MCRT: West Boylston
Photo credit West Boylston Historical Society
About MCRT West Boylston
Incorporated in 1808, West Boylston settlers were attracted to the fertile soil at the junction where the Quinapoxet River and Stillwater River united to become the southern branch of the Nashua River. First agriculture, and then numerous mills and factories flourished here. Railroads arrived in the mid-1800s. The Wachusett Reservoir, completed in 1905, led to removal of many mills and village homes and to moving the Mass Central Railroad. Now West Boylston is a vibrant residential community nestled on the shores of the Wachusett Reservoir.
The MCRT in West Boylston
The Mass Central RR began service to West Boylston in the late 1880s, and was relocated in 1903 during completion of the Wachusett Reservoir. MCRR train service in West Boylston ended in 1938. In 1997 Wachusett Greenways led the opening of the first section of the Mass Central Rail Trail here, with support from the Town of West Boylston, DCR DWSP, a Recreational Trails Grant (MCRT) and the regional towns. Beautiful views of the Reservoir and the Quinapoxet River make this a favorite destination for many varieties of trail users.
Visiting the MCRT in West Boylston
Access Points
The western access to the West Boylston portion of the MCRT begins in Holden at River Street.
Additional Resources
A parking lot, accessible portable restroom, bench and kiosk are located at River St. From the parking lot, take a short ramp down to the rail bed and travel east. (At the back of the parking lot, the MCRT proceeds west.) The trail enters West Boylston in 1.5 miles, underneath the I-190 bridge.
Eastern access in West Boylston is at 155 Thomas St., just off Route 140, 1.2 miles south from Exit 9 on I-190. Large parking lot, and two portable accessible restrooms are located here.
Trail Guide (West to East)
Suggested Itinerary and Sights to See
Mile
0.0 – Pass under the high I-190 bridge at the Holden/West Boylston town line. 

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For the next mile, enjoy the view of lovely woods uphill to the left and the four season beauty of the Quinapoxet River to the right.
A short distance ahead on the left you might envision a landslide from the 1755 earthquake – more on the earthquake here.
1.0 – On the right, the DCR/MWRA accretion dam was removed in 2025 allowing the Quinapoxet River to flow freely into the Thomas Basin of the Wachusett Reservoir. The reservoir was completed in 1905. 

1.2 - Pass over the old MCRR roundhouse location. To the right, there are numerous picnic tables and benches, and a set of stairs leads to the Quinapoxet River. To the left is the West Boylston water filtration site. Pass through the green gate.
1.3 - Turn left to follow the MCRT to the large Thomas Street, West Boylston parking lot with accessible portable restrooms. The completed portion of the MCRT in West Boylston ends here.
1.4 – Exit the Thomas Street parking lot onto Thomas Street, turning left. This is a busy street with no shoulders – please be careful.
1.45 – Turn right onto Route 140 (Beaman St.) and continue 1000’ along the causeway. There is no trail or pedestrian access on the Stillwater River Bridge.
1.70 – Turn left onto Pleasant St. where the MCRT is under construction by Wachusett Greenways along this one-mile section to the end at the intersection with Prescott St., West Boylston and Bean Road, Sterling.
2.6 – Turn left onto Prescott St. Cross the active RR line.
2.8 – Enter Sterling – Prescott Street becomes Bean Road.
For more information on the MCRT in West Boylston
Wachusett Greenways leads the construction and maintenance of the MCRT in West Boylston in partnership with the Town of West Boylston, the DCR DWSP, MassTrails, seven regional towns and other collaborators. Visit the website to participate, and volunteer here.
Explore Other Communities Along the MCRT
Geographical west to east
Northampton Hadley Amherst Belchertown Palmer Ware Hardwick New Braintree Barre Oakham Rutland Holden West Boylston Sterling Clinton Berlin Bolton Hudson Stow Sudbury Wayland Weston Waltham Belmont Somerville Cambridge Boston
For each MCRT town, we’ll connect you with maps, resources, suggested routes and trail status.