Conference 7.286::railroad

From:	US6RMC::"terwilli@tiac.net" "#1 ST Yahoo" 22-MAR-1997 13:26:01.72
To:	Pete Terwilliger <"CVAX::WPGATE::CVAX::TERWILLIGER"@yankee.com>
CC:	
Subj:	Rumors & Sightings, Volume III, Issue 3, Part 1

     Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal

          http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli =20
                                   =20
Volume III, Issue 3                     March 20, 1997
Peter Terwilliger, Editor               terwilli@tiac.net
________________________________________________________
John A.  Joyce, Power Control Editor    John.A.Joyce.18@nd.edu
Stephen A.  Mayotte, Sightings Editor   smayotte@mmsl.com
Brian L.  Miller, District 2 Editor     blmiller@tiac.net
Ethan Haslett, NECR/ConnRiver Editor    ethan@cs.umass.edu
________________________________________________________

At the Head End

At the time of this writing, it seems that the great eastern
railroad battle (at least up to this point) is complete - The
agreement splits the 11,000-mile Conrail rail network in 12
Northeastern states roughly equally between CSX and Norfolk
Southern.  Conrail shareholders will receive $115 per share.  The
split introduces railroad competition to the northeast and looks
very good for increasing business on the former D&H and on the B&M
west end.  Additionally, there has been much talk around the
industry of networking shortlines to make them more viable
following the merger.  At least the merger promises to provide for
some interesting railfanning for those in Guilford territory as CSX
power will undoubtably make its way north and eventually get
assigned to the joint Conrail/ST trains.

For those not paying attention, the agreement notes that Norfolk
Southern will get the former Pennsylvania Railroad route between
Philadelphia and the Midwest, as well as the former Reading
Railroad lines from Hagerstown, Md., to Philadelphia, Buffalo and
New York City.  NS will also get the former Erie-Lackawanna route
between Buffalo and New York.   CSX will get the former New York
Central water-level route from Chicago to New York City via Albany.
Also to be remain in the Conrail/CSX fold is the Boston Line.
Additionally, CSX's current service between Philadelphia and both
southern and midwestern points will continue.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to fly around New England, especially on
Springfield Terminal.  Here are few we heard this month:

Guilford is purchasing the former Conrail GP-10's stored at
Altoona.

Most of these locomotives were sold off in recent weeks, however,
Guilford didn't bid on any of the locomotives on Conrail's last
sales list.

Guilford may be taking over the Framingham yard and Conrail
Secondaries in Massachusetts.

The Railtex deal with Conrail for the Framingham and Fitchburg
Secondaries is now completely off.  Additionally, Guilford did come
close to an agreement about operating the lines, but not as
Springfield Terminal.  The new line was to be reportedly called the
"Boston & New Haven Air Line", a play on the old New Haven Air Line
through central Connecticut.  The new line would have been part of
the Conrail Express Network.  Some B23-7s were to have changed
hands as well. All deals, however,  are currently on hold, as
merger negotiations over Conrail are finalized.  It remains to be
seen what the combined CSX/Conrail company does with these
profitable lines.

Work is underway to reestablish the south leg of the wye at XO
interlocking in Mechanicville

We have not be able to confirm that Guilford is even considering
that project.  A site visit revealed no clues, just snow, ice, and
old shopping carts...=20

Guilford Power is running through power on the New Brunswick
Southern.

Guilford power is not running through to New Brunswick.  Although
interchange is up, Bangor -> Mattawamkeag Train BAMA still turns at
Mattawamkeag near milepost 0.

Power Control - Edited by John A.  Joyce

Current Rumors

As the name of this publication implies, rumors are the name of the
game in the railfanning business.  This month, one rumor indicates
that some or all of the ST GP-7's stored at East Deerfield may
possibly be reactivated shortly.  Unfortunately, the GP-7
reactivation is on hold for the moment, possibly due to the
situation with the "Airline".  However, GP-7's #22 and #23 are in
the Deerfield shop undergoing repairs. =20

While on the subject of missing GP-7s, #15 has succeeded in keeping
a very low profile recently--in fact, we have no sightings of the
unit thus far in 1997.  The unit, along with GP-7 #25, are at
Woodland, ME.  ST usually stations 2 GP-7s at Woodland, often for
months at a time.  This could explain #15's prolonged absence from
the rest of the system.

Conrail Ballast Units

Conrail released the first two units in the new "Ballast Express"
paint scheme from the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona, PA on
Monday, March 3. C32-8's 6610 and 6613 have been repainted into a
solid gray scheme with black Conrail Quality logos on the hood,
black road numbers, white reflective "Conrail Quality" lettering on
the nose and rear, reflective white frame stripes.  The units sport
"Ballast Express " lettering in about 2" tall letters under the
numbers. Initial plans were to do all ten C32-8's in the fleet plus
two additional units for a total of twelve "Ballast Express" units,
however the future of the program is currently uncertain. C32-8
6612 was scheduled to be the next unit released under the program.
Currently all the other units in the C32-8 fleet are at the Juniata
Locomotive Shops awaiting a decision on their future. The C32-8
fleet was chosen due to being a small "oddball" fleet that was LSL
equipped, enabling their use system-wide.  #6610 has lingered
around the shop at Enola, PA, while #6613 has made a couple of
trips out of Enola, PA, which is where the units are now based, far
from their former New England haunts.=20

Power Control Shorts:=20

Springfield Terminal SD-45 #681 is out of service at East
Deerfield, succumbing around March 8 with major engine problems.=20
The unit was also overheard to be having troubles on Delaware &
Hudson -> Portland Train DHPO in Hoosick Falls, NY on March 1...
MEC GP-40 #354 recently received a new GRS paint scheme at
Waterville.  This leaves the total of GRS-painted engines at 31.

Guilford Rail Systems Locomotive Summary - As of 3-15-97

Notes:=20

1)   We remind you that this summary is purely the speculation of
     interested railfans, and cannot claim to be 100% accurate in
     any regard.  However, we'd like to think it's pretty close!

2)   Current paint schemes listed after each unit (None=3Dregular
     Guilford grey, G=3DGuilford Rail System, B=3D"Conrail" Blue,
     Y=3D"MEC" Yellow, L=3D"NS" Black)=20

3)   As always, e-mail us if you find and corrections/updates to be
     made (especially in the area of repaints)!

ST GP-7's:     #10 (G), #12, #15 (G), and #25 are active.  #16,
               #18, #19, #32, #34, and #35 (G) are all stored at
               East Deerfield, pending disposition.  #22 (G) and
               #23 are in the shop at East Deerfield.

ST GP-9r's:    #45, #51, #52, and #77 (G) are all active.

ST GP-9's:     #54, #62, #71 (G), and #72 are active.  #66 and #68
               are stored at East Deerfield, pending disposition.

ST GP-35's:    #200-#216 are all active, though #216 is missing in
               action this quarter.
MEC GP-38s:    #251 is stored at Waterville and #259 (Y) is stored
               at Billerica.

B&M GP-38s:    #252 (G) is active, #254 (Y) is stored at Billerica,
               #261 (Y) and #262 (Y) are stored at Waterville.

MEC U-23B:     #288 is stored at Waterville.

MEC GP-40s:    #300 (B), #301 (G), #302-#305 (Bs), #306 (G), #307
               (B), #308 (G), #310 (G), #312 (B), #313 (G), #314
               (G), #315-#317 (Bs), #318 (G), #311 (B) and #321 (B)
               are active.  #309 (B), #319 (B), and #320 (B) are
               stored at Waterville.=20

B&M GP-40s:    #326 (G), #327, #328 (G), #329, #330, #332-#335,
               #337, #339, #340, and #342 are active.  #322 (B) is
               stored at Billerica, #325 (B) and #331 are stored at
               Waterville, and #338 is stored at East Deerfield.

MEC GP-40s:    #343 (B), #344 (B), #345 (G), #346 (G), #347 (G),
               #348 (G), #349-#351 (Bs), #352 (G), #353 (B), #354
               (G), #355 (B), #370-#375 (Ls) are all active.

MEC U18-Bs:    #404 (G), #406 (G), and #407 are active.  #402 is
               stored at Waterville, last seen with broken cab
               windows.

B&M GP-7R:     #470 is active.

MEC SD-40s:    #600, #601, #603 and #604 are active.  #602 is stored
               at Waterville.

ST SD-26s:     #615 (G), #619, #620 (G), #621, and #643 (G) are all
               active.

ST SD-45s:     #684 is active and #681 is undergoing repair at East
               Deerfield.

B&M SD-39s:    #690 (G) and #692 (G) are both active.

MEC SD-39:     #693 is stored at Waterville.

ST SW-1:       #1400 (G) is active at Waterville.

ST SW-9:       #1424 (G) is active at East Deerfield.

Sighting Summary - Edited by Stephen A. Mayotte

Many new folks wrote in this past month including Jack Armstrong of
Railpace fame. Others write in almost every day. Thanks for your
time and efforts!  Unfortunately, I can't thank each person every
day. You must wonder if I really want your reports and if I
actually read them-- yes I do and yes I do!=20

GP-40 #311 was sighted in revenue service for the first time as
part of a 3/11/97 LAED consist. As you may recall, the #311 was
part of the 35 used locomotive deal purchased from Conrail in the
fourth quarter of 1995.

As the #311 departs the Waterville deadlines, #321 will be added
for accounting purposes. We haven't sighted that unit running in 3
quarters and have to assume the worst.  Engines #315 and #319 are
considered to be parts units and are very dead. Engine #305 is dead
for the moment with unknown problems. Engine #309 was test driven
last Summer, but now too sits dead. #320 was victim of a hard
coupling, reportedly on the wye at Ayer, and suffers a bashed
pilot.  It remains to be seen what future the unit has.  That means
that 29 of the 35 "new" units are out in revenue service. The
accountants must be happy.

Also in the "restored to service" category, we have GP-9 #71. It
sat dead for almost =BD year. It was sighted in Portland as part of
the 3/8/97 SD Warren -> Portland Train SDPO's power.=20

SD-26 #619 returned from the deadlines with ditch lights. That's a
good sign it'll be running in the future. Ditch Lights are a
significant spotting feature. Please report any and all units that
have them.

There were many interesting power lash-ups this quarter. How about
an eastbound sighted in Rollingsford, NH on 3/16/97? It had #604,
#344, #684, #690, #603, and #620. That's a SD-40, GP-40, SD-45,
SD-39, SD-40, and a SD-26.=20

As of 3/18/97, 96 (of 98) units have been sighted in service.
Here's the 1st Quarter Rare List:

GP-7 - #15
GP-35 - #216

GP-7 #15 is reported to be in Woodsville, Maine, though still
unseen by any of us.  Once 4/1/97 comes (hey, that's April Fools
Day), we'll reset the rare list and start all over again.

See you trackside!

District 1: ex Maine Central

Central Maine Power to Reactivate Oil-fired Power Plant

Condensed from a newstory in the Portland Press-Herald on Tuesday,
March 11, 1997 by Susan Rayfield

Central Maine Power plans to fire up Mason Station on Birch Point
in Wiscasset, closed since 1991, to help relieve an expected
electricity shortage this summer.  The expected shortage is the
result of several idled nuclear power plants in New England,
including Maine Yankee.   Dragon Products Co. sought to build a
trans-shipment point there four years ago, hoping to convey cement
from its Thomaston plant to Wiscasset via the Maine Coast Railroad,
and then to Boston via barge.  Three of the station's five
oil-fired generators will be brought back to use at a cost of about
$3.5 million dollars.  The three units will produce 100 megawatts,
enough to meet the average needs of 20,000 homes.  The generating
station, which occupies some 37 acres on the Sheepscot River just
south of Wiscasset, began operation in 1941 to supply the war
effort at Bath Iron Works.  Dragon Products is the single largest
shipper on the Maine Coast Railroad.=20

Conrail And Illinois Central Launch SouthRunner Service

Conrail and the Illinois Central Railroad have announced the start
of SouthRunner, a direct intermodal service linking Memphis and
other Midsouth points with major US markets in the Northeast and
Midwest. The new steel-wheel service, which begins on February 26,
will offer shippers transit times up to one full day faster than
existing intermodal competition between many of these points.=20
Operating northbound and southbound seven days a week, SouthRunner
will provide shippers with service between Memphis, Tennessee;
Jackson, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; and New Orleans, Louisiana
and all major markets on the Conrail Intermodal network, including
Boston, Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts; Waterville,
Maine; the North Jersey/New York City region; Philadelphia,
Morrisville, Allentown and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Columbus,
Ohio.

