Framingham/Worcester Line Questions

I thought they finished the de-stressing project several years ago. I think Conrail/CSX destressed the rails but didn't maintain the records sufficient to satisfy the T. And you don't de-stress rail if it is worn out and will just need to be replaced.

You're right, they did that 2015-2016, we even talked about it here! framingham-worcester-destressing-project-t159622.html

From what's written in that thread, it looks like only track 1 was done west of Framingham.

johnpbarlow wrote: ↑Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:02 am Would both of these trains or just one be headed for the MBTA and where is the rail to be used?

The Fairport log is wrong given how these 2 combined rail trains are not for MBTA. These rail trains are actually the first rails for the Pan Am system. Specifically for the Pan Am Worcester Main Line between Worcester and Ayer (Not the Keolis Worcester Main Line)

west point wrote: ↑Tue Jul 26, 2022 2:36 pm Is it possible that the rail Boston to Wocester that CSX never stressed properly and sold to MBTA has too many failures? Could be new CWR less costly.

Unfortunately the CSX rails already in place there are from 2008 and 136Lb rail. There is nothing wrong with it except for minor wear on the gauge side of the head on curves. The track foreman is happy since his team will not need to replace the tie plates since the new rail is also 136lbs. However he too agrees that this rail job not completely unnecessary and there are much better uses for the rail that came in on that Welded Rail Train last month.

When the rails were ordered a while back, the plan was for them to be laid on the B&M jointed rail section of the Gloucester Branch. However week of and MBTA realized that they don't have a siding big enough to store the Welded rail train on the GB so they used track 2 on the Worcester Main Line as a "throw away spot" to drop the rails.

JacobKoppel wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 10:50 pm

johnpbarlow wrote: ↑Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:02 am Would both of these trains or just one be headed for the MBTA and where is the rail to be used?

The Fairport log is wrong given how these 2 combined rail trains are not for MBTA. These rail trains are actually the first rails for the Pan Am system. Specifically for the Pan Am Worcester Main Line between Worcester and Ayer (Not the Keolis Worcester Main Line)

That's great to hear.

If the rail is too long for the Gloucester Line, how will they get it there? Will they have to cut the continuously welded rail? So now they have to come back, pick it up, move it to the destination the day they want to use it?

What are the maximum speeds on the Worcester Line east and west of Framingham?
Will any of the Worcester Line be upgraded as part of the Inland Route project that
MA is sponsoring?
Thanks
Andy

depends on which section of track you are operating over. The max speed is 79 mph, few miles here and there, the majority of the line is 60. A third track and an additional future CP 15 are the plans for the upgrades between CP 11 and CP 21. Like with everything on the RR, I'll believe it when I see it