Searsport Branch

[Dick H]

I probably missed him, but I could not spot a second crew member in the cab.
Is CMQ using one person crews, or is that banned by the State of Maine? Thanks.

[Rockingham Racer]

Early in the video, there was someone walking along the second unit and went into its cab.

[BAR]

What is currently shipped north on the CM&Q from Searsport? Who are the consignees and where are the destinations? I assume the products arrive in Searsport by water; barge or tanker? Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Bill

[cvrr5809]

As for the single man crew use, that is NOT happening with CMQ!

As of right now, only Sprague ships North from Searsport/Mack Point. They ship loads of clay slurry via CMQ back to Northern Maine Junction and Brownville where it's handed off to NBSR for the run to Saint John, NB. As for the rest of the Branch beyond the NMJ limits, Dead River in Hampden takes LPG, GAC takes chemicals/acid at Kidders/East Searsport, and Irving takes chemicals at Searsport. GAC actually delivers some of their finished products by truck to a few of the remaining paper mills. There had been sand/gravel sidings in three places up until last year. They were in Winterport, Prospect and Stockton Springs. As of now, only Winterport and Stockton move cars somewhat regularly during the season, and basically every contractor with a dump truck can be seen coming out of them on any day. Not sure who owns them all now, or where the destinations for the materials are, but we actually saw MMA themselves use sand and other things from these pits on their own ROW more than once.

[BAR]

Thanks for the information on Searsport Branch operations.

Bill

[MEC407]

It's great to see that there's still a good amount of activity and business on this branch. There are a few full-blown mainlines in New England that aren't doing as well.

[cvrr5809]

For a little added bonus hopefully, there is a company that's SUPOOSED to be building a wood pellet facility on the property of the old Lane pit at the Frankfort-Prospect line. The trailer advertising it is within the gates, but you can see the advertisement right on it. Not sure what became of it, but there had been people utilizing the trailer over the Spring and Summer of this year. They would use rail, hence the attraction to the property to begin with. There's still even a switch in place right by the bridge over Route 1A. If the project eventually does happen, they'd have to add whatever tracks would be needed beyond that.

[Cowford]

there is a company that's SUPOOSED to be building a wood pellet facility on the property of the old Lane pit at the Frankfort-Prospect line.

This and the folks promoting the Eastport wood chip export business are one-and-the-same.

[MEC407]

Video by MaineRailFanner:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psEnVNUG020" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Highball]

cvrr5809 stated :
" As of right now, only Sprague ships North from Searsport/Mack Point. They ship loads of clay slurry via CMQ back to Northern Maine Junction and Brownville where it's handed off to NBSR for the run to Saint John, NB. "

..... Do you happen to know where the clay slurry originates from, into Searsport ?

[fogg1703]

Brazil

[Highball]

Thanks fogg1703 .... I had assumed clay slurry essentially came from Vermont, originating off Vermont Rail System.

[boatbuilder]

Does anyone know the name and mile post numbers of the siding just below Muskrat Farm Road that serves the quarry there? Have not seen it listed on the B & A yard and siding diagram. Thanks

[eustis22]

B&A?

[NHV 669]

B&A?

BAR. Bangor & Aroostook. The operator before MMA, who CMQ took over for.