Maine Central Refrigerator Cars

The old Maine Central refrigerator cars were still sitting on the
scrappers track generally intact as of March 8.  The cars were
built in May of 1965 by Pacific Car & Foundry Company of Renton,
Washington as Lot #6677A. They have a capacity of 135,000 lb. and a
cubical content of 4022 cubic feet.  Empty weight is 82,300 lbs
with 61' 7 5/8" over the coupler pulling faces. The refrigerator
units were Carrier Model 66E-15.  The paint, a plainer version of
the circled pine tree found on most MEC cars, is yellow enamel -
Sherwin Williams F44 YN2 and the green stencil enamel was Sherwin
Williams No. F44 GC 25.  The Athearn 50 ft refrigerator car is a
good starting place to model the cars in HO scale.  In fact, Bev-Bel
released a model a few years ago featuring an earlier paint
scheme - the square herald with Modern Efficient Cushioning motto.

Bath Iron Works to Upgrade Shipyard

Condensed from a newstory in the Portland-Press Herald on
Wednesday, February 26, 1997 By Jeff Smith

The Bath Iron Works (BIW) is contemplating spending $307 million to
dramatically improve the shipyard's ability to compete with its
primary rival, Ingalls Shipbuilding of Mississippi.   At the heart
of the project would be a modern complex of facilities that enable
BIW to work on three ships at once in Bath. The new facilities will
be built on 10 acres created by filling in a section of the
Kennebec River. The project is still at the conceptual stage,
Gildart said. The next step would be to hire an engineering firm to
design the new facilities.  The plan is already facing opposition
by environmental groups, however.

If the modernization in Bath is completed, BIW would no longer need
its Portland dry dock to complete the outfitting of the Navy
destroyers it builds in Bath.  BIW is the state's largest private
employer, with 7,500 workers, and a customer of Springfield
Terminal Railway.  Increased capacity in the yard and the potential
to increase the yard's business would likely result in increased
rail shipments of steel and other commodities.  Officials at the
company note that the modernization may help open up some new
opportunities for BIW, including commercial work.

BIW's primary business is the construction of Aegis destroyers for
the Navy.  BIW also is part of a team that recently won a contract
to build a new line of amphibious assault ship called the LPD-17,
and BIW is in the running to build a small group of sleek combatant
vessels called the arsenal ship.

Portland Moves to Expand Marine Terminal

Condensed from a Portland Press-Herald newstory on Monday, February
24, 1997 by Andrew D. Russell

The City of Portland is asking the state for a $10 million bond
issue to expand its marine terminal to include a bigger, faster
crane to load ships and the addition of 200 feet to the terminal
wharf, allowing two ships to dock there at once.  The expansion
would give Maine companies even greater access to the global
marketplace and solidify Portland's status as a hub in the
competitive world of international shipping.  Hapag-Lloyd, the
German shipping company, moved its weekly shipping route from
Portsmouth, N.H., to Portland in March 1991. The first two years
were lean with just 15 containers passing through the terminal some
weeks.  Today there are weeks with over 100 containers.  Last year
2,797 containers passed through the marine terminal - 30 percent
more than 1995 and almost double the number shipped in 1991.=20
Additionally, the expansion opens the door for other shipping
companies to come to Portland.  Hapag-Lloyd supports expanding the
marine terminal and company officials point out that Portland is
key to their New England strategy, collecting nearly as many
containers in Portland as it does in Boston.

The expansion move comes just as Maine's three major railroads, the
Springfield Terminal, the Bangor & Aroostook, and the St. Lawrence
& Atlantic, are investing in intermodal facilities.  Currently, the
St. Lawrence & Atlantic stands to gain the most by the cargo port
expansion, however, Springfield Terminal's link with Conrail's
intermodal services could equalize the advantage.=20

The city is likely to face competition for funding from the state's
interest in developing a cargo port in Searsport where it is
proposed to outfit the aging Mack Point cargo port in Searsport
with new piers, cranes, more railroad tracks and a warehouse.  The
$38-million modernization plan in Searsport is being proposed by
its owners, the Bangor & Aroostook and Sprague Energy.  The
preliminary plan calls for roughly half of the port's cost to be
paid by public funds.

Railroads' Economic Impact on Maine

Condensed from a newstory via PRNewswire via Individual Inc.

Maine's freight railroads contributed more than $70 million
directly to the state economy in 1995 through wages and retirement
benefits to current and former railroad workers in the state,
according to the figures released by the Association of American
Railroads (AAR).  Payrolls for the 849 active Maine freight
railroad employees totaled $30 million in 1995.  Maine railroad
employees are near the top of the U.S. wage scale, with average
individual salaries of $35,620.  The railroad retirement system,
which is separate from the social security system, paid more than
$45 million in retirement benefits to 4,300 railroad retirees in
Maine and their families.  During 1995, Maine ranked 39th in the
U.S. in the number of freight railroads (7), 40th in the total
number of rail miles (1,270), and 46th in rail traffic (6 million
tons).  Railroads move more pulp and paper than any other commodity
in Maine, originating 2 million tons in 1995. =20

Activity Heats up on the Calais Branch

Excerpted from the Atlantic States Limited

Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner John Melrose has
set up the Calais Branch Corridor Citizen's Advisory Committee to
explore the future of the now defunct 126.08 mile Calais Branch.
The group is chartered to consider all viable uses, including rails
to trails and tourist operations. The Maine DOT purchased the
branch, which runs from Calais Junction near Bangor to Calais via
Ellsworth, in 1987.  The committee is an advisory group to the
commissioner.

The group is also tasked to develop a cohesive plan to address the
numerous proposals put forth over the past few years.  The Machias
Valley Celebrations group had proposed to operate a tourist line,
to be called the Blueberry Coastal Railroad, over a 8 mile segment
between Machias and Jacksonville.  The group had initiated brush
cutting and even had an option on a 44 tonner. Additionally, the
New England Southern Railroad, based in Concord, had proposed to
operate excursions between East Holden and Green Lake in Dedham in
1991. The company renewed their interest in 1996 and went as far as
soliciting freight customers and brush cutting. Thirdly, another
proposed tourist line, the Washington Kounty Scenic Railway Tour,
had explored possible long term lease of portions of the line.=20
These actions are all on hold while the committee investigates the
issue.

Meanwhile, Eastport is planning on opening new $15 million port
facilities in 1998 and would like to make use of the line to
increase the appeal of the facility.  The new port has the support
of the Georgia Pacific mill in Woodland, Maine, now currently being
served by an isolated Springfield Terminal operation.=20
Additionally, there is legislation under consideration that would
create an intermodal railroad facility in Calais. =20

The myriad of plans for the line may complicate matters to restore
the line.  Legislation has been introduced in the statehouse that
would:

   - Create an Eastern County Railway Authority to manage rail
     lines in the area.
   - Allow the State of Maine to turn over all of the abandoned
     rail systems in Washington County to the municipalities
     through which they run.
   - Propose a referendum for a $4.5 million bond issue to help
     fund future rail development in the area.

Ultimately, supporters would like to retain as much track in the
area to ensure the region remains economically attractive.=20

First Generation Sightings

GP-7      #10  Rigby          March 2        Switching & smoking
GP-9      #52  Rigby          March 8        Yard Switcher
                              March 9        Spare
GP-9      #71  Rigby          March 8        SDPO
                              March 9        Spare
GP-7u     #470 Rigby          March 2        Portland Local
                              March 8        Spare
                              March 9        Spare

Shorts

S.D. Warren -> Portland Train SDPO arrived at Rigby Yard On
Saturday, March 8 with MEC SD-40 #604 on the head pin, followed by
SD-39 #692, SD-26 #619, and GP-9 #71!... Also on March 8, a
maintainer was sighted on GP-7u #470, sitting on an adjacent track
in front of the Yard Office, applying a torch the small door on the
unit's nose.  The unit was covered with snow, apparently having
been the lead unit during the recent snowstorms... Rumors that
Guilford power is running through on the New Brunswick Southern
(Eastern Railway of Maine) to McAdam, New Brunswick are untrue.=20
Indeed, the traffic between the two roads has grown, but there the
interchange is still being made at Mattawamkeag... Leeds Junction,
where the Rumford Branch meets the Freight Main is the only place
on the entire Guilford Rail System where you can get red-green
staggered with a blue marker.  The unusual signal means to go slow
through the switch onto the branch, then clear... Normal times for
the daily Maine Coast freight trains through Damariscotta are 9:30
am westbound and late afternoon, often between 4 and 5:30, for the
eastbound... Rumors in Maine have it that Guilford may be
considering extending the intermodal trains TV-95/TV-95 to
Mattawamkeag and the New Brunswick Southern.  As reported in the
last issue, the performance of the intermodal trains in the initial
months have exceeded expectations... Strings of welded rail have
been dropped along the Freight Main between Waterville and Oakland
(CPF-120).  Plans call for the rail to be installed later in the
year when the weather becomes more temperate.


Continued in Part 2
********************************************************************
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal:
http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli=20

terwilli@tiac.net
********************************************************************


% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======

From:	US6RMC::"terwilli@tiac.net" "#1 ST Yahoo" 22-MAR-1997 13:26:20.88
To:	Pete Terwilliger <"CVAX::WPGATE::CVAX::TERWILLIGER"@yankee.com>
Subj:	Rumors & Sightings, Volume III, Issue 3, Part 2

     Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal

          http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli =20
                                   =20
Volume III, Issue 3                     March 20, 1997
Peter Terwilliger, Editor               terwilli@tiac.net
________________________________________________________
John A.  Joyce, Power Control Editor    John.A.Joyce.18@nd.edu
Stephen A.  Mayotte, Sightings Editor   smayotte@mmsl.com
Brian L.  Miller, District 2 Editor     blmiller@tiac.net
Ethan Haslett, NECR/ConnRiver Editor    ethan@cs.umass.edu
________________________________________________________

Continued from Part 1

District 2: exB&M East End - edited by Brian Miller

Lawrence City Council votes to close Footbridge

The Lawrence Tribune reports that at the Lawrence City Council's
February 19 meeting, the council voted unanimously 7-0 to close the
footbridge over the South end of B&M's Lawrence yard.  Residents
had complained that the bridge, built in 1955, was being used by
criminals and vandals as a convenient way to access homes on either
side of the bridge and escape police.  There is no word yet on when
the bridge is scheduled to be closed and removed,  so get your
pictures now!

Prince Spaghetti plant in Lowell to close

On Wednesday March 19th, Borden Foods, Inc., an international food
conglomerate, announced that they would be closing their Lowell, MA
pasta plant idling some 500 workers.  The closing is part of a 5
plant closing move as Bordon consolidates its spaghetti
manufacturing at 3 plants elsewhere in the country.  The plant,
known locally as the Prince Spaghetti factory, had been in
operation in Lowell since 1939.  Once the largest pasta plant in
the country, Prince is probably the biggest Guilford customer in
District 2 outside of the Bow, NH power plant.  The plant will not
close earlier than June 19 according to company officials.  The
company will assist local government in trying to find a buyer for
the plant.   =20

Guilford operations will be severely affected if a buyer is not
found.  Currently, the major function of locals LO-1, AY-4 and
trains SELA/ LASE (Selkirk, NY =3D> Lawrence, MA)  is to serve the
Prince plant and the New England Milling Company in Ayer, supplier
of the durum wheat for pasta making.

While Prince is not the only customer of New England Milling, it is
their biggest and also the only customer that receives the milled
wheat by rail.  The closing will eliminate the need for LO-1 to
travel to Ayer every day and pick up the loads for Prince.  Also,
depending on how much New England Milling has to cut back their
operations,  the need for an Ayer based job to switch cars of wheat
and flour at the plant may also be reduced.  Lastly, train SELA/
LASE, which brings the wheat from Conrail could lose approximately
half of its traffic.

