A Guilford freight transporting "clay" and chemical materials to the Champion paper mill in Bucksport went off the track this evening (7/21) in Orrington, at the Route 15 crossing. Several tank cars derailed. A 'hazmat" team was called in to evacuate nearby households after reports had been received that smoke was emanating from one of the cars, but it was discovered the emission was harmless. A local resident was interviewed on one of the Bangor TV stations and, stating that he and his child walk the track regularly (thus incriminating himself, wot?), he commented that it's been in bad shape for a long time. He regularly finds loose spikes. I heard a similar report recently from a railfan who a few weeks ago drove down the Martin Stream Road between Norridgewock and Oakland, which parallels the Somerset Branch, and he said the track looked awful. Another accident waiting to happen? . . .
Watch a freight go by the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum here in MA. The ties are rotted away, and the rails move up and down with each wheel. And there are lots of date nails to be found because those ties are so OLD! But I won't complain TOO much... I'm lucky there's any trains at all in MA...
Jonelle
