[3] The Norfolk County Railroad opened its line between Dedham and Blackstone, Massachusetts, in 1849.

[5][6] The original plan called for the Medway Branch to split from the Norfolk County Railroad northeast of North Wrentham station, cross the Charles River only once, and terminate on the north side of Factory Village.

[7] In April 1850, the state approved a new alignment that split southwest of North Wrentham station, crossed the river twice, and terminated on the south side of Factory Village.

[8][9] The new route was intended to be shorter and less expensive to construct, and to provide better connection with North Wrentham station.

The Norfolk County operated a single daily round trip between Medway and Boston.

[16]: 15  The financial failure of the B&NYC in 1855 led to the trustees of the bondholders of the Norfolk County Railroad taking back control of their line, which they leased to the Boston and Providence from 1855 to 1857.

[18] That November, the New York and Boston Railroad opened its line between Needham and Medway.

[1] When North Wrentham was incorporated as an independent town named Norfolk in 1870, one of the abandoned Medway Branch bridges was used to define a corner of the boundary.