Rumors and Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal
#1 ST Yahoo
Volume II, Issue 7 April 7, 1996
_____________________________________________________________
_Dark Territory_
On Tuesday, April 2, Springfield Terminal's dispatching offices
in North Billerica, MA suffered a major power failure that
shutdown signal, control and radio communications in all four
districts with the exception of District 2's Billerica Yard
transceiver. In Districts 2 and 3, the respective Train
Operations Managers (dispatchers) were able to relay dispatching
instructions through the phone system to Amtrak's Boston East and
Boston West dispatchers in Mystic who relayed the information to
trains using the MBTA radio system. In District 3, the general
control failures delayed Amtrak's MBTA commuter trains #408, #410
and #412 and Portland, ME <-> Delaware & Hudson trains PODH and
DHPO, a Loaded Bow Coal Train, Conrail's ML-438, Selkirk ->
Lawrence train LASE, and the Ayer and Fitchburg locals. These
trains continued to move through the system only after signal men
had been stationed at key switches and crossings.
The power was restored around 7:30 am, but only District 2 had
dispatch radio. District 3 regained radio capability at around
8:45, after "borrowing" District 2's radio to talk with trains in
Worcester, Fitchburg, and Westminster. District 2 is the only
dispatching office that still uses the old style
electro-pneumatic dispatching system - the other 3 districts use
the Train Track computerized system which was not restored until
well after the outage.
_Power Control_
Steve Mayotte and John Joyce, using sighting reports from
contributors from throughout Springfield Terminal's service area,
have continued to track the motive power situation.
Collectively, no locomotives on the roster went unseen in the
first quarter of 1996! For those counting, 101 units were
sighted in operation. The current roster now numbers 132 units
with 24 lettered for the B&M, 54 lettered for the Maine Central,
and 54 lettered for Springfield Terminal.
Meanwhile, Springfield Terminal's roster has not remained
constant through the period. Updates, as of the end of March, to
the official Rumors and Sightings on and around Springfield
Terminal unofficial roster of the Springfield Terminal Railway
presented in Volume II, Issue 5 are as follows:
*The Deadlines*
ST SW-9 #1424 Needs moderate repairs and a main generator
bearing.
ST SW-1 #1400 Needs extensive repairs, air compressor
work, #3 wheel work, and is restricted to the
Waterville shops.
ST GP-7 #10 Needs extensive repairs, prime mover work and
truck work. The unit is missing number
boards, various engine parts, access doors &
lots of other parts.
ST GP-7 #13 Needed moderate repairs, blower work, and had
freeze damage. Now is missing the main
generator - the carbody was torched open to
allow removal. This unit will not likely
return to service.
ST GP-35 #201 Needs batteries, dead and drained, awaiting
inspection.
MEC GP-40 #3195 Needs extensive repairs, crankshaft repairs
and has been stripped of many parts. If this
unit were to be restored to service, its
number would be #311.
MEC GP-40 #3208 Needs moderate repairs and will probably be
used for parts. If the unit does see
service, it will be numbered #315. The unit
is intact.
MEC GP-40 #309 Needs moderate repairs, an event recorder,
and truck work. The unit is intact.
B&M GP-40 #325 Used for parts.
B&M GP-40 #331 Program rebuild, needs crankshaft and truck
work. Missing number boards.
B&M GP-40 #342 Awaiting inspection.
MEC U-23B #288 Needs moderate repairs and main generator
work. The unit is intact.
ST SD-26 #643 Needs main generator work - recently
repainted in GRS paint.
MEC SD-39 #693 Needed extensive repairs, a main generator, 3
traction motors, and a speedo. Now is gutted,
stripped, and missing center axles. This
unit will not likely return to service.
MEC SD-40 #602 Needs moderate repairs and crankshaft work.
The unit has been out of service for 3 and «
years. It's missing numberboards, center
axles, and various parts. It is extremely
unlikely that this unit will return to
service.
ST SD-45 #686 Has electrical problems, needs water &
governor oil, and a #18 power assembly.
ST SD-45 #688 Needs moderate repairs, crankshaft and
traction motor work. The unit is intact and
in good exterior condition.
MEC C-424m #453 No longer on roster, stored, Waterville, ME.
