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  • The Stony Brook Branch

  • Guilford Rail System changed its name to Pan Am Railways in 2006. Discussion relating to the current operations of the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, and the Springfield Terminal railroads (as well as the Delaware & Hudson while it was under Guilford control until 1988). Official site can be found here: PANAMRAILWAYS.COM.
Guilford Rail System changed its name to Pan Am Railways in 2006. Discussion relating to the current operations of the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, and the Springfield Terminal railroads (as well as the Delaware & Hudson while it was under Guilford control until 1988). Official site can be found here: PANAMRAILWAYS.COM.

Moderator: MEC407

 #1510971  by johnpbarlow
 
POAY was tied down on the siding at Graniteville mid-afternoon yesterday and while visiting, I noticed that the turnout at CPF-309 has been completely rebuilt with new ties, new rail (including frog), new switch motor, and plenty of stone. Looked pretty good! Was this paid for by MassDOT $ or Pan Am funds or both?
Attachments:
PAR POAY CPF-309 Graniteville 060819 2 small.jpg
PAR POAY CPF-309 Graniteville 060819 2 small.jpg (473.96 KiB) Viewed 3535 times
 #1514562  by neman2
 
According to the town website and posted signs the crossing at Rt 225 Pleasant St. Westford (Forge Village) will be replaced Tuesday July 23. Depot St. will be redone Thursday July 25.
 #1514596  by 690
 
Excellent, hopefully that will take care of the speedo there.
 #1514634  by 690
 
Almost... the bridge where they cross the Stony Brook just west of 307 needs some work. There's a hole in the deck of the bridge, and I believe the footings are getting bad as well. But besides that all they need to do is get 303 to NC up to 25, and the entire thing will be 25.
 #1514640  by pnolette
 
Didn't they drop rail about a month ago between 303 and Wamisit? Thought they would go all the way to Lowell Jct with the new rail.
 #1514650  by neman2
 
690 wrote: Sun Jul 21, 2019 7:28 am Almost... the bridge where they cross the Stony Brook just west of 307 needs some work. There's a hole in the deck of the bridge, and I believe the footings are getting bad as well. But besides that all they need to do is get 303 to NC up to 25, and the entire thing will be 25.
What about the bridge east of 309 in Graniteville over Bridge St.and the Brook? It looks like it could use some TLC.
 #1514772  by 690
 
Apparently it's good for 25, been over it a few times at 25 and it wasn't any worse than other spots. The only speedos on the Stony Brook were the two I listed, plus Pleasant St. in Forge Village.

The rail dropped is between 303 and the west limits of 297, along the #1 between 297 and CPF-BY, then along the #2 from CPF-BY to CPF-NC, plus the single track between NC and 303.
 #1515628  by CPF363
 
690 wrote: Mon Jul 22, 2019 12:14 pm The rail dropped is between 303 and the west limits of 297, along the #1 between 297 and CPF-BY, then along the #2 from CPF-BY to CPF-NC, plus the single track between NC and 303.
Any idea as to when the rail is to be installed? Will the Lowell Branch receive more rail between LJ and 297? This part of the line is pretty straight and has welded rail from the 1990s so may not be worn out. Could use a tie and surfacing program to bring the entire line up to 25MPH. Looks like there is a short section of jointed rail just west of Meadowbrook Rd in Chelmsford, will that be converted to welded rail also?
 #1515698  by 690
 
Right now the Stony Brook is all 25, except NC-303. The section of jointed rail by Meadowbrook Road is the worst spot by far now, the rail is worn out, and you’re either picking up speed or slowing down over it.

Regarding the rail dropped on the Lowell Branch, no target date that I’ve heard of. The rail isn’t bad between 297 and LJ, but the ties need to be replaced, and the crossings likely need work.
 #1515768  by newpylong
 
I actually just had to look at my TT because I assumed 303 to NC was TT 10 - it has been restricted at that for so long, since when I started in 2005.
 #1553168  by neman2
 
Almost 3 years after replacing the rail on the Stony Brook new stone is being dropped on the line. As of today new stone is spread from CPF-312 in Littleton to east of Pleasant St. in Westford.
I saw a ballast regulator working near 312 today, I didn't see a tamper but it could have been out of sight. Then again they could be just dropping stone without surfacing to make it look "pretty."
 #1554053  by neman2
 
More MOW activity on the Branch today, a high rail brush cutter from Northern Tree Service was working in the vicinity of CPF-309 today. The machine was parked at Town Farm Rd. Westford for the evening.
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