Woonsocket Depot

Woonsocket Depot

Woonsocket Depot in February 2016
Location 1 Depot Square
Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Coordinates 42°00′12″N 71°30′48″W / 42.003460°N 71.513301°W / 42.003460; -71.513301Coordinates: 42°00′12″N 71°30′48″W / 42.003460°N 71.513301°W / 42.003460; -71.513301
Line(s) Providence and Worcester Railroad
History
Opened 1847
Closed 1941
Rebuilt 1882
Services
  Proposed services  
Preceding station   Boston Surface Railroad   Following station
Terminus
Main line
Opening 2017
Terminus

Woonsocket Depot is a former railroad station located at Depot Square in downtown Woonsocket, Rhode Island. It was built by the Providence and Worcester Railroad in 1882 to replace a previous station built in 1847.

History

Woonsocket Depot on a 1923 postcard

Hachiko

Depot Square was the central filming location for Hachi: A Dog's Tale in 2009. A statue of the dog, Hachikō, was installed in front of the station in May 2012.[1]

Renovation and proposed return of rail service

The building was renovated by William (Bill) Dogan and was the headquarters for Develco a (now defunct) real estate development company during the 1970s who was responsible for building Lincoln Mall and the Marquette building in Woonsocket, R.I.

The building serves as the headquarters for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council organizes a Polar Express excursion each year which operates from Woonsocket Depot.[2]

In February 2016, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation leased the depot to the Boston Surface Railroad (BSR) to be used by the company as a hub for commuter service between Providence, Rhode Island and Worcester, Massachusetts. [3] Later, the depot was designated as the headquarters for the BSR. The BSR plans to build a platform on the western side of the station for high boarding. [4] The company also announced that the Polar Express excursion trains will continue after the BSR begins service. The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor will be relocating from the depot to a mill in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Woonsocket, Rhode Island: Statue of Hachiko, Faithful Dog". Roadside America. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Polar Express Train Ride". Blackstone Valley Tourism Council USA. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Olivo, Russ (2 February 2016). "State to lease Depot Square to company proposing commuter rail". The Call. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  4. 1 2 Seoane, Sandy (April 20, 2016). "Woonsocket on track for new train service". The Valley Breeze.
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