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North Station: Boston's Elegant Terminal

Published: February 10, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Located at 126 Causeway Street, North Station serves as a pivotal transportation hub in Boston that today accommodates both commuter and intercity rail services seeing thousands of travelers daily.

While the historic headhouse no longer stands the facility and its ten tracks nevertheless remain an important part of the city's intercity, regional, and commuter services. 

It is a terminus for four Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail lines—the Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport Lines—as well as Amtrak's Downeaster, which provides intercity service.

The station's concourse is situated beneath the TD Garden arena, with its train platforms extending northward toward drawbridges over the Charles River. Additionally, the Green Line and Orange Line subway services are accessible via an underground passageway linking the subway station to the concourse.

The former North Station, also known as Union Station, is seen here circa 1905 about a decade after it opened. This structure was demolished in 1926 for a newer facility.

History

In accordance with the 1887 lease agreement between Boston & Lowell Railroad (B&L) and Boston & Maine Railroad, the state mandated the construction of a union station to accommodate both the consolidated B&M network and the Fitchburg Railroad.

Despite initial reluctance from the B&M - then northern New England's largest railroad serving Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and southern Maine - the construction of North Union Station commenced in 1893.

The facility was an eastward extension of the existing B&L station, featuring an impressive 568-foot frontage along Causeway Street. At its center stood a magnificent 80-foot granite triumphal arch, flanked by four imposing columns.

The east wing comprised a five-story building dedicated to baggage and express services. The architectural design was undertaken by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, the same firm responsible for South Station's design in subsequent years.

The station's inauguration occurred in phases, from August 1893 to June 1894. Prior to this, the Eastern depot was demolished in 1893 to facilitate ongoing construction efforts.

The B&M depot was subsequently razed in 1897, paving the way for the Canal Street incline of the Tremont Street subway. In 1900, the Fitchburg Railroad was leased by B&M, and the former Fitchburg depot was repurposed as B&M's office space.

By then, the station had become colloquially known as "North Station." Unfortunately, the erstwhile Fitchburg depot was consumed by fire on January 17, 1925, leading to its demolition during 1926–1928.

Boston & Lowell Railroad

The Boston & Lowell Railroad (B&L), one of the earliest and most significant railroads in the United States, was chartered on June 5, 1830. Emerging during the nascent stages of the American Industrial Revolution, this early railway played a pivotal role in the economic and industrial development of Massachusetts and New England at large.

The impetus for its creation stemmed from the need to efficiently transport goods and raw materials between the industrial city of Lowell, known for its burgeoning textile mills, and the commercial hub of Boston. Prior to the rail connection, transportation between these cities relied heavily on the Middlesex Canal, which was significantly slower and more susceptible to the vagaries of weather.

Construction of the B&L began shortly after its chartering, under the leadership of James Fowle Baldwin, a prominent civil engineer, alongside Patrick Tracy Jackson, a key industrialist and investor. The route spanned approximately 26 miles, traversing a path painstakingly surveyed to minimize grades, facilitating the efficient movement of steam-powered locomotives—an engineering marvel at the time.

In 1835, operations commenced, marking a new era for transportation in the region. The railroad swiftly proved its worth, drastically reducing travel times and becoming a vital conduit for both passengers and freight.

The B&L's introduction fundamentally altered trade logistics, contributing significantly to the region's economic vitality and setting a precedent for future rail developments.

Throughout the 19th century, the railroad underwent numerous expansions and transformations, eventually becoming part of the Boston & Maine through a series of mergers and acquisitions. This integration was emblematic of a broader trend towards consolidation within the industry, driven by the burgeoning demand for a more unified and extensive rail network.

The Boston & Lowell's legacy is profound, exemplifying the transformative impact of rail transportation on American society, bridging geographical divides and fostering economic growth while setting the groundwork for future infrastructural innovations.

Modern Terminal

In 1926, the Boston & Maine initiated an ambitious project aimed at expanding and modernizing the freight yards located north of North Station in Somerville.

By November of the following year, the railroad unveiled plans for a comprehensive North Station complex. Demolition of the existing station commenced in December 1927.

The partially completed new station opened its doors on August 19, 1928, and was officially inaugurated on November 14, 1928, precisely one year after the initial announcement.

The innovative station featured 22 tracks, organized around island platforms, closely mirroring the layout of its predecessor. Above the concourse stood the Boston Garden arena, flanked by a 14-story office tower to the east and a hotel to the west.

This architectural ensemble spanned along Causeway Street for 700 feet, from Nashua Street to Beverly Street. Between August 26, 1930, and mid-1931, a significant reconstruction project improved access to the station, incorporating four new drawbridges to traverse a newly restructured Charles River channel.

Up until the 1960s, North Station served as the focal point for B&M's long-haul commuter services to various destinations north and west of Boston, frequently in collaboration with other rail lines.

However, the 1950s marked the beginning of service reductions, gradually restricting operations to predominantly commuter rail services. On January 4, 1965, the final intercity services to Portland, Maine, and beyond Concord, New Hampshire, were discontinued.

At this juncture, intercity routes had dwindled to mere self-propelled Budd RDCs, often consisting of just one or two cars per journey. From these routes, single commuter-based daily round trips to Concord and Dover, New Hampshire, persisted until June 30, 1967.

Additionally, during the 1960s, the B&M dismantled two drawbridges and reduced the station's capacity to ten tracks, while the southern sections of the platforms were removed to accommodate a parking area.  

Current Operations

In 2001, intercity service returned to North Station with Amtrak's Downeaster to Portland, Maine which was later extended to Brunswick.  In addition, the Lake Shore Limited also arrives and departs from the facility.

Currently, MBTA - Boston's transportation authority - operates its Western Route, Eastern Route, New Hampshire Main Line, and Fitchburg Route out of North Station with nearly 400,000 annually boardings as of Fiscal Year 2023.