View source for Franklin/Foxboro Line

{{Short description|MBTA Commuter Rail line}}
{{For|the line in New York City|BMT Franklin Avenue Line}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Franklin/Foxboro Line
| color                           = {{rcr|MBTA|Franklin/Foxboro}}
| image                           = Outbound train leaving Windsor Gardens station, July 2021.jpg
| image_width                     = 300px
| caption                         = An outbound train at {{bts|Windsor Gardens}} in 2021
| type                            = [[Commuter rail]]
| system                          = [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]]
| locale                          = [[Southeastern Massachusetts]]
| start                           = {{bts|South Station}}
| end                             = {{bts|Forge Park/495}}, {{bts|Foxboro}}
| stations                        = 17
| routes                          = 
| trainnumber                     = 700–731, 741–758 (weekday)<br />1700–1717 (Saturday)<br />2700–2717 (Sunday)
| daily_ridership                 = 8,771 (October 2022)<ref name=oct2022ridership>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-10/GM%20Report%20to%20Board%2010.27.2022.pdf |title=GM Report |page=6 |first=Steve |last=Poftak |date=October 27, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
| open                            = 
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]]
| operator                        = [[MBTA Commuter Rail#Combined operations|Keolis North America]]
| linelength                      = {{convert|27.4|miles}}<ref>{{MBTA Bluebook 2014}}</ref>
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 
| gauge                           = {{track gauge|ussg}}
| electrification                 = 
| speed                           = 
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|from=Franklin/Foxboro Line.map}}
|Show interactive map
|{{MBTA Franklin Line|inline=1}}
|Show route diagram map
}}
| map_state                       = 
| website                         = {{url|https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin}}
}}

The '''Franklin/Foxboro Line''' (formerly the '''Franklin Line''') is part of the [[MBTA Commuter Rail]] system. It runs from [[Boston]]'s [[South Station]] in a southwesterly direction toward [[Franklin, Massachusetts]]. Most weekday trains use the [[Northeast Corridor]] before splitting off onto the namesake '''Franklin Branch''' at [[Readville]], though some weekday trains and all weekend trains use the Dorchester Branch ([[Fairmount Line]]) between Boston and Readville. 

[[Foxboro station]] is located on [[Framingham Secondary|the Framingham Secondary]] branch line, which connects with the Franklin Line at Walpole. Previously, trains only served the station during special events at [[Gillette Stadium]]. Pilot weekday service to Foxboro ran from October 2019 to November 2020; it resumed in May 2022 and was made permanent in October 2023.

==History==
[[File:Walpole Union Station, Walpole MA.jpg|thumb|left|Union Station in Walpole]]
[[File:Forge Park 495 station platforms and building, May 2017.JPG|thumb|left|The line was extended to Forge Park/495 station in 1988]]
The earliest predecessor to the Franklin Line began in 1835 when the [[Boston and Providence Railroad]] built a branch from [[Dedham, Massachusetts|Dedham]] to [[Readville, Massachusetts|Readville]], connecting with the main line from [[Boston]] to [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]].  This was followed, in 1848, by the Norfolk County Railroad, which ran from Dedham to [[Walpole, Massachusetts|Walpole]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dedhamhistorical.org/history/ |title=Dedham Historical Society |publisher=Dedham Historical Society |access-date=2010-08-10}}</ref>  After various mergers and acquisitions, the line become part of the [[New York and New England Railroad]] until 1898, the [[New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad]] until 1968, and, ultimately, [[Penn Central]] until its 1970 bankruptcy.

