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  • Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (BSRM) Thread

  • Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New England
Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New England

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 #1233550  by JRG
 
It didn't have "service" in 1984. An MBRRE excursion was the last passenger train to operate over the line in August of 1984.
 #1245128  by JRG
 
Berkshire Scenic is proud to announce our new web page and FACEBOOK page advertising our new Hoosac Valley Service which will restore train rides to the Berkshires after just a short two year hiatus. Please take a look and keep in touch with developments on this exciting project! BSRM is ON-TRACK!

http://www.hoosacvalleytrainride.com

http://www.facebook.com/hoosacvalleyservice

Visit our booth in the Better Living Center, Section 11 at the ARS Show this weekend!
 #1269894  by JRG
 
Berkshire Scenic is pleased to announce that it has acquired ex-Boston & Maine Budd RDC #6126. BSRM has been seeking an RDC to operate as part of its fleet as they were used heavily by the B&M, NYC and NH - all of which served the Berkshires. BSRM believes that RDC's are an important part of New England railroading history and it is important to place an RDC into operation so that the Budd RDC story can be told and shared. In addition to being historically relevant to the Berkshires, the features of the RDC are practical for our tourist train operations - illustrating the timeless design and solid engineering of the Budd Company. BSRM is proud to say that the Budd Car is coming back to the Berkshires - "RDC - the car you're going to ride in."

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/46472/ ... -Runs.html
 #1272901  by JRG
 
At this time the plan is to operate the car on the Adams Branch as part of the new Hoosac Valley Service. No scheduled date for movement yet.
 #1276807  by JRG
 
It's in solid shape. We removed all the brake system valves and cylinders for rebuild. We also removed the drive shafts for transit. Next step is to re-install the rebuilt brake components and perform a brake test. The car will then be ready for inspection by the carrier and hopefully scheduled for movement.

Once the car is in the Berkshires we'll check all the remaining systems on the car, fire the engines and repair what's not serviceable. It's been a lot of fun researching, reading and learning about the operation of an RDC.
 #1276827  by Otto Vondrak
 
JRG wrote:Once the car is in the Berkshires we'll check all the remaining systems on the car, fire the engines and repair what's not serviceable. It's been a lot of fun researching, reading and learning about the operation of an RDC.

Budd cars rule! :-) Can't wait to see a real live RDC run in the Berkshires!

-otto-
 #1276901  by BandA
 
such a shame that the "T" didn't maintain them, theres a crying need for a more flexible fleet. I have ridden them depowered, loved the old reversible seats in those and the 99 seat pullmans.
 #1282624  by shadyjay
 
Came across this:

http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mas ... -purchase/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The MassDOT Board of Directors has authorized MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey to execute an agreement to purchase the Berkshire Line from the Housatonic Railroad Company, a major step toward delivering passenger rail service between New York City and the Berkshires.
Could such a purchase mean a possible revival of the BSRM's excursions on the Lenox-Stockbridge-Great Barrington trackage?
 #1283317  by Otto Vondrak
 
You realize that the RDC purchase and the operation of the Adams Branch is in response to Housatonic Railroad refusing to allow the continuation of excursions on the Lenox-Stockbridge route, right?

-otto-
 #1283528  by shadyjay
 
\Oh Otto, I am well aware of the situation. I was just wondering, with the state looking to purchase the "Berkshire Line", if there would be a possible revival of excursion passenger service over the route. At present, it's HRRC calling the shots. If the state was calling the shots, things would most likely be a lot different. They would have to fix up the tracks if they're thinking of "mainline" passenger service, and could probably get a new freight operator.
 #1283534  by F-line to Dudley via Park
 
shadyjay wrote:
Otto Vondrak wrote:You realize that the RDC purchase and the operation of the Adams Branch is in response to Housatonic Railroad refusing to allow the continuation of excursions on the Lenox-Stockbridge route, right?
Oh Otto, I am well aware of the situation. I was just wondering, with the state looking to purchase the "Berkshire Line", if there would be a possible revival of excursion passenger service over the route. At present, it's HRRC calling the shots. If the state was calling the shots, things would most likely be a lot different. They would have to fix up the tracks if they're thinking of "mainline" passenger service, and could probably get a new freight operator.
It's a $35M commitment for track improvements, which sure smells like a plan to get BSRM back on its home rails in addition to running the RDC dinky up in North Adams.

Don't forget, this "FRA violations" accusation HRCC tossed at the museum came right at the start of their high-profile rash of freight derailments. And was never corroborated by the actual FRA. Which makes it most likely that HRCC booted them to keep its own deplorable track conditions from getting them sued by the museum or injured passengers. Not only does the state have leverage to compel them to cooperate now, the actual safety risk very likely goes away with that $35M in repairs. In addition to the state now conducting its own inspections of the line and being able to accurately tell who's been creating or not fixing the safety violations.

Berkshire Line's still stuck with an awful freight operator until HRCC itself chooses to sell out (which no one can count on). But it does have a public line owner now to referee the battles and keep the parties honest when they're in conflict.
 #1295629  by Otto Vondrak
 
BSRMX 6126 on the move from B&ML
BSRMX 6126 on the move from B&ML
BRMX6126_JoeyKelley.jpg (45.78 KiB) Viewed 5831 times
https://www.facebook.com/hoosacvalleyservice" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Budd RDC BRMX #6126 is seen on the move from Unity, ME. Special thanks to the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad for their hospitality and cooperation during our work on #6126. Thanks to Joey Kelley for sharing and capturing the moment!"

See also: http://hoosacvalleytrainride.com/about.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-otto-
 #1295992  by ted_roy
 
Hi I have hear that the MOW baggage car from the old Boston Beacon Hill Yard is on its way to you. Anyone taking inflight pictures? I'm going to miss seeing her in the yard. A bit of class in a world of containers. What are the future plans for her?

Ted.
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