• Pan Am Worcester Main Line

  • Guilford Rail System changed its name to Pan Am Railways in 2006. Discussion relating to the current operations of the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, and the Springfield Terminal railroads (as well as the Delaware & Hudson while it was under Guilford control until 1988). Official site can be found here: PANAMRAILWAYS.COM.
Guilford Rail System changed its name to Pan Am Railways in 2006. Discussion relating to the current operations of the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, and the Springfield Terminal railroads (as well as the Delaware & Hudson while it was under Guilford control until 1988). Official site can be found here: PANAMRAILWAYS.COM.

Moderator: MEC407

  by F74265A
 
Looks to me like there is some super elevation in that curve now
  by neman2
 
jamoldover wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2024 10:01 am here are two separate NH val maps showing the area around the Clinton depot (1914 & 1963), along with a B&M line plan
What's interesting is the presence of the pedestrian tunnel shown as "Sterling St Subway #16.81" on the B+M plan.
It shows as two solid rectangles connected by dotted lines on the NH plans.
Since this was most likely filled in and not removed under Sterling St. it could be an obstruction to any track lowering.
Nice job posting these- I'm curious where you got these--I know UCONN used to have the New Haven plans online.
  by johnpbarlow
 
Here are 2 Labor Day captures of the Ag Branch bridge over the Worcester main at Clinton. Other than the bridge pier getting painted or primered, doesn’t look like anything major has happened yet to raise clearances here.
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Last edited by johnpbarlow on Tue Sep 03, 2024 6:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
  by jaymac
 
Dunno how much history and hydrology and topology might be figuring into CSX's figuring about whether to raise or Secondary or lower the Sub, but as recently as the March 2010 rain event, downtown Clinton -- and street-level ROW -- experienced severe flooding, lesser occasions following.
Clinton became a 19th century industrial town because of water and the changing elevations that gave that water force, especially when enhanced by damming. Some of the mill outraces that had been placed underground have later contributed to downtown flooding.
Why was the Wachusett Reservoir dam sited at Clinton? For the same reason that the mills were -- ample water. Add to that the favorable topography for a receiving basin. Aligning ROWs along flowing water was a tactic that wasn't always strategic. We'll see what CSX's final decision is, but depending on ensuing events, it may not be over even when it's over, Yogi to the contrary.
  by MrB
 
While heading off Rte 190 at the Gold Star exit, I noticed that they have cleared the brush from the 2nd track in the past few days, was covered over last week.
  by bostontrainguy
 
Haven't seen any update on the bridge raising. Anyone have any reports?
  by F74265A
 
Well maybe the Worcester 2d track actually will get rebuilt!
  by taracer
 
Some hand throw switch parts are already staged near Garden St.
  by F74265A
 
Interesting that switch parts are already set out there
What about at the other end of the derelict 2d track up by new bond st?
  by taracer
 
Nothing up there the last time I was there, but as I said it follows general construction practices that I've seen. Cutting into the main track is usually near the last thing they do. They won't really need a switch by New Bond St. anyway, since from what I'm hearing the P&W will just use their current track from Garden St. area once the other track is rebuilt.

Looks like the 436 will be going to Framingham this way up to Clinton as well. A lot of these changes are related to the T going to Springfield and the new Amtrak services expected to be in place by 2030.
  by newpylong
 
Say what now? 436 is going to go up to Clinton and then over to Framingham on the Aggy?
  by F74265A
 
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much was speculated about a possible Clinton connection a ways back on this thread. Seemed exceedingly unlikely. Although such plans would explain some of the very heavy rail reportedly installed on the Ag branch in the past year or two that seemed like utter overkill.
Last edited by F74265A on Thu Sep 12, 2024 4:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
  by taracer
 
Yes, I don't have a timeline on this, I can say the connection is being cleared. My guess is well before 2030. Also expect cab signals to be removed on the B&A from Selkirk to Worcester, expect wayside ABS signals to come back.
  by F74265A
 
Out of all the things that have come out of the CSX acquisition of Guilford/Pan Am-- if this comes true --this is the single most surprising development of them all. Would love to see Clinton become a mainline jct.

What happens to Westboro tranflo operation? is the intent to move all freight off the B&A worc-framingham or merely minimize it? Lots of things yet to develop.
  by taracer
 
F74265A wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2024 4:12 pm !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much was speculated about a possible Clinton connection a ways back on this thread. Seemed exceedingly unlikely. Although such plans would explain some of the very heavy rail reportedly installed on the Ag branch in the past year or two that seemed like utter overkill.
It looks like the T will start construction on the second track between Worcester and Springfield in '26, so CSX is not going to be able to park trains on the mains from CP-45 to CP-48 like they have been doing since Covid started, which now has been a longer time than the planned start of the T's construction.

So yes, the goal is to have the Selkirk crew bring the 436 to Framingham via the WML and have locals out of Framming ham serve the G&U and the 2 other industries whenever. The P&W would also interchange in the old yard by Garden St., freeing up the mainline on the B&A.

Only the van trains will go into the Worcester yard, as designed.
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