F74265A » Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:19 pm
...As for the clinton interchange idea, the NH and B&M tracks in clinton are grade separated. the primary interchange tracks were from B&M northbound to NH east (or south) and were on a significant grade. I don't know for sure when the grade separation occurred, but found online that the two level Clinton union station was built in 1914. There may at one time have been a connector from B&M south to NH west (north), but I am not sure. I recall seeing a right of way behind the industrial buildings there but it may have just served industry. I could never get back in there to see if it climbed up to the NH line at least 20 feet above.
There was an early 20th century push to reduce grade crossings and attendant accidents. The NH line got elevated, but the B&M didn't, possibly because of a lesser amount of vehicular traffic on that road back then. When both lines crossed at a diamond, there were connecting tracks. After the grade separation, there was a connection from the NH from the compass E and the B&M to the compass S which will show on older topo maps. The B&M and NH were cooperative in Fitchburg, Lowell, and wherever else the 2 connected. The connection in Clinton permitted NH locomotives to wye when needed, less of a concern for the B&M because of the engine house and turntable just to the compass N. There also would have been interchange from the NH to the B&M of time-sensitive loads from Fitchburg and Leominster that would not be going on the the Fall River steamers for New York City. Yes -- next-morning delivery from Fitchburg and Leominster until 1940.