Very poor condition, missing air piping,
doors, cylinder heads, power assembly covers,
etc....
MEC C-424m #455 No longer on roster, stored, Waterville, ME.
Very poor condition, missing many parts.
4 MEC/B&M GP-38's in extreme disrepair behind the shop, #251 at
the point. 1 or 2 in Guilford paint (the third unit in is #262).
These units are still on the roster and thus not eligible for
scrapping.
*In the Backshop:*
ST GP-9 #72 Has water leak in left rear radiator (since
seen in Rigby on the road and operable).
ST GP-35 #213 Needs moderate repairs, main generator work,
turbo, and auxiliary generator repairs.
MEC GP-40 #308 Needs extensive repairs, event recorder,
turbo, cab floor work, and auxiliary
generator repairs.
MEC GP-40 #318 Needs extensive repairs, asbestos removal,
cab card, event recorder, pulse work, main
generator wiring, and turbo repairs.
MEC U-18B #402 Needs 2 power assemblies and event recorder.
*In the Roundhouse:*
ST GP-9 #66 Needs extensive repairs and brake system work.
ST GP-35 #212 Needs 2 power assemblies and blows black
smoke.
MEC GP-40 #3213 Needs extensive repairs, truck work and an
event recorder. This unit will be numbered
#319 if returned to service. The unit has
been stripped of some parts.
MEC GP-40 #375 Needs moderate repairs and an auxiliary
generator. The unit was sighted on the
transfer track in front of #10, running and
occupied by workers who were trying to repair
the unit. The unit may be back in service by
now...
ST SD-26 #619 Needs extensive repairs, main generator work,
turbo, pulse, auxiliary generator, and
gearing work. The unit was sighted all
opened up, undergoing major work - look for
this engine on the road soon!
ST SD-45 #681 Needs moderate repairs, 6 traction motors,
and has FRA defects.
*In the Paintshop:*
B&M GP-40 #328 Needs extensive repairs, and has a cold cab.
MEC GP-40 #345 Needs turbo, cab floor work, and pulse
repairs.
*Scrapping Operations:*
On March 24, the following units were in the process of being
scrapped:
U-18B #405 in gold MEC paint
SD-35 #614 (more or less intact but missing many parts)
SD-45 #676 (white lined)
GP-9 #58 (hulk)
SD-24 #633 (hulk)
GP-7 #29 (hulk) being cut up
GP-9 #49 (hulk)
SD-39 #691 (frame with prime mover remains)
Most engines are now scrapped. #49, #58, #29, #20, #633 were
reduced to just a frame and cab by March 31. Additionally, MEC U-18B #405
and ST SD-35 #614 were still intact on that date.
Notes: 1. The switchers can drop in and out of service day
to day. It's best to think of #1400 and #1424 as
confined to Waterville and "on the bubble" at all
times.
2. If an exCR GP-40 hasn't been renumbered by now, it's
pretty much a given that it's for parts. Never say
never though...
3. It's quite possible, even probable, that the units in
the backshop, roundhouse and paintshop are not
currently suffering from all the listed problems.
These are the problems they started out with at the
beginning of the repair process.
The April 1996 issue of the Atlantic States Limited reports the
following units in Guilford Rail Systems Paint:
ST SW-1 #1400 ST SW-9 #1424
ST GP-7 #22 ST GP-7 #35
MEC U-18B #404 MEC U-18B #406
ST GP-9 #71 ST GP-9u #77
B&M GP-38 #252 MEC GP-40 #347
ST SD-26 #643 ST SD-26 #620
ST SD-26 #615 B&M SD-39 #690
B&M SD-39 #692
_District 1: exMaine Central_
ST GP-9 #51 Joins Stored Engines, Others Leave
The last issue reported that GP-7's #16, #18, #19, & #27 were
sitting behind the tower at Rigby, stored. All stacks are capped
(some with plastic, others with metal caps). On March 29, GP-9
#51 joined these 4 engines. According to reports, these engines
will be held in Rigby before being sent to East Deerfield for
final sale and/or disposition.
Springfield Terminal GP-7 #27, formerly Maine Central #573, is
reportedly purchased by the Conway Scenic Railroad. On April 5,
#27 and #16 had departed the yard leaving #18, #19& #51 still at
Rigby.
