Ed Sterling will discuss the history of the Central Massachusetts Railroad, known as “The Central Mass” from its beginnings in the post-Civil War years to its sad end in 1980. Using both physical and digital maps, and many photos, he will take the audience from Boston out to Clinton. Stopping at the various stations and depots, we will see the stations as they were, where they were located, and as they appear today where possible. He will describe operations of the railroad in its role supplying the Sudbury Ammo Bunkers. As time permits, the virtual tour of the line will likely stop at Clinton and the Wachusett Dam, although the railroad went all the way out to Northampton.
Ed Sterling has had a lifelong interest in trains and railroads. He grew up in Vermont in the twilight of steam locomotive operations on the Central Vermont railway. His family has always had a large Lionel train layout in their homes. He currently collects large Lionel Standard Gauge trains from the 1920s and 1930s.