Pan Am Southern and Pan Am Railways take action to protect services over tracks used with Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority | News | Norfolk Southern
North Billerica, Ma. - Dec 20, 2016
Seek to work constructively with MBTA to reach resolution and promote safe freight and commuter services
Pan Am Southern LLC (PAS) and Pan Am Railways (PAR) today served default and dispute notices concerning important operational safety agreements with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA).
A 2014 agreement between the two railroads and MBTA (copy available upon request) was intended to enable a Positive Train Control (PTC) system to be in place by the federal deadline of Dec. 31, 2018. This safety system would be compliant with federal law and appropriate to the joint passenger and freight rail services conducted over the eastern Massachusetts area. In today’s notices, PAS and PAR report that MBTA has disavowed the 2014 agreement, raising questions about the three railroads’ ability to implement PTC on Boston-area rail lines by the federal deadline. This throws into doubt the continuation of commuter service on those lines beyond that date.
In 2008, Congress passed a law requiring freight and passenger railroads that meet certain criteria to finance, develop, install, test, and implement PTC systems across 60,000 miles of the nation's rail network by Dec. 31, 2015, which later was extended to Dec. 31, 2018. PTC uses communication-based/processor-based train control technology to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and train movement through a main line switch in the improper position.
In addition to providing service across its own lines, MBTA performs commuter service over properties owned by PAS. The 2014 PTC agreement governs the installation of PTC over all of the jointly-operated MBTA, PAS, and PAR lines. The agreement was the result of several years of cooperative discussions, plans, and submissions by MBTA to federal agencies (both for regulatory compliance and financial support purposes). The 2014 agreement also covers installation of locomotive equipment that would be necessary for operations for PAS and PAR freight rail service in the Commonwealth.
Since execution of the 2014 agreement, PAS and PAR have acted in reliance on the agreement to ensure safe and compliant passenger services. MBTA repeatedly has progressed and affirmed plans for PTC installation in accordance with the agreement, including in its 2016 Annual PTC Implementation Progress Report submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration. PAS and PAR are concerned that MBTA’s recent disavowal could set back design and implementation of an integrated PTC system by several years, creating uncertainty about compliance with the federal mandate and the continuation of passenger services.
PAS and PAR strongly believe the best path forward lies in reaffirmation of the 2014 PTC agreement and building on the efforts PAS, PAR, and MBTA have taken since PTC was mandated. PAS and PAR pledge to work cooperatively with MBTA to implement a joint freight/passenger PTC system as soon as possible.
About Pan Am Southern
Pan Am Southern is a joint venture between Pan Am Railways and Norfolk Southern Railway Company established in 2008 to bring competitive freight rail service connecting New England to domestic and international markets. PAS consists of 161 miles of main line tracks and 277 miles of secondary lines, including trackage rights agreements, in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New York.
About Pan Am Railways
Pan Am Railways is the Northeast’s largest regional railroad. It operates over 1,000 route miles in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Atlantic Canada. Pan Am Railways interchanges traffic with 15 railroads throughout its network.
###
Pan Am Railways contact:
Cynthia Scarano, 978-663-1028, 978-423-2231 (cell), cscarano@panamrailways.com
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
POSTCARD VIEW: Dual Depots, Ayer MA circa 1905
In this view, we are looking east, with the B&M's Fitchburg line toward Boston at right, and the Worcester & Nashua heading north/south. Note the ball signal, and the current tower near the site today has yet to be built. There is also a building behind what is now Carlin's, along the line to Greenville NH.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Friday, December 9, 2016
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Pan Am Freight Train Derails in New Britain CT
(SOURCE: Fox61) (video: http://fox61.com/2016/12/06/freight-train-derails-in-new-britain-columbus-blvd-closed/#ooid=hicjMzODE6Ie0NZbbi0Cbrj9o0aHDOc3)
NEW BRITAIN -- An investigation is ongoing into what caused a train to derail in New Britain Tuesday afternoon.
