So I just spend a few minutes lining up the proposed map with an actual google map to see exactly where this line (would have) went. I am fascinated by the fact that it would have cut right through my neighborhood in stoneham! Also extremely interesting is that the line lines up basically EXACTLY with the old jello factory 93 bridge and their siding, even the way it bends to the left. It must be a coincidence, because the way this line was routed, it would have had to have been built 30 or 40 feet higher up than the actual stoneham branch and the jello siding. It's still very interesting. I'm going to try to fix it up again so I can post the map hybrid.
Also interesting, looking at the 1850's map, you can see the line splits and takes two different but similar routes into stoneham. I'm thinking this is because one of those routes goes right through the middle of Winchester's North reservoir. The reservoir probably didn't exist at that point, but it may have been in the works.
Also, part of the 'real' Stoneham branch as it parallels Montvale in Woburn, is wrong. I wonder if they had a change of plan or if they just got it wrong on this map.
The route also seems to line up very well with Priscilla Ln in Medford. That seems less likely to be a coincidence.
Here is a very rough draft. I need to figure out a way to "capture" large areas of high resolution google map data :D Then I can spend some time and line it up perfectly.
medford-stoneham-merge.jpg
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