tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420747328388952452024-02-19T04:53:20.570-05:00New England DepotNews and photos pertaining to railroading in New England.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger687125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-67381337987477890292023-09-17T17:20:00.006-04:002023-09-17T17:20:42.376-04:00Berkshire & Eastern Begins Operations over Pan Am Southern 9/1/23<p>September 1st 2023 marked the beginning of The Berkshire & Eastern's running of Pan Am Southern, what was once a partnership between NS and Pan Am Railways. With the purchase of Pan Am by CSX, a befuddling new agreement has been reached with G&W for running the west half of the old Boston & Maine as B&E... Try to sort it all out by reading the articles below:</p><p><b>NEW Berkshire & Eastern RR page via Genesee & Wyoming's</b> website: <a href="https://www.panamsouthern.com">https://www.panamsouthern.com</a>/</p><p><a href="https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/its-official-berkshire-eastern-to-take-over-pan-am-southern-operations-on-sept-1/">https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/its-official-berkshire-eastern-to-take-over-pan-am-southern-operations-on-sept-1/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.railwayage.com/freight/short-lines-regionals/berkshire-eastern-readies-for-pas-operations/">https://www.railwayage.com/freight/short-lines-regionals/berkshire-eastern-readies-for-pas-operations/</a></p><p><a href="https://railfan.com/berkshire-eastern-to-start-operations-friday/">https://railfan.com/berkshire-eastern-to-start-operations-friday/</a></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-34866464239624437652023-09-17T17:13:00.005-04:002023-09-17T17:13:36.086-04:00Video Captures Amtrak Train Hitting SUV in Andover MA<p> (<b>SOURCES:</b> <a href="https://www.necn.com/on-air/as-seen-on/video-captures-amtrak-train-hit-suv-in-andover/3050097/">https://www.necn.com/on-air/as-seen-on/video-captures-amtrak-train-hit-suv-in-andover/3050097/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bmw-struck-by-amtrak-train-in-andover-woman-injured/ar-AA1gP6KP">https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bmw-struck-by-amtrak-train-in-andover-woman-injured/ar-AA1gP6KP</a>) </p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px;">An SUV was struck by an Amtrak train Saturday in Andover, Massachusetts, injuring one woman -- and it was all caught on camera.<br /><br />Andover police say they responded to the incident on Pearson Street at Railroad Street around 9:20 a.m. and found a BMW X1 with significant front-end damage.<br /><br />One woman was taken to Lawrence General Hospital with minor injuries, police said.<br /><br />Amtrak says no passengers or crew members on the train were injured.<br /><br />Surveillance video from a business nearby captured the terrifying moments as the Amtrak train slammed into the front-end of the SUV. It appears to show the driver going over the tracks as the crossing arms start coming down. The driver then backs up and continues to back up further when the train then collides with the SUV.<br /><br />According to police, the driver was stopped on the tracks waiting to enter the intersection when she saw the crossing lights turn on and the gates come down. Police say she panicked and tried to back up before the front of her car was struck by the oncoming train, causing her to spin around.<br /><br />Neighbors who spoke to NBC10 Boston on Saturday night said while they didn't see the moment of impact, they did see the aftermath and were glad to hear that the driver wasn't seriously hurt.<br /><br />"I heard the train honking. It does that sometimes but lately it seemed like it's been more frequently and then I saw some police cars go by, so that's when I looked out the window and saw that the car had hit where the signal goes down," one woman said. "The entire engine was exposed, everything, it was just kind of compressed... It looked pretty bad."<br /><br />Back in July,<a href="https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/amtrak-kills-person-whod-waited-for-another-train-to-pass-andover-street/3100662/"> investigators say an 85-year-old man was killed by an Amtrak train near the Andover station.</a> Prosecutors say the pedestrian was waiting for a southbound train to pass before being hit by a train going north -- right after the southbound train cleared the intersection.<br /><br />Authorities say Amtrak police are investigating what happened Saturday in this latest incident.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-77125992736099693242022-11-17T17:30:00.004-05:002022-11-17T17:30:52.288-05:00Amtrak Begins Procurement for Construction of New Connecticut River Bridge<p> (SOURCE: https://media.amtrak.com/2022/10/amtrak-begins-procurement-for-construction-of-new-connecticut-river-bridge/</p><p>https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Amtrak-Begins-Procurement-for-Construction-of-New-Connecticut-River-Bridge.pdf)</p><b>Infrastructure improvements will enhance travel on the Northeast Corridor</b><br /><br />WASHINGTON – Amtrak announced today it will be entering into the procurement phase in early 2023 to select a contractor for the construction of a new Connecticut River Bridge, which will be delivered via design-bid-build delivery method. The bridge replacement will allow for better reliability and decreased delays for travelers due to trains traveling on more modern infrastructure. As part of a more than $500 million investment from Amtrak, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak intends to award the contract in late 2023. Construction is expected to start in early 2024.<br /><br />“Building a new Connecticut River Bridge is one of several projects Amtrak is advancing that signifies we’re in a new era for rail,” said <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/about-amtrak/executive-leadership/laura-mason.html">Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery Laura Mason</a>. “We thank our partners for their support, and we look forward to awarding the contract so we can get shovels in the ground for a project that will improve reliability of the NEC and train travel in Connecticut and beyond.”<br /><br />“Necessary improvements to Connecticut’s rail infrastructure are on the way,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) “The Connecticut River Bridge is an essential part of the Northeast Corridor’s busy rail line, and in dire need of repairs. I have proudly fought for federal support of Connecticut’s rail to make these types of upgrades possible and to improve rail service for the traveling public.”<br /><br />“Connecticut’s proximity to New York and Boston is one of our state’s economic strengths, but these benefits are in jeopardy after years of underinvestment in our transportation system. Finally, this is changing. A new Connecticut River Bridge will fix what’s been a major chokepoint on the Northeast Corridor, improving services and reliability while cutting down on commute times,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).<br /><br />Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti said, “Thanks to the Federal Railroad Administration’s and the Connecticut Federal delegation’s continued support of Connecticut’s rail infrastructure and our ongoing partnership with Amtrak, much-needed improvements to the Connecticut River Bridge are on the horizon. This area is a critical piece of infrastructure along the Northeast Corridor, and through this project, services will improve, and speeds will increase. We look forward to working with Amtrak and all our partners on this important project.”<br /><br />The Connecticut River Bridge, first built in 1907, is located on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between the towns of Old Saybrook and Old Lyme and is used by Amtrak, CTRail’s Shore Line East, and freight trains. The project will involve building a two-track, electrified, and resilient movable bridge structure equipped with new track, signal, catenary, power, communication, controls, and security features. The new bridge structure is expected to have a useful life of 150 years. As part of the project, the selected contractor will also perform any environmental mitigation required by the permitting/NEPA process.