According to the New Britain Police Department, a freight train derailed on Columbus Boulevard around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The road is closed in the center of town. Some side streets may be impacted as well.
The Route 9 northbound Exit 26 off ramp is also closed, according to the state Department of Transportation.
No injuries have been reported.
It is a Pan Am Railways train, and will likely be in place for about 24 hours before authorities can remove it. The train was carrying construction debris, but there wren't any hazardous materials on board.
The train has 29 cars--10 were empty, 19 were filled--and in all nine derailed. Of the nine that derailed, seven were on their side; the other two remained upright, but were off the tracks. All nine had debris inside.
The train was headed to a processing facility in Deerfield, Massachusetts, to recycle the debris.
The acting police chief and Mayor Erin Stewart are on the scene assessing the situation. Pan Am will conduct its own investigation, but the Federal Railroad Administration will also send out a crew to look into the cause.
Cynthia Scarano, from Pan Am's media relations team, said, "We're in the process of transporting the equipment necessary to re-rail, unblock the crossing and move the cars." That equipment includes a crane, she told FOX 61.
"It will take up to 24 hours to get everything moving again," Scarano said, however, police say traffic is a priority and the local roads should reopen later Tuesday evening.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection did respond to the scene to assess the contents and what cargo got out, but it does not appear that there are any hazmat issues.
NEW BRITAIN -- An investigation is ongoing into what caused a train to derail in New Britain Tuesday afternoon.
According to the New Britain Police Department, a freight train derailed on Columbus Boulevard around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The road is closed in the center of town. Some side streets may be impacted as well.
The Route 9 northbound Exit 26 off ramp is also closed, according to the state Department of Transportation.
It is a Pan Am Railways train, and will likely be in place for about 24 hours before authorities can remove it. The train was carrying construction debris, but there wren't any hazardous materials on board.
The train has 29 cars--10 were empty, 19 were filled--and in all nine derailed. Of the nine that derailed, seven were on their side; the other two remained upright, but were off the tracks. All nine had debris inside.
The train was headed to a processing facility in Deerfield, Massachusetts, to recycle the debris.
The acting police chief and Mayor Erin Stewart are on the scene assessing the situation. Pan Am will conduct its own investigation, but the Federal Railroad Administration will also send out a crew to look into the cause.
Cynthia Scarano, from Pan Am's media relations team, said, "We're in the process of transporting the equipment necessary to re-rail, unblock the crossing and move the cars." That equipment includes a crane, she told FOX 61.
"It will take up to 24 hours to get everything moving again," Scarano said, however, police say traffic is a priority and the local roads should reopen later Tuesday evening.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection did respond to the scene to assess the contents and what cargo got out, but it does not appear that there are any hazmat issues.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Name That Photo Location: Bradford MA LOCATION FOUND!
Back in 2011, I posted about a set of photographs I have that didn't have a location noted. I ended up finding out they are of the Boston & Maine bridge connecting Bradford to Haverhill MA. The other day, while pondering selling or donating the photos, I decided to try once again to identify the business who's name was painted on the brick building to the right of the bridge. This time, I actually had some luck!
The name is F.N. Livingston Co, one of many businesses in the area involved in the shoe industry. At left is a page from an 1889 business directory of Haverhill MA. At that time, they were located at 12 Porter Place, which was near 74 Washington St. That is the road directly behind the buildings in the photo. In 1905, F.N. Livingston was located at 17 Sanders Place, which was from 130 Washington St.
