New Hampshire Central Railroad (NHCR) Discussion

NHN503 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 7:52 pm Might want to check that again...

The brush/overgrowth is all still there in all three spots as noted, and the view east of the diamond is exactly that of the three month old picture posted above. So not sure what exactly it is I need to "check again".

Because indeed it has. While not super significant at this point because of the other priorities, between Route 142 and Route 3 cutting has started, 142 at Otis, Middle and then Rt 3 and 116 started around the first week of August, and the NHV yard has been cleared of any trees over a ~half inch in prep for brush spray for about a month now. Over towards east of the diamond work had started again before reassignment of the brush cutting machine the first week of July and is not exactly that of the three month old picture posted above; That stuff just to the right and to the points of the interchange switch points has been cut.

116 to Parker is cleared and needs weed spray beyond were trees had come down in the July 7 storm.

Its going on, just lots of other things to manage with crews at this point, so brush is a busy work item or as crews are passing through to Lancaster work. But ultimately you need to get the brush thinned to make the machines efficient as they don't like the smaller stuff and mulchers aren't really appropriate for the CQ downtown areas so its a lot of hand cut.

Well, that’s exciting news! Wishing you guys the best of luck as you work on this.

NHN503,
Thanks for explaining what's going on. I have also noticed that a fair number of new ties have been installed from Groveton south through Northumberland (at least). Even then there is still a lot of old rotten ties remaining.

Just to be clear, in Goddraug's photo, he is looking geographically east with the ball signal to his back? The rail line on the right (with the trailing switch) is the MEC mainline and the rail line on the left is the B&M siding? Is that correct?

This part of the NHCR system has a very complicated but interesting history.
Best,
Fritz

Yes, that is an eastern facing view, the track is cleared better and not overgrown as it heads towards the split at Hazens where cars were last stored around early 2018 . Sounds like I'll be working in Whitefield again next week at least one day, I'll try and get pictures of the stuff I should have gotten this week.

NHV 669 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 11:58 am Sounds like GMTX 318 (MP15AC) may be headed this way from the other side of the VTR system.

Unit was dropped at Palmer weeks ago, went west to Selkirk last night on M425. Didn't return east on today's M426, so who knows...

Spoke too soon, 318 is on today/tonight's M426.

318 went west last night on SLR 393, should be sitting in North Stratford as of this morning.

Casey,
I saw no sign of the 318 either in Groveton or North Stratford on Thursday or Friday, unless it was hidden away in the Shops or somewhere deep in the woods! However, there are 10 cars waiting on the interchange track in Groveton and 5 cars on the interchange track in North Stratford. Some cars have already been stored near the north end of the North Stratford line.

Update: I was alerted to some video online that does indeed show the GMTX 318 switching the SLR interchange in North Stratford, so I assume that it was parked in the Shops north of town when I was there. Meanwhile, tie work continues on the Groveton line: On Thursday, old ties were being picked up while new ties were being set out at some of the Route 3 crossings.
Best,
Fritz

Any idea if that derelict RDC-1's fate (ex-NH 33) has been discussed?

newpylong wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 2:05 pm The term "abandonment" should not be (and rarely is) used simply referring to service on the line.

If an entity is intending to just give up their common carrier status of a line (obligation to serve), either owned or leased, then they file a Discontinuance of Service Exemption.

If someone is intending to abandon (as in expunge the line, return to abutters, etc), then they file an Abandonment Petition. The one linked to above for the Mountain Division is definitely this type. There must have been a petition by the State following this to purchase the property because at face value the line would not be as it is today if this filing was allowed to be executed as written.

That's what I was getting at. Guilford abandoned the line, they didn't file a discontinuance. Thankfully the state has a law in place that gives them a limited window of opportunity to exercise a first right of refusal, otherwise Guilford could have sold the ROW to whomever and however they saw fit. We can also be thankful Guilford didn't scrap the line.

11 propane loads were taken north from the Interchange in N. Stratford this morning.

Hi-Rail truck was going through Lancaster early this morning around 6am headed towards Whitefield, I'm assuming more track repair.

Hello,
Although I arrived in Lancaster too late to see the hirail truck, I did stop by Coos Junction at the north end of town. It looks like they are continuing to do lots of tie replacements, and there were numerous ties of various lengths piled near the north end of the sidings to replace many of the ties underlying the switches. They had derails placed at the north ends of both of the sidings but also another on the "mainline" just north of the two switches. I assume the track from there south is out of service? There were several pieces of MOW equipment parked on the sidings but I saw no rail workers there at 845 this morning.

Someone asked about the ex-New Haven RDC. I assume that it is the the "Winnepesaukee & Pemigewasett" one that was stored on the North Stratford line many years ago. As of late morning today, it is still stored down behind the old Columbia Sand & Gravel pit at the north end of the in-service track. Here's a poor photo from across the river today:



Best,
Fritz

Thanks Fitz for the photo of the RDC-1 33.

Dave