No single factor in the history of West Springfield has had a greater impact on the town than the coming of the railroad in 1841. Almost immediately there was a huge increase in farm production due to the availability of new markets for fresh produce and, equally quickly, came the development of the paper mills at Mittineague, which made West Springfield famous. Abraham Lincoln used paper produced by the Southworth Mill while he was President. Later there was great industrial development along Union Street, which created additional jobs.
The large brick building at the corner of Union and Church Streets was constructed by the Boston & Albany Railroad in 1914 and operated as a YMCA by the B&A Railroad Association. There were sleeping quarters, a restaurant and recreation rooms for crewmen who had to lay over between trips or when quick locomotive repairs were necessary. The building contained 108 separate sleeping rooms and was equipped to provide 1000 meals daily. Both the B&A railroad and nearby Gilbarco provided financial support to the "Railroad Y". Both companies utilized the building’s auditorium and banquet hall and workers ate meals in the dining room. It is said that the Railroad YMCA provided full services to families of all town residents, not just railroad employees.
This YMCA fell on hard times with the coming of the "Great Depression" in 1929 but recovered somewhat by 1934 when their records indicate that more than 9,000 sleeping rooms were furnished and 75,000 meals served. However, the recovery proved to be temporary and in 1937 the facility was closed and sold. Today the Railroad YMCA building is used as office space.