The Stony Brook Branch

Two combined?

Could be M426/427 seems to be a consistent every day. EDPO/POED seems to run whatever day or time.

I'm posting this here because the CSX Track Upgrades thread has gone off topic------ Today at Gilson Rd. Littleton there are 8 precast concrete foundation subbases, one riser, and 2 signal foundation bases placed west of the crossing by a CSX boom truck. Also present is a mini-excavator . See photo------


How these pre-cast pieces work-------https://www.amconco.com/railroad-produc ... -railroad/

Today at 12:15 PM apparent POED with MEC 7565?? through Westford with a good size train. On track #2 MEC 7561 idling facing West with string of apparent Nashuas.

Observations of the past week or so in the field and via radio, Graniteville- Westford track 2 has been used for a setoff -pickup location for M426/427 but not on a everyday basis. Eimskips and Nashua's are easily identified. LA-4 usually comes out to drop-off and pickup cars in the PM. This morning around 0845 an AY- Relief with NS 6964 was going to NC to pick up cars, had to wait at 312 for M427.

After dropping "Ayer's" at Graniteville, M427 was told by D2 "when D3 is ready for you I'll give you the signal at 309." Heard at about 12:10.

Since EDPO/POED has been eliminated there has been some interesting happenings on the Stony.
As newpylong said in another thread having 426/427 do all the work will result in thing’s cascading down.

Here’s some observations as best as I can assemble from my notes.
Saturday about 12:00 M426 CSXT 486 arrived at Westford with instructions to pick-up “Portlands” on trk 2. Conductor asked what do we do with the Lawrences?” Back and forth discussion with D2, and conductor saying “call Westford PD because we’ll be blocking Depot St.for a long time with all the moves we’ll be making.” At about 13:00 engines were still sitting at 309 because of issues with the switch. Later radio transmissions at about 15:30 were about recrew options because they were running out of time. I think they made the pickup.

Sunday featured some interesting juggling by D2 and D3 dispatch.
At about 12:00 M427 CSXT 485 was doing set-offs or pickups at Graniteville when the LA-4 crew arrived by cab and took the rear MEC engine from 427 and backed onto Track 2 while 427 tied on to his train on track 1 and went west. At CPF-312 the three NS light engines of 16R were waiting along with M426 for M427 to pass. 16R was going to NC not only to wye the power but to make a pickup, the conductor was only good to 15:00 but said he could make it but wouldn’t be able to make the pickup.
After 16R passed LA-4 went west to Ayer I assume to do CSX work at the Hill yard as is usual these days, then M426 proceeded east.

There is an EDPO working at CPF NC at 10:00 . I don't know if this a one time thing or a return to regular operation.

I heard mention of a POED yesterday in the vicinity of NC yesterday morning. Also M427 with CSXT 467 heard in the same area which apparently only made it to Graniteville by 20:30, was recrewed and finally made it to Hill yard by 21:00 or so. Obviously weather played a large part in yesterday's lack of significant movement.

At about 12:00 hrs. M427 with CSXT 486, 457, 478, and 471 and approximately 120 cars westbound thru Westford CPF 307.

An update, M426 arrived at Ayer about 13:30 hours, M427 coming in on track 11. About 13:35 LA 4 with MEC 7643 told by D2 to proceed through Westford " to NC to pick up Deerfield's , return to Graniteville to pick up Ayer's" and I assume they will then return to Ayer.

At 13:30 hrs M427 with assorted power -- CSXT 8846 (SD40-2), 36(AC-4400CW), 8014 (SD-40-3),487(AC-4400CW), 2019(GP-38-3), 1176 (MP-15AC), sitting at Graniteville until D-3 can take him.

I saw that train westbound through Wells, Maine last night. Video here:

To add info to jaymac's post about multiple M426/427's today , at 0738 D2 telling M427 with CSXT 479 to "drop 45 Ayers and 1 engine on trk 2 at Graniteville." At about 08:00 D2 talking to M426 with CSXT 476 apparently working at CPF-WA (Western Ave Lowell).

M427 CSXT 467,5461, 3091 and about 90 cars at Graniteville about 15:30 waiting for M426 to finish work at Hill Yd so they can meet on Main Line.

MEC 7875 ,7517, 7595 on track 2 at Graniteville (to become LA-13 at about 15:00). About 15:05 D2 tells LA-13 plan changed will cab you to San Vel for 11R. About 15:07 D2 says never mind cab stick to original plan bring LA-13 train west which is a mix of Deerfield's,Ayer's, Deerfield's and Ayer's.

About 17:25 D3 calling M-09? This is getting too confusing for me, never mind for the dispatchers and train crews.

Correction at 18:39 it is AM-09 (empty grain). Dropping MEC power at Hill Yard, to contact D1 if necessary for head room at MPX-25.