Cape Cod Rail Trail

As I walked along the trail today, I enjoyed it's beauty and began to think about the history and important role it played in Cape Cod's development. I did some research about the railroad and came across many pictures from the 1940's and was intrigued by the difference of how the Cape Cod Rail Trail looks today.

From its 1848 arrival in Sandwich, the railroad had played a varied and vital role on Cape Cod with 94 miles of track connecting Buzzards Bay,Woods Hole, Hyannis and Provincetown. The rail service helped encourage tourism by providing reliable transportation for visitors and for the goods to fuel the growing regional economy. One of the Cape's earliest rail travelers in 1849 was Henry David Thoreau who is one of my favorite nature writers. In the 1930's the automobile began offering independence from the train schedule and the importance of it soon surpassed so the track was reduced to 38 miles. By 1959 the railroad was no longer used as passenger service and mainly just for delivering cargo and goods until the late 60's when it was shut down indefinitely.

In the mid 70's the tracks were torn up and all station houses removed. Shortly after that the trail was paved piece by piece throughout the towns and used primarily for recreation. Now the paved path runs 28 miles along the abandoned railroad bed from S. Dennis to Wellfleet. Bicyclers, walkers, joggers and horseback riders all enjoy the trail. It is a pleasant ride along a natural Cape landscape and offers a variety of scenery from marshes, ponds, Cape Cod Bay and foliage throughout all the seasons. I have used the trail since I was very young and I feel a strong connection to it's history of passengers
whom also came here to be inspired by this special place.