Old Budd RDC's and their future

I noticed some activity around the two stored RDCs in Somerville, old Yard 2. Looks like two sets of temporary stairs have been built, one already in place at the northern most RDC. Also noticed a wooden frame built around a electrical/signal vault across form the RDCs. About a month or two ago I saw the men in the Tyvek suits working around another vault, looked like a haz-mat clean up. If I am not mistaken the old RDCs are full of asbestos so it maybe cleaning time.

JoeD

Movie crew was filming inside. It's called "The Town" and the same film that was up
at Anderson RTC a few weeks ago. A Ben Affleck project

d

I wonder why they'd want to film inside a pair of derelict RDCs?

MBTA3247 wrote:I wonder why they'd want to film inside a pair of derelict RDCs?

[wishful thinking mode]Maybe the film is set in an era when RDCs were still running and they're restoring them to use a props[/wishful thinking mode]

madcrow wrote:

MBTA3247 wrote:I wonder why they'd want to film inside a pair of derelict RDCs?

[wishful thinking mode]Maybe the film is set in an era when RDCs were still running and they're restoring them to use a props[/wishful thinking mode]

That would be awesome but I would imagine a movie company would rather bring in a working RDC or use a fake prop than to spend all the time and money restoring two run-down ones, nice wishful thinking though
One thing's for sure, I'm going to have to see that movie now

The Budds were a historic locomotive. I'd like to see at least a few held for display as part of a Boston area NH or B&M salute. They were the workhorses of both roads for a few decades. Even a station "diner" or a bar made from one of the combines would be nice. A glistening stainless steel RDC in the middle of the concourse at one of the stations would be an eye-catcher. I guess designers would rather put in a tacky "school cafeteria" look.

Ummm...I think the scenes inside the RDC's were of a criminal nature or other sorted behavior.
Can't say for sure except there were no restorations of the insides!

D

We just got back from a week in Rockport, which included a few trips into Boston via the Rockport line.

I noticed that the pair of derelict Budd Cars are still hanging out just north of North Station.

Are they destined to be there fore ever ?

I have not seen the movie The Town yet, did the scenes they shot in and around these cars make it into the movie ??


Thanks

Ken

They were supposed to be converted into some sort of break rooms for MBCR employees (which judging by the discovering of a secret break room at BET, it's apparently a necessary addition ). I don't have details on what happened but I think it got put on the back burner or they gave up on it. It would be nice to at least see them restored in some way and the graffiti scrubbed out.

They had some sort of yellow sticker slapped on them. I forget what it said. I think it was a "Do not scrap" sticker or something. I forget.

Everyone: Speaking of old B&M RDCs: What happened to the RPO style RDC that sat alongside North Station until the mid 80s Charles River Bridge fire and subsequent station rebuild?
I seem to remember that one was a rare type...and was it preserved? MACTRAXX

It was cut up July 1984 at North Station. This happened when the station and drawbridge approaches were rebuilt due to the trestle fire.

This was a RDC-4 originally built at M&St.L 33, to C&O 9081 to Krautkamer Ultrasonics 9081 to B&M c1972 as a tool car. Transferred to
the MBTA in 1978.

D

as for saving one of the RDC's , there is an ex MBTA car (can't remeber the number off hand, I want to say 32?) sitting beautifully restored, at the Old COlony and Fallriver RR muesem in Fall River. Back about 8 years ago the engine still ran, had shop trucks on that end and on the other end a regular set of trucks but no engine. there where thoughts of jacking the car in place and swapping the trucks, then all that would be needed would to build a drive shaft. that and rewire the cab..... it was never accomplished while I was there..... it is still maintaned in good shape from what I hear.


the MBTA used to use these cars (towards the end ) at the end of the train as only one end had working controls and cab signals. As I recall they where pulled by a loco and did not need head end power. they removed one engine and put regular trucks under the other. that way they could the engine for heat and lights.

peconicstation wrote:I have not seen the movie The Town yet, did the scenes they shot in and around these cars make it into the movie ??

Saw the movie yesterday and I didn't see them at all, not even a small cutscene between scenes.

BostonUrbEx wrote:

peconicstation wrote:I have not seen the movie The Town yet, did the scenes they shot in and around these cars make it into the movie ??

Saw the movie yesterday and I didn't see them at all, not even a small cutscene between scenes.

Ditto as in I saw the movie yesterday, and no Budd Cars.

There were some good shots of Boston Sand and Gravel, and the Hopper cars.

These pair of derelict Budds are doing better then some other old Budd Cars.
Back in 1982 I had a summer job at the Claridge Casino* in Atlantic City,
and in June of 1982 the Budd Car run from Lindenwold to Atlantic City was shut down due to poor track conditions. About 5, or so Budds were left
in Atlantic City for a few months (in the morning every week or so I switcher moved them back and forth to keep the gears lubed).
When it became official that they line was dead as a passenger line, 3 of the Budds were moved on their own power, and 2 were left behind.
The two left behind would up becoming an un-official homeless shelter, and wound up so badly damaged they were scrapped on site, before
construction on the new Atlantic City station commenced.

Ken

* That summer job had one lasting impression, it made me one of the strongest opponents of casino gambling, anywhere.

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