Downeaster Trackwork & Upgrades

The switch is already there. It's being converted from a hand throw (I think) to a power switch.

Perhaps I missed it, but I don't know which switch is being talked about. Could you give us a little more info as to its location?

CS to East end of the facility isn't it?

Correct.

newpylong wrote:We'll see if that named Control Point makes it into the time table...

I'm not sure if this is what you were getting at, but the new "CP-Cemetery" will be an anomaly for two reasons.
-It's to be the only named interlocking outside of the T territory.
-And unless the omission of a third letter was a typo, "CP-Cemetery" will be the only "CP" without a line-designating suffix (F/L/N/etc.).
Kind of an interesting diversion from past practice, and makes me wonder if it will simply be called "CPF-189" in the paperwork. Or maybe oodles of federal & state dollars buys 4.11 miles of second track AND the right to name the new control point?

What is the cemetery? I've looked and looked and can't find one anywhere near the siding or junction.

Must be the only place in the old New England countryside without a family plot in every other backyard.

The Brunswick RR Quiet Zone saga continues: http://www.theforecaster.net/brunswick- ... uiet-zone/

At around $900K per 4 quadrant gate, implementation of 7 quiet zone grade crossings could cost a little over $6M.

Of course they won't pay for it.

Well ... Quiet zones are a local responsibility. If they want them they're going to have to pay for it. That being said it is now very clear that Alternative Safety Measures such as raised medians are not only acceptable (and in use on the Downeaster corridor) but far cheaper than four quadrant gates.

David FInk Jr. relayed at TRNE annual meeting that PAR has 15,000 ties ready to towards replacement from Wells downstream to Exeter-ish. Said will replace next year Oct-Nov time frame. Apologized for screw-up last year on tie replacement debacle. Said it was his idea and he blew. Would not repeat it again.

Per the latest information Royal Siding earthwork is nearly complete and ties are expected to arrive in March. Tie project anticipated for this fall will cover Wells to Dover. Rockingham Siding project has been funded as well as the platform expansion at Durham.

Thanks for the update!

One other item I almost forgot ... both tracks are back in service on then Merrimack River bridge in Haverhill and will remain so at least until March when the other track will be worked on.

They already took the other track out and painted tje bridge. What do they need to take it back out for?

They didn't finish the other side and had to swap tracks before all the weekend work last year involving the bearings. Plus they only put the panels back on, new welded rail is to be installed in the final condition.