<br /><br />Interested contractors should monitor Amtrak’s Procurement Portal located <a href="https://procurement.amtrak.com/irj/portal/anonymous?NavigationTarget=navurl://cb4e8b5cc4525b384f846cc0ff397447%20">here</a> for further solicitation information, submittal requirements, and an upcoming online presentation of the project and the procurement process which will be published in the coming months. Attendance at the online presentation is not a prerequisite to submitting a proposal, but is highly encouraged. The online presentation will include a non-binding question and answer session.<br /><br />This is one of several major infrastructure projects that Amtrak’s newest department, Capital Delivery, is advancing. Earlier this year, the procurement launch <a href="https://media.amtrak.com/2022/06/amtrak-launches-procurement-for-upcoming-major-contract-for-the-bp-tunnel-replacement-program/">was announced for the replacement of the B&P Tunnel in Maryland</a> and Amtrak will be announcing similar procurement opportunities in the coming months.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-49069268410040885512022-10-08T17:43:00.003-04:002022-10-08T17:43:34.330-04:00VIDEO: MBTA Tie Job at Waverley/Belmont MA 9/28/22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vy0dqUhbI6w" width="320" youtube-src-id="Vy0dqUhbI6w"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-46954642806859144402022-09-10T18:33:00.003-04:002022-09-10T19:45:55.060-04:00New Push for Boston-to-Montreal Passenger Trains(SOURCE: Wilson Ring, Holly Ramer, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-boston-canada-d2600621dc5fa2ce2af2a3b7825a65b7">https://apnews.com/article/travel-boston-canada-d2600621dc5fa2ce2af2a3b7825a65b7</a>)<br /><br />PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Rail advocates are dusting off a proposal for passenger train service between Montreal and Boston, riding a renewed interest in train travel to bolster a concept that has been around for more than a decade.<br /><br />“It’s not a hard sell at all. A lot of people want this,” said Francois Rebello, a former national assembly member in Quebec and a consultant on the project.<br /><br />Hundreds of travelers would ride a privately operated, overnight train each day if obstacles can be overcome to make the service a reality in coming years, according to a ridership study.<br /><br />It wouldn’t be a high-speed affair. Promoters envision a different experience — a relaxed ride with a meal and sleep before arriving bright-eyed at the destination. The 14-hour ride would travel through Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Quebec.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-YYUlkgTFuTLOOigogSRasa7rtRO6BQn2iXf04Cg7UD57wXEUzpt8PVMBBdtE8Oz9QhK8CXEUpNaXvw0ycPWtjSqeiV2_AH6e7BYsuZ6tMAWuY0yuRhvG-r6LZXCh3T2sG_9fsPn1P3dMN1jtkUocr0Vb0kPn-IZ3U3QujxLlsEASiY0iP15KqpSBA/s1133/1926RedWingPOST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-YYUlkgTFuTLOOigogSRasa7rtRO6BQn2iXf04Cg7UD57wXEUzpt8PVMBBdtE8Oz9QhK8CXEUpNaXvw0ycPWtjSqeiV2_AH6e7BYsuZ6tMAWuY0yuRhvG-r6LZXCh3T2sG_9fsPn1P3dMN1jtkUocr0Vb0kPn-IZ3U3QujxLlsEASiY0iP15KqpSBA/s320/1926RedWingPOST.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><br />The proposal comes against a backdrop of a rail revival, and more than $100 billion in railway infrastructure funding approved by Congress.<br /><br />Maine State Sen. Richard Bennett, a Republican who lives in a district where the train would pass, said there’s much work to be done.<br /><br />“I’m both excited and skeptical,” he said. “I certainly support the concept and I think it has a lot of promise. I think this can be done.”<br /><br />But the proposal is in the early stages and the obstacles are many.<br /><br />The track on the Canadian side of the border requires more than $100 million in upgrades and repairs. The track is in good shape through northern New England but the speed is limited to about 35 mph (56 kph) for a long stretch, and there’s little hope of securing additional funding to boost the speed.<br /><br />Operators would have to negotiate agreements with several private owners of the rail — the Saint Lawrence and Atlantic, CSX and others — and there could be multiple crews required for the train. Then there’s the question of clearing customs with people coming and going at multiple train stops, and finding scarce equipment.<br /><br />The idea for restoring Montreal-to-Boston passenger rail service for the first time since the 1960s has been bounced around for more than a decade, and several different rail routes have been floated over the years.<br /><br />This time, the proposed route would follow Canadian Pacific Railway track from Montreal to Sherbrooke, Quebec, and then the St. Lawrence and Atlantic across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, where a CSX-owned rail passes through Old Orchard Beach, a popular Maine tourist destination for Canadians. The final stretch is operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority.<br /><br />Carl Fowler, a member of the Vermont Rail Advisory Council, is a rail advocate who likes the idea of expanded passenger rail service. But he said people have to be realistic about the proposal’s challenges.<br /><br />“There are a lot of loose ends to be resolved,” he said. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvVJOeSpF4m5gGK7Fw-IbXLRXZ5d1-fLoXUT7I7iXggoIN2_jt8aq56OPDNRRP80KAsczV7KlMaToCC7jZycHSadDKok2NFUVJb87Nq7eADcuCfQ4LBx8xWtwDuz4QZUF9HNZvvYu8LJAXjPMzRvLlot_-U0hNuFRe6voWoq8qCCh3ofWbvPzHAHi-Q/s422/1926RedWingPOST2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="386" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvVJOeSpF4m5gGK7Fw-IbXLRXZ5d1-fLoXUT7I7iXggoIN2_jt8aq56OPDNRRP80KAsczV7KlMaToCC7jZycHSadDKok2NFUVJb87Nq7eADcuCfQ4LBx8xWtwDuz4QZUF9HNZvvYu8LJAXjPMzRvLlot_-U0hNuFRe6voWoq8qCCh3ofWbvPzHAHi-Q/w146-h160/1926RedWingPOST2.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><br />Proponents have engaged with the Canadian Pacific Railway and the corporate parent of St. Lawrence and Atlantic, and the Canadian government already has considered investing in railway upgrades, Rebello said. Montreal real estate entrepreneur Nikolai Ray has signed on an investor.<br /><br />About 60 rail advocates, legislators, tourism officials and others gathered recently in Coaticook, Quebec, to discuss the vision promoted by Montreal-based Fondation Trains De Nuit, or Night Train Foundation, and view a proposed map. Notably absent were state transportation officials from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.<br /><br />But the project won’t start anytime soon. The most optimistic view is that the project would need at least two years to become a reality, he said. However, it could take longer to secure funding and rail agreements.<br /><br />A motorist could get from Boston to Montreal twice as fast but rail advocates say riders would get there in style. People could have dinner, be entertained and sleep in a comfortable bed, proponents say. They’d also be spared the cost of a hotel fee, since they’d be sleeping and showering on the train, supporters said.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaIg_-ewdAsP0DhJe3wMhYBamDqjWrcQf74OQ1GLeKJpqB_BY6qoN1xSZtzMOkRtIJdJ2Eh8JiY6DZJqmCh4AyFSq4P8csq3S6lpFd2uK8yLs9GXpPAcPdUXKzHorcI-iQKy_DTI-GLViopEA4evB7LrIeJ2A5-DdJ7Liws68ryPdYT2Gi9VfPYj8jw/s641/1929ambassador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaIg_-ewdAsP0DhJe3wMhYBamDqjWrcQf74OQ1GLeKJpqB_BY6qoN1xSZtzMOkRtIJdJ2Eh8JiY6DZJqmCh4AyFSq4P8csq3S6lpFd2uK8yLs9GXpPAcPdUXKzHorcI-iQKy_DTI-GLViopEA4evB7LrIeJ2A5-DdJ7Liws68ryPdYT2Gi9VfPYj8jw/w188-h200/1929ambassador.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>The project holds appeal both for older riders who are nostalgic about trains and a younger generation that’s less enthralled with cars, Rebello said.<br /><br />Rail enthusiast Sarah LeBaron von Baeyer, who lives outside Boston and doesn’t drive, said she “wholeheartedly” embraces mass transit that would allow her to visit family and friends in Canada several times a year.<br /><br />“I love train travel. I lived in Japan for many years. It was absolutely the best way to get around,” she said.