Another piece of history is about to bite the dust. I have received word that virtually all the existing rails in Danvers, all of which have been out of service for several years, are about to be pulled as part of the development of, what else, another rail trail. The MBTA, which owns the rights of way, has given the green light for the removal. Some of the rails from Danvers square toward Topsfield have already been pulled. This section had been out of service since at least the late 70s. I have mixed feelings, for although I like rail trails, it seems a waste to destroy what could easily be a connection for local transit via a light rail, or trolley. At any rate, I photographed the entire line today from the Peabody trestle to the bridge at route 114. I also covered the downtown area around the old station. I will post a few shots in the next day or so. A gem of a discovery was an old cement milepost on the Topsfield line, just outside the square, which had the notation: “N 21” and “B 19”, which likely meant Newburyport 21 miles and Boston 19. If I am not mistaken I think the mileage to Boston was measured via Wakefield junction not Salem. A couple of the old schedules that I have seen showed the trains to Boxford and Georgetown as being routed via Wakefield.
I found it ironic that as I was doing the photos downtown the rail trail folks were about to embark on a walk to survey the trail.
Most of the line has recently had the brush heavily cut by the local electric utility, so visibility is good, so get your shots before the vegetation grows or the rail pullers arrive! I might add that most of the right of way is brutal for an off road bicycle, but you can easily walk most of the line. The Peabody end was the least cleared and worst to get through.
I remember this being quite an active line when I was a kid, with at least one long train each day coming in from Salem serving the many industries along the way. At the end the train came from Wakefield as the trestle over the river at the Peabody line was out of service.
Stay tuned
I found it ironic that as I was doing the photos downtown the rail trail folks were about to embark on a walk to survey the trail.
Most of the line has recently had the brush heavily cut by the local electric utility, so visibility is good, so get your shots before the vegetation grows or the rail pullers arrive! I might add that most of the right of way is brutal for an off road bicycle, but you can easily walk most of the line. The Peabody end was the least cleared and worst to get through.
I remember this being quite an active line when I was a kid, with at least one long train each day coming in from Salem serving the many industries along the way. At the end the train came from Wakefield as the trestle over the river at the Peabody line was out of service.
Stay tuned
