Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington RR Grade Excursion Photograph

I did a small hike between Monroe Bridge, and The Bear swamp Hydroelectric plant (The final nail in the HT&W's coffin as well as its last customer). I took lots of pictures!

Enjoy!

http://hoosactunnel.net/HTW/

I'm probably going to hike/take pictures of the section between Hoosac Tunnel, and Bear swamp this weekend. I'll put those pictures up when I'm done. That will complete the "Massachusetts portion" of the HT&WNot sure if I am going to do the spot between The Harriman plant and Yankee Atomic, seeing that there is virtually no access there.

The HT&W double ended snowplow built in late 1800's has been restored and is on display at the Valley Railroad in Essex Ct.

Great shots, uugh! I always wanted to get up there again. I remember the Yankee Power Plant in use back in the mid 60's and the rail was still in; saw the engine once. HT&W hosted the first modern day "fan trip" back in the late 30's and was always-after that the sweetheart shortline of our fraternity. The unique beauty and remoteness (and railroads) of the Deerfield River while so accessable via modern highways today was something of a wonder back then despite the frequency of B&M traffic. The Yankee Power Plant brought noteriety, quick prosperity, then death to the little pike.

Uugh, Thanks for posting the photos --- you've given us an interesting photo trip up the old roadbed.

Two questions for you folks who are knowledgeable about the HT&W:
1) To what extent are the two ROWs north of Readsboro (the original and the 1922 replacement) above water and walkable?

2) If the Bear Swamp project hadn't killed the HT&W, do you think it might still be operating today, either as a freight line or excursion railroad?

Very interesting...would the Hoot, Toot, and Whistle be alive today if...
The only real use would be as a tourist railraod because of the scenery and it's apparent remoteness. I say apparent because it seems to be so far out of the way when really it isn't. So, if there could be at least 3 mile radius of no commercial developement; if the old interchange yard could be accessed and maintained without interfereing with Guilford; if the line were to be marketed for its remoteness and scenery with the right combination of unique antiquity and modern safety; then it might work.

Hey everyone, I added pictures from Hoosac Tunnel to Bear swamp. Just go to the link in my first post. I added a small navigation front page so you can get to both.

That pretty much covers all teh HT&W in Massachusetts. The next logical step would be to hike the section between Harriman Powerplant and Yankee Atomic. Not sure how I am going to approach that considering there are 2 power plant sites blocking off both ends with no access roads in between.

Hi everyone,

I hiked the portion of the HT&W between Yankee Atomic and Harriman Station.

Pictures are here:

http://hoosac.franklinsites.com/HTW/YA_HS/index.html

Also, if anyone knows, I am VERY curious as to what those old factory foundations were. Was it part of Deerfield paper? was it something else entirely?

ENJOY!

--Marc