A Nice New Spot
Only about 10 minutes after MBTA train 814 passed as seen in the prior post: flic.kr/p/2ojPyVf Amtrak Acela train 2190 followed headed toward Boston on Main 2.
The platforms and overhead bridge at this brand new station are also pretty decent railfan photography locations for the constant parade of Amtrak and MBTA trains as well as four or five freight moves daily on the freight only track that passes by along the north side. This telephoto view from the far west end of the inbound platform shows the New Haven era milepost 189 and the weedgrown remains of the freight yard tracks at left that weren't removed to accommodate the new station and parking lot. Also of note partially visible above the train and beyond the Conant Street overpass is the pagoda style roof of the old Woodlawn interlocking tower which once controlled access to the big Northrup Avenue Yard as well as the smaller Pawtucket Yard here and a set of mainline crossovers when this area was once four main tracks. Later after SS156 at Boston Switch was closed in 1935 this tower took over those duties with total control over about three miles of busy mainline.
Built by the New Haven in 1914 it was known as SS154 in NH days and LAWN in the PC and Amtrak eras. This tower remained in service until 1991 when centralized control was transferred to CTEC and it was shuttered along with the remaining towers along the route including Attleboro, Kingston, High Street, Groton, and Old Saybrook. Derelict and forlorn it remainins standing as a link to railroading's past. To learn more and see some historic photos I highly recommend Edward Ozog's site here: sites.google.com/site/pawtucketcentralfalls/home/the-sepa...
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Wednesday March 1, 2023
A Nice New Spot
Only about 10 minutes after MBTA train 814 passed as seen in the prior post: flic.kr/p/2ojPyVf Amtrak Acela train 2190 followed headed toward Boston on Main 2.
The platforms and overhead bridge at this brand new station are also pretty decent railfan photography locations for the constant parade of Amtrak and MBTA trains as well as four or five freight moves daily on the freight only track that passes by along the north side. This telephoto view from the far west end of the inbound platform shows the New Haven era milepost 189 and the weedgrown remains of the freight yard tracks at left that weren't removed to accommodate the new station and parking lot. Also of note partially visible above the train and beyond the Conant Street overpass is the pagoda style roof of the old Woodlawn interlocking tower which once controlled access to the big Northrup Avenue Yard as well as the smaller Pawtucket Yard here and a set of mainline crossovers when this area was once four main tracks. Later after SS156 at Boston Switch was closed in 1935 this tower took over those duties with total control over about three miles of busy mainline.
Built by the New Haven in 1914 it was known as SS154 in NH days and LAWN in the PC and Amtrak eras. This tower remained in service until 1991 when centralized control was transferred to CTEC and it was shuttered along with the remaining towers along the route including Attleboro, Kingston, High Street, Groton, and Old Saybrook. Derelict and forlorn it remainins standing as a link to railroading's past. To learn more and see some historic photos I highly recommend Edward Ozog's site here: sites.google.com/site/pawtucketcentralfalls/home/the-sepa...
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Wednesday March 1, 2023