Cross Street station (MBTA)

Cross Street station

Company type	MBTA Commuter Rail station
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1844
Defunct	1981
Headquarters	Winchester, Massachusetts , United States
Area served	Winchester, Massachusetts; Woburn, Massachusetts
Owner	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (last owner)

Cross Street station was a former MBTA Commuter Rail stop located in the northern part of Winchester, Massachusetts, adjacent to Woburn, Massachusetts. Initially inaugurated in the mid-1840s under the name Richardson Row on the Woburn Branch Railroad, a division of the Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L), it received the name Cross Street in 1876. The Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) took over B&L operations through a lease in 1887, erected a new station building at Cross Street in 1893, and later replaced it with a concrete shelter in 1955. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) began subsidizing the Woburn Branch service in 1965 and acquired the line in 1976. The station was closed when the branch ceased operations in 1981.

Boston and Lowell Railroad

The Woburn Branch Railroad commenced service on December 30, 1844, running between South Woburn (which was renamed Winchester) and . This branch was owned by the Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L), operating local trains connecting Woburn with Boston. By 1846, several flag stops had been established: Cutter's near what is now Swanton Street, Richardson Row at Richardson Street, and Horn Pond Gate close to Fowle Street. After Winchester separated from Woburn in 1850, Richardson's Row (which later became Cross Street) was situated near their boundary.

In 1854, the Boston Ice Company constructed a short spur line from the Woburn Branch just south of Richardson's Row to Horn Pond, facilitating ice transportation during winter months. In August 1876, B&L renamed several stations: Horn Pond became Woburn Highlands, while Richardson's Row was renamed Cross Street. The Woburn Branch was extended northward from Woburn in November 1885 to create the Woburn Loop, which connected back to the mainline at North Woburn. Numerous local Boston–Lowell trains were rerouted via this loop, serving stations including Cross Street.

Boston and Maine Railroad

Following its lease of B&L in 1887 as its Southern Division, the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) operated Cross Street station with a modest building positioned on the east side of the tracks north of Cross Street by 1889; during this time, Cutter's flag stop had been discontinued. In 1893, B&M erected a new single-story wooden station on the west side of the tracks just south of Cross Street. The Horn Pond Branch ceased operations in 1919.

In 1955, Cross Street along with three other stations on the Woburn Loop were replaced by unstaffed concrete shelters. On June 14, 1959, the northern segment of the Woburn Loop was closed along with Woburn Highlands station, leaving only Cross Street and Woburn stations active on what reverted to being called the Woburn Branch. Although many rail lines experienced reductions during the 1950s, service on the Woburn Branch actually increased somewhat; after 1959, several through trains were substituted with shuttle services between Woburn and Boston to maintain relatively frequent service at both remaining stops.

MBTA

Established in 1964 to support suburban commuter rail operations, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) began subsidizing multiple B&M lines including the Woburn Branch starting January 18, 1965. By 1972, Cross Street station saw an average of 84 daily boardings; most commuters arrived on foot while others utilized its limited parking or drop-off facilities.

The MBTA acquired B&M’s commuter rail equipment and infrastructure—including the Woburn Branch—on December 27, 1976. Following this acquisition, upgrades such as paved parking areas and platforms, improved lighting, and new signage were implemented. A study conducted in 1977 indicated that daily boardings at Cross Street had slightly decreased to 77.

Weekend service on the branch was discontinued on September 7, 1980; all remaining operations ended January 30, 1981 due to track deterioration and financial difficulties faced by the MBTA. The line was officially abandoned in 1982; Winchester purchased its segment in 1983 before selling it off, whereas Woburn’s portion remains under MBTA ownership. The unused shelter at Cross Street was demolished during the mid-1980s.

External links

• Google Maps Street View of the station location