Shorts
On March 24, GP-9s #62 & #68 were sighted working Waterville
Yard, although #62 was isolated to save fuel... Also on March 24,
New Hampshire and Vermont #3800, a former MEC GP-38, was sighted
at the St. Lawrence and Atlantic's Auburn shops for repairs... On
March 28, GP-7s #35 and #15 were sighted switching Waterville
Yard... Springfield Terminal has renamed the Portland locals from
PO-x to POR-x... District 1 changed over to the new computer
based Train Track System on the night of March 27 and 28. The
new system is expected to improve the utilization of ST's power,
train crews, and railroad operations on the former Maine
Central... Tower A in Waterville closed on Friday, March 29. The
Portland Tower is rumored to be closing soon... GP-7 #25, GP-9
#52, GP-9 #54, GP-9 #66, GP-9 #71, GP-9 #72, and GP-9 #77 made up
the first generation power sighted in Rigby Yard (not including
stored units) during the past few weeks.
_District 2: exB&M East End_
The Continuing Saga of Amtrak's Service to Portland, ME
A Portland city panel has chosen a round-roof design for its
station with a cost of $747,000 ($782,000 with a clock tower). A
canopy & clock tower of the 5,000-sq. ft. building recalls the
original Union Station train shed. The total cost will be under
$3 million, including land acquisition of $1.8 to $2 million.
The city's request for more funding for the station through the
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority was turned down.
Portland has already received $1.3 million in federal funds.
Although the city councilors have set aside monies to build the
station, they still question the future of passenger service in
Maine. Although 95% of the track rehabilitation plan is
complete, there is no construction agreement between Northern New
England Passenger Rail Authority & Guilford Rail Systems.
Guilford believes that the track improvements cannot be completed
in time for the service to begin in 1996, noting that other
railroads are beginning to put in orders for ties & track for the
1996 maintenance season and that suppliers tend operate on a
first-come, first-serve basis. Guilford cannot order materials
until the agreement is signed. Finally, once the Freight Main is
rebuilt, an operating agreement between Springfield Terminal &
Amtrak will still need to be hammered out. The NNEPRA and
TrainRiders Northeast continue to apply pressure to expedite the
negotiations and continue to hope that passenger service will
come to Maine in 1996. (Compiled from The Spike & Tie, The 470,
and The Atlantic States Limited)
Update: Lowell, Massachusetts
The City of Lowell is recognized as the birthplace of modern
industry in the United States. It was also the destination of
the oldest B&M predecessor line, the Boston and Lowell, which
opened on June 1835. Today, the city seems little more than a
wide spot on ST's Freight Main.
Springfield Terminal's Freight Main enters Lowell from the
northeast on the exB&M Lowell Branch. After crossing the MBTA's
New Hampshire Route, the original Boston and Lowell main line,
the Freight Main heads southwest (timetable west) via the exB&M's
Stoney Brook Branch, still a separate railroad company leased in
perpetuity.
A westbound heading into Lowell, typically at 40 mph, first
encounters CPF-297, "Wamesit" where the track becomes double
track. Most trains use the number 1 track since the number 2 is
limited to 10 mph. Often, cars for Lawrence are on the number 2
track when Lawrence Yard is full but an eastbound train can be
found occupying the siding at times. Usually the Lawrence bound
cars are setoff by Delaware & Hudson -> Portland, ME train DHPO
and later picked up by Nashua -> Lawrence train NALA.
As the westbound enters Lowell, it must slow to 10 mph by the
time it reaches Meadowcroft Street. The "BY" interlocking ahead
is complicated. Two tracks from the MBTA's New Hampshire Route,
two from the Freight Main, and others from the "new side", the
"Number 1 Turnout", and the RIP tracks all seem to merge
together.
The MBTA's New Hampshire Route is rated for 60 mph and heads east
to Boston's North Station. To the left of the train along the
New Hampshire Route is the Bleachery Yard featuring 13 tracks.
Five years ago, most of it was in service though it seemed like
there was a derailment every day. Soon thereafter, it was out of
service for good and it now features small saplings. A siding
off the New Hampshire Route in the Bleachery is often used to
store part of the ST welded rail train. Off in the distance
farther east along the New Hampshire Route is the New Yard, also
out of service. The New Yard straddles the New Hampshire Route.
