Franklin Line Discussion

As of noon on Saturday, 11/9/23, piles of ties have been staged in the location I mentioned in the above post, along with 2 lengths of rail for the approach to the crossing.
interestingly, there are two track panels built and staged, one East and one West of the crossing.
The old signal box is still in the ROW just east of Rockwood St. and is still linked physically to the new cabinet which sits clear of the future track.
Also, there's some kind of equipment sitting East of where the track ends at Park St. OGB on the new track that extends up from Franklin. Could be a regulator, but I couldn't et close enough to see.
Looks like the track from Franklin is just about service ready all the way past the Acorn Lane UGB close to a mile North from that bridge.
I'm downright excited to see what changes next!

Work has started again in the Norfolk area after nearly a year hiatus!
The old signal cabinet has been dug out in preparation for removal. Ballast and alignment seem to be taking priority.
I plan to check things out tomorrow (Tues. 7/30) and report in more detail tomorrow eve.

Sorry for posting this so late, it took me some time to figure out the latest and greatest method(s) for uploading photos. If this works, it'll be the greatest thing since sliced bread!
Swung by Norfolk Depot late Tues am. Nobody at the station, but alignment and ballasting equipment was active roughly 1 mile south of the depot near the Park St. OGB.

First picture (assuming I uploaded everything in the correct order) is looking North (RR West) toward Walpole from the Platform at Norfolk. Signal box is stil in the way of crossing Rockwood St. The base has been dug out and orange construction fencing is present.

Second picture is looking South toward Franklin from the platform. Recent ballasting and aligning work is evident. Seems to stop several yards sort of the crossing at the end of rail. Ties are stacked in the ROW between the end of rail and the crossing.

Third photo is from Park St. bridge looking North toward the platform. Fresh ballast is evident and what looks to be an alignment machine is on the track below (but not directly under) the bridge.
What's odd is the gap (approx 1/2 mi long) starting just South of the Park St.
I can't for the life of me understand why, in all the time they've had since work was halted during COVID, they never closed it! I would have expected ballast and ties at least, but there's been plenty of time to finish that part at least, and it seems like "low-hanging fruit."
Maybe someone here has better insight into the project and why it's taking so long.

Still trying to work the kinks out of posting photos. Sorry for the orientation, but they show right-side-up when you click to enlarge.

Here's the last photo, which for some reason I couldn't load in the previous post:
Fourth photo is looking South from the bridge (toward Franklin). A train of small ballast hoppers have been loaded and ready to drop stone wherever they need it.

Cosmo: The images you posted show correctly when they are viewed individually...
Image #0056 shows that the new track has composite plastic-base ties...

Has the MBTA used these ties with trackwork remembering that they had previous problems
with concrete ties and discontinued their use on Commuter Rail routes? MACTRAXX

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2024 8:33 pm Image #0056 shows that the new track has composite plastic-base ties...

Has the MBTA used these ties with trackwork remembering that they had previous problems
with concrete ties and discontinued their use on Commuter Rail routes? MACTRAXX

I don't know for certain, but I suspect that's the case.

NEWS FLASH:
The older signal equipment box in the ROW North of Rockwood Street in Norfolk HAS BEEN MOVED!
Extension of the rails across Rockwood Street IS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND!!!!
Got it from a Keolis worker at the platform: crossing work will happen Friday and Saturday, expected to be finished by Sat. afternoon.
Alignment and ballasting machines were lined up at the platform, regulator was working back and forth around the station.

I will try to get pictures this weekend, ... STAY TUNED!!