The Rhode Island and Massachusetts Railroad was a -long rail line built to connect Franklin, Massachusetts, and Valley Falls, Rhode Island, organized in 1875 and completed in 1877. The railroad was operated by the New York and New England Railroad, its northern connection, upon completion. Connection was made with the Providence and Worcester Railroad at Valley Falls Yard. The two railroads offered a connecting passenger service between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, though it was less direct than the competing Boston and Providence Railroad.
After the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (the New Haven) assumed control of the New York and New England, it had relatively little use for the line other than as a detour for the Boston and Providence Railroad line as needed. Passenger service on the line ended in 1930. The New Haven abandoned most of the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Railroad in 1941, keeping only the first two miles out of Valley Falls to Adamsdale, Massachusetts, which connected with another branch line originating at Norwood. This connection and most of the remaining branch were abandoned in 1963. A final mile of the branch within Valley Falls survived into operation by Penn Central and subsequently the newly independent Providence and Worcester Railroad in 1973 but was abandoned by 1994.
Preserved railroad structures along the line include a depot at Adamsdale and freight houses at Abbotts Run, Arnolds Mills, and West Wrentham.
Station listing StateMunicipalityStationMilesCommentsMAFranklinOn the Norfolk County Railroad mainlineFranklin JunctionNot a station; junction with the Norfolk County Railroad mainline and the Milford and Woonsocket RailroadWrenthamWest WrenthamPreserved freight house built circa. 1877RICumberlandGrants MillsDiamond HillArnolds MillsPreserved freight house built circa. 1877Abbotts RunPreserved freight house built circa. 1877MANorth AttleboroughAdamsdale JunctionNot a station; junction with the Wrentham BranchAdamsdalePreserved depot built circa. 1877RICumberlandCumberland MillsValley FallsJunction with the Providence and Worcester Railroad at Valley Falls Yard
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