Franklin Line
Encyclopedia
The Franklin Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail
runs from Boston's
South Station
in a southwesterly direction toward Franklin, Massachusetts
. Most Franklin Line trains connect to the Providence/Stoughton Line
at Readville
though some weekday trains use the Fairmount Line
to access South Station. Most weekday trains do not stop at Hyde Park
or Plimptonville
with no trains stopping at these stations on weekends. A few weekday trains originate and terminate at Norwood Central
. Trains only serve Foxboro
from Boston during special events at Gillette Stadium
.
to Readville
, connecting with the main line from Boston to Providence
. This was followed, in 1848, by the Norfolk County Railroad, which ran from Dedham to Walpole
. After various mergers and acquisitions the line become part of the New York and New England Railroad
until 1898, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
until 1968, and ultimately the Penn Central until its bankruptcy. Between 1973 and 1976, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bought almost all track assets in Southeastern Massachusetts, including the Franklin Line, from the Penn Central's bankruptcy trustees.
Originally, MBTA services terminated at the Franklin/Dean College
stop. Upon the completion of the Forge Park/495 Station
in 1988 service was extended, but the line maintained its original name.
, or a combination of both. No determination has been made as to if or when this service would begin.
In July 2011, the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization began studying the viability of extending Franklin Line commuter rail service to Hopedale
and Milford
. The study would update a 1997 MBTA evaluation that concluded costs outweighed the benefits of a possible expansion. Local officials believe increased population and track upgrades to the Grafton and Upton Railroad
may increase the viability of an extension.
MBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail serves as the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in the United States. It is operated under contract by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company a joint partnership of Veolia Transportation, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate...
runs from Boston's
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
South Station
South Station
South Station, New England's second-largest transportation center , located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Summer Street in Dewey Square, Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest train station and intercity bus terminal in Greater Boston, a prominent train station in the northeastern...
in a southwesterly direction toward Franklin, Massachusetts
Franklin, Massachusetts
The Town of Franklin is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,635 at the 2010 census.-History:Franklin was first settled by Europeans in 1660 and was officially incorporated during the American Revolution. The town was formed from the western part of the town...
. Most Franklin Line trains connect to the Providence/Stoughton Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
The Providence/Stoughton Line is a line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system running southwest from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The main line was originally built by the Boston and Providence Rail Road, and now carries service between Boston and T. F. Green Airport, Rhode Island...
at Readville
Readville (MBTA station)
Readville is a station on the MBTA commuter rail's Franklin Line from Franklin to Boston, Massachusetts and is also the terminus of the MBTA's Fairmount Line commuter rail line. A few Fairmount trains continue onto the Franklin Line...
though some weekday trains use the Fairmount Line
Fairmount Line
The Fairmount Line or Dorchester Branch is a line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Except for a short portion in Milton, it lies entirely within Boston, progressing in a southwesterly trajectory, passing through the neighborhoods of Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park...
to access South Station. Most weekday trains do not stop at Hyde Park
Hyde Park (MBTA station)
Hyde Park is a station along the MBTA Commuter Rail's Providence/Stoughton line from T. F. Green Airport, Rhode Island to Boston, Massachusetts and the Franklin Line...
or Plimptonville
Plimptonville (MBTA station)
Plimptonville is a station along the MBTA Commuter Rail's Franklin Line from Franklin, Massachusetts, to Boston, Massachusetts. The station is located in Walpole, Massachusetts near the Neponset River...
with no trains stopping at these stations on weekends. A few weekday trains originate and terminate at Norwood Central
Norwood Central (MBTA station)
Norwood Central is a station on the MBTA Commuter Rail's Franklin Line from Franklin, Massachusetts to Boston, Massachusetts. The station is located in Norwood, Massachusetts. The station has a parking lot with 782 spaces, including 16 accessible spaces; as of 2009, spaces cost $4.00 each....
