142-417: The Newburyport/Rockport Line is a branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail system, running northeast from downtown Boston, Massachusetts towards Cape Ann and the Merrimack Valley , serving the North Shore . The first leg, operating via the Eastern Route of the former Boston and Maine Railroad , serves Chelsea , Lynn , Swampscott , Salem , and Beverly . From there, a northern branch continues via
284-522: A Boston Gas worker, resulting in fires and explosions along Lafayette St., Maple St., Venice St. and Beaver Park Av. which injured six people. The town of Danvers comprises its own school district, Danvers Public Schools. The district has five elementary schools (Highlands Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Great Oak Elementary, Thorpe Elementary, and Smith Elementary), each serving kindergarten through fifth grade (Riverside, Thorpe, and Great Oak also includes pre-kindergarten.) Grades six through eight attend
426-469: A 2020 federal deadline; four of those weekends overlapped with the already planned service curtailments for drawbridge work. The Gloucester Drawbridge over the Annisquam River formerly consisted of a steel drawbridge and western approach span with a timber trestle for the eastern approach. It was built in 1911, modified in 1932, and substantially repaired in 1984–85. It was completely replaced with
568-515: A 21-day service shutdown from July 17 to August 13, 2017, for the complete replacement of the swing bridge section. The MBTA Board approved the $ 16.2-million contract in February 2016; work will last from March 2016 to December 2017. The line was shut down on weekends from July 8 through August 27, 2017, for the installation of Positive Train Control equipment in order to meet
710-627: A cost of $ 203 million, with deliveries to begin in mid-2026. An $ 165 million option for 39 additional coaches (29 trailers and 10 cab cars), which would allow the retirement of all remaining single-level equipment, was exercised in November 2024 with deliveries to begin in 2027. As the MBTA assumed control of the commuter rail during the 1970s, it inherited various equipment from predecessor railroads. The 1976 purchase of B&M and Penn Central equipment included 94 Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs) – 86 from
852-892: A freight-only track between Providence and Central Falls. No freight operates on the Needham Line, the Northeast Corridor between Readville and Back Bay, the Old Colony mainline between Boston and the Greenbush Line junction in Braintree, the Plymouth/Kingston Line, and most of the Greenbush Line. CSX also operates on most northside lines; prior to its 2022 purchase by CSX, Pan Am Railways operated over these lines. The Berkshire and Eastern Railroad (formerly Pan Am Southern ) operates over
994-476: A large increase was expected. Since it owned the tracks and equipment, the MBTA bid out the operating contract, which was won by the B&;M. The B&M began operating the southside lines on March 15, 1977; for the first time, all Boston commuter service was operated by one entity. Although all operation was subsidized by this time, a small number of cuts took place. The lightly used Lexington Branch closed after
1136-645: A local train in the same direction). Portions of the Fitchburg, Haverhill, and Newburyport/Rockport lines operate under NORAC rule 251, which allow trains to run only in a single direction on each track. Most lines are either double track , or single track with passing sidings; portions of the Northeast Corridor have three or four tracks. Freight service is operated over most of the MBTA Commuter Rail system by several private railroads. CSX Transportation operates freight on most southside lines, of which
1278-409: A mile away. Glass windows shattered at least 3 miles (5 km) away, in neighboring Peabody and even in downtown Salem. The explosion was heard and felt up to 45 miles (72 km) away; the concussion was intense. No one was killed, and none of the injuries were life-threatening, according to Fire Chief Jim Tutko. Approximately 90 homes were damaged. Residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in
1420-470: A modern box beam bridge on steel piles. By February 2016, bidding was planned to begin by June for the four-year, then-$ 34-million project, though funding had not been allotted. The MBTA Board approved a $ 56.9-million contract in October 2017; funding is split between federal and state funds. The 44-month project was to require 10 weekend shutdowns of the branch. All service between West Gloucester and Rockport
1562-430: A number of freight-only or abandoned lines. This also marked the start of a five-year contract for the B&M to operate the service, replacing a series of one-year contracts. After acquiring the B&M and Penn Central rolling stock, the MBTA painted it with purple, yellow, silver, and black to create a visual identity. Federal subsidies allowed MBTA subsidies to Penn Central to remain the same until March 1977, when
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#17328024059511704-404: A renewal of the commuter rail operating contract, which expired at the end of 1986. Amtrak won the contract for commuter rail operations and took over the system on January 1, 1987. Gardner service was cut back to Fitchburg at that time due to a dispute between Amtrak, Guilford, and the MBTA. The late 1980s saw the beginning of substantial expansion of the system. The Southwest Corridor project
1846-675: A seasonal weekend-only service to Cape Cod , operates using MBTA equipment over the Middleborough/Lakeville Line plus the Cape Main Line (which is not otherwise used by the MBTA). Special express service to Foxboro station is operated during New England Patriots home games and some other events at Gillette Stadium . It runs from South Station via the Franklin/Foxboro Line, and from Providence via
1988-573: A second Salem tunnel, a branch line to Danvers , and new stations at Revere and South Salem. None of the projects in the DEIS or MIS was actually built due to lack of funding, except for parking structures at Salem and Beverly which were mandated as Big Dig mitigation. As of 2024, design of South Salem station is being undertaken by the city. In July 2019, Wynn Resorts proposed a combination commuter rail and Silver Line station in Everett to serve
2130-524: A series of experiments to determine how fares and service levels affected ridership. This included a trial on the MTA bus network, as well as a $ 4 million test from January 1963 to March 1964 on New Haven and B&M lines. (The NYC, uninterested in its commuter service, declined to participate.) The MTC found that higher frequency was most important to attract additional ridership; lower fares would attract additional riders, while even higher fares would not result in
2272-481: A single weekend. As with other MBTA services, discounted fares and passes are available for several groups including disabled passengers, passengers over age 65, and students attending certain schools. Foxboro special event services and the CapeFlyer have separate fares; regular MBTA fares and passes are not valid. Fares are collected by train conductors; while fare evasion is explicitly illegal under state law, it
2414-428: A single zone to $ 7.25 for travel between Zone 1 and Zone 10. Fares can be purchased on the MBTA mTicket app, at automatic vending machines located at major stations, from businesses near some stations, or from conductors on board trains. Discounted passes include monthly passes (with or without free transfer to other MBTA services), "flex passes" valid for five 24-hour periods, and $ 10 passes offering unlimited travel on
2556-538: A snowstorm on January 10, 1977. Declining subsidies from Rhode Island resulted in off-peak Providence service being cut back to Attleboro in April 1979, with peak service cut on February 20, 1981. Woburn Branch service ended on January 30, 1981, amid state budget cuts. However, the energy crises of the 1970s and the formation of regional transit authorities prompted some expansions and improvements. $ 70 million in reconstruction work (equivalent to 582 million in 2023) on
