The Stony Brook Branch

Wednesday 1/24/24 at 21:13 B+E EDPO with the BERX 7518 received a no defects and 114 total axles from Littleton detector.
D2 told them set all the cars off Track 1 at WA and they would return light power to Ayer.

My question for people here who know how these things work. Back in December it was posted that PAS filed with the STB for trackage rights over CSX 1000 feet east of CPF-312 so they could do runarounds with engines. This would allow them time to install a X-over west of 312. So how do these B+E EDPO trains operate over CSX to Lowell? Thanks in advance for your response.

I have never seen an STB application for something as small as that. These type of agreements are usually just between parties without regulatory concerns. They are happening because both parties just make it so.

Update on the construction of the proposed B&E/PAS crossover between Sanvel and CPF-312: B&E/PAS filed with the STB to extend the temporary 1,000 ft of trackage rights east of 312 granted until 2/5/24 until September 1, 2024.
Excerpt:

The initial estimate for procuring and installing the cross-over was approximately 75 days, but that schedule has been delayed.

While PAS/B&E are constructing the cross-over, B&M/ST have agreed to allow PAS/B&E to use the B&M/ST Line for head and tail room in order for PAS/B&E to reposition locomotives serving the facility. The limited overhead temporary trackage rights are beneficial to PAS/B&E allowing PAS/B&E to perform that move while the cross-over is installed. Because the initial construction schedule continues to be delayed, the parties wish to extend the temporary overhead trackage rights until September 1, 2024 so that PAS can continue to serve the facility while construction is being completed.

At about 20:00 EDPO with the BERX 7541 got no defects and 262 axles from Littleton detector.
20:07 EDPO was told by D2 set off train at WA and return light engines to Ayer.

20:08 D1 gave M426 CSXT 1712 a Form D Burncoat to WOR 1. D1 and D2 appear to be the same person tonight.
About 21:15 B+E gave M426 pick up set off instructions for the Hill Yard.

21:46 EDPO got no defects total axles 18 from Littleton DD on his return trip to Ayer.

Lots of AY-3, FI-3, B+E activity tonight also.

Some rare these days daylight running on the Stony.
At about 15:00 CSX L-080 MEC 516 light engine WB through Westford.
At 16:23 L-080 got ok on signal indication at East Wye Ayer from B+E.
At 16:56 eastbound L-080 received no defects and 144 total axles from Littleton detector.
At 17:02 D2 discussing pickup at Lowell with L-080.

Some miscellaneous action yesterday and this morning.

Friday at about 15:00 L-080 westbound through Westford with 40+/- cars, 2 MEC engines. Per previous radio traffic they were going to Ayer and doing some work at Lowell on the return trip to Lawrence.

At about 21:00 apparent broken rail near Forge Village, M426 given permission into out of service track by track foreman. Littleton detector apparently can't handle a train moving slowly and stopping while traversing it, gives out multiple messages. D2 calls a cab so conductor can do a roll-by at Graniteville and get a ride back to head end at Westford.

Saturday at 08:46 M427 gets no defects from Littleton Detector, gets yard instructions from B+E, they only have about 1.5 hrs. left. I assume rail has been fixed.

Today's train of choice to do the CSX/ B+E shuffle is L-059 which at about 17:00 going east got a high load hit at axle 89, total axles 298 from Littleton DD MP 126.

At about 11:00 today L-080 with MEC 5976, CSXT 2561, 8853 AND 40-50 cars at Graniteville called D2 ready to head to Ayer. Crew was on duty at 0900 Lawrence.

12:30 they got no defects from Littleton Detector. B+E told them shove into west wye setoff on IM-1.

About 14:00 returning from Ayer. 41 loads 19 empties, a lot of slurry tanks.

14:30 +/- LDD gave no defects.

15:00 +/- L-080 thru Westford D2 told them set off Portland cars at WA and bring Selkirk's to Lawrence, M426 will pick up Portland's later. At the same time M426 getting Form D Burncoat to WOR 1.

I am guessing they are taking Selkirk's to Lawrence because there's not enough room in the Hill yard ??

M426 by Littleton detector at about 20:30 no defects 426 axles. I thought D2 said they were picking up 31 loads and 34 empties at WA, that would be a huge train.

I think it's difficult to try to find any rhyme or reason with the B&E interchange for the time being.

I think it is almost decided on a day to day basis with what needs to be moved and what crew is available. A common question heard by crews signing on is "so what's the plan ? "

Yep. Even back in the days of the Big G we would get a train in Lowell and it was a roll of the dice where it was going. Would we set the Deerfields off somewhere and go to Barbers? Would we set the Barber's off and go to Deerfield? Would we combine with another train? Whole train one way or the other? Etc and so on.

Never changes. Best plan I remember being told was working an EDPO. Coming up to Lawrence they tell me to grab track 9, 10, and maybe even 11. Lists were being sent to the office. I go in and every single car is a Deerfield except for a single Portland. I called and was like, "uh... are we sure you want these picked up? They're going the wrong way." Yep take them all.

For anyone interested a rare daytime M427 on Stony today. At about 09:30 D2 in conversation with M427 about moves at CPF NC (Chelmsford)

Passed Littleton detector at 12:55, no defects 540 axles---- -I think B+E said "down IM-1 recrew." B+E dispatcher is a fast talker.

At about 15:50 L-080 EB coming from Ayer got a high load hit at Littleton detector, 280 axles more or less, D2 told them they will hold at Westford for wb geometry train so they can check high car there.