MBTA, State Buy CSX Train Lines through Wellesley

For better or worse, the lines running through Wellesley are now under the MBTA's control.

MassDOT (Department of Transportation) and the MBTA (Mass Bay Transit Authority) announced in a press release this week that they have finished the final steps in acquiring the CSX rails on the Worcester/Framingham stretch of that commuter rail line.

The Framingham/Worcester line stops at three stations in Wellesley: Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Hills and Wellesley Square.

“By taking over the dispatching duties this week, the state can now give absolute priority to passenger service along the line,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey in the press release. 

The transit authority took control of the CSX lines last year, and taking control of the dispatching is the final element in the acquisition. According to the release, benefits of the acquisition include the ability to give passenger trains the priority over freight trains, a streamlined process for dispatching more trains and responding to emergencies, and not having to communicate with CSX' dispatches in New York. 

The T can also now do-away with heat-based speed restrictions, which were imposed by CSX. The release notes that when outside temperatures are about 90ºF anywhere on the east coast, the company would slow down its trains. With the MBTA in charge, the don't have to exercise this rule.

MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said, in the release, “Controlling operations and maintenance along the line is a critically important part of our concerted effort to not only improve reliability, but also increase service between the state’s two largest cities."

See the full press release on the MBTA site.