Rumford Branch, RUPO / PORU

[BM6569]

Here is a 1964 shot of the Rumford paper mill. You can see where the ROW used to continue North over the river in the center of the photo.

http://vintageaerial.com/photos/maine/o ... 4/AOX/35/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[S1f3432]

That right of way was the Rumford Falls and Rangeley Lakes to Kennebago and Oquossoc, dismantled in 1937 after
being washed out by floods. The pedestrian bridge to the mill is on the railroad bridge abutments.

[KSmitty]

Had a day along the Rumford Branch today.
Caught PORU working North Leeds. 519 leading 379 and 326. They dropped 5 and took 7 or vice-versa. The amount of cars at DeCosters has fallen sharply over the last 2 weeks, there must have been 25 on the sidings there last week, maybe 10 today.
They made typical Rumford Branch time to Riley's, but had a bit more 'fun' than planned as they stalled out on the hill in the yard. 315 came down to rescue them. Both crews seemed to have some doubts as to whether the 4 units would move the train. 519 wasn't loading up above 8 or 900 amps, and 315 wouldn't rev beyond the 4th notch.
The crew lawed, and the recrew was called for 13:00. In that time we took a break for lunch at Canton Variety, good food, better price. Meanwhile, RI-1 had swapped the 315 for the 519.
They proceeded with new crew as far as Peru. They had a single load of plate steel for ARC, the displaced Madison Branch customer who migrated their transload operation from North Anson to AJ's Log Yard in Peru. They approached "East Dixfield" a couple times, but never made it far enough to get a picture. We were hungry, pushing 17:45, so we drove the final 5 miles to Rumfuhd proper and another food stop at Sam's. If you're from southern central Maine you know you gotta stop at Sam's, its just the rule...

Anyway, after suppah, spotted the Rumford switcher, but failed to photograph, from the bridge over the west, err...east end of the yard. 332 with maybe 5 or 6 slurry tanks. They were headed to clear Tk.2 and had been in communication with PORU about where to yard and run around. Yesterday's PORU power was sitting in the yard, with 332 apparently having gone up yesterday and been swapped for another. Talk suggested 2 of the 3 'road' units from yesterday were dead. So of the 8 units on the branch, 2 were dead, 2 were ailing and 4 were trailing and thus not racking up the complaints quite as quickly.

[CN9634]

Had a day along the Rumford Branch today.
Caught PORU working North Leeds. 519 leading 379 and 326. They dropped 5 and took 7 or vice-versa. The amount of cars at DeCosters has fallen sharply over the last 2 weeks, there must have been 25 on the sidings there last week, maybe 10 today.
They made typical Rumford Branch time to Riley's, but had a bit more 'fun' than planned as they stalled out on the hill in the yard. 315 came down to rescue them. Both crews seemed to have some doubts as to whether the 4 units would move the train. 519 wasn't loading up above 8 or 900 amps, and 315 wouldn't rev beyond the 4th notch.
The crew lawed, and the recrew was called for 13:00. In that time we took a break for lunch at Canton Variety, good food, better price. Meanwhile, RI-1 had swapped the 315 for the 519.
They proceeded with new crew as far as Peru. They had a single load of plate steel for ARC, the displaced Madison Branch customer who migrated their transload operation from North Anson to AJ's Log Yard in Peru. They approached "East Dixfield" a couple times, but never made it far enough to get a picture. We were hungry, pushing 17:45, so we drove the final 5 miles to Rumfuhd proper and another food stop at Sam's. If you're from southern central Maine you know you gotta stop at Sam's, its just the rule...

Anyway, after suppah, spotted the Rumford switcher, but failed to photograph, from the bridge over the west, err...east end of the yard. 332 with maybe 5 or 6 slurry tanks. They were headed to clear Tk.2 and had been in communication with PORU about where to yard and run around. Yesterday's PORU power was sitting in the yard, with 332 apparently having gone up yesterday and been swapped for another. Talk suggested 2 of the 3 'road' units from yesterday were dead. So of the 8 units on the branch, 2 were dead, 2 were ailing and 4 were trailing and thus not racking up the complaints quite as quickly.

What an exciting little piece of railroading the Rumford branch is. Glad you got to see it in action!

[KSmitty]

PORU outta Rileys at ~15:00. 511 leading.

[BostonUrbEx]

More layoffs expected at Catalyst Paper

Catalyst Paper has announced a temporary shutdown of the No. 12 paper machine has been extended to August, resulting in the layoff of about 50 workers.

According to Rumford mill spokesman Tony Lyons the layoffs are "directly market-related."



More:

http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/2 ... /27840097/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KSmitty]

Caught 511, 313 and 3, yes 3 boxes rolling into Leeds Jct. around 19:30. So business is already down markedly.


Seriously though, was it actually PORU, or did somebody mis-switch a few hot cars?

[690]

PORU had twenty something yesterday, and picked up eleven from Leeds Jct. RUPO had 50 coming down the branch.

[eustis22]

Drove from Winthrop to S. Paris yesterday and noticed two very rusty hoppers sitting in the grain? mill in Leeds. What's the story there?

[KSmitty]

Drove from Winthrop to S. Paris yesterday and noticed two very rusty hoppers sitting in the grain? mill in Leeds. What's the story there?

If the wheels were shiny its nothing out of the ordinary. They don't exactly get the top of the line hoppers at North Leeds.

[atholrail]

Today's PORU 370-515-3001 and 57 cars. Of note, head 10 are for Leeds, also 2 loads of plate steel, and 10 or so coal loads bringing up the rear...

[atholrail]

Today's PORU had 70 cars. Business seems good up Rumford/Riley at the moment...

[doublestack]

Verso paper to lay off 300 employees.

http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/2 ... /32043397/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[newpylong]

What a company.

[CN9634]

Verso paper to lay off 300 employees.

http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/2 ... /32043397/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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