Boston and Providence Railroad and Transportation Company

Boston and Providence Railroad

Company type	Railroad
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	June 21, 1831 (1831-06-21) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Founder	Daniel Carmichael, Reuben Fairbanks
Defunct	1888 (acquired by Old Colony Railroad)
Fate	Acquired by Old Colony Railroad; later leased by New Haven Railroad
Successor	Old Colony Railroad
Headquarters	Boston , United States
Area served	Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Key people	Henry Austin Whitney (president during 1887 Bussey Bridge collapse)
Products	Rail transportation services

The Boston and Providence Railroad was among the earliest rail enterprises linking Boston, Massachusetts, with Providence, Rhode Island. Its construction was completed in phases between 1834 and 1835, marking it as one of the pioneering railroads in the United States. The company extended its network by adding branches to Dedham in 1834, Stoughton in 1845, and North Attleboro in 1871. In 1888, the railroad was acquired by the Old Colony Railroad, which itself was leased by the New Haven Railroad in 1893. This acquisition integrated the line into New Haven's principal Boston route. Significant infrastructure projects included a rerouting during the 1899 establishment of South Station and the elimination of grade crossings in Pawtucket and Central Falls in 1916.

In 1969, the railroad became part of the Penn Central system. Subsequently, Massachusetts purchased its segment in 1973, while Amtrak obtained control of the Rhode Island portion in 1976. Electrification of the line occurred in 2000, making it the northern section of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. It now accommodates high-speed Acela Express, intercity Northeast Regional, and local MBTA Commuter Rail Providence/Stoughton Line services. Within Boston's Southwest Corridor—constructed in 1987—the MBTA Orange Line shares part of this right-of-way. The Stoughton Branch continues to operate for commuter traffic, and a portion of the Dedham Branch is utilized by the Needham Line.

History

The Boston and Providence Railroad was established on June 21, 1831, with authorization to construct a rail route connecting its two namesake cities. Construction commenced in late 1832. The first segment from Boston to Canton, including a branch to Dedham, opened in 1834; completion was achieved in July 1835 with the finishing of the Canton Viaduct. Prominent individuals involved included Daniel Carmichael and Reuben Fairbanks. Stations such as Jamaica Plain played a role in fostering early suburban commuter communities.

Initially built as a single-track line, double tracking progressed outward from Boston between 1839 and 1865. Capacity enhancements continued into the early 1880s with the addition of third and fourth tracks. A tragic event occurred in 1887 when the Bussey Bridge collapsed beneath a commuter train, causing 24 fatalities and more than 125 injuries; Henry Austin Whitney served as president during this period.

Prior to South Station’s inauguration in 1899, Boston terminal operations were conducted at Park Square. The original Providence terminal located at Fox Point connected via ferry to other regional railroads; this section later transitioned primarily to freight service as part of the East Junction Branch. In 1847, a strategic link was established connecting B&P with the Providence and Worcester Railroad through Central Falls; ownership south of this junction into downtown Providence was shared.

Beginning April 1, 1888, the Old Colony Railroad leased B&P for a term of ninety-nine years; this lease passed to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (New Haven) when it leased Old Colony on March 1, 1893. The New Haven Railroad incorporated B&P into its main Boston-New York Shore Line corridor.

Infrastructure upgrades included constructing a new alignment to South Station along the southern side of the Boston and Albany Railroad after 1899, replacing the previous Park Square terminal route. The East Side Railroad Tunnel opened in Providence in 1908 to improve access to downtown but is no longer operational.

Facing financial difficulties within the New Haven system, B&P submitted reorganization plans to the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1939, illustrating challenges faced by its business model.

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 establishment of Amtrak. In 1972, Penn Central integrated the Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P) into its system.

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

In 1973, the MBTA purchased the Massachusetts section of the B&P main line, including the Stoughton Branch, now incorporated into the Providence/Stoughton Line. The Rhode Island segment was transferred to Amtrak ownership 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. Another Dedham branch originating from Forest Hills began service in 1850, forming a loop. A connection established in 1906 linked the Dedham Branch westward to the New England Railroad at Needham Junction. The stretch between Forest Hills and Needham Junction remains active today as the Needham Branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail, while other sections have been discontinued.