<br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-83157125719251245842022-07-30T12:27:00.002-04:002022-07-30T12:27:25.242-04:00Federal Transit Administration Issues Directives to MBTA / Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to Correct Safety Issues<p><a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/news/federal-transit-administration-issues-directives-massachusetts-bay-transportation">https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/news/federal-transit-administration-issues-directives-massachusetts-bay-transportation</a></p><p><a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/safety/special-directives-massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority-and">https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/safety/special-directives-massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority-and</a></p><div class="mb-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem !important;">Wednesday, June 15, 2022</div><div class="mb-4 clearfix" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem !important;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">WASHINGTON – To improve safety for the Greater Boston Area's rail transit system, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today issued a series of <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/safety/special-directives-massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority-and" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0079c0; overflow-wrap: anywhere;">special directives</a> to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the state agency responsible for safety oversight of the MBTA's rail transit operations.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A special directive is an order from the Federal government that requires an FTA-regulated transit agency or oversight organization to take immediate action on safety issues within a specific period. The special directives being issued today—four of which are being issued to the MBTA and one to the DPU—are a result of the FTA's safety management inspection of the MBTA that began April 14, 2022, following several incidents that resulted in one fatality and several injuries to passengers and employees on MBTA’s transit rail systems. These special directives require the MBTA, the MBTA Board of Directors, and the DPU to work together to remedy safety concerns and improve the MBTA's safety culture.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">"Safety is our number one priority and must be the primary focus for the MBTA and the DPU," said <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez</span>. "Every transit passenger deserves a safe ride. Every transit worker deserves a safe workplace. The MBTA must immediately take action to improve its safety procedures for its passengers and workers."</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">FTA underscores that transit riders in the Boston area should not interpret the special directives issued today as a reason to avoid the MBTA subway or light rail. Rather, FTA's actions provide system-wide measures to fix longstanding issues with the agency's overall safety program and culture.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The four special directives issued to the MBTA concern:</p><ul style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Operating Control Center staffing;</li><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">General safety operating procedures;</li><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Delayed critical maintenance; and</li><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Lapses in staff safety certifications.</li></ul><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Each directive includes specific timeframes – ranging from 24 hours to 35 days -- for the MBTA to provide responses and take actions. </p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The directive to the DPU affirms the need for the agency to enforce the special directives to the MBTA and address outstanding safety issues from FTA's most recent audit of the DPU. The audit, conducted in October 2019, resulted in sixteen findings, of which seven remain open. Those findings concern:</p><ul style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">hazard management;</li><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">accident investigations;</li><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">corrective action plans;</li><li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">and rules compliance.</li></ul><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">FTA will provide technical assistance both to the DPU to enhance its enforcement role, and to the MBTA to help address the agency's safety issues. </p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">FTA's actions direct the two agencies to adopt system-wide measures to fix longstanding issues with the MBTA’s overall safety program and safety culture, including involvement of the members of the MBTA’s Board of Directors, who are the ultimate decision-makers for the agency, along with leadership of the DPU. </p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">FTA issued the directives as part of its oversight role and to continue to ensure transit remains the safest mode of surface transportation. FTA's Public Transportation Safety Program regulation lays out the agency's authority and process for overseeing and supporting transit safety, including issuing special directives.</p></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-73028406161366237582022-07-30T12:21:00.005-04:002022-07-30T12:21:39.584-04:00Amtrak Service Restored Between Burlington, Vt. & NYC<p> (<b>SOURCES:</b> <a href="https://www.necn.com/news/local/all-aboard-amtrak-service-restored-between-burlington-vermont-nyc/2794853/">https://www.necn.com/news/local/all-aboard-amtrak-service-restored-between-burlington-vermont-nyc/2794853/</a></p><p><a href="https://media.amtrak.com/2022/07/amtrak-and-the-vermont-agency-of-transportation-announce-ticket-sales-for-the-newly-expanded-ethan-allen-express-service-in-burlington-vergennes-and-middlebury/">https://media.amtrak.com/2022/07/amtrak-and-the-vermont-agency-of-transportation-announce-ticket-sales-for-the-newly-expanded-ethan-allen-express-service-in-burlington-vergennes-and-middlebury/</a>) </p><p style="-webkit-box-flex: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 0.9); flex: 0 0 calc(87.4125% - 3.75px); font-family: "Roboto Flex", sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6875rem; margin: 0px 30px 1.875rem 0px; max-width: calc(87.4125% - 3.75px); padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizespeed; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; width: calc(87.4125% - 3.75px);">After nearly 70 years, Vermont’s most populous community once again has passenger rail service to and from New York City.</p><p style="-webkit-box-flex: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 0.9); flex: 0 0 calc(87.4125% - 3.75px); font-family: "Roboto Flex", sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6875rem; margin: 0px 30px 1.875rem 0px; max-width: calc(87.4125% - 3.75px); padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizespeed; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; width: calc(87.4125% - 3.75px);">The newly-expanded Ethan Allen Express connects downtown Burlington and Penn Station.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;">Secretary Joe Flynn, who leads the Vermont Agency of Transportation, said restoring service took decades of prep work, and more than $115 million in corridor investments — using mostly federal funds.</span></p><p style="-webkit-box-flex: 0; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 0.9); flex: 0 0 calc(87.4125% - 3.75px); font-family: "Roboto Flex", sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6875rem; margin: 0px 30px 1.875rem 0px; max-width: calc(87.4125% - 3.75px); padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizespeed; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; width: calc(87.4125% - 3.75px);">"I think it makes Burlington more complete," Flynn said in an interview with NECN & NBC10 Boston. "I really do."<br /><br />Amtrak’s CEO, Stephen Gardner, said he is seeing interest in rail travel rebound to near pre-pandemic levels.