Connecticut River Railroad facts for kids
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 1845–1893 |
| Successor | Boston and Maine Railroad |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Connecticut River Railroad was a train company in western Massachusetts. It ran along the Connecticut River. This railroad started in 1845 when two smaller, unfinished train lines joined together. Its main track went from Springfield to East Northfield, Massachusetts. This main line opened in different parts between 1845 and 1849. Over time, the company built more tracks and bought other lines in Vermont. The Boston and Maine Railroad took over the Connecticut River Railroad in 1893.
Contents
History of the Connecticut River Railroad
The Connecticut River Railroad (CRRR) began in 1845. It was created when two smaller railroad companies joined together. These were the Northampton and Springfield Railroad and the Greenfield and Northampton Railroad.
Building the Main Line
The very first part of the CRRR line opened in 1845. It connected Springfield and Northampton. By the next summer, the line reached Deerfield, Massachusetts. In November 1846, it was extended to Greenfield.
In 1849, the main line went even further north. It reached the border between Massachusetts and Vermont. Here, it connected with the Brattleboro line. This line belonged to the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad. This connection allowed trains to travel between Springfield, Massachusetts, and Brattleboro, Vermont.
Growing the Railroad Network
For over 40 years, the Connecticut River Railroad operated on its own. It grew a large network of train lines. These lines stretched north from Brattleboro all the way to Canada.
The CRRR bought other railroad companies. In 1877, it acquired the Ashuelot Railroad in New Hampshire. In 1887, it bought the Connecticut and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad in northern Vermont.
Joining the Boston and Maine Railroad
The time of the Connecticut River Railroad operating on its own ended in 1893. The Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) leased the CRRR. This meant the B&M took control of its operations.
The CRRR's main line went from Springfield, Massachusetts, north along the Connecticut River. It ended at White River Junction, Vermont. This route became very important for the B&M. It was a major way to travel between Montreal and New York City.
The line carried both local and long-distance trains. It moved passengers and goods. By the 1860s, it was part of the route for famous trains. These trains traveled between New York and Montreal.
Branch Lines
The Connecticut River Railroad also built three smaller branch lines. All of these were in Massachusetts.
- The Chicopee Falls branch opened in 1845.
- The Easthampton branch opened in 1872.
- The Deerfield branch opened in 1906.
Two of these branches were later closed down. The Chicopee Falls line was abandoned in 1983. The Easthampton line was abandoned in 1984. The Deerfield Branch is still in use today. It connects the Connecticut River Line to large train yards. These yards are on the old Fitchburg Railroad line.
