Clinton Train Tunnel (Clinton, MA)

Tucked away just off Boylston Street in Clinton, Massachusetts, the Clinton Train Tunnel has become one of the most iconic and photographed abandoned places in the state. Though it’s only 1,100 feet long, this dark passage through stone represents a fascinating piece of New England railroad and engineering history — and a haunting reminder of how progress can reshape entire towns.

Origins of the Tunnel

The Clinton Train Tunnel was born out of necessity in 1897, when work began on the massive Wachusett Reservoir — a project that would flood much of the surrounding area to create one of Boston’s primary water supplies. The new reservoir completely cut off a segment of the Central Massachusetts Railroad, which had been chartered in 1869 to connect Boston with western Massachusetts.

To keep the line running, engineers designed an 1,100-foot-long tunnel and a 917-foot-long viaduct to carry trains around the newly formed reservoir basin. Construction took several years, with crews carving through solid rock and lining 228 feet of the western entrance with concrete for reinforcement.

When the project was complete, the tunnel, viaduct, and rerouted track officially opened in June 1903 — a triumph of early 20th-century engineering that kept the Central Massachusetts Railroad alive for decades.

Decline of the Railroad

For the first half of the 20th century, the Clinton Tunnel was regularly used by Boston & Maine Railroad trains. Freight and passenger services moved through its stone walls, connecting small Central Massachusetts towns to Boston and beyond.

But by the 1930s, usage had sharply declined. Automobiles and improved highways began to eclipse rail travel, and by the 1950s, only a handful of trains still used the route. The final passenger service from Boston to Clinton ran in May 1958.

After that, the tunnel and viaduct were abandoned. Nature slowly began to reclaim the surrounding land. In July 1975, the viaduct over the Nashua River was dismantled, but the tunnel itself remained intact — its stone archway standing strong more than a century later.

A Forgotten Landmark

Today, the Clinton Train Tunnel remains in surprisingly good condition, though it’s no longer used or maintained. Inside, the walls are covered in layers of colorful graffiti, and the acoustics create an eerie echo that makes every step resonate through the darkness.

Visitors often remark on the tunnel’s strange optical illusion — when standing at one end, the far exit appears impossibly small, as though the tunnel stretches endlessly into blackness. Walk through, however, and the light at the far end suddenly expands, revealing just how compact the structure truly is.

Despite its age and neglect, the tunnel has become a popular destination for urban explorers, photographers, and history enthusiasts — a hidden landmark where nature, art, and industry collide.

The Future of the Tunnel

In 2020, the Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust (CGCT) announced plans to acquire the abandoned tunnel from the Boston & Maine Railroad. The long-term goal is to incorporate the tunnel into the Mass Central Rail Trail, a multi-use recreation path that would stretch across Massachusetts.

If completed, this project could give the Clinton Train Tunnel a new life — transforming it from a forgotten relic into a safe, maintained feature of a statewide trail network.

For now, the tunnel remains open to the public but unofficially so — a quiet monument to a vanished railroad and a century of change in the Massachusetts landscape.

Quick Facts

• 🏗 Built: 1903
• 🚂 Length: 1,100 feet
• 🧱 Material: Concrete and blasted bedrock
• ⛰ Viaduct Length: 917 feet (removed 1975)
• 🚫 Abandoned: 1958 (rail line closure)
• 🧭 Original Line: Central Massachusetts Railroad → Boston & Maine Railroad
• 🌊 Purpose: Bypass built for the Wachusett Reservoir construction

Visiting the Clinton Train Tunnel

• 📍 Address: Boylston Street, Clinton, Massachusetts
• 🌐 GPS Coordinates: 42.405278, –71.683694
• 🅿️ Parking: Free roadside parking is available along Boylston Street near the Wachusett Dam. From there, it’s only a short walk (roughly 100 feet) to the tunnel entrance.
• ⚠️ Tips: The tunnel can be damp and slippery, so wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight. The site is open, but visitors should explore responsibly and avoid damaging the structure or graffiti artwork.

Final Thoughts

The Clinton Train Tunnel stands as one of the most atmospheric relics of Massachusetts’ railroad past — a place where the echoes of passing locomotives have been replaced by silence, dripping water, and faint footsteps of explorers.

It’s a monument to the ingenuity of early 20th-century engineers and a fascinating reminder of how entire towns once moved — and changed forever — in the name of progress. Whether you visit for its eerie beauty or its deep historical roots, this abandoned tunnel remains one of New England’s most unforgettable hidden landmarks.