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.
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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!
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| From a 1914 map of Haverhill MA |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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