2698-510: A town except the ability to send representatives to the legislature. Danvers was likely named for Danvers Osborn , and 1752 is the date locally commemorated on major anniversaries as the creation of Danvers, despite it not being incorporated yet at that time, because that is when it received its name. On June 9, 1757, Massachusetts incorporated Danvers as a town regardless of the royal prohibition and, according to legend, King George II later vetoed this act of incorporation and returned it with
2840-721: Is signalled and operates with Positive Train Control using the Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System . The southside lines have cab signals for automatic train control ; cab signals will be placed in service on the northside lines in 2023. The MBTA is a member of the Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) and uses its operating rules. Most portions of the system operate under NORAC rules 261 and 562, which allow bidirectional train movements on every track (such as an express train passing
2982-485: Is standard in the northeastern United States . Some accessible stations have full-length high platforms for accessible boarding on all cars; others only have "mini-high" platforms about 40 feet (12 m) long – which allow for level boarding on two cars – with the rest of the platform length not accessible. As of December 2022 , the MBTA is designing a temporary accessible platform that can be added to stations pending full reconstructions. The MBTA Commuter Rail system
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#17328024059513124-679: Is about 5 miles, with most outer terminals in zones 6 through 8. Only two stations use further zones: T.F. Green Airport in Zone 9, and Wickford Junction in Zone 10. Zone 1A fares are identical to MBTA subway fares (though subway passes on CharlieCards are not accepted, except for Fairmount Line stations that have CharlieCard validator machines). As of 2024 , one-way fares within Zone 1A are $ 2.40, while fares between further zones and Zone 1A range from $ 6.50 for Zone 1 to $ 13.25 for Zone 10. Trips that do not enter Zone 1A have less expensive interzone fares; as of 2024 , these range from $ 2.75 for travel within
3266-505: Is best-known is the Salem witch trials of 1692, which began in the home of Rev. Samuel Parris , and spread throughout the region. Resident Rebecca Nurse was convicted in a trial for witchcraft and executed, along with 19 other innocent victims. The Rebecca Nurse Homestead is still standing in Danvers, and can be visited as a historical landmark. The residents of Salem Village petitioned
3408-957: Is not criminal. Faregates have also been installed at North Station, with plans for installation at Back Bay and South Station. The second-generation MBTA fare collection system, planned for completion in 2025, will standardize fare media across modes and allow uses of CharlieCards for all commuter rail trips. Eight intercity mainlines radiating from Boston opened between 1834 and 1855: the Boston and Worcester Railroad (B&W) in 1834–35, Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P) in 1834–35, Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L) in 1835, Eastern Railroad in 1838–1840, Fitchburg Railroad in 1843–45, Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) in 1845, Old Colony Railroad and Fall River Railroad in 1845–46, and Norfolk County Railroad in 1849–55. Commuter rail service allowing suburban residents to work in Boston began with
3550-588: Is operated by Keolis Commuter Services – a subsidiary of French company Keolis – under contract to the MBTA. The MBTA owns all passenger equipment and most stations. Most trackage is also owned by the MBTA. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (parent agency of the MBTA) owns several portions of the Framingham/Worcester Line as well as the Grand Junction Branch , which is used for non-revenue equipment moves between
3692-590: Is part of the Archdiocese of Boston and Saint John's or commonly known as "the Prep" is a Xaverian Brothers -sponsored school. In addition to the public and private schools, Danvers once hosted Essex Agricultural High School , an independent, state-funded day school serving grades 9 through 12. Essex Agricultural High School has merged with North Shore Tech , which was located in Middleton , which has resulted in
3834-478: Is provided by push-pull trains powered by diesel locomotives with a cab car on the opposite end. The locomotive is usually on the end facing away from Boston so that diesel exhaust does not enter the passenger concourses at North Station and South Station. Trains typically have four to eight coaches (with six the most common) and seat between 400 and 1,400 passengers. Approximately 62 trainsets are needed for weekday service. The primary heavy maintenance facility
3976-514: Is split between the two. Danvers is home to three private schools. St. Mary of the Annunciation School serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Plumfield Academy is a small school for grades one through eight, with a philosophy of education based on that of Charlotte Mason . St. John's Preparatory School is a school for young men, serving grades six through twelve. St. Mary's and St. John's are religiously affiliated. St. Mary's
4118-708: Is the MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility , located in the Inner Belt District in Somerville . It is also used for midday and overnight storage of trains on the northside lines. Southampton Street Yard and the Readville Interim Layover facility are used for light maintenance and layover service. Various other layover facilities are used for midday and overnight storage; most are located near
4260-632: The CapeFLYER . The agency issued a $ 279 million contract (total project cost of $ 345 million) for 80 additional Rotem bilevel coaches in September 2019, with delivery expected from September 2022 to June 2024. The contract was later modified to 83 coaches, of which 43 are cab cars. The first four of the 83 bilevel cars arrived in June 2022 and entered service in 2023. In May 2024, the MBTA exercised an option order for 41 additional trailer coaches at
4402-626: The Danvers State Hospital opened its doors. This was an institution to provide asylum and treatment for the mentally ill. Originally an agricultural town, Danvers farmers developed two breeds of vegetables: the Danvers Onion (origin of the "Oniontown" nickname) and the Danvers Half-Long Carrot . This carrot was introduced by "market gardeners" in 1871. Shoe manufacturing was a prominent industry in
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4544-530: The General Israel Putnam House , still stands. In 1847, the railroad came to Danvers. A street railway was installed in 1884, originally consisting of 69 horse-drawn trolleys. This system was later converted to electricity. The Town Hall was built in 1855. It has been modified and renovated and is still in use. Also in 1855, the southern portion of Danvers broke away to become the town of South Danvers, later renamed Peabody . In 1878,
4686-672: The Massachusett , a tribe of the Pequot language family, dominated the area. The land that is now Danvers was once owned by the Naumkeag branch of the Massachusett tribe. Around 1630, English colonists improved an existing Naumkeag trail as the Old Spanish Road, creating a connection to the main cities of Salem and Boston . Danvers was permanently settled in 1636 as Salem Village. The historical event for which Danvers
4828-696: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 's (MBTA's) transportation coverage of Greater Boston in the United States . Trains run over 394 mi (634 km) of track to 135 stations. It is operated under contract by Keolis , which took over operations on July 1, 2014, from the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR). In 2023, the system had a ridership of 26,190,500, or about 109,300 per weekday as of
