CSX Track Upgrades & Infrastructure of Pan Am

Is the work at the KEAG completed? Wasn't there talk of starting interchanging starting on December 1?

NHV 669 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 26, 2023 4:09 pm A new detector has been installed at
Heath Street (Russ Crossing) in Newton, NH.

It will be interesting to see if these other new detectors give the number of apparently false high load hits the 126 detector in Littleton has been giving.

I don't think they will. Something is up with that one due to it being the interface between CSX and B&E and the furthest East high loads are allowed.

RJ Corman crews have been installing the CWR in speed restricted areas from New Gloucester working east. Nearing Auburn now

What work is being done on the tracks from New Bond up to around Duncans? I'm not sure what kind of machine it was, but it had a crane on it. It broke a hydraulic line so they had to fix the line and get hydraulic fluid at auto zone. Does anyone know the machine and what work is being done?

CSX filing with STB dated December 1 says completion of Ayer Yard improvements should occur by end of the month.

by the end of 2023, CSX anticipates completing significant projects at PAS Ayer Yard that will allow for increased fluidity and capacity for the critical link between the CSX system and the PAR System,

The same filing says portions of the restored line between Old Town and Mattawamkeag are up to Class 3 standards (posted in "Up North Gawking" thread).

I tried providing a web link to the filing, but suffice to say it did not go well. Don't know if it is me or the wonders of US Government websites. In any event, if you search your way to STB filings, the filing ID is 307577.

I think this should work
https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/ ... 307577.pdf

What's the plan for Ayer? Is CSX going to build a new through track through the yard somehow?

Some of the older stb filings had detailed plans about planned hill yard improvements. I recall there was to be a designated track for csx through movements

Here's the diagram extracted from the filing documents (so you don't have to figure out which one it came from).

Joshua

Here's some text from the CSX supplemental filing to go along with the diagram above:

The Ayer Yard improvements referenced above will consist of the following five projects, each as depicted in the map and diagram attached to the Ayer Operations Protocols:
1. Add new storage track off of the thoroughfare track (2,400ft). This work provides additional capacity to stage block swaps and / or the Pan Am water containers & trash containers while freeing up the thoroughfare track for thru trains.
2. Add power assisted switches on hand-throw electric lock universal cross-overs. This work enables Intermodal Trains to make head end moves into Ayer Yard rather than pulling past the east wye and making back-up moves through the passenger station. This will save time, free up moves on the east wye, and reduce congestion at the Ayer passenger station.
3. North End Ayer Yard: reconfigure the M1, M2, and M3 ladder tracks and add 750 feet of stub-end drill track. This work enables the intermodal trains to enter the yard (processing tracks M1, M2 & M3) from the east wye and not impact the local switching or block the thoroughfare track on the north end. This work will also isolate the intermodal service from the local service.
4. South End Ayer Yard: Add cross-over from M2 and M3 tracks to thoroughfare track. This work provides switching room on the M2 and M3 intermodal tracks using the thoroughfare track if the South Intermodal Lead (I/M Lead) is occupied. The new cross-over from the Track 11 Extension to the thoroughfare track allows through trains to bypass the intermodal train that may be working on the thoroughfare track.
5. Add an additional storage track off of the thoroughfare track (2,300ft). Again, this work provides additional capacity to stage block swaps, the water containers, and trash containers while freeing up the thoroughfare track.

The water containers seem to have evaporated and the IM is a few months from moving to the B&A and never needing east or west wye. I’m curious if csx modified its improvements at hill yard to reflect the new reality
To watch- now that VO connection is very much happening, will Worcester main double stack clearances be raised next construction season?

The IM would need to use the east wye. I haven't heard anything about the clearance project except that the Clinton overpass is a bit challenging.

Why would the im job necessarily have to use east wye if it arrives from worcester? I think i could be yarded without doing so but maybe i am missing something

Access to the MBTA main via east or west wye might be needed for headroom especially if the rear of the 264 is to be dropped first at the IM pad via pulling the whole train through and the 2nd IM cut has to pull forward to clear the switch before reversing into the 2nd pad track. And if autos for Sanvel are head out there’s another 1,000 to 2,000 feet of headroom needed. By comparison, Doubling 265 to depart south down the Worcester main should be a piece of cake.