Another bit of info I found was that the building with the painted sign ALSO once housed Perley A. Stone's company, also a shoe related business. There is a drawing of the building in the same 1889 directory. So it appears these companies moved around a lot!
 |
| From a 1914 map of Haverhill MA |
 | |
| This view looks south toward Bradford, away from our buildings. |
Lastly, I noticed in one photo an ornate tower/cupola. Sure enough, that belonged to the B&M railroad station that stood right near the shore.
 |
| Tower of B&M station at Haverhill |
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Connecticut becomes first New England state with grade crossing horns
READ: TRAINS - Connecticut becomes first New England state with grade crossing horns
MERIDEN, Conn. — On Monday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced that Connecticut would become the first state in New England to install automated horn systems, commonly known as wayside horns, at various rail at-grade crossings. Installed as part of the department's noise mitigation efforts along the CTrail Hartford Line, the first horn became operational today at the Cooper Street crossing in Meriden.
Trains News Wire contributor Scott A. Hartley recorded video of a northbound Amtrak Vermonter train at that location.
Department Commissioner James P. Redeker states, “As we gear up for service launch on the Hartford Line, we are eager to be at the forefront of wayside horn system installation in Connecticut and recognize the benefits it brings to communities along the line.”
A wayside horn system consists of stationary horns mounted on poles at active rail at-grade crossing. The system is designed to provide a consistent audible warning to motorists and pedestrians upon the approach of a train to the at-grade crossing. Wayside horns take the place train-mounted horns, which typically are activated up to a half mile in advance of the crossing. By focusing audible warnings toward the roadways approaching at-grade crossings, wayside horns reduce noise associated with railroad at-grade crossings.
The installation of wayside horns helps the department satisfy one of the conditions of the 2012 Environmental Assessment prepared for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program, which requires noise associated with the enhanced rail service to be mitigated near sensitive noise receptors, such as residential neighborhoods, educational institutions and recreational areas.
“The installation of wayside horns is consistent with the department's commitment to safety at grade crossings and fulfills our obligation to reduce noise associated with the Program, thereby improving quality of life for our neighbors along the corridor,” said John Bernick, department assistant rail administrator. “We will look to install additional systems along the Hartford Line in specific areas to reduce train horn noise as we approach service launch.”
The CTrail Hartford Line service will provide more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield by increasing the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak intercity and regional trains to a total of 17 round trip trains a day to Hartford, and 12 trains per day to Springfield. The majority of the existing rail stations will be replaced and several new stations will be built. The expanded service and new stations are expected to increase ridership, improve the high speed and passenger rail system serving the northeast, expand intermodal transportation options, encourage economic development and create more livable and sustainable communities.
More information is available online.
— A Connecticut Department of Transportation news release. Oct. 24, 2016.
MERIDEN, Conn. — On Monday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced that Connecticut would become the first state in New England to install automated horn systems, commonly known as wayside horns, at various rail at-grade crossings. Installed as part of the department's noise mitigation efforts along the CTrail Hartford Line, the first horn became operational today at the Cooper Street crossing in Meriden.
Trains News Wire contributor Scott A. Hartley recorded video of a northbound Amtrak Vermonter train at that location.
Department Commissioner James P. Redeker states, “As we gear up for service launch on the Hartford Line, we are eager to be at the forefront of wayside horn system installation in Connecticut and recognize the benefits it brings to communities along the line.”
A wayside horn system consists of stationary horns mounted on poles at active rail at-grade crossing. The system is designed to provide a consistent audible warning to motorists and pedestrians upon the approach of a train to the at-grade crossing. Wayside horns take the place train-mounted horns, which typically are activated up to a half mile in advance of the crossing. By focusing audible warnings toward the roadways approaching at-grade crossings, wayside horns reduce noise associated with railroad at-grade crossings.
The installation of wayside horns helps the department satisfy one of the conditions of the 2012 Environmental Assessment prepared for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program, which requires noise associated with the enhanced rail service to be mitigated near sensitive noise receptors, such as residential neighborhoods, educational institutions and recreational areas.
“The installation of wayside horns is consistent with the department's commitment to safety at grade crossings and fulfills our obligation to reduce noise associated with the Program, thereby improving quality of life for our neighbors along the corridor,” said John Bernick, department assistant rail administrator. “We will look to install additional systems along the Hartford Line in specific areas to reduce train horn noise as we approach service launch.”
