In the Readville neighborhood of Boston (the most southwestern part of the city), there is a major commuter rail station that provides a great view of passenger rail activity from both the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the northeast corridor route of Amtrak, as well as a siding yard for maintenance of way (MOW) vehicles and a small CSX freight railroad yard, and just beyond view is an MBTA siding for commuter rail trains.
The MBTA is the multi-mode public transportation organization that serves the greater Boston area and has an extensive commuter rail network. Readville is a multi-level commuter rail station of this network with three separate station platforms that serves two of these commuter railroad lines, currently, the Readville-Fairmount Line and the Franklin Line. Passing through the station are the Attleboro-Providence and Canton-Stoughton MBTA rail lines and the Amtrak northeast corridor line. Schedules for the lines stopping are posted at the station (though they may not be up to date). Go to (
visit link) and (
visit link) for schedules. It would also be helpful to get a map of the system and satellite images to understand the layout.
The three platforms will be known as follows: The center platform is the center pair that is at the level of the northeast corridor route and serves Tracks 1-3. The Dedham platform is the west-side platform that serves most of the Franklin line trains. The Readville platform is the east-side platform and serves the Fairmount-Readville line and the Franklin line trains that travel on the "Dorchester Branch." A pedestrian bridge spans between the Dedham and Readville platforms and stairs from the bridge connect to the center platform between the other two.
At the center platform, trains run through but only stop to accommodate passengers if the Franklin or Readville trains are canceled. The Amtrak Acela train races through at high speeds to either Boston or Providence. You can watch these trains from the platforms or feel them pass under you on the pedestrian bridge (the plexiglass and wide grating make it difficult to see far).
At the Dedham platform, Franklin-Forge Park trains stop here. The line runs from South Station in Boston to Franklin or the Forge Park station southwest of Boston. There is also a railroad siding 10 feet below the platform that often has MOW equipment parked there. This siding continues to an old yard, no longer used and mostly torn up.
At the Readville platform, the Fairmount-Readville line, which starts at South Station in Boston. (often referred to as the Fairmount-Readville shuttle for its short length) terminates at this location. Also, some trains from the Franklin-Forge Park line cross over and run on this line, known as the Dorchester Branch, and may become the Fairmount-Readville train at this point. From this platform you can also see a freight yard that is maintained by CSX railroad. This yard is still used and you can occasionally see (not sure the schedule - perhaps weekly) some switching action. Freight trains exit the yard via the Franklin-Forge Park line to the south west. At the northern end of the platform is a small maintenance facility that has sidings for MBTA commuter trains. It is difficult to see the siding from here.
At all three levels are three 100+ vehicle parking lots. There is a fee of $4.00 to park here if you plan to stay long. Payment is made through unattended boxes at each lot with parking lot numbers above slots that accept bills and coins (no change is given).
There are two road bridges that also provide views. The Neponset Valley Parkway Bridge to the north of the station provide views of the station and the northeast corridor route and the Sprague Street bridge provides other views of the station and the Franklin-Forge Park line.
The area is pretty stable, so, for the most part, the only crimes seen are petty thefts such as vandalism and break-ins. Transit and Boston City Police do patrol the area but are not constantly there. Occasionally, there are kids groups that pass through. In generally, while it is pretty safe, usual caution should be used and bringing a companion would be better. Also, be very aware when you are walking through the platforms. You can feel the air pressure from the trains passing, especially the Acela train. There are catenary wires over the center rails. In particular, at the Dedham platform, people must LOOK BOTH WAYS before crossing the tracks since this is the Frankin line.
At this location, there is some train passing through or stopping every 15-20 minutes or less. There is a Dunkin' Donuts and a Pizza Shop in Wolcott Square just east of the station, so buy something and stay awhile!