Connecticut River Line (Pan Am)

Here's a link to a set of 7 images that I took yesterday of the site where the new Holyoke station, on the Conn River LIne, will be built:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/26316537@ ... 060834804/#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very little work has taken place along the right of way at this location, besides the assembly of a new turnout.

The condition of the station site suggests to me that it is highly doubtful that this station will be ready by the end of 2014. The number one problem is that there would appear to be one or more companies, including a dealer of power boats, using a large portion of the station site at the moment.

The design plans for the new station can be found on this link"
http://www.holyokeredevelopment.com/por ... nger-rail/
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Is the former Holyoke station you pictured along the ROW? I'm guess that's why they wouldn't consider using it?

BM6569 wrote:Is the former Holyoke station you pictured along the ROW? I'm guess that's why they wouldn't consider using it?

Yes, the former station is along the right of way.

Here's a link to the report that explains why they selected the Dwight Street location over the former station site:

"Holyoke Station Feasibility Study and Site Analysis"
http://www.pvpc.org/sites/default/files ... 281%29.pdf
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
March 2011

Today there was a crew working just behind Prolube Auto Center in Northampton (right at exit 18) building a large, tall retaining wall, I imagine to strengthen the embankment that the rails run on top of. Very cool to see!

Has any work been done near exit 20. I used to get off there a lot to get gas at the pride cross the crossing there and head down to exit 19 to get back on the highway south. I'D love to see pictures of that crossing being done (Damon rd)

theozno wrote:Has any work been done near exit 20. I used to get off there a lot to get gas at the pride cross the crossing there and head down to exit 19 to get back on the highway south. I'D love to see pictures of that crossing being done (Damon rd)

Some fresh ballast has been dropped on either side of the Damon Rd (Northampton) crossing but as far as I can see no real work has started yet at this location. As soon as there is something to look at I'll take some pictures.

parkerdog wrote:Today there was a crew working just behind Prolube Auto Center in Northampton (right at exit 18) building a large, tall retaining wall, I imagine to strengthen the embankment that the rails run on top of. Very cool to see!

I kind of figured that they'd have to build some kind of retaining wall there- without it, that slope would just erode away, once they started using the station's running track...

Couple prefab turnouts on the Chicopee/Springfield city line.

BFED was re-crewed at Agway in Bernardston around 1100, chased them south to Greenfield...

For those interested --

The City of Northampton, Mass. Passenger Rail Advisory Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, June 18th at 5 p.m.

Location:
City Hall Conference Room- 2nd Floor
210 Main Street
Northampton

Agenda:
1. Old Business

2. Discussion and update on Pioneer Valley Rail issues:
GUEST: Tim Doherty, Director of Rail Programs, MassDOT

3. Discussion and Next Steps

Next to the rail trail today. There was a freight sitting pulled by #353. Hoppers and some gondolas. Pictures from station to where I carried the bike over to the Norwottock Rail Trail.
First picture in front of the station.



Other end of station looking North.



Bridge over Rt 9.



About halfway where to crossed ties have been for some time I believe.



Cross over point.



Plan to swing by again tomorrow and look at Damon Rd.

Rich

Half a century (or more) of decay...being reversed one tie, one plate, one spike at a time. Still amazing to see this project happening.

Still nothing being done at Damon Road today.

The below are at the Auto Salvage yard.




Saw only two workers at the crossing to the other rail trail behind Taco Bell. Not railroad workers according to the name on the truck. Lighter colored stone at this spot.



Rich

whats left to be done? Northampton to Springfield?

theozno wrote:whats left to be done? Northampton to Springfield?

The ribbonrail that was put down last year still has not been touched.

Rich