The CTrail Hartford Line service will provide more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield by increasing the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak intercity and regional trains to a total of 17 round trip trains a day to Hartford, and 12 trains per day to Springfield. The majority of the existing rail stations will be replaced and several new stations will be built. The expanded service and new stations are expected to increase ridership, improve the high speed and passenger rail system serving the northeast, expand intermodal transportation options, encourage economic development and create more livable and sustainable communities.
More information is available online.
— A Connecticut Department of Transportation news release. Oct. 24, 2016.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Friday, October 7, 2016
Nashua Valley RR Club Car 2016 - New England Milling
The Nashua Valley RR club has issued a new club car, decorated in a fictitious New England Milling scheme. Locals will understand the reference!BUY NOW
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Monday, August 15, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Car Abandoned on Framingham MBTA Tracks | Patch
Car Abandoned on Framingham Train Track | PatchBy -
FRAMINGHAM,
MA - A car was abandoned on the train tracks today at the Framingham
Commuter rail station. A Framingham Patch reader snapped a photo of the
red vehicle with its front tires on the tracks and rear tires still on
the platform with an oncoming train stopped shortly in front of it.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Chester MA: 25th Chester On Track Event Along CSX - May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
CHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
25th
Anniversary Chester On Track
... located on the Boston & Albany (CSX)
Massive parade, Civil War, Blacksmith
demos, CCC Camp, and early Irish railroad re-enactors. Train show &
craft fair,1840 railroad station museum, in Historically Listed
downtown. Garden tractor pulls; call to participate, 'one-lung' steam
& gas engine demos, classic cars, duck race, petting zoo, bounce
house, a number of 1920's-era freight cars, including wooden caboose,
and 'Children's Boxcar' on display. Hike to the first American series of
stone arch RR bridges on MA first Wild & Scenic River, tour a
working granite quarry and archeological stone works, historic displays,
food & more! FREE (donations accepted)
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Maintaining The MBTA’s 100-Year-Old Signals | WBUR
WHOLE ARTICLE: ‘They Don’t Make These Anymore’: Maintaining The MBTA’s 100-Year-Old Signals | WBURWhen the T’s signals break, they go to the signal repair facility in South Boston. It’s cluttered with tools and trinkets, and looks like someone’s garage workshop — except that instead of fixing up your dad’s old Mustang to take it out for a ride on the weekend, you’re fixing up your main source of transportation................................................
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
New Rail Link to Maine Waterfront Could Revive Port
SOURCE: ABC news Tom Bell/AP
Freight trains are rolling through New England carrying the first-ever shipping containers loaded on the Portland waterfront. The new train service is the product of years of planning and millions in public and private investment, with the goal of connecting this once-thriving port by rail with freight customers throughout North America.
State officials see the rail link as key to reviving the port, which was among the largest on the East Coast a century ago but had fallen in past decades to a near-dormant state, losing business to larger ports.
Stuck at the end of the nation's supply line, Maine has struggled with higher transportation bills, which make manufacturing less competitive and increase costs for consumers.
The LePage administration has been trying to change those dynamics, first in 2013 by luring Eimskip, an Icelandic shipping company, to carry containerized cargo between Portland and Europe, and then by expanding the Portland container terminal. The state spent $29 million in state and federal money to modernize the terminal and expand it by about 1,500 feet to reach the end of the rail line, which previously had only carried bulk cargo, like rolls of paper, to and from the port.
The opening of the rail link is an historic moment for the port, said Jack Humeniuk, vice president of the Portland Longshoremen's Benevolent Association, whose members loaded the containers onto flat rail cars. "We're not looking at Maine as being at the end of the transportation trail, but as the front door to a different part of the world."
The new facility allows containers to be moved between ships and trains, and also between trucks and trains.
