Eastern Division/Hampton branch, whats next?

seems to me like a bike path near a nuke plant is more dangerous than a railroad. anyone could set off a bomb or anything.

I'm sure a bike path would be funnelled aroud the plant if it ever came about. I think the railbed is about 400 yards from the reactor but runs out side of the high security area but inside the property fence. The ROW from Hampton to Portsmouth might be wide enough to support a trail with rail but the huggers would want it all or nothing. South of Hampton I think is "State" rail. I've heard there is not much rail. South of the plant is the town of Seabrook and the ROW is somewhat comprimised with a mixed use. I know there was a swimming pool in the way a few years ago.

Railcar wrote:At one time there was a rumor around that a old stone Quarry in Wells Maine was going to become the new home of the scrapped reactor.

I'm from Wells, and this is the first I've heard of it. If such a proposal ever did come forward, I guarantee that it wouldn't come to pass. Pigs would fly before the folks who live near the quarry would let something like that happen!

The ROW is just inside the high security area and if and when the bike path is constructed it would go around the property not through it.

Please let me clarify a couple of things. Fisrt the ROW goes across the power plant property. When I mentioned "High Secuity" I ment inside the fence that goes around the reactor and around the turbine building. It has been awhile since I was in the plant but at that time the fence for this area was less than 150 ft from the reactor. This is heavely guarded and for security reasons I'll leave out any more detail. This may have changed over the years and things may have chaged. There is the property fence which goes around the entire property. I assure you the ROW is much more than 150 ft from the reactor. It runs west of the employee parking lots. I also google earthed and it appears the second reactor and turbine building have been torn down. There was a plan that when the partialy built reactor was torn down the debris might have been dumped into the quarry off off quarry road in Wells, Maine. All it was was cement and twisted rebar. It never ever came close to being online. I believe the reaction if Wells not supportive. They prefered the giant hole in the ground to collect cars and bodies.

For what it's worth, the quarry was purchased by a new owner a few years ago, and he is using it for architectural and decorative granite.

Anyway, back to the original topic.

Many things have changed in the area around Seabrook since I last worked there in the late 1990s. I surveyed Seabrook Station and walked some of the track. Back in those days (wow), you could drive down either the north or the south access road right to the entrance of the plant. The science/nature center was located off the south access road, which, IIRC, no longer exists since a Bob's was built there or something.
Basically where the south access road merged is where you "crossed" the Eastern route. Tracks were quite overgrown then, and I thought at the time that area would make a good commuter station.

Fast forward to 2002. When I was last there doing some "touch up" work, the south access road is gone, the north road is the only one open, and the gate/security station was reactivated and heavily guarded. Once you're in, then its still a little further until reaching the tracks. So obviously no station could go "inside" anymore.

I have read in some places that the line was abandoned because it ran through the plant and was abandoned at the time it opened (1982 IIRC). However, I don't believe there is anything that says a railroad line can't run by such a facility. Look at the Shore Line of Amtrak - they run right past the Millstone facility, and last summer, there were armed guards stationed along the right of way along with jersey barriers. Providing trains didn't stop there, they could just run right through. The Eastern tracks are outside the "protected zone" though inside the post-2001 "protected zone".

Commuter rail to Portsmouth from Boston should run via this line, also serving the Hamptons in the process. MBTA could run specials to Hampton Beach for the summer. Under the "dreaming" section, I'd extend the line into Kittery and up to the B&M main in Wells (perhaps paralleling the 'pike), and have an alternate route for the Downeaster, seperate from PAR. Or run half the trips that way, half the other.
But I'd be more than content to see commuter rail running via this line - looks like it should be a given, providing NHDOT doesn't let it "slip away".

Right on. I would also agree that running a rail trail instead of passenger service seems weird. I mean, random people allowed to move up N down this stretch near the nuke plant? How is that "better" than having passenger rail on a railroad (privately) owned line? I think the rail trail is foolish. Besides, these rail trailers wont be the ones cleaning up the marsh when it gets more exposure to people if a rail trail ever did happen.

shadyjay wrote:Many things have changed in the area around Seabrook since I last worked there in the late 1990s. I surveyed Seabrook Station and walked some of the track. Back in those days (wow), you could drive down either the north or the south access road right to the entrance of the plant. The science/nature center was located off the south access road, which, IIRC, no longer exists since a Bob's was built there or something.
Basically where the south access road merged is where you "crossed" the Eastern route. Tracks were quite overgrown then, and I thought at the time that area would make a good commuter station.