4970-612: The Massachusetts General Court several times over the following decades to become a town separate from Salem . In 1752, the General Court finally separated Danvers from Salem, but established Danvers as an independent self-governing "district" instead of incorporating it as a town, because of a royal prohibition against creating new towns in Massachusetts. A district had all the rights and powers of
5112-529: The Old Colony Lines and Greenbush Line , which have full-length high-level platforms at all stops. All BTC-3, CTC-3, BTC-4C, and BTC-4D coaches have restrooms. During winter months, a Ski Train serving Wachusett Mountain runs on the Fitchburg Line , using a coach car which is equipped for carrying bicycles or skis. Three converted coaches – a bike car and two cafe cars – are reserved for
5254-830: The Riverside –Framingham portion of the Worcester Main Line. (The inner section of that line was already owned by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority .) The purchase also included several freight-only or abandoned lines, including the Old Colony mainline between Braintree and Brockton. Subsidies began for the Framingham Line in January 1973, for Canton Junction and Sharon stations in June 1973, and all Providence/Stoughton Line service on September 28, 1976. The MBTA purchased
5396-580: The United States Census Bureau , Danvers has a total area of 14.1 square miles (37 km ), of which 13.3 square miles (34 km ) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km ), or 5.75%, is water. The tidal Danvers River begins near the southeast corner of town, and is formed by the confluence of the Porter River, Crane River and Waters River. These rivers, in turn, are fed by several brooks. The Ipswich River also flows along
5538-471: The 1692 Salem witch trials . It was also the site of Danvers State Hospital , one of the state's 19th-century psychiatric hospitals . Danvers is a local center of commerce, hosting many car dealerships and the Liberty Tree Mall . As of the 2020 United States Census , the town's population was 28,087. The area was long settled by indigenous cultures of Native Americans. In the historic period,
5680-641: The 1920s. Service levels declined more significantly during the 1930s; the 88 stations case resulted in the New Haven closing dozens of suburban stations and several lines in 1938. The BRB&L ceased all operations in 1940. Ridership increased during World War II but decreased soon afterwards, prompting further cuts. The railroads converted from steam to diesel in the 1950s. All three purchased substantial fleets of Budd Rail Diesel Cars , which lowered operating costs – but not enough to save most branch lines. A 1945–47 state report proposed suburban extensions of
5822-448: The 1950s, with the single Salem–Marblehead round trip gone by 1957. Massive service cuts on May 18, 1958, ended all Saugus and Danvers branch service, closed all stations south of Lynn, and halved Marblehead service. Further cuts on June 14, 1959, ended Marblehead Branch service; stations at East Lynn, Salisbury, and West Manchester were also closed. On February 28, 1956, a southbound Danvers–Boston commuter train crashed into
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5964-420: The 1960s, the B&M's passenger services - which, by that time, were almost exclusively commuter services — began to become financially unviable until the MBTA subsidized, and then acquired, the services. The line beyond Newburyport was abandoned in 1982; however, commuter service had been cut back from Newburyport to Ipswich in 1976. In 1998, service was restored to Newburyport at a cost of $ 46 million. In
6106-408: The 1980s, but several infill stations were opened, including Shirley in 1981, West Natick in 1982, Mishawum in 1984, and Chelsea in 1985. The MBTA also began replacing the aging Rail Diesel Cars and other equipment; 18 EMD F40PH diesel locomotives and 60 passenger cars arrived between 1978 and 1980. Several major disruptions occurred in the mid-1980s. On January 20, 1984, a fire destroyed
6248-524: The 2008-built network. The MBTA would not pay for the new network; the company would have a two-tier model with a fee for higher bandwidth. The MBTA canceled the plan in August 2017 due to local opposition to the erection of 320 monopoles , each 70-foot (21 m) tall, as well as the need to focus on more critical projects like the Green Line Extension . By that time, the 2008-built system
6390-440: The 2020s. A new midday layover yard at the former Beacon Park Yard is planned to be constructed by 2032 as part of the realignment of I-90. A large midday and overnight layover yard, which would support expanded service including regional rail and electrification , is planned at Widett Circle near South Station. The MBTA also plans to construct a southside maintenance and layover facility at Readville in 2023–2028, replacing
6532-575: The B&A was reduced from four to two tracks in 1959 for construction of the Massachusetts Turnpike , with several inner stations closed; all local stops west of Framingham were closed in 1960. The New Haven filed for bankruptcy for the last time in 1961. Faced with the imminent threat of losing what service remained, public opinion began to support subsidies for commuter rail. The state Mass Transportation Commission (MTC), formed in 1959 to coordinate transportation and land use, held
6674-479: The B&M Western Route between Somerville and Wilmington Junction in September 1973 for construction of the Haymarket North Extension . From 1967 to 1973, a series of state appropriations covered 90–100% of outside-of-district subsidy. This was reduced to 50% in January 1974, substantially increasing the cost of these municipalities. This resulted in several cuts as municipalities refused
6816-434: The B&M and eight from Penn Central – plus 116 Penn Central coaches and 25 Penn Central E8 and GP9 diesel locomotives. Although the MBTA purchased some new equipment in 1978–1980, large locomotive and coach fleets were not purchased until the late 1980s, so the first decade of combined operations used a variety of secondhand equipment in addition to that acquired in 1976: Most of the secondhand and inherited equipment
6958-677: The B&M discontinued the Concord trip; the Dover trip was cut back to Haverhill with local subsidies. In 1969, the B&M averaged 24,000 weekday passengers, with a yearly deficit of $ 3.2 million (equivalent to 27 million in 2023). The single daily trip on the Central Mass Branch ended on January 26, 1971. On July 28, 1965, the MBTA signed an agreement with the New Haven Railroad to purchase 11 miles (18 km) of
7100-415: The B&M in 1983. This did not initially affect commuter rail operations. Guilford's attempts to regain profitability, which included reducing employee headcount and pay, soon soured labor relations. This resulted in two strikes by Guilford employees; the first shut down the commuter rail system from March 21 to May 12, 1986. Local media was critical of Guilford during the strike; the company did not bid for
7242-630: The B&W in 1834; by the 1860s, commuting was possible on the eight mainlines and a number of branch lines. Mergers prior to the 1880s were primarily acquisitions of branch lines and consolidations with connecting lines: the B&A merged with the Western Railroad in 1874 to become the Boston and Albany Railroad (B&A), the Fall River Railroad and several other lines merged into the Old Colony Railroad, and
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#17328024059517384-608: The Boston terminal areas, with several exceptions. The Providence/Stoughton Line and Franklin/Foxboro Line both use the Northeast Corridor between Readville and South Station, with the Needham Line also sharing the tracks between Forest Hills and South Station. The Old Colony Lines and the Greenbush Line all use the Old Colony mainline between South Station and Braintree . The Haverhill Line and Newburyport/Rockport Line share tracks between North Station and near Sullivan Square . A small number of Haverhill Line trains use
