CSX-MBTA Bridge/Viaduct over Route 27 - Walpole, MA - Railroad Bridges on Waymarking.com

In Walpole, north of downtown, is this railroad bridge over Elm Street/MA Route 27.

The road is the main route between Walpole and Medfield. Just south of the bridge, Route 27 takes a left onto East Street. Several parking areas are in the area - be sure to mind the reserved spaces and the ones like the commuter rail parking lots - where a fee may be required.

The Norfolk County Railroad originally built the line from Dedham to Blackstone in 1849. The trestle more than likely does not date back to that far. The trestle is part of a viaduct that includes at least two openings-one for Route 27 and another one for the Neponset River about 100 ft to the north. The viaduct is approximately 300 ft long. Later, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad owned the line, and it changed a couple more times. The current owner is CSX. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) also uses the tracks for its Franklin Commuter Rail Branch. Currently, the bridge carries two tracks - one of which is a wye-branch to another railroad line.

The height under the bridge is only 13 ft 6 in. This makes it a bit low for such a main road. Also, the road dips under the bridge. This a problem if the Neponset River swells especially during a heavy rain fall, which can cause a pool of water to form and cause the road to be closed. I have seen in the past where at least one person has ignored the signs and tried to pass - only to end up enveloped in water.

Source:

Walpole Public Library (Chronology of Railroading in Walpole, MA):

Bridge Type: Truss Bridge Usage: Railroad Moving Bridge: This bridge is static (has no moving pieces)

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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/25/2021 theTwonky visited it