by CSX Conductor
Hearing a very interesting rumor now that CSXT is eyeing the Fitchburg Line from Ayer into Boston, anybody else hear anything yet?
Railroad Forums
Moderators: sery2831, CRail
octr202 wrote:They talking about the current freight route from Ayer to Boston, via Lowell, or the MBTA Fitchburg Line?MBTA Fitchburg Line.
octr202 wrote:Somehow I doubt that Lincoln, Concord, Weston, even my fair city of Belmont would not fight tooth and nail against freight activity on the Fitchburg Line.First off, freight traffic already exists on the lone through these towns, albeit very rare. Secondly, the towns can try to oppose it all they want but they most likely wouldn't win.
CSX Conductor wrote:As for the reason why they want this line. There is a possibility of landing a huge customer in the NEP in Chelsea/Everett which would be handling hazardous material cars. Since the Grand Jct. Running Track is FRA Excepted Track no more than 5 cars at a time are allowed on one train whereas if they acquired the Fitchburg they could run from the B&A @ Worcester to Ayer to Boston and over to the NEP.I think that kills your rumor right there. It would have to be a lot cheaper for Chessie Seaboard Ex to just upgrade the less than three miles of the Grand Junction between Beacon Park and the old Tower H than to buy 36 miles of the B&M. Right?
CSX Conductor wrote:First off, freight traffic already exists on the lone through these towns, albeit very rare. Secondly, the towns can try to oppose it all they want but they most likely wouldn't win.Not doubting the rumor part one bit, I know that the towns could (speaking hypothetically) wouldn't be able to stop CSXT or GRS from increasing activity on their own property, but as long as the T is involved, all bets are off, politically speaking. Given the general attitude in Mass. at the state level towards freight rail, I'd be shocked to see any form of heavy freight activity added to any state owned rail lines where it doesn't exist now (since we know the occasional GRS moves to the Watertown branch over the Fitchburg line are lower volume than most short lines).
As Otto & I said, this is just a newly started rumor.