The Assabet River Rail Trail (ARRT) traces the path of the old Marlborough Branch of the Fitchburg Railroad. Once filled with the rumble of engines and the hiss of steam, the rails are gone now—but on quiet evenings, some say you can almost hear the distant echo of a train that will never arrive. Today the trail winds peacefully through Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard, and Acton, offering walkers and explorers a chance to follow in its ghostly footsteps.
This geocache will bring you to Farmer’s Bridge, tucked along the ARRT just south of Washington Street in Hudson. Here, the moss-covered stone abutments are all that remain of a Boston & Maine Railroad crossing. Long ago, this bridge gave safe passage for farmers and their animals over the busy tracks. The land belonged to G.B. Brigham, one of Hudson’s prominent figures, and it’s believed the bridge was built sometime after 1855.
Today, the old bridge feels almost like a doorway between worlds—the present trail above, and the faint whisper of the past below. Step carefully, and let your imagination wander: What stories might these stones tell if they could speak?
This cache has been hidden to celebrate 25 Years of Geocaching and International Geocaching Day 2025. Gather your crew, bring a flashlight if the sun is low, and enjoy this little brush with history and mystery along the trail.