Tower A

[theseaandalifesaver]

Is the old B&M Tower A that's right outside of North Station still in use?

[BostonUrbEx]

As I understand it, it is manned only by the bridge operator. There is still a whole bunch of circuitry and gadgetry related to the interlocking, but it is all automated/remote controlled by dispatch now.

[eubnesby]

I ride the train past this tower pretty frequently, and there is usually a guy looking out the window toward the bridge when the train crosses it, with some kind of microphone. I would presume that's the bridge operator. However, the poor thing looks to be in terrible shape.

[eustis22]

the windows need to be fixed and that brace against the wall needs to be removed...perhaps a GoFundMe restoration project.

[boatsmate]

yes it is very much still in operation, there is an Bridge operator there 24/7 365, to open and close the bridge when needed. per US Coast Guard regulations.

[TomNelligan]

Tangential question... are the other North Side drawbridges (on the Eastern Route and Rockport branch) still staffed by live human beings on a regular basis, or are they remotely operated?

the windows need to be fixed and that brace against the wall needs to be removed

But hopefully without having the whole thing collapse into a pile of bricks! That brace does sort of raise questions about Tower A's structural stability.

[KB1KVD]

All of the north side east route draw bridges are manned. Gloucester, Beverly and Saugus are manned year round. Manchester is only manned from mid may to early November.

[sery2831]

Tower A signal tower is going to be replaced with a new structure when the draw bridges are replaced. The Boston and Maine Tower A concrete part of the building is supposed to be saved and incorporated into its replacement.

[BostonUrbEx]

Sery, have you heard one way or another whether the interlocking will be redesigned in tandem with the draw replacement? I know interlocking redesign, perhaps with medium speed switches, is being considered.

[sery2831]

I have not heard of speed upgrades. But it would only help outbound traffic, as the way North Station is set up currently it will be all slow speeds going into Boston. If they were to signal the tracks like South Station that would change things. But I prefer not have signals there!

[BostonUrbEx]

Several images courtesy of Boston Sand & Gravel's photo gallery. http://www.bostonsand.com/photo-gallery ... ery/page/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Date unknown: http://www.bostonsand.com/wp-content/ga ... hoto_1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Date unknown: http://www.bostonsand.com/wp-content/ga ... hoto_2.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

June 1984: http://www.bostonsand.com/wp-content/ga ... e_1984.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Interesting things to be seen include tent city and the removal of North Station piers following fire, piggyback operations, cement cars (as opposed to only aggregate) at Boston Sand & Gravel, and the switch/spur to Charlestown Navy Yard.