I recently came across an interesting post on a local blog regarding a proposed Boston Worcester Airline Trail, a multi-use path running from Framingham to Worcester:
http://www.mysouthborough.com/2018/01/2 ... ent-322845" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It appears as if a portion of the path is proposed over the former Boston to Worcester Trolly line which was abandoned in the late 1930s or early 1940s. What really struck my eye was a map of the proposal depicting a portion of the path to run along the current (and active) CSXT Fitchburg Running Track right-of-way, starting in Framingham Center, and running through Southborough to Marlborough Junction. Here is a link to the entire proposal (see sections which reference the railroad right-of-way 4.3, 5.1 S4.1):
https://www.town.westborough.ma.us/site ... alt_v2.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I have a hard time believing that CSXT would allow such a mixed use of their right-of-way. Granted, this is a low volume, FRA Class 1 track, but still, they are generally concerned with liability. I did find the following language within the proposal: "The Framingham section of the trail depends on a lease from CSX for a rail with trail. CSX has resisted this on other trail projects, but the value of connecting to Framingham makes this worth pursuing."
I could be wrong, but as F-Line to Dudley has stated in the past, I believe there is still enough business on this line (Safety Kleen, Ken's Foods, Mass Container, NewCorr, Bestway) to ensure it will not be abandoned in the near future, although the track conditions are deplorable at best. I will be interested in seeing where this proposal ends up.