Billerica and Bedford Railroad

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Billerica and Bedford Railroad
Locale Massachusetts
Dates of operation 1877–1878
Successor line abandoned
Track gauge 2 ft (610 mm)

The Billerica and Bedford Railroad was an early narrow gauge railroad in Massachusetts, built to demonstrate the advantages of a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railroad.

George E. Mansfield, of Hazelhurst, Massachusetts, became an early promoter of the two foot gauge after seeing the Ffestiniog Railway in operation in Wales. He persuaded the citizens of Billerica of the economies of a two foot line, and became general manager of the Billerica & Bedford when it was chartered in 1876. Construction began in May 1877, and the line was completed between North Billerica and Bedford in August 1877, a distance of 8.63 miles (13.89 km).

The line was built very cheaply in accordance with narrow gauge doctrine, but rapidly found itself financially embarrassed. Turntables were built at each end of the railroad, and a wye and engine-house were built at Bedford, but no stations were ever constructed along the line. The company went bankrupt and was liquidated in June 1878.

Mansfield, undeterred, went on to promote the two foot gauge in Maine, where the largest network of these lines was ultimately built. The Boston and Lowell Railroad used most of the B&B roadbed to extend its Lexington Branch in May 1885.

[edit] Rolling Stock

Name Builder Type Date Works number Notes
Ariel[1] Hinkley Locomotive Works[2] 0-4-4T locomotive[3] 1877 1251[4] Became Sandy River Railroad #1[5]
Puck[6] Hinkley Locomotive Works[7] 0-4-4T locomotive[8] 1877 1261[9] Became Sandy River Railroad #2[10]
Fawn[11] Ranlet Manufacturing Company[12] combine car[13] 1877 Became Sandy River Railroad #4[14]
Sylvan[15] Ranlet Manufacturing Company[16] coach[17] 1877 Became Sandy River Railroad #3[18]
A[19] Ranlet Manufacturing Company[20] boxcar[21] 1877 Became Sandy River Railroad #2[22]
B & C[23] Ranlet Manufacturing Company[24] excursion cars[25] 1877 Rebuilt as Sandy River Railroad baggage cars #1 & #3[26]
D thru I[27] Ranlet Manufacturing Company[28] flatcars[29] 1877 Sold to Sandy River Railroad several later rebuilt as boxcars[30]

[edit] References

  • Billerica and Bedford history
  • Adams, Robert. "Born and Buried in Six Months". TRAINS Magazine (September, 1959): 34. Kalmbach. 
  • Crittenden, H. Temple (1976). The Maine Scenic Route. McClain Printing. 
  • Jones, Robert C. (1980). Two Feet Between the Rails (Volume II - The Mature Years). Sundance Books. 
  • Moody, Linwood W. (1959). The Maine Two-Footers. Howell-North. 
  1. ^ Moody 1959 p.50
  2. ^ Moody 1959 p.50
  3. ^ Moody 1959 p.50
  4. ^ Jones 1980 p.350
  5. ^ Crittenden 1976 pp.19
  6. ^ Moody 1959 p.50
  7. ^ Moody 1959 p.50
  8. ^ Moody 1959 p.50
  9. ^ Jones 1980 p.350
  10. ^ Crittenden 1976 pp.19
  11. ^ Moody 1959 p.52
  12. ^ Moody 1959 p.52
  13. ^ Moody 1959 p.52
  14. ^ Jones 1980 p.355
  15. ^ Moody 1959 p.51
  16. ^ Moody 1959 p.51
  17. ^ Moody 1959 p.51
  18. ^ Jones 1980 p.355
  19. ^ Moody 1959 p.52
  20. ^ Moody 1959 p.52
  21. ^ Moody 1959 p.52
  22. ^ Jones 1980 p.355
  23. ^ Crittenden 1976 pp.11
  24. ^ Moody 1959 p.51
  25. ^ Moody 1959 p.51
  26. ^ Jones 1980 p.355
  27. ^ Crittenden 1976 pp.11
  28. ^ Moody 1959 p.53
  29. ^ Moody 1959 p.53
  30. ^ Crittenden 1976 pp.24