(via the TRAINS.com newswire)
BOSTON — Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has outlined two scenarios to close a $161 million budget gap for the year 2012, the Milford [Mass.] Daily News has reported. Both would involve fare hikes of 35 to 43 percent, plus cuts to rail services.
The agency is holding public meetings in an effort to receive feedback, but early indications aren’t good. The cuts include ending commuter rail services on weekends and after 10 p.m., services riders depend on.
“I’m not enthusiastic about that because it will push some people back into their cars,” said state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge. “I think it will potentially have negative impacts.”
The agency hasn’t raised fares over the past five years. “Unfortunately, the cost of operating a major transit system has not stayed the same over the last five years,” spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Norfolk Southern Opens Key Patriot Corridor Terminal
(via the TRAINS.com newswire)
MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. — Norfolk Southern formally opened its new Mechanicville intermodal terminal, a key part of its Patriot Corridor initiative, this week. Operations began at 12:01 a.m. Monday, with daily arrivals and departures to and from Chicago.
The Patriot Corridor is NS’s play for the New England intermodal market launched in conjunction with Canadian Pacific and Pan Am Railways. The Mechanicville terminal will serve Albany, N.Y., metro area shippers. It’s also a key site for intermodal trains bound for Ayer, Mass., as they’ll be “fileted” (single-stacked) eastbound and “toupeed” (double-stacked) westbound. That’s necessary because the Hoosac Tunnel in Massachusetts can’t clear double-stacked containers.
The terminal will handle containers only, including 53-foot domestic boxes, EMP containers, or ocean containers.
MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. — Norfolk Southern formally opened its new Mechanicville intermodal terminal, a key part of its Patriot Corridor initiative, this week. Operations began at 12:01 a.m. Monday, with daily arrivals and departures to and from Chicago.
The Patriot Corridor is NS’s play for the New England intermodal market launched in conjunction with Canadian Pacific and Pan Am Railways. The Mechanicville terminal will serve Albany, N.Y., metro area shippers. It’s also a key site for intermodal trains bound for Ayer, Mass., as they’ll be “fileted” (single-stacked) eastbound and “toupeed” (double-stacked) westbound. That’s necessary because the Hoosac Tunnel in Massachusetts can’t clear double-stacked containers.
The terminal will handle containers only, including 53-foot domestic boxes, EMP containers, or ocean containers.
Monday, January 23, 2012
VIDEO: The Last Train to Bedford MA (1998)
The Friends of Bedford Depot Park have uploaded a video showing the moving of their ex- Boston & Maine RDC, #6211, which has been cosmetically restored and now sits next to the freight house. The video shows the RDC at the (then) Guilford shops at North Billerica MA, being made ready for the drive to Bedford, the drive itself, and then its arrival at the old yard at Bedford.
Since the video was shot, the whole depot area has been upgraded. I only wish the yard was still there...
Since the video was shot, the whole depot area has been upgraded. I only wish the yard was still there...
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Busy Boston-Area Bridge Forces MBTA Closure
(Via Trains.com Newswire)
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Inspectors discovered problems with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Annisquam River drawbridge, leading to a lengthy closure yesterday, the Gloucester Times has reported. The closure has raised new questions over long-term repair and replacement plans for the century-old bridge.
A 2010 study labeled the bridge the worst on the MBTA network. Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad spokeswoman Andrea Wheeler said the company closed the bridge for additional inspection after a contract inspector found a structural deficiency. As a result, the Rockport Line was closed through midday, reopening at 3:30 p.m. with a 10 mph speed restriction.
A 2011 study recommended the bridge be replaced rather than repaired, due to “severe deterioration.” A consultant said a replacement would cost around $25 million, and would close the bridge for around seven months. However, the replacement isn’t currently on MBTA’s list of capital projects.
SOURCE: Busy Boston-area bridge forces Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority closure - TRAINS Magazine
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Inspectors discovered problems with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Annisquam River drawbridge, leading to a lengthy closure yesterday, the Gloucester Times has reported. The closure has raised new questions over long-term repair and replacement plans for the century-old bridge.
A 2010 study labeled the bridge the worst on the MBTA network. Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad spokeswoman Andrea Wheeler said the company closed the bridge for additional inspection after a contract inspector found a structural deficiency. As a result, the Rockport Line was closed through midday, reopening at 3:30 p.m. with a 10 mph speed restriction.
A 2011 study recommended the bridge be replaced rather than repaired, due to “severe deterioration.” A consultant said a replacement would cost around $25 million, and would close the bridge for around seven months. However, the replacement isn’t currently on MBTA’s list of capital projects.
SOURCE: Busy Boston-area bridge forces Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority closure - TRAINS Magazine
Sunday, January 8, 2012
NTrack Modular Club TRAIN SHOW - Lexington MA 2/18-19/12
Northeast NTrack Modular Railroad Club
... will delight fans large and small with their model train display.
Saturday, February 18 - 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday, February 19 - Noon to 4:00 PM
Sunday, February 19 - Noon to 4:00 PM
National Heritage Museum
33 Marrett Road
Friday, January 6, 2012
2012 Amherst Railway Society Show - Springfield MA
2012 Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show
January 28th & 29th, 2012
Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds
West Springfield MA
Saturday January 28, 2012 - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday January 29, 2012 - 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday January 29, 2012 - 10:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
ST #52 In New Paint Downeast in Maine
Mr. Jeff Bray recently posted this great shot of newly painted ST #52 up in Maine:
http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=196780
"Having recently departed the mill in Skowhegan, SAPPI-3 has found Hinckley and is crossing Route 201 on its way toward Waterville, ME. Recently outshopped GP9 52 and company will be on their knees shortly with snow covered railheads and over 50 cars for the climb over Route 23."
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| Photo by Jeff Bray (2011) |
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
NEW BOOK: Marium Foster's Boston & Maine Railroad
LINK FOR MORE INFO: Marium Foster's Boston & Maine Railroad
It's the mid-20th century Boston and Maine Railroad years in southwest New Hampshire and surrounding areas presented through the black-and-white photography of Marium Foster, with supporting period photography of others. B&M assistant ticket agent, freight cashier, and Fitchburg Division correspondent for the road's employee magazine, Foster became widely known all over the division. Her photography, which supported her contributions to the magazine, transport us back to the way the railroad looked and operated in the mid-1900's, showing once familiar scenes along the railroad and everyday railroaders at work. More than just a book of train images, author Brad Blodget's captions provide insights into railroad history, B&M history and New England history. The story of Marium Foster's life and the railroad she worked for, illustrated by over 250 great images, taken mostly by her, make this a truly unique railroad book. 150 pages.
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