What is today's Franklin Branch was a portion of the Midland Line of the New Haven's [[Midland Division (NYNH&H)|Midland Division]], the New Haven's secondary route between Boston and New York; the MBTA's Dorchester Branch and the abandoned segments from Franklin to [[Willimantic, Connecticut]] via [[Blackstone, Massachusetts|Blackstone]] were the remaining components of the Midland Line. In 1910, the passenger route on the Midland Line was a [[Regional rail|regional inter-city train]] that continued to New York via the Highland Line segment of the [[Highland Division (NYNH&H)|Highland Division]] between Willimantic and [[Waterbury, Connecticut]], then continuing down the [[Housatonic Railroad]] to the [[New Haven Line]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Phillip A. Blakeslee|title=A Brief History of Lines West—The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Co.|url=http://catskillarchive.com/rrextra/abnere2.Html|website=Catskill Archive|publisher=Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc|access-date=23 March 2015|date=April 1953}}</ref> Service was eventually shortened to Waterbury in 1937.<ref>Karr, Ronald Dale (2017). ''The Rail Lines of Southern New England'' (2 ed.). Branch Line Press. p. 88. {{ISBN|9780942147124}}.</ref> 

However, in the 1940s and early 1950s service, including the New Haven's ''[[Nutmeg (train)|Nutmeg]]'' and several unnamed trains from Boston to Hartford and Waterbury continued.<ref>{{cite book |title=THE SCENIC SHORELINE ROUTE SERVING NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND |date=April 24, 1955 |title-link=:commons:File:New Haven Railroad 1955 timetable.pdf |publisher=New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad |page=30 |chapter=Table 18: Waterbury-Hartford-Putnam-Boston |via=Wikimedia Commons}}</ref> It was shortened to Blackstone when the two southern spans of the bridge crossing the [[Quinebaug River]] in [[Putnam, Connecticut]] washed out during [[Hurricane Diane]] in [[1955 Atlantic hurricane season|1955]].  The bridge was never repaired, and the line was abandoned between Willimantic and Putnam in 1959.

===MBTA era===
Service to Blackstone was discontinued in April 1966 when the MBTA began subsidizing the line; Franklin and beyond were not in the MBTA district, meaning that the towns themselves had to subsidize service, and only Franklin agreed to do so.<ref name="netransit">{{NETransit}}</ref> The easternmost bridge over the Blackstone River was washed out in the March 17-19th flooding of the river in 1968; the line beyond Franklin was abandoned 3 years later,<ref name=woonsocket>{{cite web|author1=City of Woonsocket|title=City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island - Commuter Rail Feasibility Study|url=http://www.gcpvd.org/images/other/woonsocket_commuterrail_report.pdf|website=Greater City Providence|publisher=City of Woonsocket|access-date=23 March 2015|page=2}}</ref> and is now preserved in full as the [[Southern New England Trunkline Trail]].  Between 1973 and 1976, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bought almost all track assets in Southeastern Massachusetts, including the Franklin Branch, from the Penn Central's bankruptcy trustees. Ridership on the line tripled from 1982 to 1990.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/123059286/ |title=MBTA Norfolk expansion criticized |first=Melanie J. |last=Mavrides |newspaper=Boston Globe West Weekly |date=July 15, 1990 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/123059286/ 8] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

From the start of MBTA operations, [[Franklin/Dean College station|Franklin]] was the terminus of the line.  Service was extended to [[Forge Park/495 station]] on June 2, 1988, although the line retained its original name.<ref name=howe>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44836047/the_boston_globe/ |title=MBTA opens new station |publisher=Boston Globe |date=June 2, 1988 | first=Peter J. | last=Howe |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name=netransit /> Forge Park/495 is not on the former NY&NE main line to Woonsocket, but instead on the former [[Milford and Woonsocket Railroad]], which last saw passenger service in 1938.<ref name=sne>{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |author=Karr, Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=1995 |isbn=0942147022 |pages=304–306 }}</ref> The MBTA leased the branch from [[Conrail]] for the extension, with the possibility of future purchase.<ref name=netransit /> In February 2020, the MBTA voted to purchase the line from Franklin to Milford for $13 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-02/2020-02-24-fmcb-M-milford-secondary-acquisition-accessible.pdf |title=Milford Secondary Acquisition |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=February 24, 2020}}</ref>

