Beacon Hill (Amtrak)
Encyclopedia
The Beacon Hill was a daily 157 miles (252.7 km) commuter rail service operated by Amtrak
between Boston, Massachusetts and New Haven, Connecticut
. Service began in 1978; the Beacon Hill replaced the Clamdigger, an early morning service from Providence, Rhode Island
to New Haven with connections to New York. The Beacon Hill ran from New Haven to Boston in the morning and returned in the evening. The Beacon Hill was discontinued in 1981, victim both of Amtrak cost-cutting and the unwillingness of state governments to provide necessary funding.
Service over this line is now provided by Amtrak's Northeast Regional (Boston—New York—Washington); the Connecticut Department of Transportation
's Shore Line East
serves the Connecticut
portion (New Haven—New London
).
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
between Boston, Massachusetts and New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. Service began in 1978; the Beacon Hill replaced the Clamdigger, an early morning service from Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
to New Haven with connections to New York. The Beacon Hill ran from New Haven to Boston in the morning and returned in the evening. The Beacon Hill was discontinued in 1981, victim both of Amtrak cost-cutting and the unwillingness of state governments to provide necessary funding.
Service over this line is now provided by Amtrak's Northeast Regional (Boston—New York—Washington); the Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut Department of Transportation
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The current Commissioner of ConnDOT is Jeffrey Parker...
's Shore Line East
Shore Line East
Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operating in southern Connecticut, USA. A fully owned subsidiary of the Connecticut Department of Transportation , SLE provides service seven days a week along the Northeast Corridor from New London west to New Haven, with continuing service to Bridgeport...
serves the Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
portion (New Haven—New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
).