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-32738008747150279672022-05-19T18:20:00.002-04:002022-05-19T18:43:49.554-04:00CSX Receives Approval from Surface Transportation Board to Acquire Pan Am Railways<p><a href="https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/media/press-releases/csx-receives-approval-from-surface-transportation-board-to-acquire-pan-am-railways/" target="_blank"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggfbk8EujcSoD_h7jfFq29XNpdASllDkCjAVWL45n0u2dL7ip9m7FZDtmZhxyC4rugd85DtH3n9ZJIvR4ehallnNgJ2ltFQftEC71w1xx9cEAoAXcOvpnVycOQ9cS4s2iSp5ijWVXhMXxepgd8kJevM7ULYnHjxpbd_-IC7Sk7eBT99lP2f8VaIdWrg/s1000/SEPO_BFPO9.18.16_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggfbk8EujcSoD_h7jfFq29XNpdASllDkCjAVWL45n0u2dL7ip9m7FZDtmZhxyC4rugd85DtH3n9ZJIvR4ehallnNgJ2ltFQftEC71w1xx9cEAoAXcOvpnVycOQ9cS4s2iSp5ijWVXhMXxepgd8kJevM7ULYnHjxpbd_-IC7Sk7eBT99lP2f8VaIdWrg/s320/SEPO_BFPO9.18.16_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trains SEPO & BFPO, Westford MA 2016</span></td></tr></tbody></table>(SOURCE: CSX)</a></p>JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – April 14, 2022 – CSX Corp. (NASDAQ: CSX) today announced that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved CSX’s application to acquire Pan Am Railways, Inc. (Pan Am). CSX will move forward with the acquisition with a planned closing date of June 1, 2022, at which time CSX will acquire control of Pan Am.<br /><br />“CSX is pleased that the STB approved the proposed acquisition of Pan Am and has recognized the significant benefits this transaction will bring to shippers and other New England stakeholders,” said president and chief executive officer, James M. Foote. “We look forward to integrating Pan Am, their employees and the rail-served industries of the Northeast into CSX and to working in partnership with connecting railroads to provide exceptional supply chain solutions to New England and beyond.”<br /><br />David A. Fink, president of Pan Am Railways said: “This much anticipated decision paves the way for an exciting new chapter for Pan Am customers and our employees as we begin our transition to the CSX team.”<br /><br />Adding Pan Am to our network will extend the reach of our service to a wider customer base over an expanded territory, creating new efficiencies and market prospects for customers to capitalize on a robust pipeline of growth opportunities to move freight to, from and within New England.<br /><br />With this transaction, New England will benefit from CSX’s track record as a leader in environmental performance. CSX will operate Pan Am with a more reliable and more fuel-efficient fleet, significantly reducing fuel consumption and improving rail’s environmental footprint in the region.<br /><br />Passenger and commuter carriers in New England will benefit as the company is committed to maintaining or improving existing passenger service that operates on Pan Am. CSX has a long-standing history of working cooperatively with Amtrak and other passenger rail partners as evidenced by the significant improvement in contractual on-time performance with Amtrak since CSX has implemented its new operating model.<br /><br />Headquartered in North Billerica, Massachusetts, Pan Am owns and operates a highly integrated, nearly 1,200-mile rail network and has a partial interest in the more than 600-mile Pan Am Southern system. Pan Am’s network across New England has access to multiple ports and large-scale commodity producers. The transaction will expand CSX’s reach in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts while adding Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to its existing 23-state network.<br /><br />Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as legal advisor to CSX in connection with the transaction.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-34644446777596663262022-05-19T18:17:00.002-04:002022-05-19T18:17:15.359-04:00MBTA's Safety Practices Under Federal Review After String of Injuries<p><a href="https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/federal-agency-reviewing-mbta-safety/2715791/" target="_blank"> (SOURCE: NBC 10 Boston)</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Federal Transit Administration is reviewing the MBTA's
safety practices after several high profile incidents resulted in the death or
injury of its riders.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Just last week, federal investigators determined that
a passenger door on a Boston subway car did not function properly when
Robinson Lalin got his arm stuck in it and was dragged to his death last month.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The MBTA has come under fire in recent years for several
other incidents involving injuries, including a Green Line collision in
the summer of 2021 that sent dozens of people to the hospital. An MBTA
spokesperson said they fully support the FTA's goal to enhance safety.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> “Sharing the Federal
Transit Administration's desire to make public transportation as safe as
possible, the MBTA fully supports the FTA's review of the Authority's
safety-related processes and practices and welcomes a constructive and
collaborative process that focuses on making the T a transit industry leader in
safety and reliability," an MBTA spokesperson said.</p><p class="MsoNormal">"This is a process that we are pleased to cooperate
with the FTA on," MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak told reporters after
an unrelated Fairmount Line event, according to audio provided by a Department
of Transportation spokesperson. "I've pledged both externally to the FTA
and I've made it clear to everyone at the MBTA that we want to engage and
cooperate and collaborate in this process. If we identify any shortcomings
related to safety, we will mitigate those immediately."</p><p class="MsoNormal">Officials from the FTA and MBTA held a meeting last month to
initiate the process. The MBTA has ramped up infrastructure spending over
the past several years in an attempt to make the system safer and more
reliable. The MBTA’s major infrastructure spending went from $600 million in
2014 to a record $1.92 billion last year. The goal for the current fiscal
year is $2 billion.</p><p class="MsoNormal">"The MBTA has invested over $8 billion in
infrastructure improvements over the past five years, including new tracks and
revamped stations as well as new buses and trains all to make the system safer
and more reliable," a spokesperson said. "Unwavering in its
commitment to its riders and employees, the MBTA has strong, well-funded plans
for delivering safe, accessible, and reliable services for decades to come.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">A spokesperson pointed to safety projects including the
Green Line Anti-Collision Program, upgrades on the Red and Orange Lines and
positive train control systems installed on MBTA commuter rail corridors and
vehicles.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Pointing to new workers hired since that report's release
and an emphasis on capital spending aimed at maintaining, modernizing, and expanding
the system, Poftak said the T has made "extensive investments in
safety."</p><p class="MsoNormal">"It's not a question of resources, so having subject
matter experts come in and take a look at the system -- if they identify gaps,
we will solve those gaps, we will mitigate those problems," Poftak said.</p><p class="MsoNormal">"The MBTA is safe," he later added. "We are
working every day to make it safer. I take the MBTA every day. My family takes
it. The MBTA is safe."</p><p class="MsoNormal">Another federal agency, the National Transportation Safety
Board, is already involved with the MBTA amid an investigation into last
month's fatal Red Line incident. NTSB investigators said in a preliminary
report last week that they found a "fault in a local door control system
that enabled the train to move with the door obstructed" after Lalin
became trapped.</p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">"Obviously, the Red Line incident was a tragic incident
and we offer our condolences to the family," Poftak said. "We've
identified the problem. The problem was an anomaly, it was not in any other
vehicle. We have put a mitigation in place so that problem can never happen
again. We've also changed our inspection protocols, so we can't rule out everything,
