Chester Railway Station

For lovers of history and railroads, it would be hard to beat the appeal of Chester Station and the Keystone Arches, which share a National Historic Landmark designation bestowed by the National Park Service.  The significance inherent in these sites as elements of the Western Railroad, c 1841, include the world’s first mountain railroad; the first railroad built through wilderness, the first railroad built by large numbers of immigrant laborers and the first place in the world where pusher engines were employed.

The Keystone Arches are the first cluster of stone arch railroad bridges built in America and the Station is one of only four examples of the timber frame stations built by the Western Railroad that still exist and the most intact.  This project was the laboratory for the development of long-distance developmental railroads, which built America.

The sections of roadbed between the Arches carry evidence of the hand labor that pushed this line through what remains today the largest roadless wilderness, following the first National Wild & Scenic River and the longest stretch of free-flowing river left in the state of MA.  This overload of natural wonder is wonderfully enhanced by the dry laid, hand-chiseled marvels that carry the rails up to 70 ft. above the water.

The hike along the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail is stunningly enhanced by a visit to the Station Museum, which houses artifacts explaining the incredible struggle that triumphed over the elements to reveal the full potential of the fledgling railroad technology.

Mailing Address:
P O Box 743
Chester, MA 01011