Shifted load causes delays in Commuter Service

On February 24, Guilford Selkirk, NY =3D> Portland, ME train SENE
with Conrail C30-7A's #6592, #6571, #6576, #6594 at the head end
had one of its 86 cars shift its load while passing over Sutton St.
in North Andover, MA, taking out the crossing protection.  The
lumber hanging from the car ripped out station fencing at Bradford,
delaying commuter operations and Portland -> Selkirk Train NESE &
Portland -> Delaware & Hudson Train PODH.  Additionally, lumber was
fouling the mains at Milepost 28. The damage was not cleared up
until about 10am, forcing many trains to run "wrong iron".  The
crossing at Sutton Street was restricted by Form D, Line 12 to
"Stop & Protect" all day

New Hampshire Northcoast Update

Currently, Dover <-> Boston Trains DOBO/BODO operate Monday through
Friday.  The trains should resume a 7 day per week service schedule
once the construction season gets going again.  Train DOBO has
reportedly been getting bigger.  The train was recently spotted in
Durham with 46 loads of gravel and 4 propane tank cars.  At another
time, the train was spotted with covered hoppers in its consist
which is usually only hoppers and LP tank cars.  The train usually
draws three locomotives but has been spotted with four.  Last
season this train averaged about 30 cars in length.=20

Railroads' Economic Impact on New Hampshire=20

 Condensed from a newstory via PRNewswire via Individual Inc.=20

New Hampshire's freight railroads contributed more than $21 million
directly to the  state economy in 1995 through wages and retirement
benefits to current and  former railroad workers in the state,
according to figures released by the Association of American
Railroads (AAR).  Payrolls for the 225 active New Hampshire freight
railroad employees totaled $8 million in 1995.  New Hampshire
railroad employees are near the top of the U.S. wage scale, with
average individual salaries of $35,960. The railroad retirement
system, which is separate from the social security system, paid
more than $13 million in retirement benefits to 1,500 railroad
retirees in New Hampshire and their families.

During 1995, New Hampshire ranked 26th in the U.S. in the number of
freight railroads (12), 47th in the total number of rail miles
(339), and 45th in rail traffic (6.6 million tons).  Railroads move
more nonmetallic minerals than any other commodity in New
Hampshire, originating 358,640 tons in 1995.=20

District 2 Shorts

The City of Concord, NH has received $500,000 from the
Environmental Protection Agency to clean up abandoned "eyesores"
within the city.  Included is the former B&M Concord Yard which
parallels Route 93... On Sunday February 23, Springfield Terminal
train SENE (Selkirk, NY =3D> New England )  had to be rescued by the
Portland local PORC-3.  The train was suffering from engine
problems.  Of the three engines on the train, GP-35 #214 had a bad
governor and the SD-26 #620 was suffering from ground relay
problems, leaving MEC GP-40 #304 as the only working unit.  To make
matters worse, the crew ran out of time and "canned" at Currier's
crossing in Kennebunk, ME, forcing the District 1 dispatcher to
have POR-3 with Maine Central GP-40 #374,  come down from CP AR to
rescue the train and return it to Portland, taking about 2 hours...
Amerail is setting up a car repair shop in Concord, NH to handle
cosmetic and light running repairs on MBTA Old Colony Line Commuter
Cars.  The cars will be shuttled in 5 car sets to Manchester, NH by
Guilford where they will be handed over to the New England Southern
for the trip to Concord.  Look for one five unit set per week to be
done.  The work may also be expanded to include locomotives as
well.  The commuter cars should start moving to Concord this
week The March 5 issue of The Broadcaster reports that interest is
growing in restoring MBTA commuter rail service to Nashua, NH.=20
Presumably the trains would operate from North Station through
Lowell on the New Hampshire Route Main Line and ST's Northern
Main... The New Hampshire Central plans to remove the rails from
their Beechers Falls Yard in Vermont.  The rail is to be used for a
new engine facility in North Stratford.  Currently the line is only
used as far as Drew's Pit in Columbia, New Hampshire.  Their
44-tonner was also recently re-painted... On Saturday March 8 , a
"high and wide" load was spotted at the wye at Lowell Junction.=20
Apparently it was loaded onto a bulkhead flatcar there at near CPF
LJ. On Tuesday March 11, DHPO was spotted in Dover, New Hampshire
with MEC GP-40's #301, #317 & #354.  The train picked up a New
Hampshire Northcoast "Gray Ghost" GP-9 and continued East... New
signals were recently installed between Wells and Biddeford last
fall.  Additional signals were installed between Old Orchard and
Rigby at the same time, but have yet to be put in use.  These
signals are part of the improvements made to allow the closing of
PT Tower... TV-95 & TV-96 have often been spotted meeting between
9:00 & 9:30 pm at Walnut ( the Easterly end of the passing siding
from Royal Junction)...=20

MBTA/Amtrak: exB&M Boston East & Boston West

Editor Wanted!

We at Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal are
looking for a motivated railfan with a few evenings per month free
to edit the MBTA/Amtrak: exB&M Boston East & Boston West column.=20
If you like the MBTA, commuter passenger equipment, and get really
excited when a F-40 with a few of those cars passes by, then this
column is for you!  This is not a compensated position since this
newsletter is done for fun.  Benefits, however, include name
recognition and being at the center of New England's fastest
growing newsletter!

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please
drop us a post at terwilli@tiac.net.  Please be sure to note why
you are interested in this position.

Eastern Route Main Line

On February 21, the MBTA Track Department retired the inside or
Saugus Branch side of the power crossover at Everett Jct. This
crossover provides access to the Saugus Branch and the
now-dismantled Monsanto Chemical plant.  It was be converted to a
single power switch.  Monsanto has been gone for several years
now... Also on February 21, MBTA/Amtrak Train No.127 was delayed at
West Gloucester when F-40 #1052 suffered ground relay/wheel slip
problems. A machinist was sent from Rockport but was unsuccessful
in repairing the unit.  Meanwhile, Cape Ann Transportation busses
were called out from Gloucester to pick up the 80 or so passengers
from Train No.127 while trains started stacking up on the
Gloucester Branch.  Train No.129 came up behind Train No.127 and
shoved it into Rockport with Train No.131 following.  Train No.134,
which uses the equipment from Train No.127, was canceled and
replaced by busses between Rockport and Beverly.  The crew returned
to Boston using the equipment from Train No.129 to haul in the
crippled set.  Train No.131 turned at Rockport to become a late
Train No.096, following the double set down the branch.  Train
No.133 had to wait at CP-Wilson for all of this to clear.
Meanwhile, Train No.094 was held at Beverly to handle the bussed
patrons off of No.134!... Also Friday, February 21, the MBTA work
train headed to GE Riverworks to retrieve an Amtrak crane,
returning to the  Southampton Street Yard. The crane had been used
for riprap work on the Eastern Route Main Line and Gloucester
Branch...A Passenger Extra was run on February 22 bringing a 4 car
set to Rockport to replace the missing equipment from No.127/No.129
failure... MBTA/Amtrak Train No.137 was sent back to North Station
on February 25 after F-40 #1001 suffered a HEP failure just after
leaving North Station. The train had stopped opposite the new BET,
but activities to revive the unit were unsuccessful... MBTA ran an
equipment extra to Rockport overnight on February 27 to swap out
the trainset headed by F-40 #1068 which had layover problems... The
Northside Work Train was scheduled for riprap work on the
Gloucester Branch in Manchester during the second week of March.
Loaded sidedumps for this work are being kept at the old Bennett
Street Yard at GE/Riverworks, West Lynn... On March 6, snowjet SL-34=20
broke down on the single track at Salem, delaying three
different trains for 15-35 minutes... On March 10, Amtrak Train
No.095 with F-40 #1070 limped into Beverly Station from Northey
Point at about 5 mph with amperage trouble. This train is the Salem
to Rockport shuttle. It and Train No.136 swapped train sets at
Beverly when it was found 095's equipment operated acceptably from
the control end!... Amtrak/MBTA Train No.110 was delayed about 45
minutes on March 13 at North Station by circuit breaker trouble on
Control Car 1642.

Western Route Mainline

On Wednesday, February 19, the MBTA work train tested the new
motion predictors at the Salem/Glen Road crossings in Wilmington
along the Wildcat Branch  The next crossing on the hit list for
whistle elimination is Clark Street in Wilmington. Full gates,
bells (and whistles!) will be cut in on March 18.... On March 5, a
high wind storm following an overnight rain storm brought a tree
down around MP-8 in Melrose Highlands. Train No.285 noticed it on
its outbound run.  Train No.288 ran wrong iron Wakefield Junction
to Fells after No.287 cleared since the tree was too large to shove
aside with a control car.  Train No.290 ran wrong iron Wakefield
Jct to Melrose Highlands crossover (in order to advance No.239 as
far east as the Fells).  The tree was finally removed around 9:15
pm.=20

New Hampshire Route Mainline

On Thursday, February 20, the MBTA ran a City Of Lawrence passenger
extra with about 375+  passengers into Boston for the Disney/Toy
Story Ice Show in the Fleet Center...The March 5 issue of The
Broadcaster , a N.H. Weekly newspaper, ran a front page article
about returning commuter rail to Nashua, NH, including a color
photo of the old depot from 1963. The usual issues were discussed,
centering on funding, liability.  Additionally, the paper noted
that Guilford Rail Systems had expressed an interest in providing
the service... Amtrak/MBTA Train No.320 w/F-40 #1071 broke down
around Wilmington on March 13, later to be shoved into Boston by
the Northside Work Train with GP-18 #904.  The train was delayed
about one hour... During the week of March 17, the MBTA Northside
work train was scheduled to drop short x-OC welded rail strings in
Melrose and Bradford for future crossing/track projects this spring
& summer. GP-18 #904 should be the power.

Fitchburg Route Mainline

On March 4, Amtrak/MBTA Train No.420 with class unit F-40 #1000 had
mechanical problems at Fitchburg, but managed to "limp" into Ayer.
The Northside Work Train, at Concord at the time, was sent to tie
on and bring the disabled train to Boston.  Meanwhile a Passenger
Extra was dispatched from Boston to South Acton to cover that
portion of No.420's run.

Terminal District

The exCanadian National MBTA Snowplows have been tentatively
approved for service after numerous clearance tests on the
Northside... The MBTA has been showing safety videos about the
commuter rail service at North Station, in the waiting room under
the Fleet Center.  The video is modeled after the kind shown on
airplanes, including a rail car with live "models" demonstrating
things such as removing an emergency window exit and locating the
fire extinguisher.

Motive Power & Rolling stock

During the third week of February, MBTA GP-9 #1921 was in for
inspections/minor repairs at Southampton Street, GP-9 #902 was back
on the Northside and assigned to the Terminal Switcher until the
return of the 1921.  GP-18 #904 was still assigned to the Work
Train. Amtrak GP-40TC #194 was commuter service, mostly on the
Fitchburg Line.

The delivery schedule kept getting pushed back on the new GP-40MC's,
possibly delayed by the problems encountered while making a
20-year old locomotive into a brand new one.  Originally, the first
of the MBTA's ex-Canadian National rebuilt locomotives was expected
to be delivered on Thursday, March 13 or Friday, March 14. GP-40MC
#1115 was to have been delivered to the Providence & Worcester yard
in Worcester via the New England Central and Conrail.  Conrail,
however would not take it to Worcester, so it was due to go down
the NEC early in the week of March 17, to be delivered to the
Providence & Worcester in New London.  The Providence & Worcester
will service, prep and start the engine, which will then be picked
up by an MBTA switcher and forwarded to Yard 14 in Somerville.  The
unit was first seen in the area in front of the NECR engine house
in St Albans on March 16, and later in Palmer on March 19.  The
MBTA Mechanical/Transportation people will get the first
orientation.  A training and testing itinerary has not yet been
developed, but it is expected the unit will not see revenue service
for at least 90 days.

