Chester and Becket Railroad

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! Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. Donate here: Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers  Via Venmo:  @hilltownhi...