Stoughton

The Stoughton Branch Railroad, incorporated in 1844 and opened a year later between Canton Junction and Stoughton, continues to function as a passenger branch off the main line extending to Attleboro and Providence.

Easton

Incorporated in 1854 and operational by 1855, the Easton Branch Railroad extended past Stoughton. It was acquired by the Old Colony and Newport Railway in 1865 and subsequently became part of its main line.

Taunton

The Taunton Branch Railroad, incorporated in 1835 and launched in 1836 from Mansfield to Taunton, was initially managed by B&P until 1840. The route was further extended by the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad. The opening of the Mansfield and Framingham Railroad in 1870 pushed service northwestward, with a connection established in 1871 linking the Taunton Branch to B&P at Attleboro.

Attleborough

Opened in 1870, the Attleborough Branch Railroad ran from Attleboro to North Attleborough. It was leased by B&P and connected with an Old Colony Railroad branch by 1890.

Moshassuck Valley

Chartered in 1874 and beginning operations in 1876, the Moshassuck Valley Railroad ran north from a joint B&P/P&W location at Woodlawn, Rhode Island, to Saylesville. It remained independent until it was acquired by P&W in 1981.

Seekonk

The Seekonk Branch Railroad was a short spur on the east side of the Seekonk River, incorporated in 1836 but unsuccessful due to legal constraints preventing operation over B&P tracks. Purchased by B&P in 1839, it eventually became part of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad network.

Warren, Bristol and Fall River

The Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad originated from incorporations during 1850-51 and was reorganized in 1852. By 1855, it had opened a line from East Providence southeastward to Warren and Bristol. Majority ownership rested with B&P, which leased the Old Colony Railroad starting in 1891.

The Warren and Fall River Railroad (Rhode Island) and Fall River and Warren Railroad (Massachusetts), both incorporated in the mid-1850s, merged into the Fall River, Warren and Providence Railroad in 1860. This line connected Warren eastward to Somerset across the Taunton River near Fall River. In 1875, the Boston and Providence Railroad Bridge opened, linking to Old Colony in Fall River; control shifted from B&P to Old Colony through leasing arrangements prior to this connection.

Main line

The following table enumerates all stations situated along the post-1847 Boston and Providence Railroad route, extending from Park Square in Boston to Providence. Distances are calculated starting from Park Square; note that mileage to South Station is 0.8 miles greater. The station locations correspond to the pre-realignment paths through Pawtucket and Providence. Stations currently in operation are marked distinctly.

24.0 |rowspan="2"|Mansfield |bgcolor=ffdfff Mansfield |June 1835 | Reconstructed in 1955 and again in 2004; junction with Mansfield and Framingham Railroad plus former Taunton Branch Railroad. Before 1964 | Also called Tobeys; situated at Balcom Street. Junction with New Bedford and Taunton Railroad Attleborough Branch and former B&P Attleborough Branch; rebuilt in 1906. Before 1964 | Located near South Main Street. Functioned as flag stop only; junction with former main line to East Providence. Situated on Knight Avenue. Opened as replacement for Pawtucket-Central Falls; no previous station existed here. 38.2 |Central Falls |Central Falls |Template:Circa 1847 |June 16, 1916 | Located on Central Street; replaced by Pawtucket-Central Falls in 1916. Pawtucket-Central Falls |June 16, 1916 |February 19, 1981 | Consolidated separate Pawtucket and Central Falls stations during realignment. Situated on old alignment south of current tracks; replaced by Pawtucket-Central Falls. Junction with Moshassuck Valley Railroad; located at Grotto Avenue. bgcolor=ffdfff Providence | October 25, 1847 | Rebuilt as Union Station in 1898; modern facility opened on new alignment in 1986; junction with former Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad.

