Portsmouth Branch Activity

[Jonathan603]

Interesting. Had no idea they had space in the new parking garage. I wonder if there are any pictures of the old station and site in this book... These books tend to have a lot of interesting historical photos.

https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Produ ... 23212705:s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dick H]

The Walker Transportation Collection at the Beverly (MA) Historical
Society might have some photos of Portsmouth, as the passenger
service to Portsmouth from Boston used the Eastern Route through
Beverly and the North Shore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_H ... al_Society" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[arthur d.]

The B&M society has printed more than a few stories and photo's- including the stations- concerning Portsmouth over the years in their "Bulletin". Unfortunately this web site has never been user friendly towards my efforts to post photo's, otherwise, I'd scan and upload them.

[mokanpy]

You could always scan them and share to a Flickr acct. Then share the link.

The Portsmouth station burned in about 94 I think?

[arthur d.]

94 Sounds about right. There was an oriental rug store and locksmith in there at the time. I'm not sure which incarnation that was, but I think there was a later block/brick station that didn't survive as long. I'll have to dig out the old Bulletins.

[ereuter]

The station was demolished when the Maplewood Ave crossing was put in during urban renewal in the early 70s. The building that remained until the 90s was the freight house.

[Jonathan603]

Does anyone know what kind of shape the old roundhouse and turntable are these days? Does anyone have any pictures?

https://goo.gl/maps/X3n5WGGUusS2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[b&m 1566]

It's days are numbered, that land is slated for redevelopment.

[highrail]

Regarding the turntable, there was an article in this months Mass Bay RRE newsletter that the turntable is available for salvage/saving. I think the hope is that some organization could use it.

[Dick H]

Three photos here of the Engine House. Disregard the top photo
http://photos.nerail.org/search/searchr ... +&BOOL=ALL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photos.nerail.org/search/searchr ... +&BOOL=ALL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Take note that these photos are from 12 to 28 years old. Much of the nearby area is being developed.
More than likely, the engine house and turntable area have major haz-mat issues. Otherwise, PAR and
their previous named companies would have disposed of the property many years ago.

Scroll down to photos 9, 10, 11 and 12 taken in 1970 by Gil Ford of the turntable.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/modelt ... =BM&Page=9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Article and overhead shot of the engine house and turntable from Railway Preservation News from 2010
http://rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30162" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jonathan603]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully someone can reuse the turntable. I drove down there after work and it’s a little overgrown.

[central.vermont]

Well one part of the turntable in Portsmouth has been saved and to the best of my knowledge is being used now in North Walpole.
The turntable motor was acquired by the Green Mountain RR back in the 90's, I know this because Scott Whitney contacted me to get him
some shots of it to be sure it had the same size gears I think. Can't remember that far back with my feeble brain!! At the time the owners
owned the old machine shop next to it so I gave him their info. So as far as I know it's in use or at least part of it. So the motor and it's accompanying
gears was saved.

Jon

[Jonathan603]

Wow that is interesting. I have driven past that turntable in North Walpole so many times but had no idea. Very cool. I have not droned that area in a while so will take a look from the air next time I am up there.

https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/ro ... ew/google/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dick H]

Four photos of the Portsmouth engine house and turntable taken three weeks ago
on January 27, 2019. Thanks to Karl Johnson for the photos.
http://photos.nerail.org/search/searchr ... H&BOOL=ALL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jonathan603]

Wow not in great shape eh!