B&M 1227 wrote:I noticed that too driving down 79 over the past week. A few years ago there was talk in a trackcar group of clearing the line down towards Tiverton for some purpose. A lot of rail is missing further down the line in Tiverton so I can't imagine them pursuing the trackage that far.
Except for that tank farm straddling the state line it's all residential in Tiverton, so no business potential south of there. Tracks currently end at a gated fence at the tank farm about 200 ft. from the end of the pipeline feeding the barge loading dock. That's most definitely a viable major customer if they want rail shipments anew, but pretty sure that's P&W's claim as MC rights end and theirs begin at the literal state line. Tracks not exactly in great shape, but all the crossings are still there and it's a scant 1/2 mile from Gold Medal. I bet they could get those tracks in service with a few weeks' work if ever needed.
RIDOT owns everything south of the border and has it designated OOS to the former bridge. They've said they aren't interested in changing that designation until they see if South Coast Rail pans out. They have an old Newport commuter rail study in hand and are seeking small subsidy to catch up on deferred maintenance of the Aquidneck Island tracks so the the Newport Dinner Train can initiate general-purpose cross-island transit during the peak tourist months. If Fall River gets commuter rail they've committed to re-studying a direct Newport connection to see if it's worth building a new bridge (new highway bridge preserves the old rail bridge embankments) and restoring tracks to the state line for limited thru service. No interim trail planned (Tiverton NIMBY's would probably like free-range bicyclists even less than the trains) pending ultimate outcome of Mass.'s SCR odyssey. With freight still a going concern on the MA side almost to the foot of the border that should keep the option clear until the 24th century or whenever the SCR freakshow finishes.