7526-522: The COVID-19 pandemic. Six additional stations are under construction as part of the South Coast Rail project; several other stations are planned. South Station, North Station, and Back Bay all have MBTA subway and Amtrak connections; nine other stations have subway connections, and six others have Amtrak connections. Stations range in size from small platforms like North Wilmington to
7668-506: The December 14 vote went into place, with no weekend service on seven lines. Service changes on April 5, 2021, increased midday service on most lines as part of a transition to a regional rail model. Weekend service on the seven lines resumed on July 3, 2021. Ridership dropped substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with daily boardings just 12,800 during the first quarter of 2021. Ridership rose to 47,100 average weekday boardings in
7810-554: The Eastern Railroad acquired direct access to downtown Boston. The Boston & Maine leased the Eastern Railroad in 1884, and in 1893 the new North Union Station became the terminus of the B&M, its subsidiaries the Eastern Railroad and Boston & Lowell Railroad, and the Fitchburg Railroad. Amesbury Branch service ended in 1936, and Essex Branch service in 1942. Branch line service declined heavily in
7952-557: The Eastern Railroad. Ferries were used to transport passengers between the East Boston terminal and Boston proper. The line was extended to Portland, Maine, in 1842 under a track-sharing agreement with the Boston and Maine Railroad . The Gloucester Branch was constructed in 1847, but despite local support, it was not extended to Rockport until November 1861. In 1854, with the opening of the Grand Junction Railroad ,
8094-644: The Eastern Route to serve Hamilton , Ipswich , Rowley , and Newburyport , while other trains operate east from Beverly via the Gloucester Branch, serving Manchester , Gloucester , and Rockport . A bicycle coach is offered on the Rockport branch during the summer. With over 11,000 daily riders in October 2022, the line is the second-busiest on the system. The Eastern Route main line between Boston and Portsmouth, New Hampshire opened in 1836 as
8236-565: The Eastern in 1883, the B&L in 1887, and the Fitchburg in 1900, giving it a near-monopoly on rail service north of Boston. North Union Station was built in 1893 to provide a union station for northside service; it was replaced by North Station in 1928. The Old Colony obtained control of the B&P in 1888; the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad acquired the Old Colony in 1893 to obtain access to Boston. The New Haven also acquired
8378-673: The Fitchburg Line west of Ayer. Their combined Freight Main Line between Mechanicville, New York , and Mattawamkeag, Maine , shares tracks with sections of the Fitchburg, Lowell, and Haverhill lines. No freight service is operated over the Newburyport/Rockport Line north of Salem . Weight limits and loading gauge vary across the system. The full Framingham/Worcester line is rated for car weights of 315,000 pounds (143,000 kg), sections of lines that are part of
8520-718: The Franklin Line and several northside lines, partially funded by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration , began in 1977 under the Commuter Rail Improvement Program. Service to Haverhill resumed on December 17, 1979, and to Fitchburg and Gardner on January 13, 1980. Federally-funded experimental service to Nashua , Manchester , and Concord, New Hampshire ran from January 28, 1980, to March 1, 1981. Little-used stations continued to be closed until
8662-570: The Freight Main Line for 286,000 pounds (130,000 kg), and other lines for lower weights. The western portion of the Framingham/Worcester Line and the southern section of the Providence/Stoughton line can accommodate cars up to 20 feet 8 inches (6.30 m) ( AAR Plate H or Plate K ). The Fitchburg Line west of Ayer can accommodate cars up to 19 feet 0 inches (5.79 m) (AAR Plate J), while most of
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#17328024059518804-498: The Holten-Richmond Middle School. Grades nine through twelve attend Danvers High School . Danvers competes in Little League Baseball as part of two local leagues; the Danvers National Little League (DNLL) on the south and west side of town, and the Danvers American Little League (DALL) on the north and east side of town. Kids in the DNLL primarily go to Highlands and Great Oak Elementary Schools, while kids in DALL primarily go to Smith and Thorpe Elementary Schools. Riverside Elementary
8946-481: The Lowell and Haverhill lines. Private companies also operate freight service over much of the system (see § Freight service ). As of November 2024 , there are 137 active stations – 55 northside and 82 southside. One additional station, Haverhill , is temporarily closed due to reconstruction of an adjacent bridge. Five additional stations ( Prides Crossing , Mishawum , Hastings , Plimptonville , and Plymouth ) are indefinitely closed due to service cuts during
9088-629: The MBTA Board voted to enact a more limited set of cuts, including indefinitely closing Prides Crossing and four of the other five stations. That day, temporary reduced schedules were again put into place, with Prides Crossing not served. Full service resumed on April 5, 2021, with Prides Crossing still closed. As of February 2022, weekday service had 12 Boston–West Gloucester round trips, 13 Boston–Newburyport round trips, three Boston–Beverly round trips, and one Salem–Newburyport outbound trip. Weekend service had nine round trips on each branch, with no short turns. A series of partial and complete closures of
9230-411: The MBTA awarded Keolis the contract for $ 2.68 billion over eight years, with the possibility of two two-year extensions that could bring the total price to $ 4.3 billion. Keolis took over the operations on July 1, 2014. Keolis lost $ 29.3 million in its first year of operation. In June 2020, the MBTA extended the contract through at least 2025. Free Wi-Fi internet service was piloted in January 2008 on
9372-425: The MBTA clashed with state regulators: several stations including West Natick and Chelsea were built without accessible platforms despite state rules; the latter resulted in fines from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB). The opening of South Attleboro was delayed by the MAAB because of the MBTA's refusal to build full-length high-level platforms. However, the MBTA did slowly increase accessibility of
9514-433: The MBTA has been retired: Danvers, Massachusetts Danvers is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts , United States, located on the Danvers River near the northeastern coast of Massachusetts. The suburb is a fairly short ride from Boston and is also in close proximity to the beaches of Gloucester , Ipswich and Revere . Originally known as Salem Village , the town is most widely known for its association with
9656-413: The MBTA indicated plans to electrify the line between Boston and Beverly Depot . Studies for facility needs and traction power were noted as being funded, while design and planning for required infrastructure changes were not. In June 2022, the MBTA indicated plans to begin service with battery electric multiple units on the line in 2031. The section from Chelsea to Hamilton/Wenham and Manchester (save for
9798-493: The MBTA owned 552 coaches. Of these, 448 were in active service, three being repaired or overhauled, and 101 stored pending disposition or reuse. Coaches whose designations start with BTC (Blind Trailer Coach) are conventional coaches, while those starting with CTC (Control Trailer Coach) are cab cars . Coaches acquired before 1990 were single-level cars with 88 to 127 seats; those since are bilevel cars with 173 to 185 seats. Some coaches are equipped with electronic doors for use on
9940-404: The MBTA proposed to close six low-ridership stations. On December 14, the MBTA Board voted to enact a more limited set of cuts, including indefinitely closing five stations. That day, temporary reduced schedules were again put into place, with four of the five stations ( Hastings , Silver Hill , Prides Crossing , and Plimptonville ) not served. On January 23, 2021, reduced schedules based on
