Mystic Wharf Branch

[ferroequinarchaeologist]

From the STB website March 31st, FYI:

PROVIDED NOTICE THAT THE BOSTON AND MAINE CORPORATION (B&M) AND SPRINGFIELD TERMINAL RAILWAY COMPANY (ST) JOINTLY FILED A PETITION UNDER 49 U.S.C. 10502 FOR EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF 49 U.S.C. 10903. B&M AND ST SEEK TO DISCONTINUE SERVICE OVER A LINE OF RAILROAD KNOWN AS THE MYSTIC WHARF BRANCH, EXTENDING FROM MILEPOST 0.0 TO MILEPOST 1.45 IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, MA.

[Ron Newman]

where is this? somewhere in Charlestown?

[GP40MC1118]

Yes, this is Charlestown....Kind of funny seeing this as the MBTA ripped out the diamond where it crossed the mainline at FX last year. Sort of a moot point. Also hearing that they (state) wants to build a haul road along the branch to alleviate truck traffic on the local roads.

Dave

[rb]

While we're in the area, what's going on with Big G is Somerville/Boston? Are Costa, the paper recycler, and Spaulding Brick gone? Is M.S. Walker and BS&G all that are left?

Add Sweetheart Cup and the steel distributor in Medford to the list of customers that have vanished in the last 5 years.

[GP40MC1118]

Costa is gone...Don't know about Spaulding Brick. MS Walker and BS&G are all that's left in Boston. Some scrap to Polerizer NE in Everett. The Medford Branch is probably a dead issue.

Most of the non-BS&G cars you see in Somerville are either Salem bound cars or cars brought in off LOSA's switching in Woburn/Wilmington.

Dave

[130MM]

While we're in the area, what's going on with Big G is Somerville/Boston? Are Costa, the paper recycler, and Spaulding Brick gone? Is M.S. Walker and BS&G all that are left?

Add Sweetheart Cup and the steel distributor in Medford to the list of customers that have vanished in the last 5 years.

Just the other day it looked like GRS was either shoving in or pulling out about 5 cars at Spaulding Brick. They appeared to be derailed in Yard 21.

And Sweetheart has not "vanished". It moved to the old Borden Chemical plant in North Andover, and does quite a railroad business.

Also, Boston Paper Board gets the occasional car.

[GP40MC1118]

Completely forgot about Boston Paperboard...still active. It looked like there were 2 cars spotted there this week.

Another overlooked load coming into Somerville is oddball hoppers for Boston Sand & Gravel. Usually its three or four SOO LINE hoppers loaded with some sort of aggregate substance. Possibly for different cement mixes?

Dave

[mick]

It's sad

[MikeB]

quick question, where are m.s. walker and boston paper board located?

[GP40MC1118]

MS Walker is loacted behind Boston Engine Terminal and is off Third Avenue crossing. The first track you cross over if you were going into BET is the 3rd Iron. If you look to your right, this track continues about 150ft.
It ends behind MSW. Usually Guilford's BO-1 power is kept here.

Boston Paper Board is off Roland Street (off Washington St). The siding
comes through the MBTA "T-Pad" (opposite the old Sweetheart Plastics).

Dave

[gokeefe]

Just reconfirming the branch is still dead. Any indications of interest from Massport for freight service?

[GP40MC1118]

No interest as far as I know. And with the diamond crossing the MBTA mainlines gone
for several years and the reroute of PAR freights up the Yard 10 lead between FX and
Washington Street/Mystic Jct, don't hold your breath...

D