Cape Cod Central Railroad, Heritage railway in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States
Cape Cod Central Railroad runs seasonal train trips across 27 miles of track between Hyannis and Buzzards Bay through coastal areas and salt marshes. The route crosses the Cape Cod Canal on a vertical lift bridge, a notable structure that has carried trains since the 1930s.
This railroad was founded in 1999 to preserve the legacy of the original Cape Cod Central Railroad that ran from 1861 to 1868 and connected 14 towns. The modern company revived this historical connection by reusing tracks from that earlier period.
The 1911 West Barnstable station and the Buzzards Bay tower reflect railway architecture from another era. These buildings along the route tell the story of when trains connected the region's towns.
Visitors can board at either Hyannis or Buzzards Bay station, with round-trip journeys taking several hours to complete. Trains run from Easter through October, with special services added during winter holidays.
The lift bridge over Cape Cod Canal is one of the longest of its type in North America, and it raises vertically to allow ships to pass underneath. Many passengers don't realize they cross this engineering feat from 1935 during their ride.
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