. Trains only serve Foxboro
Foxboro (MBTA station)
Foxboro station on the MBTA Commuter Rail system is only used for special events, such as New England Patriots football games, at nearby Gillette Stadium. It lies on a freight line between Mansfield and Framingham, owned by CSX as their Framingham Subdivision...
from Boston during special events at Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
.
History
The earliest predecessor to the Franklin Line began in 1835 when the Boston and Providence Railroad built a branch from DedhamDedham, Massachusetts
Dedham is a town in and the county seat of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,729 at the 2010 census. It is located on Boston's southwest border. On the northwest it is bordered by Needham, on the southwest by Westwood and on the southeast by...
to Readville
Readville, Massachusetts
Readville, called Low Plains from 1655 until renaming in 1847 after Mr. James Read originally part of Dedham until 1867 but now a part of Boston, is considered either a part of the Hyde Park neighborhood, or a neighborhood in its own right. It is served by Readville station on the MBTA Commuter Rail...
, connecting with the main line from Boston to Providence
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...
. This was followed, in 1848, by the Norfolk County Railroad, which ran from Dedham to Walpole
Walpole, Massachusetts
Walpole is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located about south of Boston and north of Providence, Rhode Island. The population was 24,070 at the 2010 census. Walpole was first settled in 1659 and was considered a part of Dedham until officially incorporated in 1724...
. After various mergers and acquisitions the line become part of the New York and New England Railroad
New York and New England Railroad
The New York and New England Railroad was a major railroad connecting southern New York state with Hartford, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. It operated from 1873 to 1893. Prior to 1873 it was known as the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad, which had been formed by...
until 1898, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
until 1968, and ultimately the Penn Central until its bankruptcy. Between 1973 and 1976, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bought almost all track assets in Southeastern Massachusetts, including the Franklin Line, from the Penn Central's bankruptcy trustees.
Originally, MBTA services terminated at the Franklin/Dean College
Franklin/Dean College (MBTA station)
The Franklin/Dean College station is located at 75 Depot Street in downtown Franklin, Massachusetts. There are 200parking spaces at the station that cost $4.00 a day; payment is collected using the honor box system. Tickets can be purchased at the station along with various food and drink...
stop. Upon the completion of the Forge Park/495 Station
Forge Park/495 (MBTA station)
Forge Park/495 is a station on the MBTA Franklin Line. The station is the terminus of the line. The station is located in Franklin, Massachusetts and is near Interstate 495 and Massachusetts Route 140. The station has a parking lot with 716 spaces and 15 accessible spaces; spaces cost $4.00 each...
in 1988 service was extended, but the line maintained its original name.
Proposed expansions
In September 2010, the MBTA completed a study to determine the feasibility of extending regular commuter rail service to Foxboro via the Franklin Line. The study looked at extending some Fairmount Line service to Foxboro, running shuttle trains from Foxboro to WalpoleWalpole (MBTA station)
Walpole is a station along the MBTA Commuter Rail's Franklin Line from Franklin, Massachusetts to Boston, Massachusetts. The station is located in Walpole, Massachusetts near the town center....
, or a combination of both. No determination has been made as to if or when this service would begin.
In July 2011, the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization began studying the viability of extending Franklin Line commuter rail service to Hopedale
Hopedale, Massachusetts
Hopedale is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Hopedale, please see the article Hopedale , Massachusetts....
and Milford
Milford, Massachusetts
Milford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It had a population of 27,999 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Milford, constituting the center of the town, please see the article Milford ,...
. The study would update a 1997 MBTA evaluation that concluded costs outweighed the benefits of a possible expansion. Local officials believe increased population and track upgrades to the Grafton and Upton Railroad
Grafton and Upton Railroad
The Grafton and Upton Railroad is a Class III short line railroad in east-central Massachusetts. This 16.5 mile line connects runs from Grafton to Milford and connects to CSX Transportation lines at both ends...
may increase the viability of an extension.