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I would say into the 70s there was a one stall engine house just north of Aragonii bridge. This was at the time that NH still moved a few cars along the Airline branch to Willimantic.

Noticed activity in Middletown yard last week. They seemed to be replacing ties & adding ballast.
Has there been a problem with de-railments there ?

What's the deal with abandonment of Portland tracks ?

Just heard that their Board has approved the extension of the line beyond Wells Road.
Don't know exactly why, as the ride is long enough right now.
Anyhow, I requalified there last Saturday.

Yes, they could put in new poles, but that wouldn't be an easy thing to do. Maintenance to the old barns will continue because we need the inside space to store cars. Also the everyday use cars are stored in the old barn area ... less walking for operators. Many years ago a guy spearheaded an effort...

Thanks for the input !

Since the G&W takeover I've noticed that the service to Middletown is less frequent, i.e. several lumber cars vs. 1 or 2, Portland once every couple of weeks, etc. And yes, a G&W engine is frequently left in Middletown. Sometime there is security there, but mostly you can drive right up to i...

Maddog, Great posts, thanks for sharing !

Old barns can't be replaced because they are in the flood plain, but they can be maintained ... that's the plan.
Today is "Annual Meeting" about now they are running a car up to new barn on it's own power (first O/H line was installed recently).
Still some track left to be laid (loop, etc.)

Did Sat & Sun of Santa week-end ... Ho Ho Ho

Swam under the Lyman Viaduct ... went to school at East Hampton (now Center School) ... once in a while would see a couple of box cars going over the bridge in the center of town. When my greatgrand father moved from NY to CT he got off in Cobalt & had a horse & buggy pick him up.

I'm not a regular subscriber to Trains, so I just picked up that copy off a used magazine rack ...
very nice history article !

Lee/Brendan, Excellent tour of the upper end of the old Valley line, thanks for sharing.

I was there that day standing in the middle of the road in uniform as the car approached.
Was a glorious day.

If you can get a hold of the Summer 2014 issue of First & Fastest most of the issue is about theses cars & the status of their repair at IRM.