MassDOT Board Brings Commemorative Train to N Adams MA

SOURCE: http://www.thetranscript.com/ci_21685797/massdot-board-rolls-into-city-today-commemorative-train - Phil Demers, email pdemers@thetranscript.com

NORTH ADAMS -- The city will host a public Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors monthly meeting today, and state transportation officials are trekking west with a special vehicle in tow.

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) Gold Star Mem orial Train, bearing the starred names of more than 150 state service men and women lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, will be on view today at Building 4 at Western Gateway Heritage State Park from 9 to 9:45 a.m., Mayor Richard Alcombright said.

"Our own Michael DeMarsico is now represented on that car," Alcombright said Tues day. "It's a great tribute to have that car and DOT come out here."

Spc. DeMarsico was killed Aug. 16 by an enemy improvised explosive de vice in Afghanistan.

The gold star train was completed before Memorial Day this year, according to MBCR. Since then, it's visited municipalities all along the commonwealth's railways as a tribute to the state's fallen soldiers.

The board meeting, scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, kicks off with questions and concerns fielded from attendees.

"Right at the beginning, there will be a public comment period," Alcombright said. "It's a great opportunity for people to come watch government in motion."

Agenda items include comments from Alcom bright and Pittsfield Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi, a presentation from Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, a

report from MassDOT CEO Richard A. Davey and reports from other MassDOT division managers.

MassDOT's visit, ac cording to their website, is connected to an initiative pushed by the Legislature to collect information about transportation needs throughout the commonwealth and prioritize various projects based on available funding. On Thurs day, Davey and other MassDOT representatives will visit Pittsfield Public Library for a public forum from 6 to 8 p.m.

"They didn't forget us throughout Tropical Storm Irene, and they've been receptive to most, if not all, of what I've asked for over my three years," Alcombright said. "DOT's our friend."

MBTA Rail Washer - Ayer MA 10/5/12



MBTA Rail Washer - Ayer MA 10/5/12



MBTA GM Davis Thanks Belmont Students for Alewife Art

SOURCE: MBTA GM Davis thanks Belmont students for Alewife T stop art

By Brock Parker, Town Correspondent

Acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis was at the Alewife T Station in Cambridge Friday to thank a group of Belmont students for their new public artwork installation.

Students in the Belmont After School Enrichment Program painted 324 tiles that have been arranged in two large designs permanently installed on two bus-way panels at the Alewife Station.

The month long project was lead by the after school program’s Emily Reed and the student’s work is part of the MBTA’s permanent public art collection that consists of more than 70 artworks on five different transit lines in Greater Boston.

1871 Fitchburg Railroad Pass

1871 Fitchburg Railroad Pass... an Ebay item I would have liked to have added to my collection!

Greenberg Train Show: Wilmington MA 11/17-18/12

The Largest Train and Toy Show in the Northeast!

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November 17-18, 2012
10:00a - 4:00p

Shriner's Auditorium
99 Fordham Rd, Wilmington, MA 01887

http://greenbergshows.com/shows/2012/2012-11-17.html

Nashua Looks at Buying Two Pan Am Railways Parcels

SOURCE: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20120925/NEWS06/709259905 By KIMBERLY HOUGHTON

NASHUA — City officials have recently negotiated with Pan Am Railways to acquire two railroad parcels near the East Hollis Street fire station.

According to Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire, Nashua has $280,104 available in federal funds to buy the parcels for the city’s ongoing Rail Trail Parcel Acquisition. The two sites currently belong to Boston & Maine Corp, a subsidiary of the Pan Am Railways network. Pan Am owns rail line from Manchester south into Boston.

Wilshire explained that the enhancement fund requires a 20 percent local match, meaning the city would be obligated to contribute slightly more than $70,000 for the acquisition, which is supported by Mayor Donnalee Lozeau.

Lozeau is recommending that the city’s contribution be funded with prior year escrow money.

On Monday, the aldermanic Human Affairs Committee was introduced with proposed legislation that — if approved by the full Board of Aldermen — will enable the purchase of the two parcels north of East Hollis Street between Mason and Commercial Streets.

Nine aldermen are co-sponsoring the proposed legislation, which was supported by the Human Affairs Committee. The aldermanic Planning and Economic Development Committee will review the proposal Oct. 2, and the Planning Board will study the recommendation Oct. 4.

The city, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Transportation Advisory Committee, has used transportation enhancement funds for previous projects, Wilshire said.

They include the 1.3-mile Heritage Rail Trail, as well as the construction of the Nashua River Rail Trail, a former railroad right of way that travels more than 10 miles into Massachusetts and is used by bicyclists and pedestrians.

“I am all for this,” said Alderman Daniel Moriarty, Ward 9, while looking at a map of the two parcels. “I was surprised that we own all these easements as it is.”

“It has been an ongoing process to acquire these,” Wilshire said.

There was no discussion as to what would be done with the two railroad properties if they are acquired by the city.

The mayor has said that two train stations could be built in the Nashua area to accommodate a future rail system.

She believes that a multi-modal transit center could be constructed off a newly formed Exit 36 just south of Nashua at the Massachusetts border into Tyngsborough.

A study investigating that option is under way.

She has also said a second, smaller train station could be built somewhere in the downtown area, possibly on land near Crown Street or East Hollis Street.

Explosion at Irving Oil Refinery in New Brunswick

** NOTE: this is the destination of the recently enacted oil trains that move along Pan Am and points north

SOURCE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/canada-explosion-at-irving-oil-refinery-in-new-brunswick-sends-man-to-hospital/2012/09/26/2b074ac0-0804-11e2-9eea-333857f6a7bd_story.html

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick — An explosion at Canada’s largest oil refinery has sent one man to hospital with minor injuries, officials said Wednesday.

Fire platoon Chief Brian Wilson said a tank exploded at the Irving oil refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Wilson said the explosion involved a 1,100-barrel tank of potassium hydroxide, which is a caustic substance.
He said the injured man was blown to the ground and suffered some scrapes and bruises. He said crews from Irving are cleaning up the scene.

Irving Oil issued a statement saying the tank was undergoing scheduled maintenance work at the time when it became over-pressurized. The company said there was no other damage. Normal operations at the refinery resumed less than an hour later.

The refinery produces more than 300,000 barrels of petroleum products per day.