Pan Am Worcester Main Line

[NellsChoo]

Concerning that notice from the MBTA regarding track work last year, why would the MBTA even be involved? They don't own the track or run trains on it (other than detours). Did they perhaps know that Boston may possibly be taking the Grand Junction bridge out of service for years thanks to a Mass Pike project by the now-defunct B&A/CSX yards? (do NOT get me going on THAT topic)

ALSO, today I spotted some nifty yellow HERZOG equipment in Hill Yard (Ayer) and was wondering just what type of work the setup does. Looked very purpose-built, with what looked like flats or gondolas, some sort of power on one end, and a control unit on the other end... and a digger.

I have seen so few trains anywhere on Pan Am the last couple of years I swear the railroad is out of business...

(yes, there is a disgusted tone to my typed voice)

[Backshophoss]

Somewhere the Green line construction will block access to the Grand Jct trackage for a time.
MBTA did a tie replacement job to bring the MAS to 25 mph,so 1 MBTA crew can do the transfer run via Worcester in 1 day instead of using 2 crews.
Other wise its a very slow drag at 10 mph to run on PAR to Worcester!
This is also the Detour route for Amtrak's Downeaster equipment swaps to Amtrak's Boston Shop.

[newpylong]

The Worcester Main is all still 10 MPH, not 25.

[NellsChoo]

I just learned that MASS Dot DID indeed buy the Worcester line... when did THAT happen??? I haven't talked to many railfans lately or maybe I would have known. But the person I got the info from is very reputable.

Can't say I am happy about the state gobbling up so many MA lines, BUT then again, it's not like Pan Am does stellar maintenance either...............

[newpylong]

Nothing has been purchased yet. Within the next year or two it will be.

[johnpbarlow]

Massachusetts' purchase of Pan Am's Worcester main is not listed as either a near term or long term freight rail project in MassDOT's latest edition (May 2018) of the commonwealth's rail plan.

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/20 ... prng18.pdf

[cpf354]

The T has rights to move equipment on the Worcester Main, which is not the same as "buying" it. I think that leads to some misunderstanding of the situation. My guess is that they wouldn't be interested in purchasing it unless they had funding in place to run scheduled service over it.

[gokeefe]

But that's nothing new. Right?

[newpylong]

The T has rights to move equipment on the Worcester Main, which is not the same as "buying" it. I think that leads to some misunderstanding of the situation. My guess is that they wouldn't be interested in purchasing it unless they had funding in place to run scheduled service over it.

Regardless of whether it's on the commonwealth rail plan ie wishlist active discussions are underway between parties as to what and when the sale would look like.

[rustyrails]

I noticed at the Burncoat crossing, the tracks are missing steel in the middle of the rail. There was a derailment around the corner last winter. Does anybody know if any rehab work is in the near future? Does PanAm use SRS?

[rustyrails]

Does anybody know what this does and where it is now? The ZERZOG

[Backshophoss]

Could be the power for Herzog's rail grinder machine.

[neman2]

It's Herzog's "multi-purpose machine" check out the link here https://www.herzog.com/innovation/on-tr ... p-machine/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like it does a lot of track construction/ maintenance duties. I saw it (or an identical twin) in Somerville near former Mystic yard area two weeks ago. Probably for GLX?

[Backshophoss]

Nice reuse of surplus Well cars

[jwhite07]

Now I know what to do with my HO scale stack cars. But those power cars are another question...