July 1, 1876
Hoosac Tunnel officially opened

April 4, 1883
Deerfield River Company Incorporated

1884
DRC begins construction from Hoosac Tunnel in Mass. to Vermont border.

Nov. 26, 1884
Deerfield Valley Railroad Company incorporated.

1885
DVRC completes railroad from MA/VT border to Readsboro

July 4, 1885
The Deerfield Valley Railroad carries first passengers from just south of Readsboro to Hoosac Tunnel.

Dec 28, 1886
The Hoosac Tunnel &  Wilmington RR Co. is incorporated in the state of Massachusetts.

April 25, 1887
The HT&W takes over operation of the railroad from Hoosac Tunnel to Readsboro from the DRC and the DVRC.

June 1, 1891
The DVRC began construction on the extension of the railroad from Readsboro to Wilmington.

Nov. 4, 1891
The railroad extension is complete.

Jan. 1, 1892
The various railroad properties are all consolidated into the HT&W

Length of Railroad

• Hoosac Tunnel to VT state line 8 miles

• MA/VT state line to Readsboro 3 miles

• Heartwellville Branch, Readsboro ½ mile

• Readsboro to Wilmington 13 miles

Changes in elevation

• Hoosac Tunnel to Readsboro +420 feet

• Readsboro to Wilmington +370 feet

Steepest grade “The Hump” south of Monroe Bridge 1.6%

Gauge

• 1885 to 1913 Narrow (3 Ft.)

• 1913 on  Standard

Original Cost of Construction

• Hoosac Tunnel to Readsboro $101,248

  • Cost per mile $9,204

Years in operation

• Hoosac Tunnel to Readsboro  1885 -1971

• Hoosac Tunnel to Wilmington  1891 - 1937