The Woburn Loop

[metalbynumber]

I'm guessing they have ripped up the tracks? What a disappointment! We have a line over here in Rockland, MA and they are beginning to tear it up :(

[bob94109]

Thanks for posting this. Living in Stoneham in the 50's we often boarded the train in Woburn for Boston. Also drove past the main station all the time. I recall being dismayed when I first noticed that the tracks were cut off at Pleasant Street.  Don't know just when that was. One time I was about to get a train for Boston and didn't know the station stop had moved. Eventually I found it by asking around and made the train (late 60's).

[msm618]

The "Loop" also served as an alternatine "main line". Any problems on the New Hampshire Main between Wilmington and Winchester could be circumvented by a Loop routing. This was all double-track, and was a great aid to dispatchers, as it could also serve as a several-mile long "siding", to let passenger movements get around slower freights on the NMM, as well.

[PKingman]

Interesting info. I wish I could again find the article that I accidentally stumbled upon while looking at microfilm of old Boston newspapers. There was a story somewhere about a situation, possibly in the 1930s, where some kids pushed an old auto down onto the mainline tracks near Montvale Ave. The Montreal Express had to be diverted over the Woburn Loop. Weird to think that a big inter city train once rolled over that ROW.

[jph0917]

Love these walks down the old abandoned lines. I remember when the commuter trains went from Winchester to Cross Street then to Woburn. They discontinued service when I was in high school.  1981 or 82, I believe. Excellent!

[Tcostello105]

To bad the lines gone now