Addressing and adding my 2 cents on some of the comments, curiosities, and lingering questions made in this thread...
The Bennington Paper Mill was the last customer on the line beyond Wilton in 1986 when Guilford's labor strike hit. Because of the strike they switched over to trucks, and despite a return of rail service after the strikes, they took a few more railcars and then continued on with trucks. After the cease in service for the mill, Guilford abandoned the Hillsboro Branch past Wilton and that's when the state purchased it in 1988.
Location wise, the mill is located 19 rail miles railroad-north of Wilton (16.5 miles north of Granite State's quarry). The two sidings for the mill are still intact, externally it appears to only be an internal reconfiguration of mill processes that would be needed to switch back to rail service. Back in the mid-2000s, you could get a track car from Wilton all the way to the end of the rail-head a few hundred feet north of the mill - the line is intact. The line could probably use a thorough trimming now.
The only other business that could potentially use rail service (adjacent to the rail line) out beyond South Lyndeboro is a scrap yard at Russel. It's doubtful that would produce any significant rail traffic for the branch. 19 miles of track for one customer seems a bit much. When the Wilton Scenic Railroad was running, the biggest concern with reaching Bennington was possibly having to rebuild the curve at Elmwood.
Back in 2003, if Guilford wasn't in the picture as the interchanging railroad, would the paper mill consider switching back to rail service? You bet. But now that we're with new leadership and direction at Pan Am, could that decision change? Who knows.
Do I think this recent spat between the two railroads is due to the them not playing well in the sandbox? Oohhhh yeah.
Matt
The Bennington Paper Mill was the last customer on the line beyond Wilton in 1986 when Guilford's labor strike hit. Because of the strike they switched over to trucks, and despite a return of rail service after the strikes, they took a few more railcars and then continued on with trucks. After the cease in service for the mill, Guilford abandoned the Hillsboro Branch past Wilton and that's when the state purchased it in 1988.
Location wise, the mill is located 19 rail miles railroad-north of Wilton (16.5 miles north of Granite State's quarry). The two sidings for the mill are still intact, externally it appears to only be an internal reconfiguration of mill processes that would be needed to switch back to rail service. Back in the mid-2000s, you could get a track car from Wilton all the way to the end of the rail-head a few hundred feet north of the mill - the line is intact. The line could probably use a thorough trimming now.
The only other business that could potentially use rail service (adjacent to the rail line) out beyond South Lyndeboro is a scrap yard at Russel. It's doubtful that would produce any significant rail traffic for the branch. 19 miles of track for one customer seems a bit much. When the Wilton Scenic Railroad was running, the biggest concern with reaching Bennington was possibly having to rebuild the curve at Elmwood.
Back in 2003, if Guilford wasn't in the picture as the interchanging railroad, would the paper mill consider switching back to rail service? You bet. But now that we're with new leadership and direction at Pan Am, could that decision change? Who knows.
Do I think this recent spat between the two railroads is due to the them not playing well in the sandbox? Oohhhh yeah.
Matt
Nashua City Station Railroad History - http://www.nashuacitystation.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
