Williamstown Rail Yard and Station Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Williamstown Rail Yard and Station Historic District
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Williamstown Rail Yard
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Williamstown, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Architect | Gifford-Wood Company |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000544 |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1994 |
The Williamstown Rail Yard and Station Historic District is a special historical area in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It's located where Cole Avenue meets N. Hoosac Road. This spot was very important for trains in the late 1800s. It served as the western end for trains traveling through the famous Hoosac Tunnel from the east.
The rail yard had buildings to fix train engines, called locomotives. It also had a roundhouse, which was a large building for storing and turning engines. The roundhouse is no longer there today. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
A Look at the Williamstown Rail Yard's Past
The old Williamstown Rail Yard and Station are on a narrow strip of land. It runs along the north side of the Hoosic River. Cole Avenue roughly divides the area. The railroad tracks separate it from North Hoosac Road.
The Passenger Station
The southeastern part of the district holds the old passenger station. This station was built in 1898. It replaced an older wooden station from 1859 that burned down. The new station was made of stone. It features details from the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture. This style often uses heavy stone and rounded arches. Passenger train service stopped here in 1959. This was when the Boston & Maine Railroad ended its service.
Surviving Rail Yard Buildings
The northwestern part of the district has some parts of the old maintenance yard. These include large coal storage elevators. They were built between 1914 and 1931. Local coal delivery services used them. The 1879 freight house is also still standing. It is at the very northern end of the district.
How Railroads Changed Williamstown
Railroad service first came to Williamstown in 1859. This was a big deal for the town. It helped bring new industries and development. Early trains ran between Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Albany, New York.
The Hoosac Tunnel's Impact
The completion of the Hoosac Tunnel made things even better. It allowed for faster train service to Boston. The Fitchburg Railroad took over all three train lines in 1887. They used this yard as a key spot. It was a place for "helper" locomotives. These extra engines helped trains get through the long Hoosac Tunnel. The yard also sorted eastbound trains. They would go either through the tunnel or to Pittsfield.
Yard Features and Changes
The yard once had sixteen side tracks. It also had a nine-bay roundhouse and a turntable. A turntable is a rotating platform used to turn locomotives around. These features are no longer visible today. Their original location is just outside the historic district. The yard's service features became less used after 1911. This was when the Hoosac Tunnel was electrified. The 1879 freight house closed in 1939. Its tasks were moved to the passenger station. Passenger service ended in late 1958. The freight station then closed the next year.
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