Grand Junction Branch (The North/South Side Connection)

[NRGeep]

Has the MBTA ever considered rebuilding the former New Haven between Framingham and West Concord for shuttle moves between the north and south sides? While it is true that much would have to be done to make it happen, such as rebuilding three miles of track in Sudbury, a new bridge over the Assebet River and installing the diamond in West Concord, the rest of the old line is still in place physically. Using this line would be much shorter run between the two ends verses going to Worcester and Ayer and would be entirely under the T's control. Hopefully, the T will keep this line in place as an eventual rail line over turning it into a future bike trail.

They would never bother going through all of that hassle (if it was even feasible) for the handful of occasions they have to run out to Worcester.

If there are ever serious plans/funds for a North Station/Worcester connection this line would seem to make sense in many ways, though not likely to happen. An even more unrealistic connection would involve a spur from Weston off of B&A to old Central Mass which would connect to Fitchburg line all within nimby Weston.

[Arborwayfan]

It is not exactly NIMBYISM to get to like having a bike trail. I ride to work on one and would not like to see it torn up. (Little risk of that, since it the Pennsy and the NYC were parallel and Conrail took the best of each> NYC from Indy to Terre Haute and Pennsy to at least Effingham.) Bike trail users are different from NIMBYS (who often don't like bike trails either); actual busy bike trails become part of a conflict over the use of a right of way. NIMBYS sometimes use the idea of a bike trail to get rid of a rail line, but a successful bike trail builds its own actual support. In most places it's not a problem.

[EuroStar]

I did not say that bike trails are a problem, just that there is no example of one going back to rail. And while NIMBYs might not like bike trails, practically all of them will defend bike trails over the alternative of trains coming back (diesels will be claimed too noisy and electric will be deemed too disruptive to the greenery around).

[NRGeep]

Weston until last year balked at converting Central Mass line into bike trail.

[BandA]

That's Westons' choice. They can build bike trails next to roads like they do in several parts of town. There is a need for the Central Mass ROW as either CR or other form of motorized transportation because the highway was never built from 495 to 128. If two towns build bike paths but the town in between doesn't, that town has to figure out what to do with the bike riders who will now be riding in their streets!!

[Rockingham Racer]

By "highway", do you mean I-290?

[Area4]

Is B721 back? Not seen it at the usual times.

The Readville Switcher was supposed to be the first move today, but never materialized.

CSX is not due to start until next Sunday.

D

[GP40MC1118]

B721 is still on duty at 130pm Sunday-Thursday at Framingham. They didn't run this past
Sunday, but were around their usual time Monday.

D

[BandA]

By "highway", do you mean I-290?

Yes, I-290 or MA 200. Basically US-20 can't handle the load even with the series of bypasses that have been built piecemeal. But this topic is for north-south transportation rather than east-west!

[bostontrainguy]

Although the new approved Allston plan puts the Mass Pike at ground level, it appears the Grand Junction connection is going to survive somehow:

"Preserve the potential for a future public transit service running through the throat area between Allston and Cambridge using the Grand Junction Railroad Corridor."

http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mas ... l-project/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Charliemta]

Yes, under all options proposed for the Mass Pike, there will be a two-track Grand Junction crossing of the Charles, continuing west to the Beacon Yard, in addition to the two tracks for the Worcester line. So a total of 4 tracks alongside the Pike through the interchange rebuild area.

[CRail]

Despite some dull noise from a couple nitwits about a linear park, there was never any real threat to the Grand Junction. It is a vital connection and is sought by many activists for use by passenger rail service (not just equipment moves), it was never going anywhere.

[EuroStar]

Yes, under all options proposed for the Mass Pike, there will be a two-track Grand Junction crossing of the Charles, continuing west to the Beacon Yard, in addition to the two tracks for the Worcester line.

Is this somewhere in official documents? preserving the two tracks for Grand Junction is good, but is it official?

[bostontrainguy]

The maps and cross section diagrams all show a two track main alongside a two track Grand Junction. Someone is thinking ahead (finally).

[newpylong]

There was never any intention of doing away with it, no threat.