GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION FOR A&A TRACK REHAB

[jgallaway81]

Ask, and thou shalt receive!

These were taken in early June, just before the steam-powered excursion to Delightful's for the Ice Cream Social. The work here was done pre-contract, and most-likely done since this section hasn't seen passengers since the late 90's, and hasn't seen steam since the late-80's/early 90's.

[Benjamin Maggi]

Ice Cream Train? Does it take passengers to the Jenny Lee, or someplace in Java/North Java? I would think that the Jenny Lee would be closer, but it is hard to imagine people buying tickets for a 10 minute train ride.

[jgallaway81]

Ben... it wasn't even that far... the tender is sitting on the circuit at the West Main Street crossing.

The truck in the fourth picture is going up Bixby Hill in Arcade.

[thebigham]

I've uploaded some of my A&A track work pics here:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/show/?order= ... ttica%20RR

[steamfan6325]

check out the lack of movement between coaches in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhmrB8b2QUE

[Conrail4evr]

I was there on Thursday for the first time in a month or two, and the difference was quite evident. Lots of new ballast, some new switches, and various contractor MOW machinery kicking around - and this is just in Arcade. It looks like they still have plenty of work at hand, but then again, that's the nature of any railroad - never-ending work. If they keep up the work they've been doing, they'll be able to shake the stereotype of Penn Central-like trackage in no time at all.

[Benjamin Maggi]

Um, I thought the lack of rust on the equipment was enough to distinguish it from anything Pen Central related!

[swbudnack]

I was making a U turn down by the Fire Hall last weekend where the Arcade and Attica Railroad tracks are. Looking down the track(north) I was amazed on how straight they got the rails. It used to look really bad, It looks like a good job!

[thebigham]

^Those rails have never been that bad.

When the A&A received the state grant in 1980/1981, this section of line (MP2 - MP3) was relaid with 100 pound rail.

[nessman]

I took a ride on the A&A last week. Needless to say, the train didnt' feel like it was going to roll over into a ditch anymore - a remarkably smooth ride.

Here are pictures of work along the ROW. Fresh ballast the entire way, seems like almost every tie has been replaced.

[Benjamin Maggi]

WOW! It looks like some model railroads where the modeler accidentely puts down too much ballast and it goes over the ties and all. However, in this context it is a good thing! Nice work.

[jgallaway81]

Only thing missing now is the 132lb CW ribbon rail... and the interlocking tower in Arcade, and the Signals along the line to Curriers, lol.

Seriously though, it does look a lot better.

The key now is to continue the process even after this work is done. Track can't be upgraded & left for 20 years. Its what got it into this condition in the first place.

[joesbag]

Holy cow - I can't believe the pix are of the A&A (although the condition of the rail gives it away and still warms my heart)! Great photos Nessman. Only wish I could have seen the work progressing myself. Man, what a great job the likes of which haven't been seen on the RR for 25 years or more. Anyone know how many hoppers of ballast did they use? Did the A&A crews drop the stone? Now that there is some new footing under the ties and rails I agree that the railroad does need to keep it up. That requires cash which I hope the excursions and perhaps new customers will generate.

[nessman]

Here's what they used to put down ballast:

[Luther Brefo]

Where is the tamper and tamping crew? Without tamping the stone, they're basically throwing that stone away.