Author Brings Historic Winthrop Trains to Life in New Book

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

A new book featuring Winthrop and stories of the trains that used to run around town and beyond, has been released by Winthrop native William Lieberman, who spoke to a full house at the Winthrop Public Library last Thursday.

“The Train on the Beach: Forgotten Railroads theat transformed Winthrop, Orient Heights and Revere Beach,” by Lieberman, who now resides in California and works as a transportation planner. Lieberman spent a lot of time over the years researching Winthrop’s train history. Lieberman recounts and details the train activities in the area and details about railroad routes, equipment, services and how the railroads helped to develop the North Shore.

“The book has been a labor of love and took 50 years to write,” Lieberman said. “My parents encouraged my early interest in trains.”

The 235-page book studies the history of the steam railroads that operated in Winthrop from1877 to 1891. Horse-drawn cars were used in the early days of Winthrop, being introduced in 1873. Lieberman’s coverage not only covers Winthrop, but encompasses Beachmont, Revere Beach, Point of Pines, Revere, and the Orient Heights section of East Boston. The lines that covered the area were made up of trains from the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn company.

In Winthrop the line ran from the Tafts Hotel in Point Shirley to the center. Lieberman explained that the beaches, summer homes, and the creation of the North Shore fueled the train activity.

Lieberman shared a little history of the early railroads in Winthrop. From 1873-1888 Winthrop was deluged with proposals for railroads. A serpentine route ran from the Tafts Hotel in Point Shirley to Shirley Street, to Revere (Beach) Street, Winthrop Street, Pleasant Street, Main St. and the Belle Isle Bridge to East Boston.

Dr. Samuel Ingalls, the principle stock holder in the Winthrop Railroad, had also developed the Ocean Spray, a hotel at the north end of Winthrop Beach.

The book is full of photographs and illustrations. A nice addition to the book is a full index and numerous appendices and tables.

Locally, Lieberman’s book can be found at the Book Depot in the town center.