Fast forward to 2002. When I was last there doing some "touch up" work, the south access road is gone, the north road is the only one open, and the gate/security station was reactivated and heavily guarded. Once you're in, then its still a little further until reaching the tracks. So obviously no station could go "inside" anymore.

I have read in some places that the line was abandoned because it ran through the plant and was abandoned at the time it opened (1982 IIRC). However, I don't believe there is anything that says a railroad line can't run by such a facility. Look at the Shore Line of Amtrak - they run right past the Millstone facility, and last summer, there were armed guards stationed along the right of way along with jersey barriers. Providing trains didn't stop there, they could just run right through. The Eastern tracks are outside the "protected zone" though inside the post-2001 "protected zone".

Commuter rail to Portsmouth from Boston should run via this line, also serving the Hamptons in the process. MBTA could run specials to Hampton Beach for the summer. Under the "dreaming" section, I'd extend the line into Kittery and up to the B&M main in Wells (perhaps paralleling the 'pike), and have an alternate route for the Downeaster, seperate from PAR. Or run half the trips that way, half the other.
But I'd be more than content to see commuter rail running via this line - looks like it should be a given, providing NHDOT doesn't let it "slip away".

I just so happened to be at the plant back at the beginning of November (2007) to help someone make a delivery. The only way in and out is through the south access road the north is closed off. Because I was not a regular I wasn't allowed out of the truck unless I was escorted by two officers. This was just for the buildings near the tracks, far different from 10 years ago when I was there to walk the nature trails. If the line is ever used again for train use both ends will be heavily guarded that's for sure. I couldn't tell about the south entrance but for the north is looked to me like there was already a guard shack at the edge of the property near the tracks.

Like I mentioned above if the rail trail is ever constructed the path will not go through the property. It will be routed to the west and become more of a sidewalk figure for route one.

i'm sure this line will come back, its just a matter of when. its retarted not to be used, and its a relatively short portion that is not in use. its used (at least within the last year) from hampton to portsmouth. its not very long from newburyport to hampton.

Keep in mind however, that for the Newburyport-Hampton segment to be reactivated, there are several bridges that would have to be replaced, including the swing bridge over the MerrimacK River. The current bridge is severely rusted, and had not been activated in roughly 30 years. This cost alone would probably keep the project on the back burner for quite some time. I hope this line does see trains again someday, and I've heard the city of Portsmouth would like to see it happen as well, especially since Newburyport service was restored in 1997.

I don't ever see the Eastern route being restored. As a fan of trains I would love to see it but I don't think it will ever happen. The population of the sea coast is next to nothing from September to May (nothing the roads can't handle). From June to August its jam packed but mostly from tourist and they aren't going to use the train. The bridge going over the Merrimack River will most likely need to be replaced; no repair job will save that thing after 40 years or so, sitting unmaintained in a salty environment. All bridges from Newbury to Portsmouth will need to be repaired or replaced (I can't image Pan Am is doing much with the bridges that are still seeing service). A new overpass will need to be constructed for 110 in Salisbury because it’s currently all filled in. You know the environmentalist are going to reek havoc over the train going through the marshes and the feds are probably going to want strict guidelines for the power plant (possible reduced speeds). Also remember that the line was double tracked at one time so do you rebuild the bridges for one or two tracks; two tracks would require the power lines north of the Power plant to be relocated.

about the bridge. you'd be surprised how stuff can still work.

not they they are the same, but i saw a show on tv. this guy wanted to move an old steam shovel that was sitting an a valley in Colorado for 90 years. they lubed all the joints, hooked it up to an air compressor, and the thing worked fine. the shovel and tracks still worked.



now i know that a bridge is different, but i just think you'd be amazed at teh stuff that can be risen from the dead