The MBTA has contracted Amerail to retrofit its Pullman cars in
Concord, New Hampshire.  Five coaches, #228, #235, #240, #208, &
#212 have been selected to be the initial batch, leaving Boston for
Lawrence on Sunday, March 16 on ST's Salem -> Lawrence SALA.  From
Lawrence, ST moved the cars to Nashua, behind Lawrence -> Nashua
Train LANA on March 17 and on to Manchester for interchange with
the New England Southern via a Nashua Local.  Weekly movements will
be the norm after modifications to this initial set is completed.

Amtrak Commuter Rail Service Critics

Local news reports and newspaper articles on March 7 carried
stories of  State Secretary Of Transportation James Kerasiotes
knocking Amtrak's handling of MBTA commuter rail operations,
including hints of looking for another operator for the service.=20
Amtrak "bristled" at his remarks stating the combined on-time
performance north/south is 95-96%, despite the fact there is no
Boston Engine Terminal in service as yet.  Ironically, a handout
was distributed to Amtrak worksites the same day from MBTA
management congratulating commuter rail's on-time performance for
January and February!  Note that Guilford Rail Systems is said to
be interested in being that other carrier.

Upcoming MBTA Northside Track Projects

Fitchburg Route:

   - Rebuild Elm Street crossing in Waltham (at the tower, on
     single track) on a weekend.  This project will require bussing
     for one day.
   - New track panels at Ayer west of the T stop, same at Cambridge
     Station.
   - Installation of relay rail in the Lincoln area near mileposts
     14 &15.  This will require pilot service to be implemented.

New Hampshire Route:

   - Undercutting for new bridge at Gray Street in Billerica.=20
   - Rail replacement in Woburn area.

Western Route:

   - Track panels between Melrose Highlands and Greenwood, to
     include Pilot Service
   - Rebuild West Emerson Street grade crossing in Melrose.

Eastern Route:

    -     Rail replacement between Northey Point and Beverly Draw
    -     Gloucester Branch: Rebuild Boardman Avenue crossing in
          Manchester

The Amtrak crane, last seen about a month ago, will return in early
April to Manchester.  It will be used to replace a culvert at MP
24.5 and for riprap work on the shoreline at that location. During
the track outages (9:30 am-5:30 pm), outbound trains will run wrong
iron Beverly Jct to Manchester likely under Pilot Service, now
tentatively scheduled for April 5 & 6.  On April 12-13, the MBTA
will rehabilitate Gloucester Branch crossings at Prides (Hale
Street) & West Street East on the No.2 Track. Inbound trains to run
wrong iron during outages from Manchester to  Beverly Junction.=20
Not finalized, but upcoming will be additional rehabs for Boardman
Avenue in Manchester.=20

North Station

    -     Ongoing work to accommodate the Big Dig/Central Artery
          project.

Springfield Terminal

Salem Local SA-1 has been running on Saturdays the past few
weekends. Their work is basically cleanup.  On February 23, they
serviced the Medford Branch and setup Salem -> Lawrence Train SALA
for Sunday.  Local SA-1 services the Newburyport Branch from Boston
via the WRML to Wakefield Junction on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  In
the past, the branch was serviced from Lawrence. The change allows
the train to be caught on rare trackage (Medford Junction - Fells)
in daylight.  On Wednesday, February 19, Local SA-1 was forced to=20
leave its train at Wakefield Junction and run lite to CPW-WJ behind
Amtrak/MBTA Train No.227, then down the Wildcat to Boston on
account of  delays to MBTA commuter trains. There wasn't enough
time between trains for the single track "jaunt" between Fells and
Reading Junction... On Sunday, February 23, Lawrence -> Salem Train
LASA, just coming off the mainline at Somerville Jct, hit a low
hanging Boston Edison wire at the Sycamore Street Bridge. The
resulting downed wire/arc initially knocked the MBTA's signals out
on adjacent No.2 Track. However, the problem (likely a power surge)
knocked out signals on both tracks between Tower A and Somerville
Junction.  Some ten minute delays were incurred by the passenger
trains... On February 26, Boston -> Dover Train BODO derailed
several empty hoppers on the 4th Iron at Mystic Junction at
Somerville around 1:30 am. Things were cleaned up the following
afternoon today. On February 28, Boston -> Dover Train BODO with 20
empty hoppers left town via the Western Route Main Line following
MBTA Train No.293... Local BO-2 went out the Western Route Main
Line to Wakefield Junction on February 27 to retrieve the Salem
Switcher which had canned on the Newburyport Branch... Lawrence ->
Salem Train LASA derailed its second unit on March 12 while
switching the Rothsteins siding in Woburn. Plans were to
immediately rerail the unit, but, it was ultimately left behind and
LASA went to Boston with the MEC GP-40 #306 and the remainder of
the train...

Five of the six B&M continuous welded rail gons that have been on
loan to the MBTA are February, 1944 vintage gondolas with cut down
ends.  The sixth, gondola #W1013, was built in February 1942. The
cars are painted yellow and numbered #W1013, #W1003, #W1009, #2976,
#2978, & #2980.  Additionally, the MBTA is using some former DODX
12-wheel flatcars, now owned by Amtrak.  Four cars, #15761, #15763,
#15764, & #15765 were built by MAGOR and are 100 Ton 56 =BD Gauge, 12
wheel flatcars, built in 1953.  Also in use are flat cars #38027,
#38521, #38132, & # 38019, also of DODX heritage. =20

District 3: exB&M Gardner District

Athol Depot to be Utilized by the Athol-Royalston School District

Condensed from newstory in the Athol Daily News

The Athol -Royalston School Department has leased the former Athol
Depot for use as an alternative school for students with special
needs.  The depot had last been used as an Agway after the former
B&M freight house burned.  The move by the school department is
designed to reduce the cost of special education, mainly due to
transportation. Cleanup activities at "The Academy" were underway
on February 26.

Massachusetts' Railroad Economy

Condensed from a newstory from PRNewswire via Individual Inc.

Massachusetts' freight railroads contributed more than $100 million
directly to the state economy in 1995 through wages and retirement
benefits to current and former railroad workers in the state,
according to the figures released by the Association of
American Railroads (AAR).  Payrolls for the 890 active
Massachusetts freight railroad employees totaled $36 million in
1995.  Massachusetts railroad employees are near the top of the
U.S. wage scale, with average individual salaries of $40,472.  The
railroad retirement system, which is separate from the social
security system, paid more than $75 million in retirement benefits
to 8,200 railroad retirees in Massachusetts and their families.=20
During 1995, Massachusetts ranked 26th in the U.S. in the number of
freight railroads (12), 42nd in the total number of rail miles
(912), and 42nd in rail traffic (422,195 tons).  Railroads
delivered almost 1.5 million tons of food products and more than 1
million tons of pulp and paper products to Massachusetts consumers
and businesses in 1995.

District 3 Shorts

On February 22, ST ran unusually symboled Train SEAY from Selkirk
to Ayer with Conrail C30-7a #6566 on the point, from Fitchburg!...
On Sunday, February 23, Portland, ME -> D&H Train PODH arrived at
the Willows (CPF WL) in Ayer with 5 spine cars with 3 trailer
loads.  The origin of the intermodal traffic from the west is
unknown... On February 27, Lawrence -> Selkirk Train LASE was
routed via Fitchburg to work OX, the east end of Fitchburg Yard...
On Monday, March 3, unusually symboled Train SEAY was light through
Ayer with Conrail C30-7a's #6570, #6584, #6560 and #6566.  The
train, symboled for travel between Selkirk and Ayer, was on its way
to Fitchburg to pick up loads destined for Conrail...Local AY-Relief
has replaced the Fitchburg Local on Saturdays on operations
west of Fitchburg, including servicing the Heywood Branch and
Seamans Paper in Otter River... On Saturday March 15, TV-96 with
MEC SD-40 #601, MEC SD-40 #600 and 24 trailers on 26 cars (only 2
empty platforms) was sighted entering the Ayer Hill Yard.  Trailer
names included Schneider, JB Hunt, Vermont Northern, and KCS.=20
Crews had been standing by to inspect the train upon its arrival.=20
The track was blue flagged and the inspectors went to work... On
Sunday, March 16, Selkirk Lawrence Train SELA tore out the switch
machine for the #1 crossover at the Willows at CPF-WL. Apparently
nylon strapping used to secure a load  of poles on a CSXT bulkhead
flat came loose and dragged along the track, snagging the switch
machine, yanking it from its moorings... The Atlantic States
Limited reports that Guilford Rail System is developing an
intermodal transportation terminal in Fort Devens, Massachusetts to
complement their new Waterville facility.  The construction
activities noted in the Ayer Hill Yard, noted in the last issue,
are in support of this effort.  The new facility is expected to be
operational during the later part of 1997...

Continued in Part 3
********************************************************************
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal:
http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli=20

terwilli@tiac.net
********************************************************************

% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======

From:	US6RMC::"terwilli@tiac.net" "#1 ST Yahoo" 22-MAR-1997 13:26:48.90
To:	Pete Terwilliger <"CVAX::WPGATE::CVAX::TERWILLIGER"@yankee.com>
Subj:	Rumors & Sightings, Volume III, Issue 3, Part 3

     Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal

          http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli  
                                    
Volume III, Issue 3                     March 20, 1997
Peter Terwilliger, Editor               terwilli@tiac.net
________________________________________________________
John A.  Joyce, Power Control Editor    John.A.Joyce.18@nd.edu
Stephen A.  Mayotte, Sightings Editor   smayotte@mmsl.com
Brian L.  Miller, District 2 Editor     blmiller@tiac.net
Ethan Haslett, NECR/ConnRiver Editor    ethan@cs.umass.edu
________________________________________________________

Continued from Part 2

District 4 - exB&M West End 

New Business in District 4

The Freight Main west of East Deerfield is pretty much void of
local traffic, however, since last summer a new customer located in
North Adams, MA has been shipping from one to four carloads per
week of scrap metal. George Apkin & Son, a scrap dealer based in
the former B&M electric locomotive shop building is loading
gondolas of loose scrap metal and bales of scrap metal. Since the
scrap yard no longer has a siding, Apkin trucks the metal to the
siding located behind the Sons of Italy Lodge where it is loaded 
by crane. The scrap is shipped in several different types of
gondolas: B&M 9000 series gons, SIRX (Southern Iron & Rail) 81000
series bathtub gons, and DJJX (David J. Joseph, a scrap dealer)
1800 series bathtub gons. The bathtub gons were formerly used in
unit coal train service - some of the DJJX cars still sport large
Burlington Northern lettering.

EDLA/LAED Schedule Change

In the last issue, we mistakenly left the impression that East
Deerfield <-> Lawrence Trains EDLA and LAED are daily trains.  LAED
goes on duty at Lawrence on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 13:00. 
The return trip of EDLA goes on duty at Deerfield on Wednesday,
Friday, and Monday, also at 13:00.  The trains do run not on
Saturdays, similar to the East Deerfield <-> Plainville, CT Trains
EDPL/PLED.  The change to an every other day schedule has been
effective since the fall of 1996.

Hi/Wide Move Scheduled for East Portal

Preparations are underway at the east portal of the Hoosac Tunnel
in anticipation of the shipment of the reactor vessel from Yankee
Atomic Electric Company's decommissioning nuclear facility in
nearby Rowe, MA.  The reactor vessel, removed from the containment
sphere last November, is mounted in a NRC-approved 90-ton steel
shipping container.  The vessel is currently stored in the
container on-site.

The reactor vessel, which once held the fuel used to generate heat
to make steam for the facility's turbines, is approximately 27 feet
long and 12 feet at its widest point.  The vessel is made of carbon
steel with 8-inch thick walls.  The shipping container is 28 feet
long and 13 feet in diameter.  Combined, the package weighs
approximately 335 tons, consisting of the container, the 165-ton
reactor vessel and the approximately 60 tons of light density
concrete that fills the spaces between the vessel and the
container.  The lid of the container is permanently welded in
place.  

The vessel package will be transported by a many axle trailer from
the plant site to the East Portal where it will undergo final
preparations before being loaded into a class "LS" heavy duty rail
car.  The car will be spotted on the Freight Main - a spur will not
be built.  Shipment will be by an extra, consisting of two
locomotives, a spacer car, the car and load, another spacer car,
and a tender.  Routing will be via Springfield Terminal Freight
Main west through the tunnel and on to the St. Lawrence & Hudson
through Mechanicville, NY, the Norfolk Southern through Hagerstown,
MD, and on to CSX and a waste facility in Barnwell, South Carolina. 
The move is expected sometime in late April.

