Pan Am Coal Trains

[GU1001]

If I recall correctly, in the late 80s to early 90s timeframe, Conrail had an 8000 ton weight restriction on the head pin for the B&A. I do recall seeing helpers on a coal train on one occasion. One of my favorite memories from that timeframe is a loaded coal drag stopped for a crew change at the top of Charlton hill. The 4 C30-7A’s put on quite a show getting it moving again! The sound & the stack fires, you don’t get that show anymore.
Would a CSX routing have more to do with the origin of the coal? Less interchange = a cheaper rate?

[690]

CSX routing is likely because they won some bid to provide the coal trains, as CP and NS have in the past. As has been mentioned already, it makes no sense for CSX to run them over Pan Am Southern, and cut NS in on part of the profit, hence the Worcester main routing. I wouldn't be surprised to see the coal trains running with DPU over CSX, and up to Ayer for a power swap with Pan Am, which can use a trio of C40s from Ayer to Bow.

[roberttosh]

Back when the coal trains were running on the B&A there could be up to 10 through trains running daily on the Worcester-Ayer segment. How times have changed...

[newpylong]

I remember SENE, NESE, ML-(whatever the Ford rack symbols were called). Then the random coal and local extras. What were the others?

[roberttosh]

SENE/NESE (Selkirk/Portland)
SENA-LA / NA-LASE (Selkirk/Nashua or Lawrence, Changed back and forth)
ML438/ML439 (West Springfield/Ayer-Ford)
TV95/TV96 (Worcester/Waterville Hunt intermodal)

Plus the coal trains, the occasional local and of course WOGR/GRWO on the joint PW/PAS stretch. Once Conrail was split up the second Selkirk manifest set, the Ford train and the TV trains quickly disappeared. The coal trains were already shifted to the Fitchburg by then.

[CPF363]

If coal trains do in fact return to the Worcester Line, one wonders if the line will receive any repairs to handle those heavy trains once again.

[johnpbarlow]

According to the Weight Limit Map on Pan Am's corporate web site, the Worcester Main does support 286K lb cars. Of course, track repairs might still be needed on the line...

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/ ... -Model.pdf

[newpylong]

If it was long term traffic maybe, but it's not. They will poke along at 10 MPH just like the Northern.

[Rockingham Racer]

When I lived in Tyngsboro in the early 60s, 10 MPH was their speed even back then. The milk train made good time, though.

[troffey]

Reports of a CSX coal train en route to Worcester, to head up the Worcester Main and on to Bow.

[GP40MC1118]

CSX N618-27, originated out of Newell, Pa. 80 loads

[Ironman]

It's on its way today

[Jedijk88]

CSX unit coal train cleared downtown Westfield MA at 15:42. They were hauling arse.

[fromway]

Came out of western PA on the CSX side of the river on old P & LE tracks.

[NYC27]

Did they run it with DP?