===Double tracking===
In early 2019, the MBTA begin installation of an additional {{convert|3.8|miles}} of double track - {{convert|3.3|miles}} of new track plus the conversion of an existing siding) - between {{bts|Walpole}} and {{bts|Norfolk}}.<ref name=fmcb>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/2019-11-18-19-franklin-double-track-accessible.pdf |title=Franklin Double Track |first=Rob |last=Didtamo |date=November 18, 2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Major construction was completed in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track |title=Franklin Line Double Track |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519231801/https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The $30 million construction of an additional phase and preliminary design of a third were announced in November 2019. Phase 2 will add {{convert|3.5|miles}} of double track between [[Franklin, Massachusetts|Franklin]] and Norfolk; it will allow headways to drop from 45 to 35 minutes. Phase 3 is planned to complete double-tracking between just north of [[Franklin/Dean College station]] and just south of [[Readville station]], including the modification of several stations.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://mbta.com/news/2019-11-18/fmcb-approves-franklin-line-double-track-phase-2-work-and-phase-3-preliminary |title=FMCB Approves Franklin Line Double Track Phase 2 Work and Phase 3 Preliminary Design Work |date=November 18, 2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=fmcb /> Total cost of the projects was expected to be $68 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-03/2022-03-24-proposed-fy23-27-mbta-cip-2.pdf |title=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority FY23-27 Capital Investment Plan (CIP): Proposed |date=March 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |page=60}}</ref> {{As of|November 2024}}, Phase 2 is expected to be completed in January 2026, while design work for Phase 3 is expected to be completed in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track |title=Franklin Line Double Track |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121005442/https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track |date=November 20, 2024 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
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===Foxboro service and COVID-19 changes===
[[File:Train at Foxboro station (1), September 2020.jpg|thumb|left|A train at Foxboro station in 2020|alt=A commuter rail train at a low-platform station]]
From 1971 to 1973 and 1986 to 1988, Boston–{{bts|Foxboro}} service for [[Foxboro Stadium]] events ran over the Franklin Line to Walpole, then over the [[Framingham Secondary]] to Foxboro.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101752782/the-boston-globe/ |title=Special trains planned for Patriots' stadium |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 17, 1971 |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101752921/the-boston-globe/ |title=Patriots halt train service |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 25, 1973 |page=50 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Intermediate stops for the 1980s iteration were at {{bts|Readville}} and {{bts|Norwood Central}} (plus {{bts|Back Bay}} in 1988).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94091070/the-boston-globe/ |title=MBTA provides Patriots' train |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 3, 1986 |page=62 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94080270/the-boston-globe/ |title=MBTA to run trains to Patriots' games |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 2, 1988 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The service ran over the [[Providence/Stoughton Line]] from 1989 to 1994, with a reverse move at {{bts|Mansfield}}. It was routed back to the Franklin Line in 1995, with intermediate stops at {{bts|Back Bay}}, {{bts|Dedham Corporate Center}}, and Norwood Central.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94091470/the-boston-globe/ |title=How to get to the game |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 4, 1994 |page=63 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94091398/the-boston-globe/ |title=How to get to the game |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 10, 1995 |page=93 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Norwood Central was dropped from these trains beginning with the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126113350/http://mbta.com/riding_the_t/patriots/ |archive-date=November 26, 2010 |url=http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/patriots/ |title=New England Patriots 2010 / 2011 Football Trains to Gillette Stadium |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907004258/http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/patriots/ |archive-date=September 7, 2011 |url=http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/patriots/ |title=New England Patriots 2011/2012 Football Trains to Gillette Stadium |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

