The MBTA acquired the piece in Massachusetts on January 27 , 1973 , despite it not seeing any passenger service .
The P&W later acquired the Rhode Island portion from Conrail , which had taken over Penn Central 's lines in 1976 .
The MBTA acquired the piece in Massachusetts on January 27 , 1973 , despite it not seeing any passenger service , and the P&W later acquired the Rhode Island portion from Conrail , which had taken over Penn Central 's lines in 1976 .