ɪn dʒˈuːn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti sˈɛvən, ðə mˌæsɐtʃˈuːsɪts lˈɛdʒɪslətʃɚɹ ɐpɹˈuːvd ðə pˈɜːtʃɪs ʌvðə hˈaɪlənd bɹˈæntʃ baɪ ðɪ ˈɛm.tˈiː.ˈeɪ. fɹʌmðə nˌɪɹlibˈæŋkɹʌpt nˈuː jˈɔːɹk sˈɛntɹəl ɹˈeɪlɹoʊd fɔːɹ kənvˈɜːʒən tʊ ɐ tɹˈɑːli lˈaɪn.
In June 1957, the Massachusetts Legislature approved the purchase of the Highland branch by the M.T.A. from the nearly-bankrupt New York Central Railroad for conversion to a trolley line.