I found the Lawrence Branch of the railroad to be in great shape thoughout much of Middleton. In places it was the absolute best and most enjoyable right of way that I have ridden on.
Here is a picture of the line right near the North Andover border. Someone has made a makeshift bridge to make the line contiguous.
This is another view in about the same area. Trees have grown up in the middle of the ROW but it's still passable.
I'm not sure why the fence in this picture is
here, it's no problem to get around. I will say that on the West side
of that fence the ROW goes on for about a mile and a half and that mile
and a half was the most beautiful ride I have taken since I started riding
the old right of ways.
Down at the other end of town, near the Danvers border we find what little remains of the station once called Howe. All that is there is the tar from the station platform. If you look carefully you can see it on the left side of this picture.
Here is a view of the ROW, East of Howe, looking towards Danvers. The ROW is in good shape, was easy to ride on, amazing that the cinders last for so long.
Abutments where the line crossed a river. It's no problem riding down the embankment, cross the river on the road bridge, then ride back up the embankement on the other side.
Closeup view of the abutments taken from the road.
Interesting set of abutments where the line crossed over a road.
Here are 160 pictures of the Essex Railroad in Middleton....
Here is the where the line crossed De Bush street, off of Essex St, not far from route 114.
The right of way is in good shape and is a good walk or bikeride.
This view is looking west as I am walking in a westerly direction towards the Essex St crossing.
Essex St Crossing, looking west.
View of embankment from Essex St
More views of the embankment taken from Essex St.
Back at De Bush street, this time going east towards North Andover.
Here is where the Essex RR comes out of an interesting cut and has been built upon for a short distance. The street on the riight is Old Essex St, the road on the left is Essex St which was built for the distance you can see in this picture, on the old right of way.
Looking west. This section of the right of way is in good shape and goes into a rock cut.
Heading into the cut.
The rock cut.
Here we are at the other end of the stretch that was built upon the old Essex. The street on the left is the other end of Old Essex. I am standing where the right of way goes into the woods, the view is towards the west.
This is one of my favorite stretches of the Essex. It's a great ride or walk.
These views show how the line in the woods lines up with the stretch that was turned into a road.
Makeshift bridge. This section of the line gets a fair amount of use as a trail.
Closeup views of bridge and abutments.
Back at Essex and Old Essex. Where you're looking must have been a
grade crossing. The Old Essex road being on the left and the original route
of Essex St. After the railroad was abandoned the stretch looking straight
was built on the old right of way.