10082-435: The MTA service area were closed; three more branches closed in 1959. The New Haven experimentally increased Old Colony Division service for several years in the 1950s, but new management soon sought to reduce costs. Service to Fall River and New Bedford was cut in 1958; a one-year state subsidy was given for the remaining Old Colony service, which ended in 1959 after the Southeast Expressway opened. The inner portion of
10224-728: The New England Railroad (successor to the NY&;NE) in 1898. South Station opened in 1899 as a union station for the southside lines (New Haven and B&A). The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad – which later became the New York Central) (NYC) – leased the B&A in 1900; this brought all Boston commuter service save the BRB&;L under the control of three large multi-state railroads. The three railroads all planned electrification of some suburban lines in
10366-555: The New Haven had Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) permission to discontinue them otherwise. Three out-of-district stations were cut, while Franklin subsidized its station. The Millis and Dedham lines were discontinued on April 21, 1967. The NYC and the Pennsylvania Railroad merged to form Penn Central on February 1, 1968; the New Haven joined at the end of the year. Penn Central declared bankruptcy in 1970. Amtrak took over most intercity passenger service in
10508-490: The Norfolk County Railroad eventually became part of the New York and New England Railroad (NY&NE). The narrow gauge Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad (BRB&L) opened in 1875, competing with the inner portion of the Eastern Railroad. Unlike the other lines, it never built rails into downtown Boston, and instead relied on a ferry connection from East Boston . The B&M obtained control of
10650-534: The North Shore region: a Draft Environment Impact Statement for the Blue Line Extension (DEIS), and a Major Investment Study (MIS) for other projects primarily north of Salem. The MIS, released in 2004, identified a number of possible improvements to the Newburyport/Rockport Line, including upgrades to current stations, grade crossing eliminations, signal system improvements, increased frequencies,
10792-469: The Old Colony Lines. The lines vary in length from the 9.2-mile (14.8 km) Fairmount Line to the 62.9-mile (101.2 km) Providence/Stoughton Line, with typical lengths in the 25–40-mile (40–64 km) range. The system has 394 miles (630 km) of revenue trackage and covers roughly the eastern third of Massachusetts plus central Rhode Island. Most lines do not share trackage outside
10934-545: The Providence/Stoughton Line has 37. Running times vary from 30 minutes on the Fairmount Line to nearly 120 minutes for some Providence/Stoughton Line trips, with 60–75 minutes typical. Most trains stop at all stations on the line; some stations have limited service, and peak-hour express trains operate on several lines. Several lines additionally have some short turn service. The CapeFlyer ,
11076-456: The Providence/Stoughton Line. During the winter, one "ski train" round trip of the Fitchburg Line operates with a bicycle car on weekends and Wednesday evenings, with a shuttle bus to Wachusett Mountain . All MBTA commuter rail service is provided by push-pull trains powered by diesel locomotives (see § Rolling stock ). Maximum speed for trains is 79 miles per hour (127 km/h), though some lines have lower limits. The entire system
11218-471: The Salem Tunnel) would have overhead wires. A light maintenance facility would be constructed near Salem. Improvements to a turnback track near Beverly, allowing more frequent diesel service in the interim, are planned to be completed in late 2022. MBTA Commuter Rail [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The MBTA Commuter Rail ( reporting mark MBTX ) system serves as the commuter rail arm of
11360-724: The Southwest Corridor, a shuttle service was retained as the Fairmount Line . Peak-hour service to Providence resumed in 1988 (with off-peak and weekend service later added); South Attleboro was added in 1990 as a park-and-ride station to replace Pawtucket–Central Falls . The Franklin Line was extended to Forge Park/495 in 1988; infill stations in that era included Yawkey in 1988 to serve Boston Red Sox games at Fenway Park , and Dedham Corporate Center in 1990. Massachusetts had state accessibility laws since 1977 – prior to 1990 federal legislation . At times,
11502-569: The US on May 1, 1971, including New York–Boston trains. The state agreed in December 1971 to purchase 145 miles (233 km) of Penn Central rights of way to prevent them being sold off in bankruptcy. The MBTA purchased the lines effective January 27, 1973. They included almost all the lines with passenger service: the Attleboro Line and Stoughton Branch , Franklin Branch , Needham Branch , and
11644-523: The US). It may be helpful to understand the yearly precipitation by imagining nine straight days of moderate rain per year. The humidity is below 60% for approximately 34.4 days, or 9.4% of the year. Danvers is located approximately 17 miles (27 km) north of Downtown Boston , nearly halfway between Boston and the New Hampshire state border. It is bordered by Topsfield to the north, Wenham to
11786-557: The Worcester Line, where 45 coaches were fitted with routers which connected to cellular data networks. This was the first Wi-Fi available on a commuter rail service in the United States. The program was considered successful; in December 2008, the MBTA announced that Wi-Fi would be available on all trains by mid-2009. In July 2014, the MBTA announced that a private company would be building a new network by 2016 to replace
11928-403: The average family size was 3.11. In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males. The median income for a household in the town
12070-491: The blast were taken to Danvers High School, where the Red Cross established a relief shelter. The blast occurred next to a marina, a bakery/pizza shop, and a gas station, and across the street from Eastern Propane Gas. A May 13, 2008, report from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board attributed the explosion to unintentional overnight heating of an ink-mixing tank containing flammable solvents. According to
12212-548: The completion of the drawbridge. Regular service to Rockport over the bridge resumed on May 23, 2022. Work on the bridge was completed in December 2022. The MBTA plans to replace the Saugus River drawbridge in the mid-to-late 2020s. Substantially reduced schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic were in effect from March 16 to June 23, 2020. Schedule changes effective November 2, 2020 shifted some peak service to off-peak, providing 30-minute midday headways on
12354-506: The early 20th century. The New Haven tested electrification on small parts of the Old Colony system, but never followed through on its plans to electrify South Station and the inner section of the ex-B&P. Despite a study to electrify the mainline to Framingham plus the Highland branch , the NYC only electrified the short Lower Falls Branch. Quadruple-tracking and electrification of part of
12496-545: The ex-Eastern Railroad was planned by the B&M around 1910 when it was briefly under control of the New Haven, but this fell through when they separated. Service levels on the three major railroads peaked around 1910 and began to decline from streetcar and later auto competition in the 1910s. The independent BRB&L electrified its mainline and single branch line in 1928 and increased service to near- rapid transit levels. Two Old Colony branches were converted to an extension of Boston Elevated Railway (BERy) rapid transit in
12638-636: The existing layover yard there, as the Grand Junction Branch will be closed for several years during the I-90 project. As of October 2024 , the MBTA owned 109 locomotives. Of these, 87 were in active passenger service. Eleven were undergoing rebuild, six awaiting repairs, and five retired or out of service. All passenger locomotives are equipped with head end power . Rebuilding of 37 F40PH-2C and F40PHM-2C locomotives to F40PH-3C class by MotivePower (MPI) began in 2017; other older locomotives are also being rebuilt by MPI or in-house. As of October 2024 ,
