A problem, though, for those living to the north is that trains going to Boston from Maine and New Hampshire go to North Station, while those leaving from Boston for NY and DC leave from South Station.
North-South rail link is something they've been talking about for years.
In my grandparents' day there was an elevated line between the two stations.
I know you can catch the commuter train from Lowell to North Station. However, then you have to take the T to South Station to catch the Acella. Actually, a better option is the park and ride bus that leaves from exit 8 Everett turnpike in Nashua. I believe that goes to both north and south station.
In your grandparents day the train ran up through Nashua. They have been talking about extending it from Lowell but it would cost Millions. In the 1800’s early 1900’s the trains ran to a lot of the old resort hotels as far north as the White Mountains. There is a old abandoned rail line in my town of Amherst, NH that brought people out to Baboosic Lake where there was a casino/speakeasy and dance hall. Now it is just a trail through the woods. Those horseless carriages but an end to that.