Pan Am Railways began the service Friday, hauling Poland Springs bottled water packed in blue Eimskip containers. This is the first phase of a pilot project. Three days a week — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — a train carrying 15 containers of bottle water will travel to Ayer, Massachusetts. There, the containers will be put on trucks and delivered to nearby wholesale suppliers.
Until now, Maine companies that lack rail access had to truck containers to terminals in Ayer and Worcester, Massachusetts. It's generally cheaper to move heavier cargo by train than by truck, because more can be moved at one time with lower fuel costs and fewer workers.
Because Pan Am trains will carry containers delivered by both truck and by ship, it will have enough volume to support regular service to Portland, Humeniuk said.
Chop Hardenbergh, editor of Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports, a trade publication, said he is skeptical the new terminal will be successful. He said he has seen others in Maine fail because there hasn't been enough demand to make the operations economical.
"The big unknown is what Eimskip can bring to this," he said. "Can Eimskip add enough volume so Pan Am will say it's worthwhile to run a train?"
Freight trains are rolling through New England carrying the first-ever shipping containers loaded on the Portland waterfront. The new train service is the product of years of planning and millions in public and private investment, with the goal of connecting this once-thriving port by rail with freight customers throughout North America.
State officials see the rail link as key to reviving the port, which was among the largest on the East Coast a century ago but had fallen in past decades to a near-dormant state, losing business to larger ports.
Stuck at the end of the nation's supply line, Maine has struggled with higher transportation bills, which make manufacturing less competitive and increase costs for consumers.
The LePage administration has been trying to change those dynamics, first in 2013 by luring Eimskip, an Icelandic shipping company, to carry containerized cargo between Portland and Europe, and then by expanding the Portland container terminal. The state spent $29 million in state and federal money to modernize the terminal and expand it by about 1,500 feet to reach the end of the rail line, which previously had only carried bulk cargo, like rolls of paper, to and from the port.
The opening of the rail link is an historic moment for the port, said Jack Humeniuk, vice president of the Portland Longshoremen's Benevolent Association, whose members loaded the containers onto flat rail cars. "We're not looking at Maine as being at the end of the transportation trail, but as the front door to a different part of the world."
The new facility allows containers to be moved between ships and trains, and also between trucks and trains.
Pan Am Railways began the service Friday, hauling Poland Springs bottled water packed in blue Eimskip containers. This is the first phase of a pilot project. Three days a week — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — a train carrying 15 containers of bottle water will travel to Ayer, Massachusetts. There, the containers will be put on trucks and delivered to nearby wholesale suppliers.
Until now, Maine companies that lack rail access had to truck containers to terminals in Ayer and Worcester, Massachusetts. It's generally cheaper to move heavier cargo by train than by truck, because more can be moved at one time with lower fuel costs and fewer workers.
Because Pan Am trains will carry containers delivered by both truck and by ship, it will have enough volume to support regular service to Portland, Humeniuk said.
Chop Hardenbergh, editor of Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports, a trade publication, said he is skeptical the new terminal will be successful. He said he has seen others in Maine fail because there hasn't been enough demand to make the operations economical.
"The big unknown is what Eimskip can bring to this," he said. "Can Eimskip add enough volume so Pan Am will say it's worthwhile to run a train?"
Vermont Rail System Files Complaint Against Shelburne
... Selectboard member Toni Supple described the gating off of Railroad Lane as mean-spirited and small-minded. She expressed dismay that Vermont Rail System President David Wulfson, a Shelburne resident, could act like this toward his own community.
“The way it’s escalating, it’s not good,” Selectboard member Tim Pudvar said. “It’s not good for them. It’s not good for us.” ......READ ARTICLE: Vermont Rail System files complaint against Shelburne
Damaged Amtrak #102 modeled at Springfield MA Show
Spotted at the Springfield MA mega-train show, Amtrak #102, which was damaged in an October 2015 derailment in Northfield VT. (cell phone photo by Wayne Hart)
The real locomotive can be seen HERE
Monday, February 1, 2016
MBTA Works on Locomotive Woes
Even good news for the MBTA, it seems, comes with bad news.