Being from, and living in Hampton all my life, 30+ years, I have to disagree with a few things. Yes, Hampton Beach has always been known as a summertime resort and destination. But, the plans in town now are to make it a year-round destination. There is talk of a large year-round aquarium being built at the Hampton Beach State Park. Rezoning has already begun at the beach for higher buildings to be allowed. Most of the beach has been ripped up for the last few years, as they have installed a huge upgrade to the infrastructure down there (water, sewer, etc etc) to accommodate the future building and boom in expansion. Future plans are big, and year-round. With the current lack of parking already suffered now, it will only rise as the big grows. Not to mention, the bottleneck that is the Hampton River bridge. People coming from the South will find that is the only entrance to the beach. West from 101 and North from 1A are the only other alternatives. With all that said, the future of passenger rail into Hampton isn't so bleak now.

There are big plans here, and I hope that people wake up and get back on this rail thing. It is needed, it's that simple. Everything goes in cycles, and i believe one day trains will be picking up and dropping off passengers in Hampton again. As soon as this country wakes up, and sees the rest of the world and the their 400 MPH trains lol. At least at the State level, please wake up. Not that we'll ever go that fast through here, BUT, it really shows how far we have fallen behind when it comes to our railroads. They helped build this nation, and we have let them fall apart and fade away. All in favor of corporate greed and politics (oil conglomerates), big SUV's, and 3 dollar a gallon gas. If the federal government and it's politicians are heavily funded by oil conglomerates, what do think they will rally for and fund more? Cars and the highway system ofcourse! Rail gets poop compared to the highway system. Maybe when gas hits 5 or 6 bucks a gallon, people will wake up.

Naw, this is America! It will take $10 a gallon gas before we awaken from our ignorant slumber.

b&m 1566 wrote:I don't ever see the Eastern route being restored. As a fan of trains I would love to see it but I don't think it will ever happen. The population of the sea coast is next to nothing from September to May (nothing the roads can't handle). From June to August its jam packed but mostly from tourist and they aren't going to use the train. The bridge going over the Merrimack River will most likely need to be replaced; no repair job will save that thing after 40 years or so, sitting unmaintained in a salty environment. All bridges from Newbury to Portsmouth will need to be repaired or replaced (I can't image Pan Am is doing much with the bridges that are still seeing service). A new overpass will need to be constructed for 110 in Salisbury because it’s currently all filled in. You know the environmentalist are going to reek havoc over the train going through the marshes and the feds are probably going to want strict guidelines for the power plant (possible reduced speeds). Also remember that the line was double tracked at one time so do you rebuild the bridges for one or two tracks; two tracks would require the power lines north of the Power plant to be relocated.

You clearly haven't tried to travel Rte 1 in the no tourist season with its myriad traffic lights, senior citizens doing 8 mph in a 45 zone, trucks entering and exiting, people sidways in the road trying to merge into the other lane, etc. lately.
Most of the significant bridges are in Massachusetts, where they love to pour money into infrastructure improvements. As for the bridges in New Hampster, Pan Am signed the overpasses over to the state a few years ago, they are not an issue. There are only a few bridges on the line on the NH portion of the branch that are significant- two on the Hampton marsh, but there are others, and none of which are major engineering challenges.
As far as trackage, the high tension line on the ROW on the marsh is not an issue, not every inch of the route has to be double tracked, the T's CR lines certainly are not. There are plenty of places north and south of the marsh for a second iron.
Passing the power plant, I would think you would want to go faster, not slower, and really, what is one going to do? Bring a rocket launcher on board? Kind of conspicuous don't you think? Tactical nuke in a backpack? Please.
Environmentalists wreaking havoc over the trains crossing the marsh? Why? What significant pollution source can be attributed to trains? The marsh is dead anyway, acres of asphalt and storm drains collecting and dumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of fresh water (its called rain) into the Hampton and Taylor rivers have seen to that, which is why there is no more lobstering in the river.
The biggest obstacle is getting our illustrious leaders to realize we need this, which is almost as hard as convincing the selfish people themselves to get out of their cars.