Connecticut River Line (Pan Am)

Now that this line has been upgraded and is owned by the state of Mass. its now possible to move freight over it without taking several days as was the case when it was a 10 MPH Guilford Class 1 route. The combination of it being a Pan-Am Southern route and to a degree that Pan-Am at least beginning to realize they had better start moving traffic before competition moves them out makes for a better situation than before especially since they are now a tenant as opposed to being the landlord.

Got another look at the PAS/PVRR interchange in Holyoke. Bridge supports have been restored, deck and ties have been reinstalled, and, as I was driving by, rails were being reinstalled.

Looks like, barring post-work inspections and certifications, the interchange could be reactivated soon.

For those who may be interested, a major step in the demolition of the Mt Tom power plant happened today.
Link to article with pics & video of the implosion below...
https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/ha ... 1588574057

Interesting illustrated article in Construction Equipment Guide about the deck rehab of the Stone Arch bridge at Bernardston that occurred this past September:

https://www.constructionequipmentguide. ... etts/42627

Fascinating!

And it's amazing to think that Mr. Judah was only 20 years old when he designed that bridge. I wonder if he had any idea the bridge would still be carrying trains 172 years later?!

Noticed a gondola at Barker Steel in Sout Deerfield this past Thursday. First time I’ve seen a car there in years. I remember they stopped getting service after an employee was killed a few years back. Hopefully they’re back to regular service.

They returned to rail sometime following that accident.

Tie replacement is underway between Northampton and Holyoke this morning.

Also observed unit 353 idling the morning away near the Holyoke station with a NS gondola and a few of those loaded flatcars with the blue containers. Anyone know that trains ID?

LMH doing tie replacement with C&G surfacing behind them. And the local was ED-2.

Tie replacement going on at Mt. Tom Junction, expect them to be behind my condo in Holyoke sometime next week.

EDBF 7594-7523-7875 took 10 north this afternoon..

Interesting to see those loads of tie bundles.

Are those ties in those centerbeam cars or steel?

Not ties - steel for Claremont.

Speaking of Claremont: https://www.nhbr.com/cd-debris-transfer ... claremont/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think this location is off the old C&C, so it will be a NECR (G&W) customer. Might trickle onto Pan Am depending on where the cars are going.

Steel for Can Am Bridges, if I'm not mistaken. I've seen Pan Am Boxes on their property as well, my sister's fiance is a welder there. The garage doors on the front of the place have gotta be close to 30'×50'