The Chester & Becket Trail was created by the Friends of the Keystone Arches and connected the Becket quarries with two finishing works on the valley floor in Chester. This single track line operated from 1897 to 1930, when trucks were substituted. This old rail bed goes approximately seven miles from the present day Becket Quarry to where the trains connected to the Boston Albany Railroad just after going under Route 20. Russ and I took a snowshoe on the Chester section East from the kiosk to the Boston and Albany end of the line. This is Fish and Wildlife property, there are several original stone culverts, an old cistern, and at least two mines. This section is 2.2 miles in and back. Parking at kiosk on Hampden Street just off Route 20. Note: I have been saying for years this entire rail trail should be an official hiking route, the main problem is the missing bridge over Walker Brook and Walker Island campground was built on a small section.

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