Concord station (Massachusetts)
| Company type | Commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | June 1844 |
| Headquarters | Concord, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail services |
Concord station serves as a commuter rail stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail Fitchburg Line, situated in the heart of downtown Concord, Massachusetts. The station is equipped with two low-level side platforms alongside a pair of tracks and currently lacks accessible facilities.
History
Rail service connecting Concord to Boston via the Fitchburg Railroad commenced in June 1844 and has operated without interruption since that time. Although the 1960s and 1970s saw reductions in service due to budget constraints, Concord consistently retained continuous rail operations.
The original station building was completed in January 1875, while the existing structure, designed in the Queen Anne architectural style, dates back to the 1890s. Following fire damage in 1895, the building underwent significant reconstruction. Initially, it was a low-profile hip-roofed design similar to other stations along the line, later enhanced by the addition of a control tower positioned on the roof adjacent to the tracks.
In 1958, ownership of the station building transferred from the B&M Railroad for $35,000 (equivalent to roughly $350,000 today). By 1962, its function had shifted to a gift shop, and by 1977, the interior was partitioned into office spaces, a dining establishment, and retail units. Over time, various alterations have modified its original look; for instance, doors and windows facing the tracks were sealed and replaced with a mural during the early 1980s. Additionally, substantial side extensions were constructed to accommodate retail purposes. Nearby remains the circa-1907 express office repurposed as retail space, while a freight house located east of the station was torn down in 1991.
In 2024, the MBTA conducted a pilot program installing temporary freestanding accessible platforms at Beverly Depot to offer cost-effective interim accessibility solutions without undertaking full station renovations. Concord is planned to receive comparable upgrades during the second phase targeting stations lacking accessibility features. The funding for both design and construction is sourced from revenues generated by the Fair Share Amendment. Design activities began in early 2024.