403 Meeting 22K
For the first time in seemingly weeks Friday was predicted to be perfect bluebird weather. Coupled with the news just released the day prior that the Pan Am Railways acquisition by CSXT had been approved I figured I should skip my beloved ex Boston and Albany for once and go to the old Boston and Maine before the changes come. While it won't happen overnight, it will be quicker than we expect before blue dip or ugly patched GEs are rare and intermodal trains on District 3 are but a memory.
With that in mind a look at the turnover revealed that a 22K was tied down at Fitchburg scheduled for an early recrew to bring into Ayer and that an EDPO was out of East Deerfield headed east and counterpart POED was moving with work at Graniteville before going west. Throw in regular AYPO building in Ayer and it was an unusual busy morning to the point that you actually had to make a choice what you wanted to focus on!
Anyway, first up I headed here to find 22K (47th Street Chicago to PAS Ayer) tied down on Main 2 just west of CPF FG as outbound Keolis/MBTA train 403 trails away for Fitchburg and Wachusett on Main 1. The standard NS SD60E has a colorful BNSF and UP GE duo trailing making for some nice variety here in the morning sun just west of Bemis Road at MP 48.3 (from North Station via the Fitchburg Route main) and 328.3 (from Mattawamkeag, ME via Pan Am's Freight Main).
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Friday April 15, 2022
403 Meeting 22K
For the first time in seemingly weeks Friday was predicted to be perfect bluebird weather. Coupled with the news just released the day prior that the Pan Am Railways acquisition by CSXT had been approved I figured I should skip my beloved ex Boston and Albany for once and go to the old Boston and Maine before the changes come. While it won't happen overnight, it will be quicker than we expect before blue dip or ugly patched GEs are rare and intermodal trains on District 3 are but a memory.
With that in mind a look at the turnover revealed that a 22K was tied down at Fitchburg scheduled for an early recrew to bring into Ayer and that an EDPO was out of East Deerfield headed east and counterpart POED was moving with work at Graniteville before going west. Throw in regular AYPO building in Ayer and it was an unusual busy morning to the point that you actually had to make a choice what you wanted to focus on!
Anyway, first up I headed here to find 22K (47th Street Chicago to PAS Ayer) tied down on Main 2 just west of CPF FG as outbound Keolis/MBTA train 403 trails away for Fitchburg and Wachusett on Main 1. The standard NS SD60E has a colorful BNSF and UP GE duo trailing making for some nice variety here in the morning sun just west of Bemis Road at MP 48.3 (from North Station via the Fitchburg Route main) and 328.3 (from Mattawamkeag, ME via Pan Am's Freight Main).
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Friday April 15, 2022