MEC Somerset Branch update

Today's Central Maine Morning Sentinel contains a report on the dormancy of Pan Am/MEC's recently-rehabbed Somerset Branch between Madison and North Anson. The Cousineau mill in North Anson, which was to be the primary shipper on the route, has fallen on hard times.

Check this link:
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/n ... 40264.html

I've only heard this line refered to as the Madison Branch.

Skullitor wrote:I've only heard this line refered to as the Madison Branch.

The term "Somerset Branch" may hearken back to the days when it ran all the way to Kineo Station in Rockwood. It passed under the CP at Somerset Jct. just south of Kineo. It was also known as the Kineo Branch. It was cut back to Bingham in the early 30's, then eventually back to North Anson and then finally Madison. The last Guilford ETT I saw, from 1998, called it the Madison Industrial Track, but I've heard it has been restored to branch line status.

Like the "rehab" on the former Lewiston Lower Branch this past summer(as far as the Celotex fiberboard mill in Lisbon Falls),there has been NO revenue moves. Switch to Celotex not hooked up,or spur cleaned;still using trailer trucks to ship out the fiber board.

While I love railroads,and want to see as much freight off the roads as possible,as a taxpayer,I dislike seeing our funds wasted!

Bud

wolfmom69 wrote:Like the "rehab" on the former Lewiston Lower Branch this past summer(as far as the Celotex fiberboard mill in Lisbon Falls),there has been NO revenue moves. Switch to Celotex not hooked up,or spur cleaned;still using trailer trucks to ship out the fiber board.

While I love railroads,and want to see as much freight off the roads as possible,as a taxpayer,I dislike seeing our funds wasted!

Bud

Yea, just ask anyone who has tried to sell for a railroad! Sure, they're interested in rail, if the price is right, and then maybe too if the service is the same as trucking. Either the railroad of the govt. puts up the money for it, and then they never see a car.
A lot of this is a way to leverage down truck rates, I have to believe.