PAR Business Train (ST 100, 101, 102 & 103; PAR 1 & 2)

[Spacecase2012]

Just saw it go through Wamesit heading to Lawrence at 10:30 am, with the bush car trailing.

[backroadrails]

I just watched a video, and I noticed that PAR 1 had a killer P3 by the sounds, when was the horn changed to the K5 series horn it wears now?
Here is the video: (The horn in mention is around 5:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI7SM9niMSs

[MEC407]

That's actually a P5 you're hearing. I'm not sure exactly when they changed it, but PAR 1 has worn several different horns over the past few years. When PAR acquired the F's from CSR, it arrived on the property with its original M horn (CSR removed the K5 they'd been using). The M was removed not long thereafter (and placed on one of PAR's freight locos but I forget which one).

[ericofmaine]

FWIW, I caught the Business Train NB through Auburn this morning, about 0945. The whole set was there.

Eric

[guilfordrailfan]

Note that the "new" sleeper car which was briefly ST 41 has been renumbered to ST 103. It's new name is "Syd Culliford". It has NOT yet been repainted.

[newpylong]

Named after him they'll try to run it with only 2 axles.

[MEC407]

I understand and agree with newpy's sentiment, but in the interest of fairness I'll add the following in the "for what it's worth" category:

GROVELAND - Sydney B. Culliford, a longtime resident of Groveland, passed away on February 13, 2019 at age 86 in his home with his family present.

Sydney was born in Medford, Massachusetts and attended Haverhill High School while living in West Newbury. Upon graduation from high school, Sydney served in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of Corporal. After the Army, Sydney attended and graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. It was during his time at Northeastern that Sydney was first introduced to railroading by interning at the Boston and Maine Railroad in the Engineering Department. Following college graduation, Sydney began a career with the railroad that would span over 50 years, eventually becoming Vice President of Transportation and serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Pan Am Railways until his retirement in 2014.

[gokeefe]

Appreciate the update.

Interesting to wonder if further additions to the business train fleet may be forthcoming. I could see either a baggage car or a theater car for viewing track conditions.

[johnpbarlow]

Any idea what the mission of the OCS train's most recent Waterville-Portland round trip was all about? Video I saw of the southbound move showed train to be carrying no passengers. I think it stayed 1 night at Rigby and then returned to Waterville.

[backroadrails]

Pan Am brought the OCS up to Pittsfield this past week. Video by "Maine Railfan" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR4hCxD501s Video by "Branchline Geep Productions" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3JGllRFaIQ I don't have a camera, but I took a tour of the train on Thursday, it was a good little tour, and you were allowed to walk around the train.

[Safetee]

ocs went westbound through charlemont around 11 this morning. it appeared to be staffed with suits and ties. it was really the most polished and slick looking from top to bottom that i have ever seen.

[Safetee]

and the return around 0815 today thru charlemont with a shabby cyd culliford , a sleeper?, bringing up the rear.

[Engineer Spike]

I headed through Mechanicville at about midnight Wednesday/Thursday and it was tied up in the yard.

[Dick H]

Perhaps the OCS visit to Mechanicville was related to this grant for Rt. 67 improvements.
From the Times-Union.

https://www.timesunion.com/business/art ... 276804.php

[johnpbarlow]

ocs went westbound through charlemont around 11 this morning. it appeared to be staffed with suits and ties. it was really the most polished and slick looking from top to bottom that i have ever seen.

Per an Eastern RR News and Sightings Facebook page posting, many of the "suits and ties" on this westbound move were NS marketing and transportation personnel as well as Pan Am officials presumably inspecting PAS. Also reports suggest the OCS is resting at E Deerfield over the weekend to be used for another mission next week. Interestingly upon the conclusion of the westbound trip to Mechanicville, rather than wye the whole train, the PAR 1 and PAR 2 ran around the consist so PAR 2 became the leader (apparently a rare event). Thus the business car remains on the east end of the consist, suggesting next week's trip out of E Deerfield will be heading west again along D3 or north or south on the Conn River line.