The Mass Central: Quabbin's Phantom Railroad

by J.R. Greene

Fascinating history of what eventually became the Boston & Maine's Central Mass Division -- a hardluck railroad called the Massachusetts Central RR (1869-1893). Painful financial woes -- bankruptcies, financial panic, failed IPOs, scandals, bank failures, etc -- plagued its entire existence. Yet the story is engrossing both because of the writer's skill and the numerous famous people brought to life who labored to bring the work to fruition (such as Emily Dickinson's father). A reminder that building a railroad in the 1800s could bring strong men to drink. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos. With maps and bibliography. 104 pages with index.

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996