In September 2010, the MBTA completed a study to determine the feasibility of extending regular commuter rail service to Foxboro station via the Franklin Line.  The study looked at extending some Fairmount Line service to Foxboro, running shuttle trains from Foxboro to [[Union Station (Walpole, Massachusetts)|Walpole]], or a combination of both.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Final%20Foxborough%20Commuter%20Rail%20Report%20(01-Sept-10)%20-%20REPORT%20ONLY.pdf |title=Foxboro Commuter Rail Feasibility Study: Final Report |date=September 1, 2010 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |author=Jacobs Engineering Group |access-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108151830/http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Final%20Foxborough%20Commuter%20Rail%20Report%20(01-Sept-10)%20-%20REPORT%20ONLY.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The MBTA planned to purchase trackage prior to restoring service; the [[Framingham Secondary]], which provides access to Foxboro station, was acquired by the MBTA effective June 17, 2015. ([[CSX Transportation]], the former owner of the branch, retained trackage rights over it.)<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/massdot-rail-transit/massdot-completes-framingham-secondary-rail-line-acquisition/ |title=MassDOT Completes Framingham Secondary Rail Line Acquisition |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=16 June 2015 |access-date=25 June 2015 |last=Jessen |first=Klark |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626141800/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/massdot-rail-transit/massdot-completes-framingham-secondary-rail-line-acquisition/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In August 2017, the MBTA Fiscal Control Board approved an 11-month pilot program to test commuter rail service to Foxboro, with service planned to begin sometime in late 2018 or early 2019, although Fairmount Line advocates warned it might reduce service quality to existing Fairmount Line stations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/foxborough/mbta-board-approves-foxborough-commuter-rail-pilot|title=MBTA Board Approves Foxborough Commuter Rail Pilot|date=2017-08-14|work=Foxborough, MA Patch|access-date=2017-08-19|language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2017, the MBTA indicated that service would begin on May 20, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/foxboro-s-mbta-pilot-program-won-t-launch-until/article_a99a6c2a-bcd6-5914-b51c-c81e80dbc6bf.html |title=Foxboro's MBTA pilot program won't launch until 2019 |newspaper=Sun Chronicle |first=Alexandra |last=Gomes |date=November 1, 2017 |access-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref> Service during the trial period will consist of seven daily round trips - three during the morning peak period, three in the evening peak, and one midday.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/foxborough/foxborough-starting-pilot-commuter-rail-service-boston-may |title=Foxborough Starting Pilot For Commuter Rail Service To Boston |newspaper=Foxoborough Patch |date=November 29, 2018 |first=Jimmy |last=Bentley}}</ref> The launch date was later delayed to October 21, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaccaro |first1=Adam |title=Foxborough train service pushed back to fall |newspaper=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2019/03/27/foxborough-train-service-pushed-back-fall/v4Md1ZQIPurwRjwVJtNh3I/story.html |date=March 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name=netransit /> By December 2019, daily boardings at Foxboro averaged 70 - one-third of the projected ridership.<ref name=70perday>{{cite news |url=https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/foxboro-train-service-slow-to-attract-riders/article_898db51e-5765-523c-ae25-99f687a631c0.html |title=Foxboro train service slow to attract riders |date=December 12, 2019 |first=Jim |last=Hand |newspaper=The Sun Chronicle}}</ref> 