Track one, called "the Fairgrounds", through nine on the south
side and track 1 extension through track 5 extension on the north
side.
As the train heads west, it will likely cross over to the number
2 track. To our far right is a track they call "The Wall" near a
stone abutment and the track that goes to Prince Spaghetti.
Close on the right are the RIP tracks where ST operates a car
repair and maintenance station. Any engine based in Lowell that
is not in use will be found here. Most of the cars for Lowell
arrive and depart with Nashua <-> Lawrence trains NALA/LANA. The
exception is the cars that arrive from New England Milling in
Ayer for Prince Spaghetti, a service provided by the Lowell
Switcher, most often a GP-9.
Once over Gorman Street and "The Spaghettiville Bridge" the line
becomes 4 tracks wide. They're numbered 1 to 4, right to left.
Amtrak's MBTA commuter trains use the number 3 and 4 tracks, the
Freight Main continues on tracks 1 and 2. Near the end of the BY
interlocking, the line widens to 7 tracks, including several
spurs and the "east leg of the wye". In years past, the "east
leg of the wye" was the interchange track for the New Haven
Railroad and was the last regular assignment for the famous New
Haven FA-1's out of the NH engine terminal in Boston during
PennCentral days. The "east leg" now only goes as far as
Interstate Container nearby. Remnants of this line can be
followed along MA Route 27 in Chelmsford and be observed crossing
MA Route 2 near West Concord.
Further west is the Gallagher "T" station. Just after is "CPF-LO"
where the four main lines and a siding merge to two tracks - the
Freight Main. The Freight Main crosses over the Pawtucket Canal
and the former Western Avenue grade crossing, eliminated over a
year ago. The "CPF-WA" crossover is in sight now. As the train
clunks west over the frogs on the number 2 track and heads for
District 3 at North Chelmsford, Lowell is left behind at 40 mph.
Add another train to the long list of visitors to this former
rail center...
Shorts
On March 24, GP-7 #52 was sighted pushing 4 empty lumber cars and
two full scrap cars at Saco Industrial Park...On March 26,
unusually symboled train LAPO left Lawrence, MA for Portland,
ME... Maintenance activities in the Biddeford-Saco area have
caused many trains to outlaw near CPF 209. The Portland locals
have been kept busy bring these trains into Rigby Yard. The
maintenance crews have been changing out rails... The April 1996
issue of the Atlantic States Limited reports that business is
down on the New England Southern... On April 1, GP-9 #71 was
sighted in Saco with full lumber car and one empty scrap metal
car... On April 9, Springfield Terminal ran usually symboled
train EDPO from East Deerfield to Portland, ME... Construction is
to begin in a few weeks on a grade crossing rebuilding in Saco
that will close Main Street for at least 3 weeks. Train
operations will likely be limited to a small window each day.
_MBTA/Amtrak: exB&M Boston East & Boston West_
New GP-40PH-2s
The April issue of the Bridge Line Historical Society's Bulletin
reports that the 25 GP40PH-2 units that the MBTA has ordered from
AMF are exCN GP-40-2s from the 9491-9632 series. AMF will outfit
them with a number of optional features, including DC brushless
traction motors, layover heaters, blended dynamic braking, head
end power, and microprocessor air brake and engine controls.
1996 Construction Season Begins
The MBTA's Fitchburg line is undergoing trackwork between
Brandeis-Roberts and Hastings. For the next few months, there
will be single-track operation between the Hastings crossover and
a new semi-crossover installed recently just east of Brandeis.
The westbound track is out of service from the block signal
between Waltham and Roberts (near the location of the former
Riverview stop) to the trailing point crossover at Hastings. They
have installed a temporary switch west of Waltham that connects
the westbound main to the eastbound. Work is expected to begin
on the eastbound track in a couple of months. The bridge under
repair is that crossing the Stony Brook (?) just east of the
Central Mass overhead bridge, east of Kendall Green. Several
panels of the westbound track have been removed, all ballast is
off and by April 3 they were driving sheet piling between the two
tracks.
The arrangement means that Waltham is still in normal operation,
unlike trackwork in Lincoln a few months ago which required
outbound trains to use the inbound platform, and that meets can
still take place between Waltham and Brandeis.
