Reading station (MBTA)
| Company type | MBTA Commuter Rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1870 |
| Headquarters | Reading, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail services (Haverhill/Reading Line) |
Reading station functions as a stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail network within Reading, Massachusetts, specifically along the Haverhill/Reading Line. Situated at the intersection of Lincoln and High Streets close to Reading’s downtown area, the station’s historic depot dates back to 1870 and was constructed by the Boston and Maine Railroad. From 1959 until the line was extended to Haverhill in 1979, this station served as the terminus.
Architecture and history
The Boston and Maine Railroad inaugurated its extension from Wilmington Junction to Boston in 1845, which included a stop at Reading. The existing station edifice, built in 1870, exemplifies Queen Anne style architecture, characterized by paneled pilasters and expansive hip roof eaves supported by substantial knee braces. The facade facing the tracks comprises seven bays alternating between windows and doors, featuring a projecting bay with colored upper sash windows.
In 1960, ownership transferred to the town, and the building briefly operated as a railroad history museum. It became part of the MBTA’s acquisition of the Haverhill Line in 1973. Although there were initial proposals to extend the Orange Line subway to Reading, these plans were ultimately abandoned due to financial constraints, thereby maintaining commuter rail service. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and subsequently sold to private parties under preservation covenants in 1985.
Around 1991, renovations included constructing a mini-high platform on the inbound side to enhance accessibility. The second track, which had been removed several decades earlier, was not reinstated; inbound trains now utilize a single platform for both directions. In June 2022, the MBTA proposed installing a turnback track costing between $1.5 million and $2 million to boost service frequency. By February 2025, detailed plans outlined a 4,500-foot northwest extension from Reading station to restore double tracking. This upgrade aims to facilitate Reading short-turn trains laying over off the mainline and enable half-hourly all-day service between Boston and Reading.
Rail operations on the inner segment of the Haverhill Line were temporarily suspended from September through November 2023 for signal system upgrades; replacement bus service was provided between Reading and Oak Grove as well as Anderson/Woburn.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Buildings and structures in Reading, Massachusetts
- Railway stations in the United States opened in 1870
- Former Boston and Maine Railroad stations
- Railway stations on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
- MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places in Reading, Massachusetts