1890s grade separation project; located near today's Massachusetts Avenue station on the Orange Line.
	1.5		Ruggles	October 5, 1987		Established as part of the Southwest Corridor redevelopment; no prior station existed at this location.
	2.0		Roxbury	June 1834	September 29, 1940	Reconstructed in 1897; corresponds to present-day Roxbury Crossing Orange Line station.
	2.5		Heath Street	June 1, 1897	September 29, 1940	Site now occupied by Jackson Square Orange Line station.
	3.1		Boylston Street	June 1, 1897	September 29, 1940	Location of current Stony Brook Orange Line station.
	3.6		Jamaica Plain	1841	September 29, 1940	Rebuilt in 1897; now the site of Green Street Orange Line station.
	4.3		Forest Hills	June 1973 October 19, 1987	September 29, 1940 October 13, 1979	Underwent several reconstructions; serves Needham Line trains and has connected to the Orange Line since May 4, 1987.
	5.4		Mount Hope		November 2, 1979	Situated at Blakemore Street; formerly known as Monterey.
	6.4		Clarendon Hills		Before 1964
	6.9		Hazelwood		Before 1964

State	Milepost	City	Station	Opening date	Closing date	Notes
MA	0.0	Canton	Disabled access Canton Junction	June 1834		Branch point diverging from B&P mainline. Reconstructed in 1892 and again circa 2000.
	0.6		Disabled access Canton Center	\~1845		'South Canton' was its former name.
	1.7		Springdale	\~1845	1940	Located on Pine Street; alternatively referred to as Spring Dale.
	2.9	Stoughton	"West Stoughton"	\~1845	"Before 1964"	"Situated at Central Street; also called Birds."	"- "|3.9"	Disabled access Stoughton"	"1845"	""	"Previously known as Stoughton Central; connected via Easton Branch Railroad to Dighton and Somerset Railroad post-1865."