Since each track is only signaled in one direction, a pilot is
being added to the loco crew for the run through the single-track
section; this causes all trains to stop east of Brandeis and west
of Waltham, but allows full track speed when running against the
signals. Additionally, in support of these construction efforts
on the Fitchburg, near future upgrades on the Fitchburg between
the Willows and Fitchburg, and the ongoing construction
activities between Wilmington and Somerville Junction on the New
Hampshire Route, the morning dispatcher position for Amtrak
Boston West has been split to two dispatchers. The change seems
temporary and is as follows: Amtrak Boston Fitchburg Route and
Amtrak Boston New Hampshire Route.
Schnabel car
As reported in last issue, Springfield Terminal ran an extra to
deliver a Schnabel car to the Concord center team track just west
of the passenger station. The 12 axle car, PTDX 204, was
originally owned by Power T&D Company and now is lettered for
ASEA Brown Boveri. The load, a transformer delivered to Minuteman
Tech, was unloaded on Sunday to rubber-wheel heavy equipment. On
Monday, March 25, most of the Cottage Lane parking area was taped
off, and there were at least two Nynex bucket trucks working on
(replacing or repairing?) the overhead wiring in the area. The
Schnabel car was picked up off the team track by an Ayer local on
Friday, March 29.
Shorts
Boston area locals have been sighted many times in the last two
weeks with multiple unit lashups... On March 28, local BO-2 was
sighted with New Hampshire Northcoast #1756 in the lead...
Lawrence -> Salem train LASA is now a daylight run on Sundays,
overheard talking to Boston West at about 1200. The LASA crew
comes on duty in Lawrence in the evening (1800 or 1900) Monday
through Saturdays... Amtrak F-40PH #415 was sighted bringing
Amtrak GP-40TC #194, which has been in commuter service on the
Fitchburg Line, south on the Grand Junction Line on April 4...
_District 3: exB&M Gardner District_
Conrail SD-80MACs
Conrail's SD-80MACS have been up and down Conrail's Boston Line
but have not been on Springfield Terminal trackage. Conventional
wisdom believes that Conrail will insist that Springfield
Terminal bring Conrail-bound trains down to Barbers (Worcester
interchange) or Rotterdam (New York interchange) using
Springfield Terminal power whenever the SD-80MACs are assigned to
those trains while on Conrail. This was borne out when Conrail
SD-80MACs #4104 & 4106 which powered Lawrence -> Selkirk train
LASE2X while on Conrail's Boston Line on March 22.
Shorts
On March 22, the Loaded Bow Coal Train was sighted in Ayer with
Conrail C40-8W #6140, CSX 8709 "stealth" SD-60, Conrail C30-7a
#6558, and Conrail SD-60M #5503... The Shirley talking detector
is once again stating "UP detector, milepost..." ... On Monday,
March 24, GP-9 #54, powering the Lowell switcher, became disabled
in the New England Milling plant. The locomotive was unable to
move in either direction. Upon repair, the locomotive again
became disabled on the Freight Main while heading east back to
Lowell. The locomotive was forwarded to Waterville for more
extensive repairs on March 28... SD-40 #604 spent much of the
week of March 25 disabled in Gardner. The locomotive was stored
on various spurs, including the Heywood branch... On March 28,
Lawrence -> East Deerfield train LAED was headed up by Conrail
C40-8W #6183... Springfield Terminal has moved the cars formerly
stored in Fort Devens... On March 30, the Empty Bow Coal Train
was sighted in Ayer with Conrail C30-7a #6579, Conrail C30-7a
#6560, MEC exCR GP-40 #347 (in GRS paint), and MEC exNS GP-40
#371 followed by 107 cars... On April 3, Lawrence-> East
Deerfield train LAED started fires along the right of way through
Shirley, Lunenburg, and Fitchburg... The MBTA has installed
cryptic new signs on the signals at Ayer... On April 9, the Empty
Bow Coal train was stopped in Fitchburg by Mobile Inspector #109.
A noisy car with too much wheel buildup (?) was later setoff on
the pond spur... Also on April 9, Ayer local AY-1 sported
Conrail C30-7a #6571 at the point...
