Waltham station

Waltham is an MBTA Commuter Rail station in Waltham, Massachusetts. It serves the Fitchburg Line. It is located in downtown Waltham adjacent to Central Square (Waltham Common).

Waltham
The outbound platform at Waltham station in 2019
Location75 Carter Street, Waltham, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°22′27.11″N 71°14′10.72″W
Line(s)Fitchburg Line
Watertown Branch (former)
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks1 (splits into 2 at station)
Connections MBTA bus: 61, 70, 170, 505, 553, 554, 556, 558
128BC Waltham Shuttle[1]
Construction
Parking50 spaces ($1.00 fee)
Bicycle facilities8 spaces
Disabled accessYes
Other information
Fare zone2
History
OpenedDecember 20, 1843[2]
Passengers
2018521 (weekday average boardings)[3]
Services
Preceding station MBTA Following station
Brandeis/Roberts
toward Wachusett
Fitchburg Line Waverley

History and operations

Old Waltham depot with large clocktower on a 1915 postcard

The station has an unusual configuration, similar to Lincoln. There are 2 side platforms, separated by Moody Street: the eastern platform is used for inbound passengers, and the western platform is used for outbound passengers. Most of the station is located on a short single-track section; after double-tracking was completed from South Acton to Willows in 2014, this became the only single-track section of the Fitchburg Line. Accessible mini-high platforms were added in 2007.[4]

Commuter rail service to Waltham station has remained relatively constant since the MBTA was formed in 1964. However, several nearby stops on the Fitchburg Line and the Central Mass Branch were closed in the early years of the MBTA.[5] The former depot building, which included a large clocktower, was demolished in 1962.[2] The Waltham Interlocking Tower is located next to Elm Street; it controlled the junction with the Watertown Branch Railroad, which operated passenger service until July 9, 1938.[6]

Bus connections

A route 554 bus boards at Waltham in 2016

Eight MBTA bus routes and one private route stop at Waltham station:

  • 61: North Waltham–Waltham Center
  • 70: Market Place Drive or Waltham Center–Central Square, Cambridge
  • 170: Waltham Center–Nubian Square
  • 505: Waltham Center–Federal Street & Franklin Street
  • 553: Roberts–Federal Street & Franklin Street
  • 554: Waverly Square–Federal Street & Franklin Street
  • 556: Waltham Highlands–Federal Street & Franklin Street
  • 558: Riverside Station–Federal Street & Franklin Street
  • 128BC Waltham Shuttle, provides rush hour service to nearby businesses.[1]

References

  1. "Waltham Shuttle". Route 128 Business Council. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  2. Humphrey, Thomas J.; Clark, Norton D. (1985). Boston's Commuter Rail: The First 150 Years. Boston Street Railway Association. pp. 87, 90. ISBN 9780685412947.
  3. Central Transportation Planning Staff (2019). "2018 Commuter Rail Counts". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
  4. Haley, Nicole (July 25, 2007). "Station boosts access". Daily News Tribune. Archived from the original on July 26, 2007.
  5. Belcher, Jonathan. "Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district" (PDF). NETransit.
  6. Humphrey, Thomas J.; Clark, Norton D. (1986). Boston's Commuter Rail: Second Section. Boston Street Railway Association. p. 52. ISBN 9780938315025.
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