but we are doing a tremendous amount of work."</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-69593844014082089432022-05-19T18:09:00.004-04:002022-05-19T18:09:39.208-04:00MBTA: All New Orange Line Trains Removed From Service After Braking Issue Found<a href="https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/mbta-all-new-orange-line-trains-removed-service-after-braking-issue-found/BIVDQGTQY5GRRE75COW5RSMCEM/" target="_blank">(SOURCE: Fox Boston)</a><br /><br />MEDFORD, Mass. — All new Orange Line trains have been taken out of service after transit officials discovered an issue with one train’s braking unit, the MBTA announced Thursday.<br /><br />One of the new trains experienced a problem in one its multiple braking units at Wellington Station and it became disabled, transit officials said.<br /><br />In a statement, the MBTA said, “A proactive decision has been made to keep all of the new trains out of service while the vehicle engineering and technical teams troubleshoot the problem.”<br /><br />There were no reported injuries.<br /><br />Officials are now working to determine the exact cause of the failure.<br /><br />Orange Line service will continue uninterrupted with the use of older model trains.<div><br /></div><div><b><i>JD - One has to ask... did the "junky old" PTC trolleys have as many issues???</i></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-41770504304724913372022-02-04T14:03:00.000-05:002022-02-04T14:03:08.892-05:00Athearn / Roundhouse HO Pan Am EMD F7A Locomotives PAR1 & PAR2<div style="text-align: center;">Just announced, and due March of 2023, is the Athearn/Roundhouse HO scale Pan Am EMD F7A pair of locomotives, PAR1 and PAR2. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1BbRYJv8v41YaR-_66RcbL8z9e4wDRPOzTax8ZWaDZNtp8PmqPXANxuzqLeJsb3CXz8vnr2wwkxhR_9IZPZmjjUMARwfEtBU138wUklSSx4jNgjgGhxnJt4PJfhNwHxqYMW9fKpykDiCz9GrSBkZ_KMYcnvUR0ZNNVN95GFLZ4IpunRZFsM0rAvcHIw=s600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1BbRYJv8v41YaR-_66RcbL8z9e4wDRPOzTax8ZWaDZNtp8PmqPXANxuzqLeJsb3CXz8vnr2wwkxhR_9IZPZmjjUMARwfEtBU138wUklSSx4jNgjgGhxnJt4PJfhNwHxqYMW9fKpykDiCz9GrSBkZ_KMYcnvUR0ZNNVN95GFLZ4IpunRZFsM0rAvcHIw=s16000" /></a></div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=RND3264">http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=RND3264</a><div><a href="http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=RND3265">http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=RND3265</a><br /></div></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>5-pole motor with precision-machined flywheels and multi-link drive train for trouble-free operation</li><li>All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation</li><li>All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow</li><li>Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power</li><li>Clear plastic cab and/or portal windows</li><li>Single or dual headlight per prototype</li><li>Separately-applied horns</li><li>McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers</li><li>DCC Ready 21 pin plug</li><li>Machined metal wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brand of track</li><li>Fully-assembled and ready-to-run out of the box</li><li>Painted and printed for realistic decoration</li><li>Highly-detailed, injection-molded body</li><li>Minimum radius: 18”</li><li>Recommended radius: 22”</li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-38879861230477243082022-01-17T18:39:00.004-05:002022-01-17T18:41:57.555-05:00Maine Potatoes Once Again Moving by Rail(SOURCE: By Corey Bouchard <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">https://www.wagmtv.com/2022/01/15/maine-potatoes-head-west-coast</a>/)<br /><br />Maine potato farmers had a banner year this past fall. They are now reaping the benefits by shipping to western States. Corey Bouchard takes a look at how they overcame a transportation issue to get their crop to market... ” Rail enables us to move a large quantity, although a longer transit time”... The Agricultural Bargaining Council worked with Maine Northern Railway and Union Pacific to bring Refrigerated rail car service to Lajoie Growers to transport the spuds... <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">(READ) </a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY5tbJlWBMiBL-yxx8_gT2VSWnjBmulkjZPWrAibmBObvhU7IZAo8OYRNyvnRjXmCXKZz_sVAxs5LXG5cjOM3-SiQnrZuiRqD0AjQCMiZUPzjf8fWv9sn0D8MbuoQS6ux_GF1A1G_Ccq9yHKYlu7f99v8OZhmlfiC9WPPHpOPIdimOppjG_-5ug7uReA=w491-h298" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-37440799008871509132022-01-17T12:12:00.006-05:002022-01-17T12:12:34.169-05:00Amtrak Conductor Dies in Fall From Train in Rhode Island(SOURCE: <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">https://www.necn.com/news/local/amtrak-conductor-dies-in-fall-from-train-in-r-i/2653640/</a> )<div><br /></div><div>An Amtrak conductor has died after falling off the train she was working on near the Westerly train station on Saturday afternoon, according to Westerly, Rhode Island Police Chief Shawn Lacey.<br /><br />The train staff realized she was not answering her radio shortly after leaving the station so the train stopped to look for her, Lacey said.<br /><br />"She was preparing to stop at the Westerly station as they opened the doors prior to stopping," Lacey said. "Something must have happened causing her to fall she must have become caught underneath the train and was killed as a result."<br /><br />Moments later, the 26-year-old woman from Massachusetts was found dead on the train tracks about 50 yards south of the High Street Bridge overpass which is north of the Westerly station, according to police... <a href="An Amtrak conductor has died after falling off the train she was working on near the Westerly train station on Saturday afternoon, according to Westerly, Rhode Island Police Chief Shawn Lacey. The train staff realized she was not answering her radio shortly after leaving the station so the train stopped to look for her, Lacey said. "She was preparing to stop at the Westerly station as they opened the doors prior to stopping," Lacey said. "Something must have happened causing her to fall she must have become caught underneath the train and was killed as a result." Moments later, the 26-year-old woman from Massachusetts was found dead on the train tracks about 50 yards south of the High Street Bridge overpass which is north of the Westerly station, according to police." target="_blank">READ MORE</a><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-87147448571411007612021-12-11T18:37:00.001-05:002021-12-11T18:37:47.935-05:00New Owner Hopes to Bring Back the Glory of the Greenville NH Railroad Station<p><b>( SOURCE:</b> <a href="https://www.ledgertranscript.com/Greenville-rail-station-under-renovations-to-return-to-its-old-glory-43099370?fbclid=IwAR2RZzrXQAzVB7J-OV1soINdXKoErWjnw6SoYOictkyktLluS-sq3h1YkKk">https://www.ledgertranscript.com/Greenville-rail-station-under-renovations-to-return-to-its-old-glory-43099370?fbclid=IwAR2RZzrXQAzVB7J-OV1soINdXKoErWjnw6SoYOictkyktLluS-sq3h1YkKk</a> )</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">... Tom Hawkins of Temple recently purchased the building to be the new home of his sign fabrication business. But, he also has another goal – bringing back the building’s original shape, when it was first built and used as the Greenville rail station.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">“I didn’t really want to do my business in a restaurant, but it dawned on me that I could peel it back and get back to its original shape,” Hawkins said. “And I realized it’s a real gem.” ... <a href="Tom Hawkins of Temple recently purchased the building to be the new home of his sign fabrication business. But, he also has another goal – bringing back the building’s original shape, when it was first built and used as the Greenville rail station. “I didn’t really want to do my business in a restaurant, but it dawned on me that I could peel it back and get back to its original shape,” Hawkins said. “And I realized it’s a real gem.”" target="_blank">READ MORE </a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com01 Old Wilton Rd, Greenville, NH 03048, USA42.770983 -71.813077342.770589188188289 -71.813613741802982 42.771376811811713 -71.812540858197025tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-67621199982463684012021-12-05T18:13:00.001-05:002021-12-05T18:13:07.537-05:00The Union Freight Railroad Office - 87 Atlantic Ave Boston MA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRnLIIXIjjw/Ya1GSSVT4aI/AAAAAAAAE18/FZchTI3HKE8VCz5QjbCLqiBT5V36MDE3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s750/UFRRoffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="750" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRnLIIXIjjw/Ya1GSSVT4aI/AAAAAAAAE18/FZchTI3HKE8VCz5QjbCLqiBT5V36MDE3QCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h376/UFRRoffice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Union Freight Railroad's office at 87 Atlantic Avenue, Boston MA. Judging by the cars, I'd guess the photo was taken in the 1940s. The building at right still exists.