Grafton & Upton Railroad (G&U) Discussion

Is the track still removed after the draper complex where the station used to be in Hopedale and also they removed the track at the connection in Milford I was wondering if they ever layed new track yet?

The CSX yard in Milford is still in place. The connection to the G&U is still there in sections. The old yard behind the Draper mills is gone, looked pretty barren last when I was there earlier this week. Often wonder what happened to all the 'relics' that used to be in the Hopedale engine house and station. I recall many, many years ago seeing a bunch of stuff including bells and other railroad items in the engine house.

J

In the [b]Grafton [color=#da0d1f]Daily Voice[/color][/b] on August 3rd 2012, Richard Price wrote:UPTON, Mass. - In 2008, while the Great Recession was raging, Jon Delli Priscoli purchased the Grafton and Upton Railroad, a long dormant 15 mile connector that, once spruced, would link to a CSX line that networks as far as St. Louis.

With little growth in highway transportation, he saw a renaissance in freight commerce. Today, he is slowly rejuvenating the line, replacing worn and sunken rails bit by bit. The state, excited by the activity, ponied up $1 million for track repairs. Since rail lines are governed by federal law, the G&U rail has right of way and exempt from town by-laws. However, in an act of transparency, Delli Priscoli reached out to the four towns along the line. His goal, he said in a Grafton Board of Selectmen meeting, is to be a partner in town and create jobs without stimulus money.

For the rest of the story >>CLICK HERE<< to visit the Grafton Daily Voice.

apple1 wrote:

thebigham wrote:Has any work been done at the Mendon St crossing in Hopedale?:

http://goo.gl/maps/D9aP

The date on the pic is August 2009.

There are "Dig Safe" markings on the Hopedale street crossings so work might be started soon. As of this morning over on Freedom Street the bed shaper/spreader has been at work. Weeds have been removed and the bed graded. You can see the ROW from Freedom Street crossing to the "welding shop" and up the hill towards Upton at the park entrance. Its been a while since these rails have been above the weeds! The bed shaper contraption was resting at the welding shop crossing this morning.

Green St. and Vernon St.(just before the yard) also have recent dig safe markings. Looks like they also mowed the line behind the bowling ally recently.........

Anyone heard anything new regarding the Hopedale Street Bridge roadway clearance issues?

[quote="At 0937 on 24 July 2012 In an article entitled "Upton selectmen put off decision on railroad appeal", Mike Gleason of the Milford Daily News staff"]
UPTON —
Selectmen on Tuesday night put off a decision on whether to ask the federal government if the town has jurisdiction over the Grafton & Upton Railroad.
Board members, though, expressed concerns about seeking a ruling from the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB).
At issue for selectmen is whether they can regulate the activities associated with the rail line. The railroad does commercial shipping.[/quote]

Read more at the Milford Daily News web site

HOORAY! Sanity prevails!

I wouldn't take that bet Cosmo - with the neighbor lawsuit in progress the governing board can avoid getting their hands dirty (or spending more money). These folks are both and obsessed - if their pockets are deep enough expect it to go to court if they don't get their way at STB. Not what I want to see happen, just my prediction on the future course of this.

It's such a shame that the former owner let the railroad go so far to hell. This and similar cases could have been avoided or minimized if they'd done enough to keep the track passable and once or twice a year run through with the horn tied down reminding all that "There's a railroad over here."

Cosmo wrote:HOORAY! Sanity prevails!

Score one for the boys back home!

[quote="On August 06, 2012 In an article entitled "Upton Citizens File Petition Concerning Railroad", Michelle Sanford Staff Reporter/Columnist for The Town Crier"]A group of Upton residents have filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board seeking a Declaratory Order that will affirm whether or not the Grafton Upton Railroad's activities are pre-empted from local regulations. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is the division of the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates railroads.

Ever since railroad owner Jon Delli Priscoli reactivated the railroad several years ago, a group of residents in Upton have continued to question whether or not town and state officials have any jurisdiction over the railroad's operations, in particular, a transloading and wood pellet business on site. Town Counsel and members of the Federal Railroad Association continue to state the railroad and its activities are under federal authority.

According to Town Manager Blythe Robinson, the group of seven citizens, who include Ray Smith, Joseph Hatch, Cheryl Hatch, Diana DelGrosso, Kathleen Kelley, Andrew Wiklund, and Richard Kosiba, filed the 35 page petition through Concord Attorney Mark Bobrowski, which is dated July 23. [/quote]

Read the rest of the story at The Town Crier's web site.

This appears to be a re-statement of the previously posted article from August 3rd.

UGHHHH!!!! Is this ever going to end? Just come to terms with the railroad coming back. These people have had almost 5 years to get over it.... Now this whole thing is more like a temper tantrum.

For the latest news about the Grafton & Upton Railroad and the Town of Upton Selectmen, go to:


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-o ... 9363752382

Friend of G & U RR wrote:http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x8 ... oad-ruling

So it looks like the "Gang of Seven" are on their own.. Oh well, some folks enjoy sisyphean tasks.

papabarn wrote:

Friend of G & U RR wrote:http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x8 ... oad-ruling

So it looks like the "Gang of Seven" are on their own.. Oh well, some folks enjoy sisyphean tasks.

As I said, sanity hhas prevailed... at least for 90-95% of the populace. As for the minority, well,.... *rolleyes*