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Published by J. R. Greene
Quabbin's Railroad
The Rabbit: Volume 1
By J. R. Greene
THE STORY of “The Rabbit”—a 48-mile long railroad that passed through all four of the towns that were drowned in the course of making the Quabbin Reservoir—is told in detail in these two volumes by well-known central Massachusetts and Quabbin Reservoir historian J. R. Greene. The railroad’s reputation as one of New England’s most legendary short rail lines was cemented by the flooding of its northern half by the reservoir. All aspects of the railroad’s story are here: the politics and business manipulations, the colorful people who built and operated it, the operational foul-ups and tragic accidents, profiles of the towns and villages through which it passed, and numerous, rare photos and illustrations.
Volume I of Quabbin’s Railroad: The Rabbit details the independent years of operation from 1869 through 1880: how the line was built as the Athol & Enfield Railroad, extended to Springfield and completed as the Springfield, Athol & Northeastern, foreclosure and continued operation as the Springfield & Northeastern, and its eventual absorption by the Boston & Albany Railroad.
J.R. Greene is a lifelong resident of Athol, MA, where he is active in local government and civic activities. He is the author of eleven atlases and other books relating to the Quabbin, an atlas on Athol, four books on Massachusetts railroads, and three on Calvin Coolidge. He is also a dealer in coins and collectibles.
Published by J. R. Greene