The removal and shipping procedures for the reactor vessel are
similar to the procedures used for the successful removal and
shipment of Yankee's four steam generators three years ago. 
Decommissioning the plant is expected to cost approximately $360
million.

The Yankee Nuclear Power Station, located in Rowe, Massachusetts,
was the first nuclear power plant built in New England and the
third in the United States. Construction of the plant was completed
in 1960 at a cost of $39 million. 

District 4 Shorts

On February 16, Portland -> Delaware & Hudson Train PODH with ST
SD-26 #620, MEC GP-40 #373, MEC GP-40 #304, and 89 cars met lite
Conrail C40-8 #6252, C40-8 #6198, & C40-8 #6063 from an Empty Mt.
Tom Coal Train in North Adams.  The lite power, with #6252 steaming
and making hissing noises, apparently could not be repaired by the
two crews and was left on the North Adams Siding until the next
day.  The coal hoppers had been already been left on the Soapstone
Siding... On February 22, MEC GP-40's #375 and #300 led an 86 car
empty coal train west at Pownal, VT... On March 5, inspection crews
were seen inspecting the Roberts Drive Bridge in North Adams...
Amtrak officials were said to have appeared before State of Vermont
railroad officials to discuss the potential of routing Amtrak
trains via North Bennington and points north... On March 6, downed
trees in Charlemont and Bardswell Ferry from a wind storm the day
before delayed a Loaded Bow Coal Train with Conrail C30-7a #6564,
Conrail C30-7a #6584, Conrail C30-7a #6559, MEC GP-40 #375, & MEC
GP-40 #348 at the head end at Charlemont.  The Freight Main in the
area also suffered signal failures from downed lines too...  On
March 6, track car ST #65002 on was sighted on the "scrapping"
track with tamper #10602 at East Deerfield Yard...

The New England Central and ST's ConnRiver Main Edited by Ethan
Haslett

MBTA GP-40MC #1115

The MBTA's newest engine is GP-40MC #1115 which headed south from
AMF in the past week.  The unit was first spotted at St. Albans, VT
in front of the NECR engine house on March 16.  It was shipped down
to Palmer MA on Train #324 on Monday, March 17.  Conrail initially
refused to take it east to Worcester so plans called for it to go
to New London CT.  From there it was to be routed up the Providence
& Worcester to Worcester MA.  Conrail reversed its decision and
plans to take it east sometime on  Thursday, March 20.  A trackside
observer provides this excellent description of the unit:

     I think the unit [looks] great!  First saw it nose-on and
     I thought I was looking at Dash 9!  The new paint scheme
     looks great and my only criticism is the MBTA lettering
     on the long hood is too small and the roadnumber should
     be in the cigar band and not on top of the banding.   The
     lower cab roof is not that noticeable account of the AC
     unit on the roof.  A massive horn cluster is out front
     and center above the windshields. The bell hangs off of
     it. Number boards are mounted on the wide can nose with
     marker lights above the windshields. The fan housings on
     the roof are silver. There's a stairway/ladder on the
     side just behind the fuel tank.  Rear headlight is
     horizontal instead of vertical. And those flared
     radiators and DB grids!  

Vermonter Disservice?

The Atlantic States Limited reports that a recent trip by Vermont
Senator Dick McCormack was less than pleasant.  Both Amtrak phone
operators and conductors on the Vermonter itself were apparently
less than hospitable.  Senator McCormack stated that service like
this could keep most Americans from using passenger trains. 
However, he also says, "[Amtrak is] really caught between a rock
and a hard place.  They're not adequately funded by the feds."

In other news, plans call for Burlington's Union Station to be
rehabbed by January 1st, 1998. As reported last month, commuter
passenger service is being proposed between Burlington VT and Essex
Jct. VT.  Part of Union Station would be used for rail related
facilities while other  portions would be used for shopping and
recreational uses.

Connecticut Doings

A recent inspection of the Providence & Worcester branch from
Versailles to Willimantic, CT found that brush had recently been
cleared.  John H. Roy Jr. recalls hearing a Form D issued last
summer for this line.  Speculation is that this may have something
to do with a partnership between NECR and the P&W related to
intermodal service or passenger service for the Connecticut
casinos.

Shorts

The Atlantic State Limited reports that a "Snow Train To Vermont"
Amtrak extra ran between Brattleboro VT and Bellows Falls VT on
February 22... A LORAM rail grinding train was spotted moving south
at Montpelier Junction on February 19 at 11:30am.  The LORAM set
was between Millers Falls, MA and CP123 on February 24.  It was
also spotted in early March at Vernon, VT although it was not
grinding rail as before... Amtrak F-40PH #291 led a southbound
Vermonter at Vernon, VT on February 24 with cab car #9640 on the
tail end - the same day that the NECR's St. Albans' dispatcher
warned the northbound Vermonter to be watchful for escaped
prisoners from the Brattleboro Jail who may have been fleeing via
the right-of-way...March 10th saw the southbound Vermonter at
Vernon, VT with F-40PH #207 and Amtrak cab car #9640... Train 323
was spotted switching the Claremont & Concord at Claremont
Junction, NH on March 18 with GP-38DC #9533 on the point followed
by SD-40s #5032 & #5033, GP-38DC #9534 and 55 cars.  The C&C's 44
tonner quickly descended on the new arrivals... Amtrak's southbound
Vermonter came through White River Jct on March 18 with Amtrak
F40PH #389...NECR GP-38DC #9539 was spotted idling in NECR's White
River Junction yard on March 18... Train 324 was southbound March
18 just north of Montpelier Junction with GP-38DCs #9528, #9530,
#9535 and a (short) 25 car consist. Trains 323 and 324 met at
Roxbury VT...an inspection of NECR's St. Albans facility found GP-40
#3080, GP40-2 #3078 and GP40-1 #6526 idling in front of the
roundhouse.  GP-38DC #9520 was having brake work and testing done. 
Amtrak F-40PH #286 was awaiting headlight replacements.  It was
later spotted in a light engine movement south at Bolton VT, Putney
VT and finally at Palmer MA on March 19... NECR GP-38DCs #9521,
#9537 and SD-40 #6281 were inside the roundhouse at St. Albans
undergoing repairs and maintenance 3/18....NECR GP-38DC #9536 was
heard over the radio working the Winooski sub into Burlington VT on
March 18... An inspection of the Washington County in Montpelier
railroad found its tracks snowed in and unused on March 18... NECR
GP-38 #9531 worked a Palmer, MA local the night of March 18...
Railtex/CORP GP-40 #1342 (ex-NS) chop nose was in NECR's Palmer
yard On March 18.  The unit was to be shipped out on Conrail but it
was bad-ordered and sat on Conrail's interchange track for several
days... Railtex's Railtext newsletter reports that its track gang
installed some 500 bridge ties at MP 19.48 on the Roxbury sub in
West Hartford VT, saving the NECR $30,000 over having a contractor
do the work on the 650 foot White River bridge...

Springfield Terminal's ConnRiver Main

The state of New Hampshire has given notice that it has taken
ownership of 18.8 miles of track between Woodsville NH and
Littleton NH.  This notice was issued February 19th, 1997.

The City of Lebanon, NH has asked the State of New Hampshire for
funds to rehabilitate the Western end of the former Westboro yard
to open up the possibility of intermodal loading and unloading.  
The project has a chance of succeeding as the City may approve a
proposal for an industrial park alongside the remains of the
Northern Main.  Rail service would be one of the selling points. 
Also to be considered is the need for trans-shipment of gravel
between Twin State Sand and Gravel's two sites.  Twin State Sand
and Gravel has been trying for years to utilize the railroad for
shipping gravel from its White River Junction, VT pit to the
processing plant in Lebanon.  Guilford, however hasn't offered any
rates that would make this idea feasible. 

Schedule Updates:   

Plainville -> East Deerfield Train PLED and East Deerfield -> White
River Junction Train EDWJ: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
East Deerfield -> Plainville Train EDPL and White River Junction ->
East Deerfield Train WJED: Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday
               
Shorts

Perennial favorite B&M cabooses #458 and #482 sit as a static
display behind a fruit stand in Deerfield off of Route 5...The
Loaded Mt. Tom Coal Train was spotted at Mt. Tom in Holyoke with
CPRS SD40-2 #5534, CPRS SD40-2 #5483 (high nose B unit), NS SD-50S
(short frame) #6503 and NS B23-7 hi-nose #3997.  Norfolk Southern
B23-7 #3997 was apparently the first unit of its kind spotted on
the ST... ST GP-9 #72 led East Deerfield Local ED-5 at South
Deerfield on February 28.  ED-5 worked the yard near Yankee Candle
and Deerfield Plastics. The 100 lb rail along the ConnRiver main
was noted to be in good shape...MEC GP-40 #352 and ST GP-35 #200
led PLED at Hatfield, MA on 2/28 with 44 cars.  Among the consist
were a McCain refrigerator car and hoppers loaded with pulp
wood...a Reading coal hopper was in the string of hoppers on the
running track at North Hampton, also on 2/28... The ConnRiver Main
was noted to be 80 lb rail, dated 1906, through the Holyoke Yard. 
B&M GP-40 #333 led EDWJ at East Northfield on March 10 with 37 cars
in tow including NECR box #4104.  Springfield Terminal uses the wye
between the Woodsville Branch, the Northern Main, and the ConnRiver
Main in White River Junction to turn the power of EDWJ to become
WJED.  Both the Northern Main and the Woodsville Branch were unused
a few hundred feet away from the wye...  Springfield Terminal GP-7
#54 was sighted following B&M GP-40 #333 on Train EDWJ with 10 cars
on March 17.  The units returned the next day as WJED with 11
cars...

Miscellaneous

The April 1997 issue of Railnews has an article entitled  "Phil
Hastings Country".  It covers some history of railroading in New
Hampshire and Vermont.  Included are many beautiful photographs and
a map of current and former railroads in the region.  Its
definitely worth a look!

District 4 - ex New Haven Lines in Connecticut

Caboose Heaven in Canaan

The picture of the Maine Central caboose taken by Matt Baj in the
last issue inspired Eben Corbiere to drop by Canaan to check them
out.  Here is what he found:

     Yesterday (2/23/1997), I found B&M and MEC caboose
     heaven, literally (where they go to rest when they die). 
     There's an outfit called Canaan Union Station, Ltd, in
     Canaan, CT which is collecting these gems in hopes of
     starting a caboose motel.  They have thirty-one total,
     including MEC #670 which is the prototype for the Atlas
     Extended Vision Caboose. Many of these units are hard to
     photograph because trees and fences get in the way.  Plus
     they are parked on two parallel sidings.

     Here's a run down.  The MEC cabeese are orange (harvest)
     with pine green lettering. All are wide vision models and
     have orange cupolas, except where noted. All of the B&M
     are blue with black roof and cupola.  I'm not sure of the
     model.  They are center cupola, but not wide vision.

     MEC  Notes                    B&M  Notes
     
     627  wood                     407
     629  wood cupola              453
     635  wood                     461
     641                           462
     642  green cupola/roof        463  ED4
     644  Guilford Orange          465  Red end (others may
                                        have too)
     646  converted box car        466
     649  center cupola            468
     650  center cupola            469
     651                           474
     653                           484
     655  green cupola/roof        485
     658  center cupola
     661  Life-Like Style (lots of rivets,
          crossing on middle of side of car)
     662  "     "    "
     664  "     "    "
     670  green cupola/roof
     
Eben notes that he will be sending some of this info to the Atlas
Model Railroad Company  in hopes of more numbers for the MEC
model.  Additionally, he points out that Atlas also made a MEC
#671, but only made them available in the Pro-Line train sets.

