Housatonic Railroad Thread (Maybrook, Berkshire, Pittsfield)

[Safetee]

In a word no. Berkshire Scenic and Housatonic for a variety of reasons will never do things together again like they used to do in the 80s.

As far as the run to Adams, the track's gone between Pittsfield to Adams.

[J.D. Lang]

The apparent low bidder for Phase II of the project is Railworks. More than you probably ever want to know about this project can be found on this COMMBUYS page -
https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/b ... entUrl=bid

Thanks Train60. This is very encouraging that the work is to be done by a qualified company and to Class 3 standards. Amazing that MassDot is putting this much effort and money into this line. With the different phases looks like it could all be done in around 3 yrs.

[njtmnrrbuff]

That's too bad that the prospects are looking low for BSR operations between even Lenox and Stockbridge resuming. I rode that in 2010 and had a great time. It would be great to at least still have something running from Lenox to Great Barrington.

[FLRailFan1]

Interesting feature piece in Railfan & Railroad on the Housatonic. Such a rosy picture, which may be true, but feels a bit puffy. I wonder how the folks feel at the Berkshire Scenic, given their struggles to deal with the Housatonic management.

Steve

May issue of Railroad & Railfan?

[FLRailFan1]

In a word no. Berkshire Scenic and Housatonic for a variety of reasons will never do things together again like they used to do in the 80s.

As far as the run to Adams, the track's gone between Pittsfield to Adams.

The track is gone, but did Massachusetts railbanked the ROW. At least Connecticut did. Too many rail-trails, but at least we could re use the ROW...

[newpylong]

Not railbanked - it's toast. Paved trail and all.

[Safetee]

just because there's a bike trail does not necessarily mean it's not rail banked. one of the key provisions of the federal rail trail program is that rr rows can revert to rail from trail if the public good requires it. of course taking it back can be a struggle, but technically speaking rail trail is not the end of the rail.

[scoostraw]

In a word no. Berkshire Scenic and Housatonic for a variety of reasons will never do things together again like they used to do in the 80s.

Unless the Housy is forced to by the state.

Massachusetts now owns the trackage and is installing CWR. There is no way they are not going to have a say in what happens.

[scoostraw]

That's too bad that the prospects are looking low for BSR operations between even Lenox and Stockbridge resuming. I rode that in 2010 and had a great time. It would be great to at least still have something running from Lenox to Great Barrington.

There might be something even better running.

I have this fantasy about the BSR's Budd Car idling at Pittsfield station to provide an across-the-platform transfer from Amtrak for service to Great Barrington...

[Safetee]

if state ownership of the Canaan Sec. is such an operational heavy weight now, then why is the bsr only operating from north adams to adams???

[Backshophoss]

Has HRRC opened a "backdoor" interchange at Derby Jct? Some HRRCpower has cycled thru there headed to PAR Waterville shiop.

[DutchRailnut]

I think that back door is now closed.

[edbac333]

For what reason would this back door be closed, other than the 3604 has returned already?

[DutchRailnut]

Derby is not official interchange point for HRRC or Panam. , last I heard now switch points are removed ? pretty sure someone will verify,

[Gilbert B Norman]

Mr. Railnut, what interchange does HRR have beyond CSX-Pittsfield?

At this rate, if this "excuse for a railroad" is around for "my 60th" come '21, I'll be amazed.