Freight Train Jumps Track, Freezes Downtown Framingham Crossings

A cargo train derailed near the Framingham MBTA station on Tuesday, blocking two key downtown crossings and trapping traffic gates in the down position, snarling traffic around the busy commuter hub.

Concord Street (Route 126) and Waverly Street (Route 135) crossings are both blocked, and the gates are stuck down. Framingham Police shared photos from the scene and urged drivers to find alternate routes while crews work in the area. Commuter and local traffic is being diverted around the station, and delays are expected across the downtown core.

According to a Framingham Police Department post on Facebook, the cargo train derailed at the Framingham station and left the Concord and Waverly crossing gates in the down position. Police warned people not to attempt to cross the blocked intersection. The post includes photos of the derailment and images of emergency personnel on site. Officers are directing motorists around the scene and asking drivers to follow their instructions and stick to detours.

Blocked Crossings And Commuter Impact

Framingham station, at 417 Waverly Street, serves the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line, and the Concord and Waverly crossings are a well-known choke point that can grind traffic to a halt when trains stop in downtown, according to local station records and planning studies. The crossings east of Concord Street and at Waverly Street see frequent freight traffic that can back up the intersection and nearby businesses even on a normal day.

For background on the station and its grade crossings, see Great American Stations and the Framingham station entry on Wikipedia.

Past Derailments Show How Fast Gridlock Hits

Derailments at or near the same crossings have shut down roads and disrupted commuter-rail service before. In 2022, a CSX freight derailment at Waverly Street forced long road detours and left the Worcester/Framingham line operating on a single track for hours, a situation that stranded riders and left downtown traffic in gridlock. As reported by WCVB, crews in that incident faced a lengthy clearance process and road closures that lasted much of the day.

What Drivers And Riders Should Expect

Crews are expected to remain on scene until the tracks are inspected and any damaged cars are removed, a process that can stretch for several hours depending on what contractors find. Riders are advised to check MBTA alerts for the Framingham/Worcester Line for any schedule changes, and drivers should keep an eye on local traffic reports and police updates for detour details.

For transit information, see MBTA service alerts. For on-the-ground photos and field updates, follow the Framingham Police Department on Facebook.