Massachusetts Central Railroad (MCER) Discussion

[fl9m2004]

Hopefully I'll get to see these new engines
In Hyannis yard when I take the scenic train run by cape cod central

[Dick H]

You have the Mass Central Railroad confused with the Mass. Coastal Railroad.
The Mass Central Railroad runs between Palmer and Ware MA> The Mass.
Coastal Railroad runs on the Cape. You won't be seeing the B&M style painted
locomotives in Hyannis. You need to travel to Palmer to see them.

[fl9m2004]

Would I be able to see them from the Vermonter

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

Would I be able to see them from the Vermonter

If the timing's right. MassCentral being small obviously doesn't interchange with CSX as many times a day as NECR does. But they do scoot through there and you may pass some of their power parked at the MC-NECR junction underneath the Mass Pike or on NECR's extra siding tracks on the 1-1/2 miles between Palmer Jct. and the Pike.

[fl9m2004]

I'll have to look
Any idea when Amtrak won't be doing the famous Palmer move

[shadyjay]

Mass Central has their power stored on the weekends in the fenced in area which is just north of the diamond (NECR/CSX). It's actually probably *almost* visible from the Palmer station area. From the train, you see it very shortly after moving after the CSX to NECR switching move is completed, and SB you see it a little distance past where the MC's line begins to parallel the NECR.

Still think we have another year until the Palmer reverse move is history. Usually these track upgrades take at least two construction seasons, and this has been pretty much the first full one. As I take the Vermonter several times a year, I'm looking forward to the reroute, not just for the time savings, but to see something new. And the Palmer-East Northfield route is the last portion of the Vermonter's route that still has stick rail, though welded rail has been placed on several curves.

[fl9m2004]

I wonder if Amtrak would be using 2 genesis still once the new route is done or only 1 needed
And I'm sure the spare train would be still in Springfield as Vermonter protect

[shadyjay]

They use only one right now, and a cab car on the other end. The cab leads between New Haven and Palmer. Upon the reroute, a backup move is still required to get into or out of Springfield, but that can be accomplished without a cab or a second locomotive.

[fl9m2004]

So that's why every time I see both vermonters
Cab cars are on both ends of those trains
I see it almost every week mostly the southbound 55
Along with a couple of metro north's and the Danbury and Shore Line East runs

[johnhenry]

Saw the 2100 engine switching the S Barre yard at 1pm today 9-27-13. A bunch of people taking pictures too.

[atsf sp]

Drove by the Mass Central yard in Palmer on Sunday. Where are the 2100 and 960 now since the only engines located there are the 1750/51, and the derelict GP9.

[daylight4449]

Drove by the Mass Central yard in Palmer on Sunday. Where are the 2100 and 960 now since the only engines located there are the 1750/51, and the derelict GP9.

Pretty sure 960 is off the property by this point... 2100 has been in South Barre for some time from what I've heard.

[NashuaActon&Boston]

I explored the Mass Central a few years ago for the first time. Is the small yard w/ the old BAR boxcar considered South Barre?

[johnhenry]

Mass Central train derails in Hardwick Thursday March 5th due to ice in crossing. See link to Worcester T&G article with photo.

http://www.telegram.com/article/2015030 ... 0/0/SEARCH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tower35]

I explored the Mass Central a few years ago for the first time. Is the small yard w/ the old BAR boxcar considered South Barre?

I came back this way for a visit. The BAR box is actually in Barre Plains. South Barre is just up the track to the end of the line at the reload facility. The 2100 is sitting in the Ware yard just north of the route 9/32 underpass.