12780-473: The final phase of signal work. All trips on the line were reduced to Zone 1A fares (the least expensive) from July 1 to August 31, 2023, during a closure of the Sumner Tunnel . As the MBTA plans to transition to a regional rail model with more frequent service, the Newburyport/Rockport Line is a priority for electrification because it serves environmental justice communities. In April 2021,
12922-554: The first quarter of 2022, and 85,000 (69% of 2018 ridership) in October 2022. Limited Foxboro service resumed in May 2022; full pilot service began that September. The service was made permanent effective October 2, 2023. In April 2024, the MBTA extended the Keolis contract by one year to June 30, 2027, at which time a successor contract will take effect. Silver Hill station reopened on November 18, 2024. All MBTA commuter rail service
13064-533: The former Old Colony mainline from Fort Point Channel to South Braintree in order to construct a new rapid transit line along the corridor. The line was expected to be completed within two years. The agreement also provided for the MBTA to subsidize commuter service on the railroad's remaining commuter rail lines for $ 1.2 million (equivalent to 10 million in 2023) annually. Subsidies for the Needham , Millis , Dedham , and Franklin lines began on April 24, 1966, as
13206-418: The funding district; those outlying municipalities were expected to reach their own subsidy agreements with the railroads. On December 14, 1964, the MBTA reached a subsidy agreement with the B&M. The agreement only covered in-district services; on January 5, 1965, the B&M discontinued interstate service except for single commuter round trips from Dover and Concord, New Hampshire ; Portsmouth service
13348-640: The higher subsidies: Ayer service was cut to South Acton on March 1, 1975; the single Newburyport trip ended on April 1, 1976; and the single Haverhill trip ended on April 2, 1976 (North Andover and Andover having previously ended subsidies.) The single round trip to Worcester , never subsidized, was cut to Framingham on October 27, 1975. Amtrak began running the Lake Shore Limited over that route four days later, restoring rail service to Worcester. State subsidies were increased back to 75% in June 1976 to prevent further cuts. Rapid transit extension
13490-581: The inner Lowell Line and the Wildcat Branch , while some Franklin/Foxboro Line trains (including all weekend trains) use the Fairmount Line rather than the Northeast Corridor. Several Amtrak intercity routes run on MBTA tracks: the Acela and Northeast Regional over the Providence/Stoughton Line, the Lake Shore Limited over the Framingham/Worcester Line, and the Downeaster over portions of
13632-404: The inner portion of the line, as part of a transition to a regional rail model. The final Newburyport-bound train on weekdays began operating as a shuttle from Salem, with a transfer from a Rockport-bound train. In November 2020, as part of service cuts during the pandemic, the MBTA proposed to close Prides Crossing along with five other low-ridership stations on other lines. On December 14,
13774-414: The late 1800s, when the town had a bustling railroad. These include Burley's Corner, Danvers Center, Danversport, Downtown, Ferncroft, Hathorne (which still has its own post office and ZIP code of 01937), Putnamville and Tapleyville. In a typical year, Danvers, Massachusetts temperatures fall below 50 °F (10 °C) for 184 days per year. Annual precipitation is typically 44.1 inches per year (high for
13916-491: The late 1980s, the MBTA planned to construct a park and ride relief station off Route 107 in Saugus . A $ 400,000 planning study was funded in February 1988; the proposed $ 11-million station would have had 1,000 parking spaces and opened in late 1991. The station was not built; instead, a high-level platform and parking garage opened at Lynn in January 1992. In February 2001, the MBTA began two parallel planning processes for
14058-587: The late 19th and early 20th centuries. Successful manufacturing companies included Ideal Baby Shoe. Local shoe companies were undercut in price by factories in other areas, and shoe manufacturing moved out. Movies filmed in Danvers, Massachusetts include: On November 22, 2006, around 2:46 a.m., a major chemical explosion occurred at a facility housing Arnel Company (a manufacturer of industrial-use paint products) and CAI Inc. (a manufacturer of solvents and inks). The blast shook several North Shore towns, knocking homes off foundations and damaging buildings up to half
14200-487: The line took place from March 5 to June 12, 2022, to allow for signal construction work. Several shorter closures took place in July through September. Lynn station temporarily closed on October 1, 2022, pending a reconstruction project. By October 2022, the line had 11,333 daily riders — 76% of pre-COVID ridership. Rockport Branch service was replaced by buses from October 15 to December 18, 2022, for
14342-451: The message "The King Unwilling." Massachusetts simply ignored this royal veto, which was later included on the town's seal. From the Battle of Lexington onward, Danvers residents have participated in the armed forces. Noteworthy Revolutionary figures who stayed in Danvers include Royal Governor General Thomas Gage and Benedict Arnold . Arnold Plaque is found at 1 Conant Street. Danvers
14484-580: The musket got the wolf. He fought with Roger's Rangers in the French & Indian War . At one point the Indians captured him, had tied him to a tree, and were going to burn him alive. A French officer rescued him in the nick of time. When the first shots of the American Revolution were fired at the Battle of Lexington and Concord , word reached Putnam on his farm. He literally "came off
14626-710: The newly owned Encore Boston Harbor casino and proposed surrounding development. Owing to its position along the North Shore coastline, the Newburyport/Rockport Line has a large number of river crossings, including movable bridges over the Saugus River and Danvers River on the mainline as well as Days Creek and the Annisquam River on the Rockport Branch. Draw Number 7 over the Mystic River between Somerville and Everett , built in 1877,
14768-425: The northeast, Beverly to the east, a small portion of Salem to the southeast, Peabody to the south and southwest, and Middleton to the northwest. The town center lies 4 miles (6 km) north of Salem, 16 miles (26 km) west of Gloucester , 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Boston, and 19 miles (31 km) southeast of Salem, New Hampshire . Interstate 95 and Massachusetts Route 128 both pass through
14910-637: The northside and southside lines. Pan Am Southern owns the section of the Fitchburg Line between Fitchburg and Wachusett, while Amtrak owns the section of the Northeast Corridor (used by the Providence/Stoughton Line) in Rhode Island. Most lines operate on regular headways , though some have additional service at peak hours. Service levels vary by lines: the Greenbush and Kingston lines have 13 round trips on weekdays, while
15052-557: The other northside lines can accommodate up to 17 feet 0 inches (5.18 m) (AAR Plate F). The inner Fitchburg and Newburyport/Rockport Lines, and the southside except for the outer Framingham/Worcester Line, have height restrictions smaller than Plate F. MBTA Commuter Rail uses a zone fare system , with fares increasing with distance. Zone 1A includes the downtown terminals and other inner core stations up to about 5 miles (8.0 km) from downtown. Ten additional zones, numbered 1 through 10, extend outwards from Boston. Each zone
15194-621: The outer ends of the lines. Some maintenance and storage of MBTA equipment is contracted out to the Seaview Transportation Company in North Kingstown, Rhode Island . Several additional yards are under construction or planned. Two layovers are under construction for South Coast Rail, with service planned for mid-2025, and the Haverhill Line layover at Bradford is proposed for relocation later in