Readers will remember that the B&M bought the former Housatonic
Lines from Conrail in the early 1980s along with their other exNH
lines prior to Guilford.  The line through Canaan was served by
Guilford via locals from North Adams (via the Adams Branch) and
from Waterbury and Plainville.  Canaan is where the New York &
New England Main crossed the Housatonic and is home to a fine
depot.  In fact, the diamond and some trackage from the NY & NE
still exists.  Unfortunately, however, the plans to turn the
cabeese into a motel may have been scrapped as some of the
cabeese are reportedly for sale.

Springfield Terminal Mixes It Up in Plainville

Following several months of consistent sightings of only the four
GP-40's with cab signals (#350, #351, #352, & #353), Guilford
mixed it up by sending MEC GP-40 #352 and ST GP-9 #72 to
Plainville where they were sighted working Local PL-2 on February
23.  Additionally, East Deerfield -> Plainville Train EDPL came
into town that same day with MEC GP-40 #351 and ST GP-35 #200. 
Observers trackside along Amtrak's Springfield Line were treated
to a show the next day when Plainville -> East Deerfield Train
PLED left with the #352, #72, #200 and four cars.  The three
Guilford units were all in Guilford paint, something that has
become a rarity on the Connecticut lines since the departure of
the GP39-2's.  Next up was East Deerfield -> Plainville Train
EDPL which arrived on February 25 with GP-40 #352 and GP-40# 312. 
And finally, the PLED was sighted in Plainville with MEC GP-40
#352 and B&M GP-38 #252 on March 12.  It seems as if there was a
new trend in motive power in Plainville in the last month,
perhaps because GP-40's #350 and 353 may have been in Maine for
inspections.

Service Resumes on the Canal Industrial Track
 
Plainville Local PL-2 has been servicing two customers on the
Canal Line in Forestville, CT on an infrequent basis,  possibly
once a week.   The two customers are A.W. Green (scrap yard) and
Forestville Lumber.  Both are located in the same area west of
Route 10 before the Southington town line. Cars must be pushed
south with the engine on the north end.  Usually the cars for the
Canal line will sit in Plainville for some time before a run is
made to Forestville.

The Central Massachusetts Railroad Revisited by Felix Legere & and
George Dimond

A driving tour of the remnants, Part 1

The Massachusetts Central Railroad was chartered on May 10, 1869,
as a union of the Wayland and Sudbury Branch Railroad and the
right to construct a rail line between Stony Brook on the
Fitchburg R.R. to Northampton, a distance of  98 miles. The
intent of the sponsors of this railroad was to tie in several
central Massachusetts towns and provide a third railroad to the
west end of the state. Incredibly, work on The Mass Central was
started at the same time along the entire length of the railroad,
thereby diluting the resources to get this railroad off the
ground. Through a series of events, the railroad went bankrupt in
1873 and work on the railroad wasn t re-started until 1878. The
railroad finally opened for business in 1880, only to go bankrupt
in 1883. It didn t run again until 1885, at which time in was
re-organized into the Central Massachusetts Railroad. The Boston and
Maine Railroad purchased the Central Mass in 1902 and remained as
a branch line of the B&M until the mid 1980 s.  
     
We start our journey at the east end of the railroad at Clemantis
Brook, off Beaver road, in Waltham. The switch off the MBTA s
Fitchburg Route Mainline is still in place and the Central Mass
extends unbroken for a couple of miles into Waltham center. The
segment is still noted in Springfield Terminal s official
documents as the Central Mass Industrial Track, although the
rails appear to have not been used for a long time.  For the most
part, the track farther to the west is still in place through
Waltham, though cut in many places.  There is even a crossing
signal remaining at Lyman Street.  Waltham Highlands  features
several very steep grades on the right of way.  It must have been
interesting years ago when the locomotives were small. The line
was usually limited to Moguls, However, during World War 2,
consolidations were used to move ammunition to and from Ordway.

The next item of interest in our tour is the bridge that crosses
the Fitchburg Division. To get to it, follow Rt 20 to Rt 117.
Take a left on Hobbs Brook Rd and go to the end of the road. You
have to climb a rather large hill or walk from Rt. 128, a major
highway. The bridge is in place, along with track and telltales.

Next up is the Weston depot.  Take a left onto Church St. From
Rt.117. The building is in pretty good shape, though lots of
weeds and debris are scattered around the area.  The
bridge/tunnel that carried the Central Mass over Church Street to
the west of the station is also interesting.

Wayland station is our next stop. From Weston, follow Rt. 20
until the junction of Rt. 27 and 126. Take a right on Rt. 27. The
station is on the left just after making the turn.  The station
is in very good shape and has been converted to a small shop at
the present time. The freight station, across from Route 126, is
still being used for storage and is in fair condition. Leaving
Wayland for Sudbury on Route 20, notice the wooden trestle on the
left crossing the Sudbury river. The trestle seems to be in good
shape.

Continuing west on Rt.20 into Sudbury. Take a right on Union St.
and be sure to stop at the South Sudbury depot.  This station is
a replacement for the original station that caught fire and was
destroyed.  The New Haven/Central Mass diamond is still in place
to the west of the station.  Also, take time to check out the
unique construction of the diamond.  Conrail still uses the
former New Haven branch and a small section of the Central Mass
to service a lumber concern behind the station.  

From Union St., take a left on Sudbury Rd. After several miles,
take a left on Chestnut St. in Hudson. This brings us to Gleason
Junction, where the Marlboro Branch of the Fitchburg Railroad
crossed under the Central Mass.  A walk along the Marlboro
Branch/Central Mass connector (facing west, it is to the left),
gives you a view of a stone bridge abutment, though the bridge
has been filled in.  The abutment is the only piece of the bridge
visible. Note that the rails are still in place here.

Continuing into Hudson on Rt. 62, look for the two wood trestles
to the left and right of Route 62.  Both bridges span the Assabet
River.  The left hand bridge belongs to the Marlboro Branch, and
the right hand bridge belongs to the Central Mass.   To the west
is another Central Mass wooden trestle off Manning Street and a
Marlboro Branch steel bridge off Walnut Street.  Hudson station
is still standing on Pope Street, now modified by additions.

Continuing on Rt. 62, The town of Berlin is our next stop. The
stone abutments for the Central Mass bridge that crossed the New
Haven branch to Fitchburg, now Conrail s Fitchburg Secondary, are
still in place and easily viewed from the highway.  Track can be
seen here and there between Hudson and Berlin, and seems to end
just before entering the town (proper) of Berlin.

Clinton was a very important town to the Central Mass and was one
of the largest population centers served by the railroad. 
Entering the town from the east along West St., the right of way
is very evident. Taking a left on Wilson St. and traveling about
a mile, you will find the east portal of the Clinton tunnel. The
area is still pretty open, however, lots of young trees are
growing on the right of way.  If you look carefully, you can
still see an almost complete semaphore post to the east of the
portal.  The west portal is easily seen from Rt 70.  The tunnel
is easily entered and explored.  Just to west was the large iron
trestle so often seen in photographs of the Central Mass. The
Clinton trestle was removed in 1975, but the pilings are still
visible in the river below the Clinton dam. Both the tunnel and
trestle were built in 1903 as part of the Central Mass.
Relocation for the Wachusett reservoir. 

The junction of the Central Mass and the Worcester, Nashua &
Portland segment of the Boston & Maine, now Guilford s Worcester
Main, formed a "wye" in Clinton. The roadbed is quite visible
from South Main street, just off  Rt. 110.  A beautiful rock cut
just before the wye will get your attention as the track took a
left hand turn to come off the Clinton trestle, to the west of
the trestle. The track in this area was pulled up years ago.

The Central Mass resumed its own right of way in Oakdale, behind
the Wachusett Reservoir, just off Route 140. The roadbed can be
seen entering a Fire Academy Entrance.  From Oakdale to South
Barre, the railroad has not existed since 1938.  The roadbed is
surprisingly visible in most places - it will be the topic of our
next installment coming in a future issue.

The MBTA did a feasibility study recently to revitalize rail
service between So. Sudbury and North Station via the Central
Mass. There was a lot of resistance, including a lot of  "not in
my back yard" sentiment.  The MBTA decided not to pursue this for
the time being.  Currently, a movement is afoot to create a
Rails-to-Trails path along the Central Mass Right of way between
Berlin and Waltham. Who knows, more good may yet come of this
railroad !!

Department of Corrections

Volume III, Issue 2:  

>DHPO:  The on-duty time of Delaware & Hudson -> Portland,
>       ME Train DHPO at Mohawk is still 14:00, however,
>       late arrivals of St. Lawrence & Hudson Train 555
>       can delay the actual on duty time several hours. 
>       Additionally, long waits in the District 4 passing
>       sidings for Portland, ME -> Delaware & Hudson
>       Train PODH can further delay the train.

The D&H connection for DHPO is St. Lawrence & Hudson Train #270,
not Train #555.  A visit to the area in mid-March on a Sunday
afternoon revealed Train #556 waiting to leave Mohawk as soon as
#271 made its pick up.   Interesting imbalance of traffic - #556
had well over 100 cars and was waiting for #271 with only 15.

Volume III, Issue 2:

Tim Kelly writes about the picture of the MBTA train listed at
West Acton:
  
     Actually the photo is at the South Acton Station.  The
     photo is shot just west of the plowed platform.  In the
     back you can see the rebuilding of the Route 27 Bridge
     and to the left in the photo you can make out the
     newspaper boxes and the bus stop shed. With the
     headlight dark this train is heading to Boston. 
     Probably the 7:31 train with morning light.

Volume III, Issue 2:

>The westbound TV-96 departs the Hill Yard in Ayer, MA between
>13:30 and 14:00 Monday through Friday...

>TV-95 departs Waterville at around 17:00 Monday through
>Friday...


TV-95 starts in Waterville on Monday evening and arrives in
Worcester Tuesday morning.  It turns as TV-96 Tuesday morning,
meeting the next TV-95 somewhere near Rigby or even more
easterly.  The last TV-95 departs Waterville Friday evening,
arriving in Worcester Saturday morning.  It then departs on
Saturday morning as TV-96.  The cycle starts all over again.  So,
it seems that TV-95 is a Monday through Friday train (originwise)
and TV-96 is a Tuesday through Saturday Train (again,
originwise).

Contributors

Special thanks to this issue's contributors: Jack Armstrong, Eben
Corbiere, Dave Engman, Ken Jackman, Linwood Lothrop, John P.
Krattinger, Bruce Curry, Kenyon F. Karl, Matt Baj, Tom Simonds,
Mike Simonds, Pete Lester, Allan Pommer, Dan Schroeder, William
Lang, Adam D, Dave Harding, Ron DeFilippo,Eric deRivera,
DougTrueblood, Todd Glickman, Jonathan White, Glen Perry, Andy
Grabowski, Tim Kelly, Marty Gleason, Erik Hyjek, Felix Legere,
George Dimond, Dave Gajda, Mike McLain, Rich Reed, and others! 
Please let us know if you were missed! Additionally, thanks to
Bryce Lee's News from Canada, The Atlantic States Limited, The
Narragansett Newsletter, and the Bridge Line Historical Society's
Bulletin for allowing excerpts from selected articles to appear
in this newsletter.  Additional thanks to The Lawrence Eagle
Tribune, The Portland Press Herald, The Athol Daily News, and
Foster's Daily Democrat and Yankee Atomic Electric Company.  A
very special thanks to the NECR folks at St. Albans for their
kindness during a recent roadtrip up there.

News of events on Springfield Terminal and the New England
Central that seem out of the ordinary is always welcome!  Send
reports to Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal
for inclusion in the next issue!  No item is too small!  All
contributions, comments, corrections, and suggestions for
improvement should be sent to Peter Terwilliger, editor, at
terwilli@tiac.net, by voice at 802-258-5774, or by fax at
802-258-5565.  Try to include the number and roadname where possible
- we can do the rest.  If you see unsafe conditions, please
contact the Springfield Terminal Police at 1-800-955-9217. 
Remember to respect railroad property and do not trespass! 
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal is
supported by contributors, both on and off the Internet!

Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal is an all
volunteer newsletter concerning happenings on Springfield
Terminal, the New England Central, and/or any of the many
exBoston & Maine and Maine Central lines throughout New England. 
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal is posted
on our home page, http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli,
approximately every four weeks, around the 20th of each month. 
E-mail subscriptions are also available by writing the editor. 
Additionally, hardcopy versions are available at Shepaug Railroad
Company in the old NY,NH,&H railroad station at 24 Columbia
Street in Leominster, MA and at the Acton Model Railroad Center
at 562 Massachusetts Avenue near the exFitchburg Division
crossing with MA Route 111 in West Acton, MA. 

Standard Disclaimer 

Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal is in no
way associated with the Springfield Terminal Railway Corporation,
Guilford Rail Systems, the New England Central, or any other
railroad or financial interests.  Rumors & Sightings on and
around Springfield Terminal is a compilation of contributions
that reflect what is seen and heard from time to time on and
about Springfield Terminal Railway by interested railfans.  All
content should be further verified.

Copyright 

This issue and/or the material herein may be reproduced at will,
however, credit to Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield
Terminal must be acknowledged whenever the material is used
elsewhere.  Please contact the editor, Peter Terwilliger, prior
to using this material for commercial and/or publication
purposes. 
********************************************************************
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal:
http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli 

terwilli@tiac.net
********************************************************************
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======

From:	US6RMC::"terwilli@tiac.net" "#1 ST Yahoo" 20-FEB-1997 23:52:05.82
CC:	
Subj:	Rumors & Sightings, Volume 3, Issue 2, Part 1

     Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal

                http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli 
                                   
Volume III, Issue 2                     February 19, 1997
Peter Terwilliger, Editor               terwilli@tiac.net


John A.  Joyce, Power Control Editor         John.A.Joyce.18@nd.edu
Stephen A.  Mayotte, Sightings Editor        smayotte@mmsl.com
Brian L.  Miller, District 2 Editor          blmiller@tiac.net
Ethan Haslett, NECR/ConnRiver Editor         ethan@cs.umass.edu


Schedule Changes

Recent shuffles in schedules continue as operations of the new
intermodal trains settle down to a routine.  The following
changes are the latest of many.  Note, these are on-duty times
only - trains typically leave their origination about an hour
after the crew comes on duty.

PORU/RUPO:     On duty times for Portland -> Rumford Train PORU
               at Rigby is now 11:00 and the return trip of RUPO
               at Rumford is 07:00.  This change will be great
               for photographers, bringing trains to the Rumford
               Branch during daylight hours.

SDPO:          The new on duty time for SD Warren -> Portland
               Train SDPO at Hinckley is 2300. The change allows
               for better connections with the paper traffic to
               be picked up by New England -> Selkirk NESE at
               Rigby. 

NESE:          The new on duty time for New England - Selkirk
               Train NESE is 17:00 at Rigby Yard in Portland.

TV95:          The new on duty time for the Waterville ->
               Worcester westbound Intermodal Train TV-95 is
               17:00 at Waterville.

EDLA/LAED:     Lawrence <-> East Deerfield Trains LAED/EDLA go on
               duty at Lawrence and East Deerfield during the
               mid-afternoon.  For a short time, these trains
               were sighted most often at night.

ML438/ML439:   Conrail's Selkirk -Ayer Autorack Train goes on
               duty at West Springfield at 16:00.  Formerly, this
               train could be caught on the Worcester Main during
               the early afternoon.  It's schedule was reworked
               around the schedule of Intermodal Trains TV-95/TV-96.

DHPO:          The on-duty time of Delaware & Hudson -> Portland,
               ME Train DHPO at Mohawk is still 14:00, however,
               late arrivals of St. Lawrence & Hudson Train 555
               can delay the actual on duty time several hours.
               Additionally, long waits in the District 4 passing
               sidings for Portland, ME -> Delaware & Hudson
               Train PODH can further delay the train.

Power Control - Edited by John A.  Joyce

Roster Update

Last month, Maine Central U-18B #406 was sighted out of service
at Waterville.  Since that time, the baby boat has returned to
service.  However, a recent addition to the deadlines at
Waterville is MEC U-18B #402, leaving only #404, #406, and #407
running.  These three remaining U-18B's were spotted powering a
westbound into Rigby on February 15th.  The next day, this same
lashup moved an eastbound to Waterville.

Also last month, Springfield Terminal GP-7 #10 and SD-26 #619
were returned to service at the beginning of January.
Springfield Terminal SD-26 #619 is making its presence felt, as
it has been very noticeable on the Freight Main, usually on
Portland <-> Delaware & Hudson Trains PODH & DHPO.  Meanwhile,
GP-7 #10 went west to East Deerfield in early January, where it
apparently developed some mechanical problems - the unit was
often seen spewing blue smoke while at the East Deerfield shop
during the last week of January.  However, by February 7th this
problem was apparently fixed as the engine was seen on East
Deerfield -> White River Junction Train EDWJ with a clear stack.

Mainline Power Trends

As has been the trend for several months now, Guilford's fleet of
six axle engines continues to dominate almost every PODH/DHPO
lashup.  The number of running "six-packs" is now up to 13.  In
particular, Maine Central SD-40s #600, #601, #603 and #604
continue to be spotted on the point of Guilford's new intermodal
trains TV-95 and TV-96.  Also, so-called "flagship" B&M GP-40s
#326 and #328 have been seen working the job in the last month.
Finally, Norfolk Southern power continues to be sighted on the
Mt. Tom and even Bow unit coal trains.

Power Control Shorts

The two remaining switchers on ST's roster are both in service as
of February 17, with ST SW-9 #1424 working as the East Deerfield
switcher and ST SW-1 #1400 working as the Waterville shop
switcher... Reports indicate that MEC GP-40 #301 was recently
repainted into GRS livery...

Sighting Summary - Edited by Stephen A. Mayotte

Catching up with TV95 and TV96

The GRS/CR trailer trains are creating a lot excitement and
sighting reports.  Unfortunately, if you have a day job, seeing
these trains isn't very easy.

The westbound TV-96 departs the Hill Yard in Ayer, MA between
13:30 and 14:00 Monday through Friday. Depot Street in Westford,
MA (near CPF-307) is a good spot for 40 MPH viewing. The locals
call this "big-time eastern railroading". TV-96 usually arrives
at around 14:15. If the train has any cripples (that is, cars
with bad brakes or other faulty equipment) they will be set out
in Lowell, particularly if flagged by the West Chelmsford defect
detector.  If that happens, expect TV-96 to blast through
Tewksbury, MA (CPF-297) at about 15:40.

Peter Lester has spotted TV-96 in Durham, NH (MP 249) as early as
16:12 and as late as 18:00. From here on out, TV-96 runs under
the cover of darkness. It arrives in Waterville, ME around
midnight.

TV-95 departs Waterville at around 17:00 Monday through Friday.
Now that the days are getting longer, the so-called evening
"sweet light" might make a photo trip to Waterville well worth
it! If that's out of the question, you'll need to get up very
early. You can try the Hill Yard in Ayer around 05:00 where it's
re-crewed and heads for Worcester.

Rigby Yard

Rigby Yard in Portland, Maine continues to be "The Place" to see
rare power. With a few exceptions, the GP7s, GP9s, and U18Bs stay
in Maine. Rigby is a good place to see them. Anything coming from
to Districts 2, 3 or 4 must go through Rigby.  Brian Miller
sighted 12 units in 2 hours on a recent visit. Editor Pete did
better with 16 units on 2/16/97. Tom Simonds sighted 18 units
(including 4 rare units) in six hours. Tom wrote, "I like it
:-)". However, Mike Joyce gets the big prize with 19 units in
just =AB hour on 2/15/97. Mike also sighted a very rare all U-18B
lash-up of #404, #406, and #407.

Sighting Shorts

GP-7 #25 visited all 4 districts recently. It was part of
Portland -> Delaware & Hudson Train PODH on January 29 and
Delaware & Hudson -> Portland Train DHPO on February 5, 1997. In
each case, it was the trailing unit... 

The List!

As of 2/16/97, 93 (of 97) units have been sighted in service.
Here's the First Quarter Rare List:

GP-7 - #15
GP-35 - #216
GP-40 - #320, #321
U-18B - #402 (Reported to be "stored")

The Atlantic States Limited reports that the #320 was last
sighted on January 4 (doesn't count!) with the front pilot bashed
in and missing its plow.  No notes on where it is being kept were
included, however.

See you trackside!

District 1: ex Maine Central

The State of Maine Buys the MEC Mountain Sub

On December 31, the State of Maine purchased 40 miles of the
former MEC Mountain Subdivision right-of-way from Windham to
Fryeburg, ME, paying 1.1 million dollars to Guilford Rail System.
Not included in the deal is the track which the state has the
option of purchasing over the next three years for $870,000.
Readers will recall that a similar agreement between the State of
New Hampshire and GRS resulted in the pull up of the Northern
Main.  Also not included in the deal is the last 10 miles of the
route between Portland's Mountain Junction and Windham, which is
still sees rail service, including the paper mill owned by the SD
Warren Company in Westbrook.  The Atlantic States Limited notes
that plans for the line include using it for passenger excursions
or as a rail trail.  In New Hampshire, the Conway Scenic Railroad
operates a portion of the old subdivision from Intervale to
Whitefield.

First Generation Sighting Summary

GP-7:          #12       Rigby          2/2
                      	 Waterville     2/16
GP-7u          #470      Rigby          2/2, 2/15
              		 Hinkley        2/16
GP-9:          #42       Rigby          2/15
GP-9:          #45       Rigby          2/16
GP-9:          #51       Rigby          2/15, 2/16
GP-9           #52       Rigby          2/15, 2/16
GP-9:          #62       Rigby          1/18, 1/20, 1/22
GP-9:          #77       Rigby          2/10, 2/15, 2/16
SW-1           #1400     Waterville     2/16

Shorts

On Monday, January 20, a very late westbound Intermodal Train
TV-95 was sighted being pushed into Rigby Yard from the east by
Boston & Maine GP-40 #337 and Maine Central GP-40 #314 at 02:00
hours... Scrapping operations on the west end of Rigby Yard
appears to have been slowed or possibly discontinued for the
winter.  There have been two MEC Refrigeration cars on the scrap
line for the last 3 or 4 weeks.  The interesting thing about
these gutted cars is the scheme and numbers.  They are green on
orange and bear the car numbers MEC 1 and MEC 2... South Portland
Police searched Rigby Yard on Saturday Morning, February 8,
responding to a report that a trespasser was seen in the yard by
a brakeman.  It seems that the Portland area has been subjected
to mini crime spree - several armed robberies with shots fired, a
cab driver shot in the chest 4 times, a car jacking, and about
five high speed chases.  Apparently the trespasser matched the
description of a man, who had jacked a car (and driver) in
Pennsylvania and drove all the way to Gardner Maine before
ditching the driver and car... Waterville <-> Worcester
Intermodal Trains TV-95 & TV-96 seem to have settled into a
predictable schedule with about 20 to 25 cars being typical.  Car
loadings are reportedly exceeding expectations and have achieved
levels not expected until several months from now.  Most
recently, however, the train have been sighted with over 40
trailers & containers with very few empty cars... The new pig
packer for the Waterville Intermodal Terminal is not scheduled to
arrive in the Carolinas until sometime in April.  In the
meantime, Guilford has decided to use the operating Mi-Jack
packer that was shipped east from the "Port Devens" facility Ayer
in December.  Additionally, the other packer stored in Ayer has
also been sent east to Waterville... PT tower in at the east end
of Rigby Yard in South Portland, ME may be deactivated in April.
Interlocking and other rebuilding activities have been going on
for months in preparation for the tower's closure...

District 2: exB&M East End - edited by Brian Miller
    
Vandals Damage New Hampshire Northcoast

The New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad has been the victim of a
string of vandalism incidents in Rochester, New Hampshire.  In
December and early January, vandals have cut wires to crossing
signals and tampered with track switches.  The cost of the
damages is estimated to be around $500 to $600, but the railroad
is more concerned about the possible safety hazards of the
equipment not working properly.  Rochester police are
investigating the incidents and are reportedly following up on a
few leads. 

