In 1849, the Boston and Maine Railroad moved the line about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) west to its present alignment as part of a lengthy relocation to serve the growing mill city of Lawrence.

[2] A two-story Italianate depot was built in 1849 at the Andover Street crossing to serve as the new Ballardvale station.

[4] Days before, Andover commuters and businesses raised funds to continue service until April 1975.

On April 7, 1975, town residents voted "overwhelmingly" to reimburse the commuters and subsidize service for an additional year.

[7] The MBTA bought all B&M commuter equipment and lines on December 27, 1976, including the Western Route from Wilmington Junction to the New Hampshire border.