Substantially reduced schedules were in effect from March 16 to June 23, 2020.<ref name=netransit /> Foxboro pilot service was suspended on November 2, 2020, with the intention for it to resume in Spring 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-09/2020-09-14-fmcb-K-fall-commuter-rail-schedules-accessible.pdf |title=Fall 2020 Commuter Rail Schedule Changes |date=September 14, 2020 |first=Rob |last=DiAdamo |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> In November 2020, as part of service cuts during the pandemic, the MBTA proposed to close {{bts|Plimptonville}} along with five other low-ridership stations on other lines.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/2020-11-09-fmcb-N-forging-ahead-service-scenarios-accessible.pdf |title=Forging Ahead: Scenario and Service Planning |page=21 |date=November 9, 2020 |first1=Laurel |last1=Paget-Seekins |first2=Kat |last2=Benesh |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> On December 14, the MBTA Board voted to enact a more limited set of cuts, including indefinitely closing Plimptonville and four of the other five stations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2020/12/14/mbta-control-board-approves-service-cuts |title=MBTA Control Board Votes To Scale Back Bus, Train And Ferry Service |newspaper=WBUR |date=December 14, 2020 |first=Zeninjor |last=Enwemeka |accessdate=February 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/2020-12-14-fmcb-F-forging-ahead-service-proposal.pdf |page=17 |title=Forging Ahead: Service Proposal |date=December 14, 2020 |first1=Laurel |last1=Paget-Seekins |first2=Kat |last2=Benesh |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> That day, temporary reduced schedules were again put into place.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-12-10/commuter-rail-temporarily-operate-reduced-service-schedule-starting-december-14 |title=Commuter Rail to Temporarily Operate Reduced Service Schedule Starting December 14 |date=December 10, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

On January 23, 2021, reduced schedules went into place with no weekend service on seven lines, including the Franklin Line.<ref name=netransit /> Service changes on April 5, 2021, added midday service as part of a transition to a [[regional rail]] model, with hourly service between Walpole and Boston and less frequent service south of Walpole. Foxboro service was not resumed at that time.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.keoliscs.com/news/reminder-spring-2021-commuter-rail-schedules-take-effect-april-5/ |title=Reminder: Spring 2021 Commuter Rail Schedules Take Effect April 5 |publisher=Keolis Commuter Services |date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=June 4, 2021 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603210850/https://www.keoliscs.com/news/reminder-spring-2021-commuter-rail-schedules-take-effect-april-5/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=april2021>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-spring/2021-04-05-spring-franklin-accessible-v2.pdf |title=Franklin Line Spring 2021 Schedule |date=April 5, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> As part of that schedule change, all Franklin Line trains operating via the Southwest Corridor began stopping at Ruggles station after an additional platform there was completed.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/ruggles-station-improvements/update/ruggles-elevators-and-commuter-rail-platform-now |title=Ruggles Elevators and Commuter Rail Platform Now Complete |date=April 7, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=april2021 /> Weekend service on the Franklin Line and the six other lines resumed on July 3, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-05/2021-05-24-fmcb-10-commuter-rail-performance-update.pdf |title=Commuter Rail Performance Update |page=7 |date=May 24, 2021 |first=Ryan |last=Coholan |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