_District 4: exB&M West End_
Derailment
The last nine cars of a 105 car Loaded Bow Coal Train derailed
and piled-up in and east of the Little Tunnel in North Adams,
Massachusetts on Thursday, April 4. "Rail Stress" was cited as
the cause of the derailment, a condition where the web of the
rail breaks causing the rail head to separate from the rest of
the track. The derailment took place near the center of town, a
mile or so west of the West Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel near MP
422. Approximately 500 ft of track was torn up, including the
North Adams siding switch and part of the siding.
Cleanup activities commenced on Thursday and the track gang had
relaid the Freight Main by the end of the day on Friday. As of
April 9, several derelict cars were stored in the vicinity of the
Little Tunnel and the North Adams siding had not yet been
restored. Trackside observers have not noticed any increase in
traffic since the line was returned to service, possibly
indicating that eastbound traffic was detoured during the period.
The front end of the train was reassembled and proceeded east on
Friday.
Hoosick Junction Update
The March issue of The 470 reports that the State of Vermont has
purchased some five miles of former B&M track that connects North
Bennington, VT with Springfield Terminal's Freight Main in
Hoosick Falls, NY (see Rumors & Sightings on Springfield
Terminal's Dispatching District 3, dated August 31, 1995 for
additional information on the Bennington Branch). The State paid
about $280,000 for the trackage which will be refurbished and
leased to the Vermont Railway. VTR President John Pennington has
not visited the site in several years but he feels that upgrading
the line will require a lot of work. Additionally, The 470
reports that a large manufacturing plant is contemplating moving
to the North Bennington area and will probably need the restored
trackage.
Shorts
Springfield Terminal has rearranged the stored power in E.
Deerfield Yard. The ALCo C-424ms, #450, #451, #452, & #454,
reportedly owned by Chrysler Leasing Services, have been moved
closer to the shops. Although rearranged, the overall number of
units (GP39-2's and C-424m's) appeared unchanged on March 27...
Also on March 27, Portland, Maine -> Delaware & Hudson train PODH
was delayed at Charlemont by an overheating wheel bearing in one
of the cars. The train, headed by SD-26 #620, SD-45 #682, GP-40
#350 and GP-25 #203, later set off the offending car, loaded with
ties, at Soapstone Interlocking near East Portal. A second PODH
was sighted later that day in East Deerfield Yard with GP-40
#326, GP-38 #252, and GP-40 #316 for power... On Saturday, March
30, GP-7 #34, GP-9 #45 and GP-7r #470 were sighted in East
Deerfield Yard... The Maine Central 40' and 50' boxcars formerly
stored in East Deerfield are being scrapped by WTe Recycling at
Greenfield... The Bridge Line Historical Society's April issue if
the Bulletin reports that NE Rail, the owner of the Battenkill
Railroad, is investigating the acquisition of the exB&M/exD&H
station at Eagle Bridge for repair and restoration...
_District 4: ConnRiver Line/Northern Main_
Brush cutting and restoration efforts are underway to restore the
western most portion of the Northern Main in order to provide
service to the Irving Oil facility in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Service to this segment of the Northern Main is through the
connection with the ConnRiver Line at White River Junction,
Vermont. Further investigation revealed that some rails have
been replaced in the old Westboro yard area, and some switch work
has obviously been performed as well. Fuel oil delivery and
distribution will occur at the Valley Heating site, and/or
perhaps gasoline delivery and distribution at the former Belcher
facility. It is obvious that Irving intends not only to have
rail service to its local dealership, but will be reactivating
the distribution center as well. Hopefully, additional track
rehabilitation will occur, as the track is not in very good
condition, especially the spurs and sidings. At press time, two
oil tankers have been spotted above the Valley Heating site, so
service has begun. Additionally, while the brush cutter was in
the area, the Northern Main was cleared all the way up to the
Suburban Propane siding. This effort is unrelated to efforts to
reactivate the entire Northern Main as reported in previous
issues.
The portion of the ConnRiver Line in Vermont from White River
Junction to Wells River may not be torn up as previously reported
in the last issue. As reported in The 470, Iron Road Systems
intends to actively operate the Canadian Pacific Rail System's
St. Johnsbury/ Woodsville line, if acquired, and the White River
Junction link is key to their plans. This is an evolving story,
look for more details in future issues. The New Hampshire
Railroad Revitalization Association is making a big difference
here - attracting interest to marginal rail lines that have the
potential for significant business if provided a reliable
carrier.