The latest example: The T's finally put into service 40 new commuter rail
locomotives it bought for over $5.5 million apiece, replacing units that were
in some cases nearly 40 years old.
But from July to December, they still had over
60 breakdowns. And according to new data first reported by Nicole Dungca in The
Boston Globe Monday, failures with the new units accounted for nearly a third
of all delayed trains from June through December. Two of the brand-new
locomotives have even been sent back to Motive Power Inc. and its engine
subcontractor, General Electric, for major repairs.
Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, in
an interview after Monday afternoon’s meeting of the MBTA Fiscal and Management
Control Board, said she is not worried that the HSP46 locomotives are lemons.
“There's a reason why you buy locomotives with
two year warranties, and it does take a certain amount of time to shake them
down,’’ Pollack said. “We’re obviously seeing things that need to be fixed, and
we fully intend to hold the manufacturer accountable for under the warranty.’’
MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola said that “we’re not
completely pleased” with the units but agreed that problems are being fixed,
some “operator error” issues with engineers and mechanics have been addressed,
and they are proving to get more reliable.
In December, the most recent month with full
statistics, the HSP46 units went on average 18,723 miles between failures,
according to data provided by MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo. That was three to
five times better than most of the other older units still in operation.
Kate Price of Wellesley, waiting for her afternoon train
home, said she’s been enjoying reliable service this winter. “I take it every
single day, and it’s been good so far, knock wood,’’ Price said. She never
notices what kind of locomotive is pulling her train. “Not really, no. I just
want it to get me there,’’ Price said.
The T first ordered the locomotives back in 2010
and many that arrived in Boston
in 2014 were kept off the road for months while problems were worked out. The T
boasted then the units would reduce emissions and save 36,500 gallons of diesel
fuel annually compared to other units.
“You need to look at the overall performance of
the fleet,’’ Pollack said. “While it is not where it needs to be, and we will
get it better, and we will get anything fixed that is owed to us under
warranty, as a fleet it is working better than the locomotives it replaced.
There is no question about that.’’
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Boston Sand & Gravel and Possible Passenger Trains - Boston MA
(SOURCE: Boston Globe, By Mike Ross - January 3, 2016)
Boston Sand and Gravel, now in its 102nd year of operation,
is one of the city’s most curious landmarks. With its giant cisterns towering
120 feet in the air and its long double-barrel conveyor belts angling
earthward, the concrete mixing plant looks more like it belongs as the backdrop
for a scene in a Batman movie. Indeed, it’s been used by Hollywood for “The Departed,” “The Town,” and
“The Equalizer.”
But why is a hulking concrete plant, enmeshed in a spider
web of highways and onramps, sitting in the middle of prime real estate? Just
1,200 feet away, in North Point, newly constructed luxury housing units are
renting for $3,200 per month for a one-bedroom.
 |
| David L. Ryan/Globe Staff file |
The question has come up on Reddit, which asked “What’s the
story behind Boston
sand and gravel?” Dozens of comments in response range from the ridiculous:
“[Ben] Affleck has a part time gig down there” to the logical: “Why would you
want to move the city’s largest concrete supplier further from the city?”
But whether it remains a concrete plant or is sold for new
construction, its most valuable contribution to the region may have more to do
with 43 miles of rail in New
Hampshire that the company fortuitously thought to
purchase in 1986.
Boston Sand and Gravel first opened at the current site of
the Cambridgeside Galleria. At the time, the best method to extract raw
materials for concrete was to dredge the ocean floor. The sand and gravel came
in by boat via aqueduct. Soon, however, technology and resources necessitated a
move to the rails. That’s why the current operation sits near tracks owned by
the MBTA. Today, sand and gravel come in on rail from a pit 100 miles north, in
Ossipee, N.H.