Four midday Foxboro round trips – but no peak Foxboro service – resumed on May 23, 2022. The line was renamed the Franklin/Foxboro Line at that time.<ref name=may2022schedule>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2022-spring/2022-05-23-cr-franklin-line-spring-summer-schedule.pdf |title=Franklin Line 2022 Spring/Summer Schedule |date=May 23, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=may23>{{cite press release |url=https://www.keoliscs.com/news/mbta-commuter-rail-spring-summer-schedule-to-take-effect-may-23/ |title=MBTA Commuter Rail Spring/Summer Schedule to Take Effect May 23 |date=May 10, 2022 |publisher=Keolis Commuter Services |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513000252/https://www.keoliscs.com/news/mbta-commuter-rail-spring-summer-schedule-to-take-effect-may-23/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some Franklin/Foxboro Line trains began stopping at {{bts|Forest Hills}} on September 3, 2022, to provide alternate service during a closure of the Orange Line.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-09-01/commuter-rail-adding-service-forest-hills-anticipation-increased-ridership-after |title=Commuter Rail Adding Service at Forest Hills in Anticipation of Increased Ridership after Labor Day |date=September 1, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Some peak-hour trains continued to stop after end of the closure on September 19.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916043534/https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |title=Alerts: Franklin/Foxboro Line |date=September 15, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> A new one-year Foxboro pilot began on September 12, 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-08-24/foxboro-weekday-commuter-rail-service-pilot-start-september-12 |title=Foxboro Weekday Commuter Rail Service Pilot to Start September 12 |date=August 24, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> {{As of|September 2022}}, weekday service consists of {{frac|10|1|2}} Boston–Foxboro round trips and {{frac|11|1|2}} Boston–Forge Park round trips; weekend service has nine Boston–Forge Park round trips, with no Foxboro service.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/2022-09-19-Franklin-Foxboro-Spring-Summer-Schedule.pdf |title=Franklin/Foxboro Line: 2022 Spring/Summer Schedule |date=September 19, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> By October 2022, daily ridership was 8,711 – 75% of pre-COVID ridership.<ref name=oct2022ridership /> Foxboro service and the line's renaming were made permanent effective October 2, 2023.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-09-28/foxboro-station-commuter-rail-pilots-success-leads-permanent-weekday-service |title=Foxboro Station, Commuter Rail Pilot's Success Leads to Permanent Weekday Service Beginning October 2 |date=September 28, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Effective May 20, 2024, all weekend Franklin/Foxboro Line trains began operating over the Fairmount Line, with timed transfers to Providence/Stoughton Line trains at Readville station for connections to Ruggles and Back Bay.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520224808/https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |url=https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Alerts: Franklin/Foxboro Line |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/batch_7022/2024-05-20-cr-spring-summer-franklin-foxboro-line-schedule-accessible.pdf |title=Franklin/Foxboro Line Spring/Summer Schedule |date=May 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520225146/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/batch_7022/2024-05-20-cr-spring-summer-franklin-foxboro-line-schedule-accessible.pdf |archive-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>

