Last
updated 30 October 2000A Walpole landmark, once well known to area residents but of
late obscured by Kendall's plant, a vast growth of brush, and
time, will be 85 years old next week. The landmark in question is
the New Haven Railroad passenger station located off West Street
behind Kendall.
Although our first rail line (the present Franklin-Boston route)
came in 1849 and was joined by the Mansfield and Framingham line
in 1870, separate stations had been the rule for both the Old
Colony and the New York and New England Railroads. Much
discussion had been carried on pro and con on whether or not to
build a common terminal in Walpole. Finally in 1881-82, hearings
were held and plans were drawn up.
The Walpole Star of July 7, 1883, carries a full account of the
events leading up to and actual construction of this
"union" station.
The building is divided into two large waiting rooms with a
ticket office between them. "An awning or piazza roof to the
width of eight feet runs entirely around the buildings, and the
best of eastern spruce was used for the frame and the entire roof
is slated." Interior areas were done in shellac, oil, and
varnish, sashes being painted in imitation of cherry and the best
double thick German glass was utilized. In the cellar of the
depot was (is?) the well. It was also the location for a gas
machine to illuminate the station, and a furnace or boiler.
The New York and New England Railroad boasted of the conveniences
which the station provided including the fact that "the
water closets are the celebrated Hillyard system or
pattern!"
Basically, the depot consists of a three-story tower with wings
running from it parallel to each track in the shape of an obtuse
angle. While the upper story served as a signal tower, the lower
section housed the ticket and telegraph offices. In the late
90's, a separate signal tower was constructed across the Old
Colony tracks along the Midland route. This was possibly due to
the fire which burned the tower and during rebuilding, the tower
was left off.
As stories go, Tim Delaney (of the Walpole Delaneys), was the
first operator to work the tower. In 1946, the building was torn
down, and a new interlocking switch machine was installed in the
present ticket office location.
The approach of trains was announced a mile away by means of
electric annunciators and the signal operator would throw
switches on either road at the same time throwing the appropriate
signals.
Through the years, a variety of rail lines has served the station
- The Boston, Hartford and Eric, the New York and New England,
the Boston, Clinton & Fitchburg & New Bedford, the Old
Colony, and the New Haven.
At one time, both routes through Walpole Center were double
tracked, but first the Old Colony in the early 30's followed by
the Midland in 1941 became single-tracked. Old time[r]s
reminiscing of the old days recall the sleepers which Walpole
residents boarded in Walpole and rode straight through to New
York.
Passenger service on the Mansfield and Framingham line ended in
1933, and through service on the Franklin line to Hartford and
Waterbury was discontinued in 1955 when floods knocked out a
bridge in Putnam, Conn.
Since July 1965, our passenger service has been operated by
virtue of a subsidy from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority. Were it not for this subsidy, Walpole would have no
rail passenger service, since the New Haven has permission to
discontinue this operation when public support ends.
Years have spread a mantle of quiet over the Walpole depot. It
has seen the Great Wars, discovery of television, rockets and the
automobile, population increases from 63 to 180 million, the
start of Federal income taxes and social security, and yes, the
decline of the railroads. The station was even the main subject
of a feature article in a recent issue of Model Railroader
Magazine.
What's in the future? At this time, a definite answer seems to be
known only by the Penn Central which will eventually take over
the New Haven. Whether or not rail passenger service and the
ticket office will survive are for conjecture.
Some persons have mentioned the possibility of turning the depot
into a home for the Walpole Historical Society, which is looking
for a permanent location in which to house its collections of
local historical interest. In any event, the railroad station is
now 85 years young - may it survive another 85!
Last
updated 30 October 2000