MBTA Work Extra (somerville)

While driving over the Columbia St. bridge just outside Union Sq., I thought I could see some action just about where the backside of Target is. Anybody, know what was going on down there? Also, what are those railcars on the siding there for?

The cars behind Target are a derelict MW equipment and have been there for a while. The spur is called the Paint Track and is about 1800ft long.

Dave

Why is it called the Paint Track. I guess what I saw had nothing to do with the siding then. All I gathered from what i could see for one second was an engine, an orange caboose, a something in between.

The Paint Track is a vestige of the old 3rd Iron (I believe) that went all the
way out to W.Cambridge (along with the 4th Iron on the west side of the
mainline). But that was long ago.

In more modern times (Tower H), it was known as the Paint Shop lead and ended at Prospect Iron. It was also how the B&M switched the A&P
warehouse (now Brickbottom) and where the PC/CR set off its B&M
interchange traffic.

With the reconfiguration Tower H and replacement by Swift Interlocking,
it became the Paint Track, rebuilt to 1800ft in length. Its used for shifting
moves, work train equipment storage. The Northside Work Train was
likely doing either or something related. The cars on the western end
by Target are not in service and includes an ex-PRR hopper (which
vandals started a debris fire in this past Fall!

Dave