15336-489: The outer portion of the Worcester Line has the most freight traffic. Massachusetts Coastal Railroad operates south of Middleborough on the Middleborough/Lakeville Line, as well as on future South Coast Rail trackage. The Fore River Railroad operates between Braintree Yard and East Braintree on the Old Colony mainline and the Greenbush Line. The Providence and Worcester Railroad shares tracks with Providence/Stoughton Line trains between Providence and Wickford Junction; it uses
15478-492: The plow" to ride off to war again. Without bothering to change his clothes, he mounted his horse and rode the 25 miles to the scene in 18 hours. He was known for his courage, and demonstrated it at the Battle of Bunker Hill , where he is credited with giving the command "Don't fire until you can see the whites of their eyes." He became a major general in the Revolutionary War. His birthplace in Danvers, known as
15620-408: The population. There were 9,555 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and
15762-467: The rapid transit lines. MBTA maps began showing the B&M and Penn Central lines as a single system. Penn Central became Conrail on April 1, 1976; the MBTA purchased most of their commuter rolling stock at that time. After delays due to the B&M bankruptcy, the MBTA purchased the B&M commuter equipment, maintenance facility , and 250 miles (400 km) of right of way on December 27, 1976. This included all lines with passenger service, as well as
15904-745: The rapid transit system, largely using railroad rights-of-way, with the expectation that most commuter rail service would be cut back to the rapid transit terminals or abandoned entirely. Prompted by the report, part of the BRB&L was reactivated as rapid transit in 1952–54 by BERy successor Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), and the Highland branch was converted to a rapid streetcar line in 1958–59. The three railroads all made major cuts to suburban service in 1958–1960 as commuters began using new expressways. The B&M became unprofitable in 1958 and moved to shed its money-losing passenger operations. Four branch lines were cut that May, and most stations in
16046-655: The rear of a stopped Portsmouth–Boston local train just north of Swampscott station during a snowstorm. The collision , blamed on the engineer operating at unsafe speeds for the conditions, killed 13 people and injured 283. A second collision in Revere later that morning injured 143 people — some of whom had already been in the Swampscott wreck. On December 27, 1966, an outbound Budd RDC struck an oil tanker truck at Second Street in Everett, killing 13 people. In
16188-449: The services becoming profitable. At the recommendation of the MTC, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) was created on August 3, 1964, with a 78-municipality funding and service district. The MBTA was to build rapid transit extensions (as planned in 1947) along some lines, with the others to be subsidized or allowed to be discontinued. Most remaining lines ran to points outside
16330-556: The sprawling downtown terminals. Most stations outside downtown Boston have one or two side platforms or a single island platform . Standard MBTA platforms are about 800 feet (240 m) long – enough for a nine-car train – and a minimum of 12 feet (3.7 m) wide for side platforms and 22 feet (6.7 m) wide for island platforms. 110 active stations are accessible , including all terminals and all stations with rapid transit connections; 26 are not. The MBTA uses 48-inch (1,200 mm)-high platforms for accessible level boarding, as
16472-716: The state agreed to build a set of transit projects as part of the settlement of a lawsuit by the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) over auto emissions from the Central Artery/Tunnel Project ( Big Dig ). Among these project were extensions of the Framingham Line to Worcester and the Ipswich/Rockport Line to Newburyport, restoration of the Old Colony Lines , and addition of 20,000 park and ride spaces outside
16614-508: The system to have Positive Train Control activated was the inner Worcester Line on August 15, 2020. Most of the southside lines already had cab signals for automatic train control (ATC) prior to PTC implementation, but the northside lines did not. Cab signals on the southside were completed in 2020; cab signals on the northside will be completed in 2023. Temporary bus replacements for several lines took place between 2017 and 2022 during PTC and ATC construction and testing. Weekday service
16756-407: The system. Most Ipswich/Rockport line stations were made accessible during the 1984–85 closure, and renovations followed at other stations. South Station was made accessible in the late 1980s, Back Bay during the Southwest Corridor project, and North Station in the early 1990s, providing accessibility at the main downtown Boston stations. By 1992, 44 commuter rail stations were accessible. In 1991,
16898-602: The third quarter of 2024, making it the fifth-busiest commuter rail system in the U.S. , behind the three New York-area systems and the Chicago-area system . The line's characteristic purple-trimmed coaches operate as far south as North Kingstown, Rhode Island , and as far north as Newburyport and as far west as Fitchburg , both in Massachusetts . Trains originate at two major terminals in Boston – South Station and North Station . The only connection between
17040-518: The town's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top ten employers in the town are: Danvers has seen major growth in the food truck revolution: and this has led to some of the food truck owners moving toward more permanent cafes. Danvers has full-time police and fire departments. Emergency medical services are provided by Atlantic Ambulance (a Division of Cataldo Ambulance), a large private ambulance company based in Somerville. The Town
17182-598: The town's western border. The Putnamville Reservoir lies in the north end of the town, which supplies drinking water to the towns of Salem and Beverly . Though being at sea level in the Danversport area, the town has numerous hills reaching around 130 to 180 feet in elevation, including Dales Hill (located at St. John's Preparatory School ), Ferncroft Hill, Folly Hill, Hathorne Hill, Lindall Hill, Nichols Hill, Putnam Hill, Rocky Hill and Whipple Hill (part of Endicott Park ). Danvers has numerous villages dating back to
17324-713: The town, between Peabody and Beverly. There is no commuter rail service within town; the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail passes through neighboring Salem and Beverly. Two lines of the Springfield Terminal railroad, running through Springfield, Massachusetts , also cross through town, merging near the town center to head north. Two runways of the Beverly Municipal Airport cross through
17466-560: The town, just east of their junction in Peabody. U.S. Route 1 also passes through town, with a large junction with Interstate 95 in the northwestern end of town. The main highways are also crossed by Route 35 , Route 62 and Route 114 , with Routes 35 and 62 intersecting just north of the town center. The northern terminus of Route 35 is just over the Topsfield town line, where it meets Route 97 . Several MBTA bus routes pass through
17608-436: The town. In the early 1950s, Earle F. Robbins constructed Robbins Airport, a private airfield, on his property on Collins Street extending to Prince Street. The airport closed in the 1980s and was demolished in the 1990s. The nearest regularly scheduled commercial flights are located at Boston's Logan International Airport . As of the census of 2000, there were 25,212 people, 9,555 households, and 6,564 families residing in
17750-440: The town. The population density was 1,898.5 inhabitants per square mile (733.0/km ). There were 9,762 housing units at an average density of 735.1 per square mile (283.8/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 97.72% White , 0.35% Black or African American , 0.10% Native American , 1.11% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.22% from other races , and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of
