Stoughton Branch Rehabilitation Project

Surprised to see that the MBTA web-site has no mentioning of the Stoughton Branch being shut-down next month. Anybody have any idea why it is not posted? Are they going to announce the bus substitution the evening prior to the first day of the project?!?

The Stoughton Branch Tie replacement project has not been aproved yet by the MBTA.

claytor wrote:The Stoughton Branch Tie replacement project has not been aproved yet by the MBTA.

Really?!? If that were true, how come there were bunfles of ties already dropped along the r.o.w. back in mid July?!?

Just heard today that 9/26 is the projected start date.

what are they going to do, just replace the ties? that should increase track speeds, right?

It won't increase track speed, but it will prevent some speed restrictions in the immediate future.

what would increase track speeds on the line? new rail as well?

The southern end towards Stoughton has a very sharp curve with multiple grade crossings and the station. It's right in the center of town. With the set-up now, you are on an Approach indication and then a Restricting during the last couple of miles, so you cannot exceed 30MPH anyways. Even after the line is extended for Fall River & New Bedford I'm pretty sure that the curve just north of the Stoughton Station will remain 15MPH.

Does CSX still have customers in Stoughton? I read that the Plymouth Rubber Company is going to close. Just wondering if there are other businesses there.

What CSX local serves this line?

Paul

Paul, Plymouth Rubber stopped getting rail service back in 2002.

As for customers, Cohenno is pretty busy with cars of lumber & brick (he transloads the brick for a few companies in the area that don't have rail access). Right next to Cohenno is Warren Trask, which still gets an occasional flat car or two.

Usually B710 (WARE-1) services Stoughton between 1100 & 1230, but when the track is out of service for the tie replacement B733 (WARE-20) is probably going to do Stoughton late at night.

I was by the Bolivar st. bridge today. Lots of MBTA activity there. Looked like the tie replacement is going on now.

This is the second week. The equipment is being stored in the old Plymouth Rubber siding at Canton Jct. when not in use.

The work is being done after an inbound Stoughton local clears at approximately 8:46 am until just before the evening rush hour, Monday through Friday.

how many ties can they replace in a good day?

Not sure, but last year they did the 5 mile stretch between Norwood Central & Sprague Street (Readville) and it took only about 3 to 4 weeks per track.

So far they have only done about a mile.

MBTA F40PH-2C 1050 wrote:how many ties can they replace in a good day?

It's only a small crew. Most of the men are on the rail job up in Haverhill. They are getting 200 to 250 per day.

They have a very physically demanding job for sure, but are doing well. They did about 1/2 mile yesterday.