Waltham station
| Company type | Commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1843 |
| Headquarters | Waltham, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Waltham, Massachusetts |
| Products | MBTA Commuter Rail service (Fitchburg Line) |
Waltham station functions as a commuter rail stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail network, situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It is part of the Fitchburg Line and positioned downtown near Central Square. Serving as the primary transit interchange for Waltham, several MBTA bus routes have stops along nearby Carter Street.
Station layout
Although the Fitchburg Line features double tracks for most of its length, there is a brief single-track segment running through downtown Waltham. Trains operate using separate inbound and outbound side platforms, both located on the track's northern side. The inbound platform, which accommodates the single track, lies between the Elm Street and Moody Street crossings. Meanwhile, the outbound platform is situated west of Moody Street where the second track diverges. Each platform is equipped with mini-high sections to ensure accessibility.
History
The Fitchburg Railroad reached Waltham on December 20, 1843, extending further to Concord by 1844. In 1851, the Watertown Branch Railroad arrived in Waltham, linking through a wye controlled by an interlocking tower at Elm Street. By 1875, the station was positioned on the north side of the tracks west of Elm Street.
Construction of a new brick station featuring brownstone accents and a clocktower commenced in 1887 and concluded with its opening on July 23, 1888. The Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) acquired the Fitchburg Railroad in 1900. Although there were plans during the 1910s to remove grade crossings near the station, these initiatives were never realized. Passenger operations on the Watertown Branch ceased on July 9, 1938, while freight services persisted into the early twentieth century.
The original station structure was torn down around 1962. After its establishment in 1964, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) began subsidizing B&M's commuter rail service starting in 1965. To enhance accessibility and passenger convenience, mini-high platforms were installed in 2007.