Here are a few photos taken on Saturday 11/09/19 to illustrate craven's report of Sunday:
The view of track work from the south end of Hopedale Yard (ie, the rte 16 grade crossing) shows a newly constructed turnout about to be installed on the existing main track that crosses rte 16 to the Hopedale St bridge that will connect to the new siding. Apologies for poorly focused iPhone photo.
G&U Hopedale Yard view from rt 16 crossing 110919.jpg (239.98 KiB) Viewed 1994 times
Here's the view of the north end of the yard showing the now in use switch from the existing track to the siding under construction
G&U Hopedale Yard north end view 110919.jpg (262.97 KiB) Viewed 1994 times
Lastly, the view under a loaded centerbeam car sitting on the existing track recently upgraded with new welded rail showing rail installation on the new siding. When complete, both ends of the siding will connect to the existing track affording the option of running engines around a cut of cars. Just a crazy guess but perhaps this siding will permit G&U to top and tail a train heading south of Milford with a pair of engines to streamline the reverse move at Milford?
G&U Hopedale Yard new rail being installed 110919.jpg (254.14 KiB) Viewed 1994 times