Norwood Central station

Norwood Central
Norwood Central station in June 2010
General information
Location	164 Broadway Norwood, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°11′20″N 71°12′00″W / 42.18875°N 71.19990°W / 42.18875; -71.19990
Line(s)	Franklin Branch
Platforms	2 side platforms
Tracks	2
Construction
Parking	781 spaces ($4.00 fee)
Bicycle facilities	27 spaces
Accessible	Yes
Other information
Fare zone	3
History
Opened	c. 1852
Rebuilt	1899, c. 1990
Previous names	Dedham Middle, Everett's
Passengers
2018	1,041 (weekday average boardings)[1]
Services
Preceding station MBTA Following station Windsor Gardens toward Forge Park/495 or Foxboro Franklin/​Foxboro Line Norwood Depot toward South Station
Former services Preceding station MBTA Following station Foxboro Terminus Foxboro event service Dedham Corporate Center (1995–2010) toward South Station Readville (1986–1988) toward South Station Preceding station New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Following station Plimptonville toward Blackstone Midland Line Norwood toward Boston Morrills toward Providence Wrentham Branch
Location

Norwood Central station is an MBTA Commuter Rail Franklin/Foxboro Line station located near downtown Norwood, Massachusetts. The station has two side platforms serving the two tracks of the Franklin Branch, each with a mini-high section for accessibility. It serves as a park-and-ride location for Boston's southwest suburbs; with 1,041 daily riders it is the busiest station on the line outside Boston. The former station building, a one-story yellow brick structure, has been converted to commercial use.

The Norfolk County Railroad opened through South Dedham (now Norwood) in 1849. Dedham Middle station opened around 1852, and a small station building was constructed in 1865. The station was renamed Everett's by 1856 and Norwood Central in the 1870s. In 1875, the line became part of the New York and New England Railroad (NY&NE), which built its main shops adjacent to Norwood Central. The Old Colony Railroad opened its Wrentham Branch to Norwood in 1892. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad leased the Old Colony in 1893 and obtained control of the NY&NE in 1895.

The New Haven eliminated an adjacent grade crossing in 1896 and built a new station structure in 1899, ending a decade-long controversy. As rail travel declined, Norwood Shops closed around 1930 and Wrentham Branch service ended in 1938. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) began subsidizing service in 1966 and purchased the line in 1973. Under the MBTA, renovations to the station were made around 1977 and 1990. Along with Franklin Line commuter rail service, Norwood Central was a stop for Foxboro Stadium special events trains from 1986 to 1988 and 1995 to 2010.