Grand Junction DETOUR Discussion

[Mbta fan]

On topic: did the "hospital train" ever end up running today? Was in the area, dropped by Union Station before and after lunch, didn't see any activity other than CSX.

Seems so:
http://photos.greatrails.net/showpic/?p ... ate&page=1

There are a few other photos as well.

Was this suppose to be an equipment move of multiple cars and not one kcar with two locos and the switcher. I thought more equipment would get moved then one car.

I got an idea that probably has multiple flaws. Send the cars to beacon park and somehow get a chinook helicopter to lift them to bet. It's quicker then a 100+ mile trip.
Hopefully they get the bridge open before the real winter and possible blizzards set in on us

[BigUglyCat]

...I got an idea that probably has multiple flaws. Send the cars to beacon park and somehow get a chinook helicopter to lift them to bet. It's quicker then a 100+ mile trip...

This one should provide some entertainment for the BET folks (ref. D.H.).

[Mbta fan]

Not to mention one hell of a sight for mass pike users and drivers on I-93.

[agreinhold]

The work on the Grand Junction Bridge is underway. The track is severed at the Cambridge side. Several beams have been removed and at least one new beam has been installed.

[octr202]

At the risk of going back to serious stuff, tonight there appeared to be some evidence of the alternate servicing arrangements starting. From 359 (just barely still light out) it looked like an Amtrak P42 and a cabbage sitting in front of the diesel shop at BET. They appeared to be by themselves, not with a full consist. Waiting for servicing that would have been done at Southampton St normally?

[AEM7AC920]

The Globe is covering it:

The graffiti-covered railroad span that threads diagonally under the Boston University Bridge will be closed to most train traffic for two weeks, after an inspection found some of its crossbeams need to be replaced.

Many people are unaware that the 90-year-old railroad bridge across the Charles River is in use at all, but it is a critical piece of transportation infrastructure. It is part of the little known Grand Junction Railroad, which starts in Brighton and wends its way through Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, and Chelsea, connecting train lines that go to North Station with the ones that lead to South Station.

The freight line’s tracks are also used by Amtrak and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to shift engines and coaches for maintenance.

Read more at: http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/11/23 ... story.html

That was all covered a few pages back in this link...

[MEC407]

And you went back through the pages of the thread just to dig out my post, quote the whole thing, and give a one-line response? Really?

My post was in response to the person who wondered why the Boston media wasn't covering this issue. Up to that point, no one had posted any links to newspaper articles about it. So I posted the link, as well as a brief summary (as is mandated by RAILROAD.NET policy).

[The EGE]

A Wikipedia user just uploaded this picture of repairs being started:



http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... rs.agr.jpg

[AEM7AC920]

And you went back through the pages of the thread just to dig out my post, quote the whole thing, and give a one-line response? Really?

My post was in response to the person who wondered why the Boston media wasn't covering this issue. Up to that point, no one had posted any links to newspaper articles about it. So I posted the link, as well as a brief summary (as is mandated by RAILROAD.NET policy).

What does that have to do with my post? A few people have questioned on what alternatives Amtrak and the other railroads are doing during the bridge outage and all I did was refer them to the link you posted that answers there questions.... So I don't see what the big deal is?

[Mbta fan]

Hopefully the weather holds so there's no delays to the work being done. I like my idea for moving equipment.

[MEC407]

What does that have to do with my post? A few people have questioned on what alternatives Amtrak and the other railroads are doing during the bridge outage and all I did was refer them to the link you posted that answers there questions.... So I don't see what the big deal is?

I guess I misunderstood the intent of your post. I thought you were criticizing me for posting the link. Sorry 'bout that.

[sery2831]

At the risk of going back to serious stuff, tonight there appeared to be some evidence of the alternate servicing arrangements starting. From 359 (just barely still light out) it looked like an Amtrak P42 and a cabbage sitting in front of the diesel shop at BET. They appeared to be by themselves, not with a full consist. Waiting for servicing that would have been done at Southampton St normally?

Actually all work on the DE loco fleet is done in Albany. I hear of an Amtrak equipment extra move via the detour, so these maybe going South and not at BET for work.

[AEM7AC920]

What does that have to do with my post? A few people have questioned on what alternatives Amtrak and the other railroads are doing during the bridge outage and all I did was refer them to the link you posted that answers there questions.... So I don't see what the big deal is?

I guess I misunderstood the intent of your post. I thought you were criticizing me for posting the link. Sorry 'bout that.

Lol no harm no foul

[octr202]

Sorry to stir the pot with my question. I was aware of the article, just always aware that what a news article reports and what's actually happening might be somewhat different. Which I think is why many of us hang out here.

Sery, any word if the AMTK equipment will go with one of the regular MBCR detour trains, or will AMTK have to run their own equipment move?

[Teamdriver]

A Wikipedia user just uploaded this picture of repairs being started:



http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... rs.agr.jpg

That is a very nice picture. I have been over it , and under it , and never really appreciated it. It seems to be not that massive for its important task. In days past, you could have probably gone to Duane's scrap yard and got its replacement cheap.