Ammonia Leak in Manchester, NH

On Wednesday, January 21, while working the Guilford interchange
at Manchester, New Hampshire, a New England Southern crew
couldn't help but notice the smell of ammonia coming from one of
the cars.  Upon further inspection, the crew found that an
anhydrous ammonia car, ACFX #17327, had a leaking valve.  The
crew notified the District 2 dispatcher who called the Manchester
Fire Department to the scene.  Very little of the ammonia was
released and the car was repaired, released and taken to Bow, NH
the next day.  Anhydrous ammonia is used at the PSNH Bow
generating station for its smokestack emissions "scrubber"
system.  The ammonia is interchanged in 65' tank cars by Guilford
to New England Southern for delivery to PSNH.

New Business in District 2!

Guilford has a new customer located in North Wilmington, MA on
the old D.F. Munroe siding.  Colrain, a scrap paper dealer, is
served on an as needed basis, usually by local LA-3 out of
Lawrence, MA. This is the second scrap paper dealer to locate on
Guilford recently.

Additionally, the amount of traffic on the Portsmouth branch
should pick up as perlite is now being transloaded from ship to
both rail and truck at the Port of Portsmouth.  Previously, the
only cargoes transloaded from rail to ship at Portsmouth was
scrap iron.

Vandals Tamper with Freight Train

On Sunday February 16th, a vandal closed the anglecock on the
65th car of Portland, ME -> Delaware & Hudson Train PODH.  The
train, led by ST SD-26 #643, ST SD-26 #621, B&M SD-39 #692, ST
GP-35 #210 and B&M GP-40 #334, stalled at CPF AS (Andover Street)
while crossing over from track one to track two to enter Lawrence
Yard.  The five units and 88 cars trapped MBTA passenger train
#2208 behind it.

Apparently, PODH was held outside of Haverhill station, waiting
for MBTA passenger train #2205 to clear.  While stopped, someone
turned the anglecock on the 65th car.  PODH then pulled hard all
the way to CPF AS where the train stalled on the crossovers,
blocking both mainline tracks.  The train was also long enough to
block Lawrence station, keeping MBTA passenger train #2208 from
making its station stop, aggravating passengers waiting to board
the train for Boston.  By the time the crew found the turned
angle-cock, the cars blocking the station had turned into a
playground of sorts and both the Lawrence and Guilford police
were called in to clear people away from the train.  At the end
of it all MBTA passenger train #2208 was 25 minutes late into
North Station.

Shorts

On Tuesday Jan. 21,  Selkirk, NY ->Portland, ME Train SENE
swapped its power with counterpart Portland, ME -> Selkirk, NY
Train NESE near MP211 in Saco, ME.  These two trains usually swap
power in the Lawrence, MA area.  This is the first time that
Conrail power has been seen in Maine in quite some time... Local
residents in Lawrence, MA want to remove the footbridge over the
South end of Lawrence yard.  The residents complain that the
bridge which connects Kent St. and Boyd St. is a conduit for
criminal activity, allegedly including a house firebombing last
October 1996.  A meeting has been scheduled for February 18th to
explore closing or dismantling the bridge...The New Hampshire
Northcoast re-started Ossippee, NH <-> Boston gravel trains
(Dover <-> Boston Trains DOBO/BODO while on Springfield Terminal)
on February 3rd with GP-9's #1759, #1755, & #1756 pulling 22
loads down to Boston... On Thursday, February 6th, local freight
B0-2 derailed one car in Yard 8 in Somerville, MA... ST's Salem
yard improvements are almost finished though still unballasted...

MBTA/Amtrak: exB&M Boston East & Boston West

Eastern Route Mainline

The MBTA Work Train tested the CN Snowplows for clearance on the
entire MBTA northside most of the first week of February.  The
plow consist plied the Eastern Route on February 5 and the New
Hampshire Route on February 6... Also on February 5, Amtrak/MBTA
Train No.165 with F-40 #1074 died in Chelsea. Another set of
equipment came out of Boston to offload passengers and continue
east, while the #1074 set was towed back in Boston and shopped...
On February 10, the head end power unit on F-40 #1051 failed at
right out of the gate at Ipswich while powering Train No.188.
Further down the road, the unit died completely at Swampscott.
The crew managed to revive it but had to shove the train into
Boston from the #1051 instead of from the control car on account
of dead batteries.  The train was about 30 minutes late into
Boston... On February 13, Train No.113 halted just short of
Rockport when F-40 #1013 died near a location called "Piggery
Crossing".  A near hour delay was incurred until a mechanical
department employee who lives in the area came down and revived
the unit... The MBTA Work Train spent much of February on the
Eastern Route with sidedumps of riprap and an Amtrak railcrane
borrowed from Southampton Street Yard.  The train is doing riprap
work on the Saugus/Revere Marsh and on the Gloucester Branch
around Manchester...

The Wildcat Branch

The MBTA Work Train has been unloading rail salvaged from the Old
Colony lines along the Wildcat Branch.  It is unlikely that these
activities are related to the initiation of Amtrak's Boston to
Portland passenger service... Effective at 4:01 pm on February
19, the following crossings now equipped with gates or motion
sensors: Glen Road &  Salem Street in Wilmington.  The upgrade in
crossing protection will allow the implementation of a whistle
ban on the branch...

Western Route Mainline

On February 3, the MBTA Work Train was slated to take one of the
CN snowplows out on the Western Route Mainline
(Reading/Haverhill) to State Line(NH) for testing. On the return
trip, the train was to have picked up the MBTA side dump cars at
Eagle Leaf siding in Plaistow.  The siding is the old Process
Engineering siding... On Saturday, February 7, a work extra was
run to Bradford to retrieve a test set of Pullmans #242, #227,
#226, #218 & MBB #1517... On Thursday, February 20, the MBTA
operated a passenger extra for the City of Lawrence Recreation
Department's annual trip to the Disney On Ice Show in the Fleet
Center.  Routing for the six car extra was via the Western Route
Mainline, the Wildcat Branch and the New Hampshire Route
Mainline...

New Hampshire Route Mainline

On January 26, MBTA F-40 #1072 died on Amtrak/MBTA Train No.2301
at Wilmington because of water problems.  MBTA GP-9 #1921
provided rescue duties - coming out of Boston to shove the train
to Lowell and back as Train No.2302.  Delays on the order of an
hour were incurred...On February 7, switch work at Winchester
Interlocking forced the MBTA to run at least two trains wrong
iron (Form D's) between Winchester and Somerville Junction... On
February 10, Amtrak/MBTA Train No.322 died at Wedgemere
(Winchester) with F-40 #1053.  A passenger extra was sent out of
Boston to shove the dead trainset to Boston.  The train was
delayed about 50 minutes... On February 11, the morning commute
was slightly disrupted at Lowell when a high trailer truck became
stuck under the Gorham Street overpass at CPF-BY. Train No.3805
was turned at N.Billerica as No.306, while No.306's equipment
stranded at Lowell turned into No.308.  When Train #308 arrived
at Mishawum, it was standing room only and 10 minutes late.
Making matters worse, the train had five instead of the usual six
cars.  The shutdown lasted only 30 minutes as bridge inspectors
determined there was no damage and it was safe to run trains over
it again...

Fitchburg Route Mainline

A work train was scheduled for Friday, January 24 to take one of
the new ex-CN plows out for clearance tests.  After rescuing a
disabled train No. 203 in the AM, the test train made it as far
as Waltham on the FRML.   The tests showed that the modifications
made to the plow wings succeeded in providing sufficient
clearance above the track... A work train was sighted heading
east near Ayer on January 27, headed up by the MBTA, nee CP Rail,
caboose followed by a couple of flat cars carrying rails, and a
ballast dump car; all being pushed by MBTA GP-18 #904... On
January 24, MBTA/Amtrak Train No.433 broke down in South Acton
Station after F-40 #1075 refused to load.  Following Train No.434
was brought down from CPF-WL (the Willows at Ayer), nosed on to
No.433, where it shoved the disabled train set back enough to
clear the platform.  Crews, passengers, and equipment were
swapped to the operating trainset while GP-9 #1921 left Boston
ahead of Train No.475 to drag the disabled set in as a late Train
No. 434.  Both No.433 and No.434 were one hour late...
Amtrak/MBTA Train No.434 hit two deer in Lincoln on Monday night,
February 4. The mishap caused air brake problems (turned angle
cocks) which created a 25 minute delay... On Saturday, February
8, the MBTA Work Train with GP-18 #904 on the head end led six
cars of used continuous welded rail (CWR) with two empty
sidedumps as spacers. The rail is for use somewhere around
Fitchburg and came from the Old Colony Project between Braintree
and Middleboro.  Some rail was brought to the Wildcat Branch as
well.  The cars are part of a 12 car CWR train that has already
made two trips to the Old Colony Project.  A third trip was
scheduled for the weekend of February 15. The train is made up of
six borrowed B&M CWR gons, two MBTA ex-TTX 89' flats, and 4 six
axle ex-DODX, now Amtrak, flats. On Sunday, February 9, rail
replacement activities took place on the single track in Waltham
between trains...

Terminal District

The Boston Engine Terminal, Yard 14, and Tower H experienced a 5
hour power outage Tuesday night, February 4 when a transformer
blew up near Tower H...

MBTA Motive Power

The MBTA service locomotives GP-9 #902, GP-18 #904, & GP-9 #1921
continue to be found throughout the MBTA System.  On February 5,
GP-9 #902 was assigned to the former B&M Northside in place of
the GP-18 #904.

Amtrak will perform repair work at Rensselaer/Albany on MBTA
engines until further notice.  MBTA F-40 #1016 was the first unit
to go, shipped via Conrail. Primary reason for the move is a lack
of space at Amtrak's Southampton Street facility and the MBTA's
S&I facility at the same location. Between the nearby highway
construction and ongoing Old Colony Project track reconstruction,
space is limited and everchanging.  In the future, look for units
to be ferried out on Amtrak Trains #449/448, The Lake Shore
Limited. This agreement will stay in effect until the new Boston
Engine Terminal opens in late 1997 or early 1998.

The first MBTA "GP40-MC" has not yet been delivered to the Boston
area despite being seen high speed testing in Canada last month.
Given extent of rebuilding, the remainder of the order will take
some time to complete.  The renumbering of the exCN units will be
as follows:

MBTA Canadian National        MBTA Canadian National

1115      9474                1116      9499
1117      9500                1118      9503
1119      9506                1120      9510
1121      9511                1122      9512
1123      9517                1124      9533
1125      9545                1126      9553
1127      9557                1128      9561
1129      9565                1130      9568
1131      9571                1132      9572
1133      9577                1134      9589
1135      9598                1136      9599
1137      9607                1138      9616
1139      9620

Canadian National GP40-2L(W) #9505 was not retired for the MBTA
project as previously reported on account of a fire at Toronto.
GP40-2L(W) #9512 was substituted instead.

Springfield Terminal

A Springfield Terminal Boston Local BO-2 derailed several cars on
receiving track R-1 on January 30 in Yard 8 just behind the
Brickbottom Warehouse complex.  The cars looked to be all corn
syrup tanks.  R-1 was restored to service around 4:00 pm.  The
Brickbottom Warehouse is the former A&P warehouse located in the
triangle between the Fitchburg Route Mainline, the McGrath
Highway, and Tower H/Red Bridge.  The large white building is now
occupied by an artist's colony... Boston & Maine GP-40 #335 was
sighted in Yard 7 dead & drained with flat wheels, traction motor
trouble, and other mechanical problems on January. The #335 left
Boston on February 5 on Salem -> Lawrence Train SALA, presumably
headed to Waterville.  It was next seen on February 11 on
Portland -> Delaware & Hudson Train PODH in Ayer along with B&M
GP-40 #337, GP-35 #215 and 40 cars...On February 13, Boston -
Dover Gravel Train BODO with 20 cars returned to Dover via the
Western Route Main Line to "requalify" the crew.  The Western
Route Main Line is used as needed by the gravel trains as a
detour.  The next day's BODO returned to the New Hampshire Route
Main Line with a rather large train of 66 empty hoppers!...

Continued in Part 2....
********************************************************************
Rumors & Sightings on and around Springfield Terminal:
http://www.tiac.net/users/terwilli

terwilli@tiac.net
********************************************************************


% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======