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7Hg9bhsTJCqKsEIIpVmNiqDSYQOnSvri-6JZKMSTyBcCLUJ_W-DKfUdUgGnCBQweobB1qBdxM9A5s4xrRAcLI6fLzhfQH2zEN3DP4iAUk0WtiKRJGXRpRSI4jVx6VHMwDt1z9gFpcNU/s578/UFRRyardMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7Hg9bhsTJCqKsEIIpVmNiqDSYQOnSvri-6JZKMSTyBcCLUJ_W-DKfUdUgGnCBQweobB1qBdxM9A5s4xrRAcLI6fLzhfQH2zEN3DP4iAUk0WtiKRJGXRpRSI4jVx6VHMwDt1z9gFpcNU/s320/UFRRyardMap.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com187 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110, USA42.362242599999988 -71.051079314.052008763821142 -106.2073293 70.67247643617884 -35.8948293tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-23817180337298500002021-08-08T19:41:00.006-04:002021-08-08T19:41:40.253-04:00Boston & Maine Railroad 99-Car Freight at Waltham MA 5/30/1928<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeirWZSTW_Q/YRBrhrczX6I/AAAAAAAAExQ/SHL8sL_a4FkCUdQygvPjOdOijFaHYEsvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/WalthamRRscanPOST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1200" height="381" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeirWZSTW_Q/YRBrhrczX6I/AAAAAAAAExQ/SHL8sL_a4FkCUdQygvPjOdOijFaHYEsvQCLcBGAsYHQ/w482-h381/WalthamRRscanPOST.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>I recently treated myself to an Ebay item... an original glass negative of a freight in Waltham Massachusetts. The caption reads<b> "3009 B&M May 30, 1928 99 CARS Waltham Mass".</b> <p></p><p>I wondered why a photographer would make a special note of the "99 cars", and tried finding newspaper accounts via the Boston Public Library e-resources. </p><p>On May 19th a special train for then president Calvin Coolidge was run on the B&M to Andover MA. The president spoke at Phillips Academy for their 150th anniversary. But that event was 11 days before the "99 car train" ran.</p><p>On June 5th the B&M had a celebration to open the new hump yards at Somerville, complete with a "parade of boxcars" to demonstrate the system to over 1,000 guests. Were those 99 cars "props" en route for that event? </p><p>Was 99 even a lot of fright cars on one train for that era?</p><p>AND did railroads close down for Memorial Day Weekend in the 1920s? Was this train run to get freight moved before the holiday? </p><p>Well, in 1928, Memorial Day was also called Decoration Day, and it was celebrated on May 30th, not the last Monday in May like today. That means the train in the photo ran ON Memorial Day! Perhaps the photographer just plain had a day off from work and went trackside?</p><p>Unless the train was mentioned in an employee magazine, we may never know just what caused the photographer to document that particular train. </p><p>Now, what about the location of the photo? It seems to me if the train is on the Fitchburg mainline, then the old Central Massachusetts line is at right. That means the train is somewhere west of Waverley in the Clematis Brook area and traveling "eastbound" toward Boston. </p><p>There also appears to be an overhead road bridge in the background, with some semaphore signals just visible. That could be the Linden Street bridge BUT it should be off to the right of the Fitchburg main, so that may possibly just be a signal bridge.</p><p>A period track chart would come in useful... </p><p>The easiest info to find is the locomotive type: 2-10-2 "Santa Fe" Alco S1-a, built in 1920.</p><p>Am I delving too much into this photograph? YOU BET! But HEY, it keeps me off the mean streets!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Clematis Ave, Waltham, MA 02453, USA42.3835307 -71.202920242.380360843095275 -71.207211734423822 42.386700556904728 -71.198628665576166tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-67495580222591545792021-05-22T17:06:00.004-04:002021-05-22T17:06:23.364-04:00Pan Am Rail Worker Dies After Getting Trapped Between Rail Cars<p>https://www.wcax.com/2021/05/20/worker-pinned-between-nh-rail-cars-dies-investigators-on-way/</p><p>https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2021/05/20/subcom-worker-pinned-rail-cars-hurt-accident-newington-nh/5181441001/</p><p>https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/pan-am-worker-dies-after-getting-trapped-between-rail-cars/article_29a735aa-9887-5408-9377-c33abefd8092.html</p><p>https://www.eagletribune.com/news/new_hampshire/worker-from-seabrook-dies-after-he-is-pinned-between-rail-cars/article_3ad622a5-713c-5dec-9a78-6f5f31a90f3e.html</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-48464222182514866382021-03-18T15:35:00.001-04:002021-03-18T15:35:43.800-04:00"Slow Speed Incident" at MBTA Orange Line Near Wellington Station Medford MAOne of the MBTA's brand new Orange Line trainsets "...was crossing southbound tracks to accommodate maintenance work when it slipped the the rails at 11:04 a.m. There about 100 passengers on board and no injuries". <div><br /></div><div>The T plans to keep the line shut down for THREE WEEKS while repairs are completed. Buses will be provided as substitute transportation. <br /><br />WNBC claims that <i>"The MBTA is among the nation's worst transit agencies when it comes to derailments, according to federal records the NBC10 Boston Investigators reviewed... Over the past five years, the MBTA reported trains came off the tracks 57 times, and 27 of those incidents involved passenger trains...<br />Only the transit system in New Orleans saw more derailments during that time, with a total of 77... A string of high-profile derailments in 2019 prompted creation of an independent panel to examine safety at the MBTA. In December of that year, the group concluded that the T had a "questionable" approach to safety including frequent lapses in maintenance and inspections."</i><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/03/17/new-trains-out-of-service-as-mbta-investigates-orange-line-derailment/</div><div><br /></div><div>https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/new-orange-line-train-derails-shuttle-buses-replacing-trains-on-6-stops/2330278/</div><div><br /></div><div>https://www.wcvb.com/article/mbta-orange-line-train-derails-in-work-zone-at-wellington-station/35853192</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mbta-pulls-all-red-orange-line-trains-after-medford-derailment/</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-68223883388939199652021-02-28T14:57:00.000-05:002021-02-28T14:57:02.737-05:00Boston Revere Beach & Lynn Ferry Package Ticket<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2gTP9aiMAwvfrxSZshbNgODuMJ33xtMOVhlo4uwCwpjg1Srx3oMGtyAE9asIG9zCzVe_k16fwf4sU1O_pSJ08CEfiXIqDnb3spYtdk_DmWetQFObj_GJOph8gmcCIrYAdxnLm1BAZww/s574/BRBLticketPOST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2gTP9aiMAwvfrxSZshbNgODuMJ33xtMOVhlo4uwCwpjg1Srx3oMGtyAE9asIG9zCzVe_k16fwf4sU1O_pSJ08CEfiXIqDnb3spYtdk_DmWetQFObj_GJOph8gmcCIrYAdxnLm1BAZww/s16000/BRBLticketPOST.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Revere Beach & Lynn Ferry Package Ticket</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-83982898736623987692021-02-07T15:37:00.003-05:002021-02-07T15:46:58.083-05:00The Boston & Maine Railroad's Minuteman Logo - A Small History<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3OTc-fgu9Y/YCBGhOAa-oI/AAAAAAAAEg0/Hu96eUGvslwA_TNOnSp4n7zwwH6CN1kGQCPcBGAYYCw/s810/MinutemanLogo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="810" height="149" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3OTc-fgu9Y/YCBGhOAa-oI/AAAAAAAAEg0/Hu96eUGvslwA_TNOnSp4n7zwwH6CN1kGQCPcBGAYYCw/w235-h149/MinutemanLogo.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>With the introduction of maroon/gold EMD E-units to the Boston & Maine diesel roster in 1945 came a nifty new logo, usually simply referred to as simply the "Minuteman". But do people outside of New England understand that the logo was actually based on something real, not just an idea from the B&M advertising or art department?</div><br />The patriotic logo was apt for a railroad so connected to Boston, Lexington, and Concord Massachusetts. And here in Massachusetts, when someone says "The Minuteman Statue", you have to then ask "which one?". For there are TWO of them, one in Lexington and one in Concord.<div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR-HZAcfdAo/YCBGT45pZSI/AAAAAAAAEgw/PvEUjkmA4IcFS0hXnFa7ImTCKowPtMRvgCPcBGAYYCw/s668/MinutemanLogo3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="513" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR-HZAcfdAo/YCBGT45pZSI/AAAAAAAAEgw/PvEUjkmA4IcFS0hXnFa7ImTCKowPtMRvgCPcBGAYYCw/w236-h306/MinutemanLogo3.