History of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
Named by the Boston Globe as one of the “Top 10 Ways to Ride the Rails in New England (2008),” the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1984. Its mission is to preserve the history of railroading, particularly in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts.
New Haven "Camp Train" near Great Barrington, 1960s.
Our passenger trains traverse the historic Berkshire Route of the former New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad (the “New Haven”) between Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The New Haven operated freight and passenger trains between Pittsfield and Danbury, Connecticut through to the mainline connection at South Norwalk. From there, the New Haven mainline stretched from Boston to New York. The last scheduled intercity passenger train operated over this route in April 1971, leaving only diminishing freight service. The route between Danbury and Pittsfield was operated by the New Haven until 1969, when they became part of the Penn Central system. Conrail took over the operations of Penn Central in 1976, but freight traffic levels had dropped substantially. Boston & Maine purchased the section from Canaan, Connecticut to Pittsfield in 1982. In 1983, the "new" Housatonic Railroad began operations between Canaan and Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut. Freight traffic increased, and in 1992, Boston & Maine sold the Canaan-Pittsfield portion to the Housatonic Railroad. The entire route from Pittsfield to Danbury was made active once more.
BSRM train at Lenox station, 1988
The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum commenced operations in 1984, operating tourist passenger service between Lee and Great Barrington. Tickets were initially sold from a card table on the platform at Lee station. Our first museum and ticket office was housed in a former Pennsylvania Railroad coach donated to us by the City of North Adams in 1985. In 1986, BSRM returned the coach to active service and moved the museum and ticket office into the former New Haven freight house across the tracks from the Lee station. In 1987, historic Lenox station was donated to the museum, however operations were not relocated there until 1991. Due to conditions beyond our control, BSRM was forced to cease mainline tourist service in 1989. Never idle, BSRM volunteers constructed the yard tracks at Lenox and offered the “short shuttle” in 1992. The museum also offered “Air Show Special” trains at Westover AFB in Chicopee, MA from 1991 until 1996.
Stockbridge station and new siding, May 2008 - Photo by Kate Delasco
Meanwhile, volunteers were hard at work restoring historic Lenox station to its 1903 appearance. The restoration was completed in 1996, and in 2003 the museum celebrated the station’s 100th anniversary. Lenox station is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the heart of the museum.
Berkshire Scenic resumed mainline excursion operations in 2003. Tourist passenger service was restored with the financial help of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the cooperation of the Housatonic Railroad. Today’s train rides are made possible in part through the continued support and cooperation from the Housatonic Railroad. It is not uncommon to have our trains pass each other en route, giving our visitors a taste of the true railroading experience!
Good Morning America Train at Lenox, 2008 - Photo by Ross Mealey
In September 2008, history was made at the BSRM when ABC’s Good Morning America “Whistle Stop Tour ’08” came to the Berkshires. The specially outfitted eight-car Amtrak train called BSRM home for a weekend while the crew rehearsed for the first-ever live television broadcast from a moving train. Thanks to the Housatonic Railroad, BSRM operations continued as normal and our riders saw railroad history in the making! Thanks to your support, the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum can continue its mission to preserve the history of railroading in the Berkshire hills for years to come. All aboard!
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Photo rendering of the proposed improvements to the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, including proposed new Restoration Shop, Block Station, and Freight House.
Photo rendering created by William Calligari
Our plans for the future
BSRM is currently seeking funding to proceed further on its Master Plan prepared by William Calligari which includes construction of a replica freight station (featuring a library with exhibit space), construction of a restoration shop (with visitor’s gallery) and purchase of the neighboring property which will return the area to its authentic turn of the century appearance.
Restoration Shop
As part of our maintenance program, an engine service track with inspection pit was installed in 2005. This allows the museum’s volunteers to conduct periodic FRA-mandated inspections of its equipment. However, our mechanical staff still works outdoors, in all weather, performing routine maintenance and restoration work. Due to the harsh Berkshire winters, most of our restoration and maintenance work is halted during this time. Because our locomotives are not stored in a heated environment, this also limits our ability to offer trains during the winter season. An engine house will allow for expanded restoration work and provide a venue for guests to view ongoing maintenance and restoration. Guests will learn what it takes to keep these machines operating by walking safely along a visitor’s gallery above the shop floor.
Freight Station
Currently, Lenox Station houses our ticket office, museum store and administrative office. The waiting room also serves as an exhibit hall. Over the years, the BSRM has collected many railroad artifacts and documents. However, due to space limitations, most of these items are not on display. Our freight station will be a replica of a structure that once stood on the property. The freight station will allow us to display more of our artifacts and build additional exhibits. The library would allow guests to perform their own research, further enhancing our collection as a historical resource.
Purchase of Adjoining Property
Many of our guests note that Lenox station cannot be seen from Willow Creek Road. This was not always the case. By purchasing the adjoining property, this area would be restored to its turn of the century appearance and allow an uninhibited view of Woods Pond and October Mountain State Forest. The property would be used for parking and additional green space. The additional parking space will provide for greater access by the public to the October Mountain State Forest and Woods Pond recreation areas. This will allow visitors to enjoy the many treasures this land has to offer.
We can only do it with your help!
Please take some time to browse through our Master Plan document and imagine the possibilities with us! BSRM is seeking funding to realize this plan. Please do not hesitate to contact the museum for more information on how you can help support our efforts. Consider helping us write the next chapter in the history of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum!
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