17892-614: The two halves of the system is the non-revenue Grand Junction Branch . The North–South Rail Link is a proposed tunnel between North Station and South Station to allow through-running service. The system consists of twelve lines – four of which have branches – radiating from downtown Boston . Eight "southside" lines terminate at South Station , with four (Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Franklin/Foxboro, and Providence/Stoughton) also running through Back Bay station . Four "northside" lines terminate at North Station . The Kingston Line and Middleborough/Lakeville Line are often grouped together as
18034-546: The two stations. This was repeated with weekday service on November 2, 2020. On April 5, 2021, weekend bus shuttles were changed to run between Beverly and Rockport. Other work during the closure included replacement of 11,000 wood ties with plastic ties, replacement of 12 culverts, and replacement of an old spring switch east of the drawbridge with a modern interlocking. Portions of the line are being replaced by buses in several phases from April 11 to June 5, 2022, to allow for several construction projects including
18176-410: The urban core. Peak-hour service to Worcester began in 1994, followed by off-peak and weekend service; four intermediate stations were added in 2000 and 2002. Service on the Old Colony Lines (Middleborough/Lakeville Line and Kingston/Plymouth Line) began in 1997. Newburyport and Rowley opened in 1998. The MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility , which replaced the ex-B&M Boston Engine Terminal,
18318-620: The wooden approach trestles to the North Station drawbridges . The four northside lines used temporary terminals with rapid transit connections while the trestles were rebuilt. Another bridge fire between Beverly and Salem on November 16, 1984, isolated part of the Ipswich/Rockport Line from the rest of the system. Service to North Station resumed on April 20, 1985; service to Ipswich and Rockport resumed on December 1, 1985. Guilford Transportation Industries purchased
18460-502: Was $ 58,779, and the median income for a family was $ 70,565. Males had a median income of $ 48,058 versus $ 33,825 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 26,852. About 1.7% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over. Danvers has a Plan E form of government, which is a combination of a representative town meeting and town manager. It also has an elected board of selectmen. According to
18602-472: Was completed in 1987 with a new below-ground alignment for commuter rail, Amtrak, and Orange Line trains. Back Bay and Forest Hills stations were completely rebuilt as transfer stations, and Ruggles opened to serve the growing Longwood Medical Area . The Needham Line, closed since 1979 for construction, was reopened. The Attleboro and Franklin lines had been diverted over the previously freight-only Dorchester Branch during construction; after they returned to
18744-453: Was completed in 1998. Two tenders were submitted in 2003, one from GTI and another from the newly formed Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR), a partnership between Connex (later Veolia), Bombardier Transportation and Alternate Concepts, Inc. MBCR won the contract, and took over the MBTA Commuter Rail operation from Amtrak in July 2003. The MBCR contract originally expired in July 2008 but had an additional five-year option; it
18886-491: Was cut back to a single Newburyport round trip. Subsidies began for six lines on January 18; all out-of-district service to Fitchburg , Lowell , Haverhill , Ipswich , and Rockport was discontinued except for three single round trips. Agreements were reached to restore most out-of-district service; after delays due to a lawsuit by the competing Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway , full service returned to Ayer , Lowell, Ipswich, and Rockport on June 28. On June 30, 1967,
19028-416: Was largely unusable to the decommissioning of 3G networks . Mobile ticketing was introduced on the northside lines on November 12, 2012, and on the southside lines on November 28. Positive Train Control was implemented on the entire system per a federal mandate, which required installation by the end of 2018 with the possibility of a two-year extension. Construction began in 2017. The final segment of
19170-418: Was later extended three years to July 2011 and then another two to July 2013. After concerns about on-time performance, the 2011 extension increased the fine for late trains from $ 100 to $ 300. The MBTA considered running the service directly rather than contracting it out, but this "public option" was rejected in 2012. In August 2012, MBCR and Keolis were the two bidders for the contract. On January 8, 2014,
19312-495: Was previously served by Lyons Ambulance Service, a small private ambulance company which had served the town since 1904 before being bought by Cataldo Ambulance in 2017. The Danvers Police Department was accredited in 1986. Danvers was the first municipal agency within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to become nationally accredited. On April 2, 1990, the natural gas lines serving homes were accidentally over-pressurized by
19454-465: Was replaced by buses from June 1 to 30, 2019 to allow for construction. On April 29, 2020, service between West Gloucester and Rockport was indefinitely replaced by buses due to a failure of the old bridge. That June, the MBTA indicated the closure would continue until the completion of the bridge replacement in mid-2021. In October 2020, weekend service was modified with the outbound bus connection at Manchester, so that trains could idle between
19596-411: Was retired between 1979 and 1989. 33 ex-B&M RDCs were converted to locomotive-hauled coaches (designated BTC-2 and CTC-2) in 1980 and 1982; they were retired by 1989. This left all MBTA service operated by locomotives and coaches purchased new by the MBTA. At several points since, the MBTA or its contract operator has temporarily leased locomotives when needed. Some passenger equipment acquired new by
19738-483: Was slower than expected; by 1971, the only extension in service was the first portion of the Red Line Braintree Branch on the Old Colony mainline. In 1972, as part of a funding shift from highways to transit, Governor Francis Sargent initiated a Commuter Rail Improvement Program. On October 8, 1974, the MBTA began using purple to represent the commuter rail system, as had been done in 1965 with
19880-463: Was substantially cut on March 17, 2020, due to reduced ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic . On June 22, service was increased to 85% of normal weekday levels. Changes effective November 2 reduced peak service and increased off-peak service, providing more consistent midday headways on some lines; Foxboro pilot service was suspended. In November 2020, as part of service cuts during the pandemic,
20022-516: Was the birthplace of Israel Putnam , one of the most colorful figures of the colonial period and American Revolution . He built a successful farm, with fruit trees and flocks of sheep, and at one point crawled into a wolf's den on his hands and knees to kill a wolf that had been eating his sheep. He went into the den's narrow passage with a torch in one hand, a musket in the other, and a rope tied to his feet leading to his friends outside so they could pull him out if things went wrong. His one shot from
20164-504: Was the oldest horizontally folding drawbridge in the country until it was replaced by a fixed high-level concrete span on August 26, 1989. The new $ 34.2-million bridge, which was completed nine months ahead of schedule, eliminated the 5-mile-per-hour (8.0 km/h) speed restriction on the old bridge. The Beverly Drawbridge spanning the Danvers River was replaced in 2017. The abutments of the approach spans were repaired, followed by
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