the fitchburg railroad opened to shirley on december 30, 1844. the station was located near davis street. service - later operated by the boston and maine railroad - lasted until the newly formed massachusetts bay transportation authority began to subsidize service in 1965. the section of the line from west concord to fitchburg was outside the mbta's funding district, and service was cut back to west concord on january 18, 1965. the mid-sized station building was torn down around this time.