The name Ashuwillticook derives from the Native American word for the south branch of the Hoosic
River, known simply as "the pleasant river in between the hills". The trail runs along a portion of the former roadbed of the old Pittsfield & North Adams RR. The line was constructed in 1846, and was leased to the Western Railroad (Boston & Albany). In 1982, Conrail sold the branch to the B&M.
The track between Adams, Lanesboro, and the city line at Pittsfield, saw little use, and deteriorated. Both the Housatonic RR and the Berkshire Scenic Railway expressed an interest in running freight trains between Adams and Pittsfield. However, the asking price for the sale of the RR from the former
Guilford Rail Systems was too steep, and the State
of Mass. ended up buying the RR. As part of the deal, Guilford was allowed to salvage the wooden ties and steel rails. The track was ripped up around 1993. The rail trail was opened in 2001. The photo
shown here was taken at Cheshire, Mass., and shows the old RR station - looking north along the
ROW. Photo by John Bazan.

Photographed by John Bazan, November 28, 2007.
Added to the photo archive by John Bazan, November 29, 2007.

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