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>The Lexington statue is of <i>"a colonial farmer with musket by Boston sculptor Henry H. Kitson... stands at the southeast corner of the Lexington Battle Green, facing the route of the British advance... Originally a functioning drinking fountain and watering place for men, horses, cattle and dogs, it was unveiled on April 19, 1900, the 125th anniversary of the battle... was supposed to depict Captain John Parker, leader of the Lexington militia in 1775. Medford resident Arthur Mather, among others, served as a model for the sculptor... although called the 'Minuteman', it is meant to represent a member of the Lexington militia... The actual Minutemen were an elite subset of this group, young and fit and able to respond quickly".</i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1cMQ4uTsEtxtSW1aH5SLMAZ883GefFgDI9GDLiDWVw-CkK6Vjozdv_H1VWYclOZukMeJGzoWThsQhM2XN-RepDOdIZNXpoU96rCyr3vVrZV6Ps7MFBMkgbaOC808IbKNupx5HPqocKs/s970/MinutemanLogo2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="513" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1cMQ4uTsEtxtSW1aH5SLMAZ883GefFgDI9GDLiDWVw-CkK6Vjozdv_H1VWYclOZukMeJGzoWThsQhM2XN-RepDOdIZNXpoU96rCyr3vVrZV6Ps7MFBMkgbaOC808IbKNupx5HPqocKs/w237-h448/MinutemanLogo2.jpg" width="237" /></a></div></div><div>The Concord statue was made by Daniel Chester French and was <i>"unveiled for the Centennial celebration of the battle on April 19, 1875... is set near the spot where the first colonial militia men were killed in Concord... 7 foot tall bronze statue was cast from old Civil War cannons by the Ames Foundry of Chicopee Massachusetts. The pedestal base measures 7 ½ feet tall and 4 ½ feet on each side. Inscribed on the front facing is the first stanza of the poem 'The Concord Hymn' by Ralph Waldo Emerson". </i><br /><br />The B&M logo was based in the Concord statue.<br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div>With the takeover of the B&M by Patrick McGinnis in the 1950s came a switch of maroon/gold paint to (in general) one of blue/black/white. </div><div><br /></div><div>To mark the United State's bicentennial in 1976, the old Minuteman was applied to various equipment, such as boxcar 77039 and locomotives 200, 1750 & 1751.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2021, both statues are still with us, but the Boston & Maine in Lexington is now the Minuteman bike path, and in Concord is the MBTA Fitchburg commuter line. No name passenger trains, no freight trains. The B&M name itself is set to finally die with the purchase of Pan Am Railways by CSX. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>https://www.tourlexington.us/attractions/pages/minuteman-statue</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>https://www.nps.gov/mima/learn/historyculture/the-minute-man-statue-by-daniel-chester-french.htm</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>http://www.faracresfarm.com/jbvb/rr/bmrr/diesel.html</i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-27739029639763225672020-12-02T14:43:00.004-05:002020-12-02T14:43:37.761-05:00CSX to Acquire Pan Am Railways in New England<b><u>SOURCE:</u></b> 12:19 pm ET December 1, 2020 (Globe Newswire)<br /><br />CSX Corp. (NASDAQ: CSX) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire New England's Pan Am Railways, Inc. ("Pan Am"), whose rail carrier subsidiaries comprise North America's largest regional railroad.<br /><br />Headquartered in North Billerica, Massachusetts, Pan Am owns and operates a highly integrated, nearly 1,200-mile rail network and has a partial interest in the more than 600-mile Pan Am Southern system. Pan Am's network across New England has access to multiple ports and large-scale commodity producers. The transaction will expand CSX's reach in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts while adding Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to its existing 23-state network.<br /><br />The transaction will provide significant benefits to shippers and local communities as CSX integrates Pan Am into its best-in-class network. CSX made nearly $1.5 billion in infrastructure capital expenditures in its network in 2019, supporting economic growth and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the supply chain.<br /><br />James M. Foote, president and chief executive officer of CSX, said: "In Pan Am, CSX gains a strong regional rail network in one of the most densely populated markets in the U.S., creating new efficiencies and market opportunities for customers as we continue to grow. We intend to bring CSX's customer-centric focus and industry-leading operating model to shippers and industries served by Pan Am. We look forward to integrating Pan Am into CSX, with substantial benefits to the rail-served industries of the Northeast, and to working in partnership with connecting railroads to provide exceptional supply chain solutions to New England and beyond."<br /><br />David A. Fink, president of Pan Am Railways, said: "Pan Am is pleased to reach this agreement with CSX, a North American leader in rail-based freight transportation. This is great news for New England shippers and the national freight network overall."<br /><br />Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to regulatory review and approval by the Surface Transportation Board.<br /><br />Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal advisor to CSX in connection with the transaction.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-62629986305475190492020-10-08T18:40:00.004-04:002020-10-08T18:40:48.228-04:00Rail Photography Can't Always Be Perfect... a Lesson For Flat-Landers & Super Picky Rail-Photo Websites<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Rail Photography Can't Always Be Perfect... a Lesson For Flat-Landers & Super Picky Rail-Photo Websites</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>by Jonelle DeFelice</i></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some railfan photo sites are so picky, they will reject an image submission just because of a blade of grass in the "wrong" place. Or perhaps there's a tiny shadow on a locomotive's windshield. Well, they seem to think all railfans live in a perfect world of straight rails, great lighting, lots of trains, and absolutely NOTHING to get in the way of a perfect photo.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqkCAFTmWHzjH0W5Uk0T3CZVUrLEfmO6rdFuhxROtpbEoB-kzxt2JcwF8u3M8HubbipcCKfjHWv8eq-jZCoeV4Cc0lxR1Drb56t3zI-ppYc5jrr197awI4ilRq7wIfQxsTWzjb9ddPwo/s2048/9.25.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqkCAFTmWHzjH0W5Uk0T3CZVUrLEfmO6rdFuhxROtpbEoB-kzxt2JcwF8u3M8HubbipcCKfjHWv8eq-jZCoeV4Cc0lxR1Drb56t3zI-ppYc5jrr197awI4ilRq7wIfQxsTWzjb9ddPwo/w640-h438/9.25.20.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This photo from Shirley MA during late September is to show what we in Massachusetts have to put up with: Odd sun angles & shadows, curvy tracks, lots of trees, power lines & poles, signs, auto traffic, you name it. And this is a relatively clean commuter track (for now). Get past Fitchburg and things change... they become even harder. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Perfect" photos are a lot harder to get in this neck of the woods than railfans in "the flat lands" can ever understand...</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, and the above photo is the best I could get as the train rounded the curve. Point made?</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Fy2FBiFVro/X3-HTU9WTGI/AAAAAAAAETc/-4TAAknt0wM6f-QSt0TQqn2Z-qyGJieMACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/IMG_9451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Fy2FBiFVro/X3-HTU9WTGI/AAAAAAAAETc/-4TAAknt0wM6f-QSt0TQqn2Z-qyGJieMACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_9451.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here is an uncropped shot from Westford Station (MA) on a sunny September day. Despite the fact this ROW is just about IN the parking lot of a popular walking trail, most eastbound freights will look like this. Try to grab an eastbound and you need to stand someplace "photogenic" but also SAFE. Recent trackwork means lineside weeds are gone... for THIS season...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9EML9DT6mbqVytwbgLupjCdMRVHmhwHelDmJpqu6Ii9fWUxvJUsxJYwclCYsoHPImiN1dTT_dPDd7l-Q6gCavVP5yr0vYeO845NkMKcDupeJX7tvruunZ4Ww8F_HDLz9-OfrJdF8Crc/s720/Westford11.2.18_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9EML9DT6mbqVytwbgLupjCdMRVHmhwHelDmJpqu6Ii9fWUxvJUsxJYwclCYsoHPImiN1dTT_dPDd7l-Q6gCavVP5yr0vYeO845NkMKcDupeJX7tvruunZ4Ww8F_HDLz9-OfrJdF8Crc/w300-h400/Westford11.2.18_6.