August 6, 2026 | Christian Donner Two types of original railroad artifacts remain along the Medfield section of the Bay Colony Rail Trail. Their restoration was an Eagle Scout project by Jordan Agnello of Medfield’s Troop 89, completed in the summer of 2026. The sections below explain what each marker was used for, with photographs of comparable examples from other rail lines, followed by photographs of the restoration itself. Whistle Posts Along many railroad lines, whistle posts were standard trackside markers used to indicate where a locomotive engineer should begin sounding the locomotive horn or whistle as the train approached a railroad crossing. Typically placed about one-quarter mile before the crossing, the whistle posts reminded engineers when to sound the required warning to alert vehicles, pedestrians, and nearby residents of an approaching train. When passing a whistle post, engineers followed a standard whistle sequence — two long blasts, one short blast, and one long blast — beginning at the whistle post and continuing until the train reached the crossing. These simple “W” markers are still a common sight along active railroad lines throughout New England, and on many abandoned rail lines, as reminders of the safety practices that helped protect communities during the era of rail travel. Examples of Whistle Posts A whistle post beside a former rail line now used as a trail A weathered concrete whistle post beside an active track A freshly painted concrete whistle post on the Holliston Rail Trail Battery Box A railroad battery box, commonly called a battery well, is a small enclosure placed along the tracks to house batteries and electrical equipment that powered the railroad’s signaling and communication systems. As part of railroad power distribution networks, these boxes housed batteries that supplied direct current (DC) electricity for signals, track circuits, crossing warning devices, telephones, and other communication equipment that helped control train movements for railroad safety. Battery boxes were built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and were often made of metal, concrete, or heavy wood. Typically built as cylindrical, square, or rectangular concrete chambers set partially below ground, battery boxes protected the batteries from harsh weather while the surrounding earth, concrete, and other insulation material helped maintain more stable temperatures during cold winters and hot summers. A heavy metal lid allowed railroad workers to access the equipment for inspection, testing, and maintenance while helping keep it secure. Battery boxes on active railroad lines are still in use today due to their durability and resistance to fire, rot, and vandalism. Railroad employees regularly inspect and maintain the equipment to ensure reliable operation. Though often overlooked, these structures historically played an important role in the safe operation of trains and remain reminders of the technology that helped maintain safe train operations. Examples of Battery Boxes A trackside concrete battery box with its lid propped open, showing the chamber that held the batteries A concrete battery box with a heavy steel lid — Mason City, Iowa, 2006 (photograph by Todd Sestero) The Restoration Project Decades of exposure had left our markers weathered and overgrown. Over the summer of 2026, the whistle posts were cleared, cleaned, and repainted in their original white-and-black scheme, and the battery well was uncovered, cleaned, concrete patched, repainted, and fitted with its restored metal lid. The photographs below show each marker before and after the work. Whistle Posts Before — the painted “W” had almost weathered away After — repainted white with a crisp black “W” Before — decades of weathering and encroaching brush After — cleared, repainted, and set off with fresh wood chips Battery Well Before — overgrown, with the corroded lid sitting askew After — the chamber painted gray and the restored lid back in place The Millis Branch Railroad: Medfield’s Historic Rail Line The trail you are walking today follows the historic Millis Branch Railroad, an east–west rail corridor that once connected Medfield with Boston and communities to the west. Before becoming the Bay Colony Rail Trail, this right-of-way carried passenger trains, freight trains, mail, and local goods through the region for more than a century. The railroad reached Medfield in 1861 when the Charles River Branch Railroad extended service west from Needham through Medfield toward Medway. The line was built to provide a direct commuter connection between Boston and growing suburban and rural towns. Early service was powered by steam locomotives pulling passenger coaches and freight cars. The New Haven Railroad Era By the late 1800s, the line became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, commonly known as the New Haven Railroad. The Millis Branch became part of a larger network serving communities west of Boston. Trains carried commuters, students, shoppers, mail, and freight between towns including Needham, Dover, Medfield, Millis, and beyond. Over time, railroad technology changed. The era of large steam locomotives gave way to diesel-powered trains. In the final decades of passenger service, smaller diesel rail cars replaced the older steam trains. Medfield Stops on the Millis Branch Two principal passenger stops served Medfield along the Millis Branch. Farm Street Station was a local passenger stop serving residents between Dover and central Medfield. Medfield Junction Station was the most important railroad location in town. It was located near West Mill Street and Adams Street, where the Millis Branch crossed another north-south railroad line. This made Medfield Junction both a passenger stop and an important point for railroad operations and freight movement. A train traveling west from Dover would have reached Farm Street first, then continued to Medfield Junction, before continuing towards Millis. Medfield Junction, 1906 postcard Medfield Junction, late 1950s Farm Street Station, 1909 Farm Street Station The End of Passenger Service After World War II, automobiles and highways became increasingly popular, and fewer people depended on trains for daily transportation. Passenger service on the Millis Branch declined over time. The last passenger trains ran on April 28, 1967. After that, the railroad corridor continued to serve freight customers. Freight and the Bay Colony Railroad In 1982, the Bay Colony Railroad began operating freight service on portions of former New Haven Railroad lines, including the Millis Branch. Instead of carrying commuters, trains primarily served freight customers. Eventually, rail use declined, and sections of the corridor became inactive. From Railroad to Rail Trail Today, the Bay Colony Rail Trail preserves this historic route. The Medfield section follows the former railroad right-of-way from the Dover town line to Ice House Road, allowing visitors to experience the same corridor where steam locomotives, passenger trains, and freight trains once traveled. As you walk the trail, you are following a route that helped connect Medfield to the wider region for generations. Victor Alexandropoulos at Millis Collision Center restored the metal lid for the battery box at no cost. We are forever grateful!