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Railroad History

All railroad history facts and pictures are taken from the book “Iron Roads Of The Monadnock Region, Volume One”, Bradford G. Blodget & Richard R. Richards Jr.

To get your very own copy of “Iron Roads of the Monadnock Region” click here.

THE MRRTC

Historical Fun Facts

  • May 16, 1848 – First operational train in Keene.
  • Within 3 decades trains carried thousands of passengers and millioins of tons of freight in and out of the Monadnock region.
  • Abandonment began in the 1960s due to improved highways and roads.
  • NHDOT is the owner of over 300 miles of the rail corridor.
  • NH Bureau of Trails is the adminisator of the state-owned rail trails.

Courtesy Historical Society of Cheshire County

Cheshire Rail Line

Joslin Stone Arch Bridge, Cheshire Trail-1905
Fitzwilliam Station, Cheshire Trail-1917
Boston to Montreal by Rail, 1898
Arch St Bridge, West Keene
East Swanzey near Mt Huggins Dr, 1950
Gilbo Ave, Keene  1911

                                                  Courtesy Historical Society of Cheshire County

Ashuelot Rail Line

Along the Ashuelot River, 1912
Ashuelot Station, 1930
Hinsdale Station, 1905, 1948
Ashuelot Rail Mileage Chart

                                                                                                         Courtesy Historical Society of Cheshire County

Train Wreck, 1912

Fort Hill Rail Line

Tracks at Dole Junction, Post-1970