Chester and Becket Railroad
October 4 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Tour
Chester and Becket Railroad Tour, The Granite Line
October 4th@1:00 pm
Parking: On Hampden Street at the Chester and Becket Trailhead Chester 01011
Directions: From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester/Becket town line, turn right on Hampden Street to the trailhead. GPS 42.279567, -72.988070
Hike Rating: Easy 2 miles in and back, mostly flat terrain on dirt, this will be a guided tour complete with handouts. Option to continue on the railbed heading East to the Route 20 connection with the Boston and Albany Railroad immediately following. (add 3 miles)
Join us for a special Housatonic Heritage event on a section of the Chester and Becket Railroad. This is an interpretive tour led by Liz Massa, President of the Hilltown Hikers. Built in 1896 as a 5.25-mile spur off the Boston & Albany Railroad to deliver granite from the Becket Quarries to the Chester finishing works. Both Chester and Becket issued bond stock in the quarry company to help in building this line because there was money to be made from the “Chester Blue Granite” for monuments and gravestones. This railroad was blasted out of the steep and winding side of the Walker Brook Valley. The first locomotive to run on this line was a wood burner, eventually upgraded to a coal burning locomotive. We will see the remains of a wooden trestle still standing on the trail and also learn how this route was used in Chester’s Emery industry and how it connects to our Granite Saw Property. Additional option to hike more of the old railroad immediately following the main event. Historical maps and relics will be on display for the event. Donations for the newly conserved Chester Granite Company Finishing Works property are greatly appreciated.
Get our exclusive “hike the lost railroad” t-shirt at the event!
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
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GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.