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  • Mystic Wharf Branch - Another Nail In The Coffin

  • Guilford Rail System changed its name to Pan Am Railways in 2006. Discussion relating to the current operations of the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, and the Springfield Terminal railroads (as well as the Delaware & Hudson while it was under Guilford control until 1988). Official site can be found here: PANAMRAILWAYS.COM.
Guilford Rail System changed its name to Pan Am Railways in 2006. Discussion relating to the current operations of the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, and the Springfield Terminal railroads (as well as the Delaware & Hudson while it was under Guilford control until 1988). Official site can be found here: PANAMRAILWAYS.COM.

Moderator: MEC407

 #57691  by GP40MC1118
 
Last week, the MBTA (MBCR) removed the diamond crossing of it's Eastern Route mainline and the Mystic Wharf Branch at FX Interlocking.
This severs any direct access to and from the branch.

Of course, the branch is embargoed anyway, so its all a moot point.

The last connection to the Charlestown side of the branch is a track called the "Davis" track which runs between the Boston Sand & Gravel lead and
the branch. This track is out of service and probably won't be restored.

Dave

 #57888  by eotd
 
I presume this was the same diamond that was used to service the old recycling customer in Charlestown as well.

Maybe one day rail will get another chance.. though probably not in this lifetime.
 #57911  by GP40MC1118
 
You could actually service the paper company siding two ways:

1) Head down the Wharf Branch, just to clear the signal for the Davis
Track, then reverse your move to the Davis. About two car lengths in,
is a handthrow switch to the recycler.

2) Go over to Yard 2 (Boston Sand & Gravel), then reverse your move
down the Davis Track towards the Wharf Branch to clear that handthrow
switch. Of course, you would need the signal off the Davis to the Wharf
in order to make the shift since there's barely room for an engine and
one car.

Again, all a moot point since the current incarnation of the Davis Track is
out of service. The switch to the recycler is spiked for the recycler, which
prevents the #2 scenario.

Dave

 #57962  by Ed Canney
 
What happened with the recycling company and also Costa Fruit, they were receiving cars on a regular basis for awhile, up until this year? Was it the lack of service provided by Guilford or did they simply just want to abondon the siding?
 #58653  by GP40MC1118
 
The siding has been an off and on victim of the Big Dig. Construction in the area and heavy rains covered part of it in mud. So its been out of service for a while. I doubt it will ever be restored.

Dave