Switcher Savior
Amtrak Downeaster train 695 from North Station to Brunswick is eastbound on Main 1 of the Western Route mainline passing through CP AS at MP 25.6. The four car train with a GE P42DC on the rear is led by AMTK 740 an EMD GP38-3 delivered in December 2023 and dressed in the railroad's new Phase VII paint scheme.
This unit was most recently rebuilt by Progress Rail from PRLX 2297 but has a long history. It was originally built as a GP38-2 in Aug. 1972 as Penn Central 8034 then passed to Conrail four years later and keeping the same number. After being returned to EMD when the lease was up it entered the LLPX lease fleet until going to the Union Pacific under a long term operating lease in 1997. It wore numbers UP 1966 and 466 until being retired in 2003. It then became LLPX2287 until joining GATX's lease fleet after they bought out EMD's leasing arm when it then became GMTX 2297 and continued spend time on UP just now dressed in blue and white instead of Armour yellow.
The train is approaching the Andover Street crossing as it passes the remains of the one bustling Boston and Maine freight yard which still remains in use as by new owner CSXT as a base for a few locals. At left providing a backdrop is a ubiquitous brick mill building. This particular one dates from 1900 and was once home to the Monomac Spinning Company, producers worsted yarns for weaving and knitting. Today it is known as Heritage Place and has been beautifully restored as residential and office space.
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Sunday May 11, 2025
Switcher Savior
Amtrak Downeaster train 695 from North Station to Brunswick is eastbound on Main 1 of the Western Route mainline passing through CP AS at MP 25.6. The four car train with a GE P42DC on the rear is led by AMTK 740 an EMD GP38-3 delivered in December 2023 and dressed in the railroad's new Phase VII paint scheme.
This unit was most recently rebuilt by Progress Rail from PRLX 2297 but has a long history. It was originally built as a GP38-2 in Aug. 1972 as Penn Central 8034 then passed to Conrail four years later and keeping the same number. After being returned to EMD when the lease was up it entered the LLPX lease fleet until going to the Union Pacific under a long term operating lease in 1997. It wore numbers UP 1966 and 466 until being retired in 2003. It then became LLPX2287 until joining GATX's lease fleet after they bought out EMD's leasing arm when it then became GMTX 2297 and continued spend time on UP just now dressed in blue and white instead of Armour yellow.
The train is approaching the Andover Street crossing as it passes the remains of the one bustling Boston and Maine freight yard which still remains in use as by new owner CSXT as a base for a few locals. At left providing a backdrop is a ubiquitous brick mill building. This particular one dates from 1900 and was once home to the Monomac Spinning Company, producers worsted yarns for weaving and knitting. Today it is known as Heritage Place and has been beautifully restored as residential and office space.
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Sunday May 11, 2025