Sharon station

Sharon station

Company type	MBTA Commuter Rail station
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	1835
Headquarters	Sharon, Massachusetts , United States
Products	Commuter rail services

Sharon station serves as a stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail network in Sharon, Massachusetts, positioned along the Providence/Stoughton Line. It offers two distinct entry points catering separately to inbound travelers heading toward Boston and outbound passengers bound for Providence and destinations beyond. In 2014, new platforms were installed to enhance accessible boarding and alighting.

History

The Boston and Providence Railroad commenced full service between Boston and Providence in June 1835, which included a station located at what is now Sharon. In 1871, that original facility was replaced by a larger depot resembling those at East Greenwich and Kingston in Rhode Island. The Boston and Providence Railroad came under lease by the Old Colony Railroad in 1888, which itself was integrated into the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad system by 1893.

The present inbound station building alongside the outbound shelter were designed by F.J. Pitcher and constructed in 1936 under the auspices of the New Haven Railroad. Between 1936 and 1937, the Depot Road grade crossing was replaced with an overpass costing $127,094 (), a response to heavy rail traffic—78 trains daily—and high speeds reaching on the Comet service. Additionally, a contract valued at $9,789 () was awarded in November 1937 for platform canopies and related enhancements.

On January 1, 1969, commuter operations of the New Haven Railroad were assumed by Penn Central. Subsequently, on January 27, 1973, the MBTA acquired multiple Penn Central commuter lines serving Boston, including the Providence/Stoughton Line. Service subsidies from the MBTA for Sharon began in June 1973, although Sharon had been incorporated within the MBTA district since 1964.

Between 1989 and 1994, special event trains running along the Northeast Corridor included stops at Sharon. However, in 1995, service was redirected to operate via the Franklin Line instead. Due to parking lot congestion at Sharon station, plans were proposed to expand parking by 102 spaces in 1999 and an additional 31 spaces in 2003; however, neither expansion was realized.

Accessibility

Prior to 2014, Sharon held the distinction of being the busiest station lacking accessibility features. Every other station with daily ridership exceeding 1,000 passengers featured accessible high-level platforms, including all stops on the Providence/Stoughton Line. Following a formal accessibility complaint lodged in 2011, construction work was mandated to be completed by November 1, 2012; however, no progress occurred during that year, raising concerns about a possible station shutdown. Consequently, the state's Architectural Access Board extended the deadline to October 1, 2013.

The upgrade project involved installing mini-high platforms and enhancing access for individuals with disabilities. Initial cost estimates placed the project at $1.2 million with planned construction during spring through fall of 2013. By May 2013, the projected budget had risen to $2.6 million with work scheduled to begin in August. After selecting a contractor in September 2013, construction commenced aiming for completion by February 2014. Noise testing and platform building continued into April 2014 alongside improvements to station buildings and parking facilities. Accessible parking spaces and building modifications were finalized by May 2014, with mini-high platforms officially opening on September 30, 2014.

Access stairs leading to the platforms were closed as of January 29, 2023.

Additional Sharon Stations

There was formerly a station located in Sharon Heights, close to Garden Street, approximately one mile south of the town of Sharon. This station ceased operations in the mid-1900s, well before the MBTA assumed control in 1973.

During the late 19th century, a short branch line spanning about half a mile linked Sharon Heights to a seasonal stop at Lake Massapoag. This spur also facilitated the transportation of ice harvested from the lake to surrounding communities. Traces of the branch line's wye configuration can still be observed by passengers traveling along the main rail corridor.