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| The Photo. |
In December of 2017, I posted a photograph dated 2/28/47 of a B&M train somewhere in Ayer Massachusetts. Last week, I accidentally figured out exactly what that building was, and after some online research, where it was as well!
I was doing some organizing of my digital
railroad photo files, then noticed an Ayer postcard that seemed very familiar. It showed a NYNH&HRR boxcar on a siding. All of a sudden, a lightbulb went off in my head.
"That looks like the building in the background of that Ayer photo I have!"
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| Postcard view of the Chandler Machine building |
I can now say for sure my photo was taken next to the Chandler Machine Company, whose address was listed as simply "West St, Ayer MA". They manufactured industrial sewing and stitching machines. The business was founded in 1899 and closed in September 2002. The building appears to have been torn down some time between 2003 and 2005, replaced by (as usual) some condos.
Knowing this, the rail siding in the photo was off of the Worcester & Nashua line, which is now a paved rail trail north of Ayer Center.
Newspaper articles in 2002 stated that Chandler's closing was due to the proliferation of cheaper machinery being sold by countries like China. This is a story repeated over and over in America.