===Milford extension===
In July 2011, the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization began studying the viability of extending Franklin Line commuter rail service to [[Hopedale, Massachusetts|Hopedale]] and [[Milford, Massachusetts|Milford]]. The study would update a 1997 MBTA evaluation that concluded costs outweighed the benefits of a possible expansion.  Local officials believe increased population and track upgrades to the [[Grafton and Upton Railroad]] may increase the viability of an extension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x920808681/Franklin-rail-line-could-expand-to-Milford-and-Hopedale| title=Franklin rail line could expand to Milford and Hopedale|work=Milford Daily News |access-date=2011-08-14}}</ref> 8 miles of track from Franklin Junction to Milford were leased by the MBTA from Conrail for the Forge Park/495 extension and to establish the possibility of future service to Milford.<ref name="netransit"/> A 2004 analysis determined that the extension would cost $70.5 million and attract about 1,800 additional riders per weekday.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-4.pdf |title=Chapter 5C: Service Expansion |work=2004 Program for Mass Transportation |author=Central Transportation Planning Staff |publisher=Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization |orig-year=May 2003|date=January 2004 |access-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220063110/http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-4.pdf |archive-date=20 February 2012}}</ref>
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==Station listing==
{|class="wikitable"
!Fare zone
!Location
![[Railway milepost|Miles (km)]]<ref name=bluebook>{{MBTA Bluebook 2014}}</ref>
!Station
!Connections and notes
|-
| rowspan="4" |1A
| rowspan="7" |[[Boston]]
|{{convert|0.0|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|South Station}}
|{{rint|us|Amtrak}} [[Amtrak]]: {{lnl|Amtrak|Acela Express}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Lake Shore Limited}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Northeast Regional}}<br>{{rint|Boston|rail}} [[MBTA Commuter Rail]]: [[Fairmount Line|Fairmount]], [[Framingham/Worcester Line|Framingham/Worcester]], [[Greenbush Line|Greenbush]], [[Needham Line|Needham]], [[Old Colony Lines|Old Colony]], and [[Providence/Stoughton Line|Providence/Stoughton]] lines; [[CapeFlyer]] (seasonal)<br>{{rint|Boston|subway}} [[MBTA subway]]: [[Red Line (MBTA)|Red Line]], [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]] ({{MBTABus|SL1|SL2|SL3|SL4}})<br>{{bus icon}} [[MBTA bus]]: {{MBTA bus links|South Station}}<br>{{bus icon}} Intercity buses at [[South Station Bus Terminal]]
|-
|{{convert|1.2|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Back Bay}}
|{{rint|us|Amtrak}} Amtrak: ''Acela Express'', ''Lake Shore Limited'', ''Northeast Regional''<br>{{rint|Boston|rail}} MBTA Commuter Rail: Framingham/Worcester, Needham, and Providence/Stoughton lines<br>{{rint|Boston|subway}} MBTA subway: [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]]<br>{{bus icon}} MBTA bus: {{MBTA bus links|Back Bay}}
|-
|{{convert|2.2|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Ruggles}}
|{{rint|Boston|rail}} MBTA Commuter Rail: Needham and Providence/Stoughton lines<br>{{rint|Boston|subway}} MBTA subway: Orange Line<br>{{bus icon}} MBTA bus: {{MBTA bus links|Ruggles}}
|-
|{{convert|5.0|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Forest Hills}}
|{{rint|Boston|rail}} MBTA Commuter Rail: Needham and Providence/Stoughton lines<br>{{rint|Boston|subway}} MBTA subway: Orange Line<br>{{bus icon}} MBTA bus: {{MBTA bus links|Forest Hills}}
|-
|
|{{convert|6.5|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|{{bts|Mount Hope}}
|Closed November 2, 1979
|-
|1
|{{convert|8.4|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Hyde Park}}
|{{bus icon}} MBTA bus: {{MBTA bus links|Hyde Park}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |2
|{{convert|9.5|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Readville}}
|{{rint|Boston|rail}} MBTA Commuter Rail: Fairmount and Providence/Stoughton lines<br>{{bus icon}} MBTA bus: {{MBTA bus links|Readville}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Dedham, Massachusetts|Dedham]]
|{{convert|10.9|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{bts|Endicott}}
|
|-
|{{convert|11.8|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Dedham Corporate Center}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |3
|[[Westwood, Massachusetts|Westwood]]
|{{convert|12.5|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{bts|Islington}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Norwood, Massachusetts|Norwood]]
|{{convert|14.3|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Norwood Depot}}
|
|-
|{{convert|14.8|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Norwood Central}}
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |4
|{{convert|16.6|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{bts|Windsor Gardens}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Walpole, Massachusetts|Walpole]]
|{{convert|17.7|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|{{bts|Plimptonville}}
|Closed December 14, 2020
|-
|{{convert|19.1|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{bts|Walpole}}
|Junction with [[Framingham Secondary]] to {{bts|Foxboro}}
|-
|[[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|{{convert|22.6|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Foxboro}}
|Located on the Framingham Secondary
|-
|5
|[[Norfolk, Massachusetts|Norfolk]]
|{{convert|23.0|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Norfolk}}
|{{bus icon}} [[GATRA]]: {{MBTA other buses|Norfolk GATRA}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |6
| rowspan="2" |[[Franklin, Massachusetts|Franklin]]
|{{convert|27.5|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{bts|Franklin/Dean College}}
|
|-
|{{convert|30.3|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|bgcolor=ffdfff|{{access icon}} {{bts|Forge Park/495}}
|Located on the [[Milford Secondary]]
|-
|
|[[Blackstone, Massachusetts|Blackstone]]
|{{convert|36.4|miles|1|adj=ri1|abbr=values}}
|{{bts|Blackstone}}
|Closed April 24, 1966
|-
| colspan="5" align="center" bgcolor="dfdfdf" |''{{color box|#ffdfff}} Currently operating station''
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML}}
{{commons category inline}}
*[https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/ MBTA – Franklin/Foxboro Line]

{{MBTA}}
{{Massachusetts-Rhode Island transit agencies}}

[[Category:MBTA Commuter Rail]]
[[Category:New York and New England Railroad lines]]
[[Category:Rail infrastructure in Massachusetts]]