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Another uncropped shot from the same location. This image from a cloudy Autumn day would probably still get rejected because of the sky. You may not know this, but skies are not always clear blue. That pile of ties and rail? Well, that isn't "perfect". And those signals aren't lit... why not?</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPp6mEfntKk/X3-JJ8HMDcI/AAAAAAAAETo/AqXc5QKKgmoCneAPvnDjyQFdz3DPIGJqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Wreck3.31.20_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1000" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPp6mEfntKk/X3-JJ8HMDcI/AAAAAAAAETo/AqXc5QKKgmoCneAPvnDjyQFdz3DPIGJqACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h396/Wreck3.31.20_9.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: center;">This is a westbound work train at the same location 3/2020. Better lighting... sorta of. You can see it was a nice sunny day. But there are parked cars, moving cars, dead weeds, and yes, odd lighting. Nothing you can do about it either, unless you stand closer to the road crossing, then you have the gates to contend with and also you need to be safely away from the train itself. </div></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">ZOOMS are your friend. But I couldn't get nice, well lit shots of the consist. Had I stood on the other side of the track, which is closer to the rails, I probably would have had shadows to contend with there as well and the angle would have been bad. I also would have received nasty looks from the crew for being too close to the train.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkoAZTnJ3Wi_lRTinr0cEawlBwfW12jj_ikAkzzpjxTBwJ1RV83qdyGsX65mXqaT-Z5ATAkJJff-ZCqaLni3aZfCn8AImK2PyP1RAKtjrJV7MxtrWIGC0GbBaHUsrKX0vssQDExkm5kg/s540/8.1.18_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="540" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkoAZTnJ3Wi_lRTinr0cEawlBwfW12jj_ikAkzzpjxTBwJ1RV83qdyGsX65mXqaT-Z5ATAkJJff-ZCqaLni3aZfCn8AImK2PyP1RAKtjrJV7MxtrWIGC0GbBaHUsrKX0vssQDExkm5kg/w640-h462/8.1.18_1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: center;">Here is that crossing during August of 2018. Yet again... POINT MADE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYVBSO82meKX7B8TpddUhk7JU0Tt_8nnOKAgHWQXrdkGFXk2kcVKu4hku6kPdM6z5iVOtsR5tkNmfK9S1CmY0AX3PoQCU21bbNgAWcpt-BNQWliiAMcyfFw2F7x_kfVq3fbwmNU8mCxs/s720/Belmont6.09.20RailTrain_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="720" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYVBSO82meKX7B8TpddUhk7JU0Tt_8nnOKAgHWQXrdkGFXk2kcVKu4hku6kPdM6z5iVOtsR5tkNmfK9S1CmY0AX3PoQCU21bbNgAWcpt-BNQWliiAMcyfFw2F7x_kfVq3fbwmNU8mCxs/w640-h516/Belmont6.09.20RailTrain_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a rather rare shot of an MBTA welded rail train at Belmont MA. No place to stand other than the station platforms. From this side, you have good light but the angle is sharp. Oh, and those ties, they may interest some but to make it onto some rail-photo sites you better just delete this one... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJLliKl2ny4/X3-OjUf9RdI/AAAAAAAAEUM/VCWJxy7OwdonHlofZeZfGz2PSluBW1WJACLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Belmont6.09.20RailTrain_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJLliKl2ny4/X3-OjUf9RdI/AAAAAAAAEUM/VCWJxy7OwdonHlofZeZfGz2PSluBW1WJACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Belmont6.09.20RailTrain_14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Uncropped, unedited photo of the same train, same location, but to get the train into the shot, I needed to cross the track. Now lighting stinks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe7RZlNYiwLLQ3_R3z-csWSkB6OHggGP4CY4M63omLxtGTj-x2w1437uQt27nvR0EQqjpgfSP8hYLN-0FGSlkrSUCZEX7x2g1w7Wy8osnzf_8Wq9886mfb_vL0xiEs73qfy-oN-cJYto/s720/EDNM4.3.10_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe7RZlNYiwLLQ3_R3z-csWSkB6OHggGP4CY4M63omLxtGTj-x2w1437uQt27nvR0EQqjpgfSP8hYLN-0FGSlkrSUCZEX7x2g1w7Wy8osnzf_8Wq9886mfb_vL0xiEs73qfy-oN-cJYto/w640-h480/EDNM4.3.10_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This Belmont photo is SUPER rare... Pan Am Railways detour freight EDNM 4/3/10. Also uncropped, we have GREAT lighting on the locomotives BUT only for a split second... soon the shadows will ruin things and the train will be too close to me to get a nice broadside photo. I couldn't stand further down the platform because the track has a tight curve.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7QkSViNreg/X3-Sx8XRnDI/AAAAAAAAEUk/hXXy1bCoSBwO8ykvHzDZ98-XkyoycDfMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Harvard3.18.10work_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="720" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7QkSViNreg/X3-Sx8XRnDI/AAAAAAAAEUk/hXXy1bCoSBwO8ykvHzDZ98-XkyoycDfMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h458/Harvard3.18.10work_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In closing, here is a rather NICE photo... nice lighting, interesting subject... OH BUT WHAT are those things blocking the view at center-left?? Nature??</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to freight railroading in Eastern Massachusetts...</div></span></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-52375742657001390262020-10-05T18:47:00.002-04:002020-10-05T18:47:45.611-04:00MBTA Forecasts New Orange, Red Line Fleets Will Be Delayed at Least 1 Year(SOURCE: <a href="https://www.necn.com/news/local/mbta-forecasts-new-orange-red-line-fleets-will-be-delayed-at-least-1-year/2331885">https://www.necn.com/news/local/mbta-forecasts-new-orange-red-line-fleets-will-be-delayed-at-least-1-year/2331885</a>/) <div><br /></div><div>The full transformation of the Red and Orange Line fleets will be delayed by at least a year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-existing manufacturing issues, MBTA officials announced Monday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Under its contract with Chinese manufacturer CRRC, the MBTA expected to have a fleet of new Orange Line cars delivered by January 2022 and a fleet of new Red Line cars by September 2023. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Orange Line delivery is now projected to be 15 months late and arrive in April 2023, while the Red Line set is running a year late and is expected to be done in September 2024, according to MBTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville. </div><div><br /></div><div>With those delays, the T also pushed back its target for running trains more frequently with shorter headways to summer 2023 for the Orange Line and winter 2024 for the Red Line. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gonneville said the T's contract with CRRC includes language allowing the agency to seek damages for delays and that officials intend to explore its possible application.
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-34728851817845776852020-03-17T16:19:00.001-04:002020-03-17T16:19:26.263-04:00Empty Bow NH Coal Train at West Chelmsford MA 3/17/20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Empty Bow (NH) coal train passes through West Chelmsford MA on a dreary St. Patrick's Day (3/17/20). Power was MEC/Pan Am 7620/7535/7542. It was strange seeing CSX coal cars instead of NS ones!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com01 Jordan St, North Chelmsford, MA 01863, USA42.617752704971124 -71.40201754763793942.616292204971124 -71.40453904763794 42.619213204971125 -71.399496047637939tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842074732838895245.post-16192712437463479722020-02-19T15:57:00.001-05:002020-02-19T15:57:50.451-05:001928 Boston & Maine Watertown Branch Timetable<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxE1Gu7jhzxM6mASnOVqIPeQI7QQL9rRPcmjBhBIRH9320qraua1ZyZbSUWJdOo7hBxtABKt-spV7FVFiT7jafsPyLtFcbC1HB9-ZbM1BuwLy2U_05UcPqTd1bpDuKHuvN997hMXXaOF8/s1600/WatertownBranchJune1928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="1370" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxE1Gu7jhzxM6mASnOVqIPeQI7QQL9rRPcmjBhBIRH9320qraua1ZyZbSUWJdOo7hBxtABKt-spV7FVFiT7jafsPyLtFcbC1HB9-ZbM1BuwLy2U_05UcPqTd1bpDuKHuvN997hMXXaOF8/s640/WatertownBranchJune1928.jpg" title="1928 Boston & Maine Watertown Branch Timetable" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1928 Boston & Maine Watertown Branch Timetable</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0