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Spoke with an old Stow pilot - the caboose was trucked in, is privately owned, as is the airfield. Check schedule for visiting dates/hours; they’re fine with public inquiries on certain days - looking to expand the airfield. New hangers are sprouting..

Last I met a crew in Milford, they’d outlawed on the one trip out from Nashua. This was 5-6 years back. Is this routine for NA-Hillsboro crews? I know, obv. it’s slow going on the Hillsboro..

Stony Brook CTC was groundbreaking as well, yes, in effect in the ‘20s..

Demonstrating that the Stony Brook is no longer the high throughput railroad that it became in the 1920's (double track CTC with controlled siding between Westford and Granite City), on Sunday 11/4/18 BFPO and EDPO conspired to tie up the line for 5-6 hours occupying both the main and siding at Wes...

I know the answer is posted up here somewhere but does anyone know offhand when the section between Leominster and Fitchburg was taken OOS? My guess would be early 1990s, likely even before? Pre-1990, but not by much. 1988, perhaps? Thanks. That sounds about right to me. Found an odd statement on a...

I'm sure collecting the mileage to Reformatory was a plus for many RRE members. The overall plan for this trip, like many others the RRE organized between 1950 and 1980, was "as much freight-only line as we can in a long day, threatened routes get priority". Right, makes sense entirely. T...

I know the answer is posted up here somewhere but does anyone know offhand when the section between Leominster and Fitchburg was taken OOS? My guess would be early 1990s, likely even before?

Hi The trip took place on June 8th, 1958, the trip was responded by the Mass Bay RRE, the route of the trip ran Boston -Bedford-Concord, via Bedford and Reformatory branches. to North Billerica-North Chelmsford-Ayer-Worcestor-Gardner-South Ashburnham-Winchendon-Peterboro, New Hampshire-Fitchburg-Bo...

I enjoy the line ranging south from Leominster to the west of Worcester and across the Quabbin to Amherst and Northampton in particular.. :-D Hey at least that has the advantage of having actually existed at one point-- meaning it's feasible. Brattleboro - North Adams would need a rack system to ge...

There is only one available online USGS map depicting the old Reformatory Branch when it still existed (the Framingham Quadrangle, 1894). The western terminus of the line is just beyond the parameters of the map. Did it actually join the New Haven's Framingham and Lowell Branch, or did it end where...

According to R.D. Karr's essential Lost Railroads of New England , the reformatory branch was abandoned between Concord Center (across from Concord Lumber) and Bedford Station in 1962. Apparently there was an excursion over the branch sometime in the 1970s - I've just heard of this and cannot entire...

Allegedly there's remnants of a turntable pit in West Concord, MA, on the grounds of State Police barracks - opposite MCI Concord and just east of the rotary. Was located on the B&M's Reformatory Branch. There was once a station here as well. This section of the Reformatory Branch was abandoned ...

I enjoy the line ranging south from Leominster to the west of Worcester and across the Quabbin to Amherst and Northampton in particular..

Caught the PAR Circus Extra move from Worcester, MA to Manchester, NH rolling through Ayer, Westford and Chelmsford, MA about twelve days back and made my way up to see the circus last Sunday in Manchester. Good shows, impressive turnout for both. The reaction to the Circus Train by "ordinary&q...

There's an old steel caboose on the outskirts of the airfield that parallels the Assabet River Rail Trail in Stow. Anyone know the story here? Is this is a piece of rolling stock left stranded after the line was abandoned in 1943? It's easy to view from the entrance to the airfield. No need to go an...