Note, the ConnRiver line continues north over the out-of-service
Woodsville Bridge over the Connecticut River to Whitefield and
points north. It is serviced by the New Hampshire and Vermont
from Whitefield on an as needed basis (very rarely if at all).
_District 4, exNew Haven Lines_
Springfield Terminal has reportedly lost the rights to operate
freight service on MetroNorth's Waterbury Line - a new operator
is being sought to take over... The installation of crossing
gates on Connecticut RT 372 in Plainville is now complete
although it looks as if they have not been used yet...
_Department of Corrections!_
David Black writes in with a few minor corrections
--
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Rumors and Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal!
New Internet Address: terw...@tiac.net
also: terw...@yankee.com
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#1 ST Yahoo
_Department of Corrections!_
David Black writes in with a few minor corrections/clarifications
to the Central Artery Rail link material in Issue 6. The MBTA
Blue and Orange lines are relatively conventional (heavy) rapid
transit lines. Only the Green Line is light rail (LRV).
Haymarket is a station for both the Orange and Green lines. The
loss of the rail link to blue line transfer applies only to the
two station design option for the tunnel. Mishawum station in
Woburn is near the MA route 128/I-93 interchange (128 and I-495
don't cross). For those not familiar with Boston geography, Fort
Point channel is just to the east of South Station on the far
side of the Post Office building.
_Contributors_
Special thanks to this issue's contributors: Gordon DeFoe, Bryan
Sapienza, John Joyce, Michael Joyce, Bengt Muten, Dave Engman,
David L. Black, Mike Boucher, Brian L Miller, Bob Warren, Stephen
A. Mayotte, Erik Hyjek, Rich Reed, Tom Simonds, Mike Simonds,
Ron DeFilippo, Luke McCall, Fred Kearns and others! Apologies to
anyone who was missed (please let me know)! Apologies to William
Jarvis who was missed in the last issue. Very special thanks to
Steve Mayotte for the Lowell update! Additionally, thanks to The
Atlantic States Limited, The Bridge Line Historical Society's
Bulletin, The Narragansett Newsletter, Bryce Lee's News from
Canada and The 470 for their exchange policies.
Know anything about recent events on Springfield Terminal Railway
or any other exB&M or MEC rail line? See anything out of the
ordinary? Then, send your reports to Rumors & Sightings on and
around Springfield Terminal for inclusion in the next issue! All
contributions, comments, corrections, and suggestions for
improvement should be sent to Peter Terwilliger, editor, at
terw...@tiac.net, by fax at 508-568-3735, or by voice at 508-568-2891.
Try to include the number and roadname where possible
- we can do the rest. If you see unsafe conditions, please
contact the Springfield Terminal Police at 1-800-955-9217.
Remember to respect railroad property and do not trespass!
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal is an all
volunteer newsletter concerning happenings on ST and/or any of
the many exB&M lines. Rumors & Sightings on and around
Springfield Terminal is posted on MISC.TRANSPORT.RAIL.AMERICAS
and the RAILROAD LIST approximately every two weeks. E-mail
subscriptions are also available by writing the editor.
Additionally, hardcopy versions are available at Shepaug Railroad
Company in the old NY,NH,&H railroad station at 24 Columbia
Street in Leominster, MA and at the Acton Model Railroad Center
at 562 Massachusetts Avenue near the exFitchburg Division
crossing with MA Route 111 in West Acton, MA. Back issues are
available at John Dietz's home page on the World Wide Web at
http://oz.plymouth.edu/~j_dietz. Rumors & Sightings on and
around Springfield Terminal is supported by contributors, both on
and off the Internet
_Standard Disclaimer_
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal is in no
way associated with the Springfield Terminal Railway Corporation,
Guilford Rail Systems, or any other railroad or financial
interests. Rumors & Sightings is a compilation of contributions
that reflect what is seen and heard from time to time on and
about Springfield Terminal Railway by interested railfans. All
content should be further verified.
_Copyright_
This issue and/or the material herein may be reproduced at will,
however, credit must be acknowledged. Please contact the Editor
if you haven't already done so if the material is to be used in
another newsletter or commercial publication.