State	Milepost	City	Station	Opening date	Closing date	Notes
MA	0.0	Boston	Park Square (Boston)	June 1834	1899	Terminated service when South Station consolidated the separate southside terminals.
	0.5		Back Bay	1899		Constructed during the 1899 realignment; underwent rebuilding in 1928 and again between 1979 and 1987. Crosses the Boston and Albany Railroad mainline.
	1.1		Chickering		c. 1890s	Presumed closure occurred during the grade separation projects of the 1890s; located near present-day Massachusetts Avenue.
	1.5		Ruggles	October 5, 1987		Opened concurrent with Southwest Corridor reconstruction; no previous station existed at this location.
	2.0		Roxbury	June 1834	September 29, 1940	Reconstructed in 1897; current site of the Roxbury Crossing (MBTA station) Orange Line station.
	2.5		Heath Street	June 1, 1897	September 29, 1940	Now occupied by the Jackson Square (MBTA station) Orange Line station.
	3.1		Boylston Street	June 1, 1897	September 29, 1940	Site corresponds to the present Stony Brook (MBTA station) Orange Line station.
	3.6		Jamaica Plain	1841	September 29, 1940	Rebuilt in 1897; location of today's Green Street (MBTA station) Orange Line.
	4.3		Forest Hills	'c.1830s June 1973 October 19, 1987'	'September 29, 1940 October 13, 1979  '	Has undergone multiple reconstructions; serves Needham Line trains; Orange Line was relocated here in 1987.
	5.4		Mount Hope	'c.1880s'	'November 2, 1979'	'Situated on Blakemore Street; formerly known as Monterey.'
	6.4		Clarendon Hills		'Before 1964'	'Positioned at Metropolitan Avenue.'
	6.9		'Hazelwood'		'Before 1964'	'Located at Arlington Street.'
	'7.5'		'bgcolor=ffdfff' Hyde Park	'c.1840s October 5, 1987'	'November 2, 1979  '	'Reconstructed between 1979 and 1987; previously called Fairmount.'
	'8.8'		'bgcolor=ffdfff' Readville	'June 1834 October 5, 1987'	'November 2, 1979  '	'Serves as junction with Midland Railroad and former Dedham Branch; accommodates Fairmount and Franklin/Foxboro Lines since late twentieth century.'
	'10.8'	'Dedham and Westwood'	'bgcolor=ffdfff' Route 128'	'c.1860s April 26, 1953'	'c.1920s  '	'Rebuilt in both 1965 and in the year 2000; previously named Green Lodge.'
	'11.8'	'rowspan=2' Canton, Massachusetts	'Dedham Road'		'Before 1964'	'Also referred to as Canton Road.'
	'14.1'	'bgcolor=ffdfff' Canton Junction'	'June 1834'		'Branch point for Stoughton Branch; rebuilt during late nineteenth century and around the year 2000.'
	'17.3'	'rowspan="2"' Sharon, Massachusetts	'bgcolor=ffdfff' Sharon'	'June 1835'		'Underwent reconstruction circa-1870s and again in 1936.'
			'Before 1964'	Junction connecting to Lake Massapoag branch.
	'21.7' 'Foxborough, Massachusetts' 'East Foxboro'	November 1977 | Located on Community Way.

Stoughton Branch

State	Milepost	City	Station	Opening date	Closing date	Notes
MA	0.0	Canton	Canton Junction	June 1834		Junction point from B&P mainline; station was reconstructed in 1892 and again around 2000.
	0.6		Canton Center	c. 1845		Originally known as South Canton.
	1.7		Springdale	c. 1845	1940	Located on Pine Street; alternatively referred to as Spring Dale.
	2.9	Stoughton	West Stoughton	c. 1845	Before 1964	Situated at Central Street; also called Birds.
	3.9		Stoughton	1845		Previously part of the Easton Branch Railroad, which became a segment of the Dighton and Somerset Railroad after 1865; formerly named Stoughton Central.