It’s that stretch of rail, rather than the plant itself,
that has captured imaginations.
“We have a crisis in New England
where the major tourist destinations are not accessible by public
transportation,” said Peter J. Griffin, president of the New Hampshire Railroad
Revitalization Association, a group trying to bring back rail across the region.
He wants to see a return of the old ski train route that
would bring riders to North Conway — a popular
destination for skiers, hikers, and other year-round tourists.
Today, a freight train can go from Boston only as far as Ossipee. To get to North Conway, 25 miles away, the rail lines would have to
be upgraded for passenger service. A 2004 study by New Hampshire’s Department of Transportation
estimated the cost for that portion alone to be $6 million.
Those familiar with New
Hampshire’s recent forays into passenger rail are
probably rolling their eyes right now. New Hampshire
rail once had 24 points of access to neighboring states and Canada. Today
it has four.
In 2015, the New Hampshire Legislature foolishly rejected
even studying the plans for the Capitol Corridor, which would bring passenger
service from Boston to Manchester. The plan called for more than $70
million in outside investment, including funds from Massachusetts.
In response to the Legislature’s short-sightedness, New Hampshire transportation
officials have turned their attention to public-private partnerships, recently
releasing a request for proposals to make use of defunct rail corridors,
including the former ski train route. According to Patrick C. Herlihy from the
Department of Transportation, there is interest from private companies looking
to invest in the upgrade of existing rail corridors for passenger and
commercial service.
One of those companies, Golden Eagle Railway, has plans to
run a luxury train, with a four-star restaurant onboard, from Boston
to Montreal,
with stops along the way at the Mount Washington Hotel and other popular
destinations. According to its president, David Schwanke, the company has
already had conversations with the various owners of the track, including
Boston Sand and Gravel. He believes he can fund the entire project — which
would cost hundreds of millions of dollars — with private investment. He claims
he could have service running as soon as next year if the state moves forward
quickly with awarding a lease to the selected proposal.
More than the stalled Capitol Corridor, it’s this
private-public partnership that has the best shot to connect the North Country, Schwanke says.
For decades, sand and gravel have been carted down the old
rails from New Hampshire to Boston. And those raw materials built — and
are still building — many of the city’s roads and buildings. For the first time
in many years, Boston’s best shot at building a
passenger rail corridor to New
Hampshire now runs down those same tracks.
BOOK: The Race Underground by Doug Most
The Race Underground | Doug Most | Macmillan
I accidentally heard about this book about the race to open the first subway in the USA. Everyone thinks New York had the first, but they didn't... it was BOSTON. Who's is run better today? Well, that is open to debate!
A REVIEW: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2014/02/08/review-the-race-underground-boston-new-york-and-incredible-rivalry-that-built-america-first-subway-doug-most/qU8feBFyanSJlhRSrhEuQI/story.html
I accidentally heard about this book about the race to open the first subway in the USA. Everyone thinks New York had the first, but they didn't... it was BOSTON. Who's is run better today? Well, that is open to debate!
A REVIEW: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2014/02/08/review-the-race-underground-boston-new-york-and-incredible-rivalry-that-built-america-first-subway-doug-most/qU8feBFyanSJlhRSrhEuQI/story.html
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
MBTA train derails in Andover MA 1/5/16
MBTA train derails in Andover - The Andover Townsman: Local News
http://www.wcvb.com/news/state-federal-investigators-looking-into-mbta-derailment/37288544
http://www.myfoxboston.com/news/mbta-commuter-rails-delay-riders-on-coldest-day-of-winter/13187777
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_29346362/fed-inpectors-investigating-cause-haverhill-train-derailment
http://www.wcvb.com/news/state-federal-investigators-looking-into-mbta-derailment/37288544
http://www.myfoxboston.com/news/mbta-commuter-rails-delay-riders-on-coldest-day-of-winter/13187777
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_29346362/fed-inpectors-investigating-cause-haverhill-train-derailment
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