by Mass Coastal 2010
Hello, I am a Fall River resident and for the past couple years I have been researching the area's local rail lines. Right now I am looking for information on the PW's Newport Secondary. I know that PW acquired freight rights from Tiverton to Newport in 1982 and that the Sakonnet Bridge went OOS in February 1988. From research I have found that the P&W did several moves to Newport but until about 1985, Conrail still provided regular freight service to Portsmouth. The train was WNMI-2 and served a lumber yard at Tiverton bridge as well as Kaiser in Portsmouth until around 1985. There was also a weed-spray train that came yearly in the late 70's/80's operated by Conrail. Other moves included runs to Newport to take Old Colony & Newport equipment on/off the island.
Here are several moves that PW ran to Newport in the 80's:
C. 1982- Ballast train, PW 2006, about 10 blue PW ballast hoppers, and a caboose
C. 1983- PW 2008 lite engine to Newport to pick up the OCN gas car (doodlebug) and to bring it over to Conrail.
C. 1984- Leyland Railbus was brought over to be used by the OCN. It later left by rail.
1986:
- Unknown power, picked up a P70 coach from the OCN and brought it to Fall River for the newly formed Old Colony & Fall River RR Museum.
- CR B23-7 w/ a flatcar with a military tank to General Dynamics. Unless the engine stayed on the island till the tank was unloaded, this would be a two-part move.
Other moves that may have happened:
C. 1982 possible PW engine sent down to take over local freight duties from Conrail? If this happened, the PW later decided it would be easier for Conrail to switch the cutomers on the RI side of the Newport Secondary.
C. 1985 arrival of wooden coaches for the OCN by rail
Possible military moves?
If anybody has more information on the PW's Newport Secondary, please reply to this forum.
-Michael from Fall River
Here are several moves that PW ran to Newport in the 80's:
C. 1982- Ballast train, PW 2006, about 10 blue PW ballast hoppers, and a caboose
C. 1983- PW 2008 lite engine to Newport to pick up the OCN gas car (doodlebug) and to bring it over to Conrail.
C. 1984- Leyland Railbus was brought over to be used by the OCN. It later left by rail.
1986:
- Unknown power, picked up a P70 coach from the OCN and brought it to Fall River for the newly formed Old Colony & Fall River RR Museum.
- CR B23-7 w/ a flatcar with a military tank to General Dynamics. Unless the engine stayed on the island till the tank was unloaded, this would be a two-part move.
Other moves that may have happened:
C. 1982 possible PW engine sent down to take over local freight duties from Conrail? If this happened, the PW later decided it would be easier for Conrail to switch the cutomers on the RI side of the Newport Secondary.
C. 1985 arrival of wooden coaches for the OCN by rail
Possible military moves?
If anybody has more information on the PW's Newport Secondary, please reply to this forum.
-Michael from Fall River