Eastern Railroad Discussion > CSX Boston Line in Western MA

I decided to head out yesterday to do some shooting on the Boston line and not much was going on as traffic was light but I heard a Sperry truck calling out signals so I stopped in Springfield to take some shots.

---

---

---

After the Sperry car cleared a CSX local headed West into the yard in West Springfield and Connecticut Southern train CSO-1 came off of Amtrak's Springfield line and pulled up the main getting ready to shove back into West Springfield Yard.

---

---

---

The 417 looks like a ex FEC

After CSO came into Springfield I decided to hop over the CT river to see what was going on in the yard and noticed that CSX Train Q425 (West Springfield, MA to Selkirk, NY) was getting ready to depart so I figured I would follow it West. Here is Q425 passing through Westfield at MP107.

---

---

---

After that I headed West on Rt20 and caught him at MP123 in Chester, MA.

---

---

---

Then I went to downtown Chester, MA at MP126 and caught Q425 there.

---

---

---

After the train passed through Chester I headed over to Washington, MA and went to "Washington Cut" which is a deep rock cut with a bridge over it around MP137.

---

---

---

After Washington I headed back to Chester at MP126 and waited a few minutes for Amtrak train 449 to head West. You can see the entire set of pics here. http://mgwsy.smugmug.com/Trains/Boston-Line-2-20-2013

---

---

---

Dewman45 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The 417 looks like a ex FEC


Yes that's an Ex FEC unit that NECR received. NECR and CSOR routinely swap around power and you can see both RR's units on each others properties.

mgwsy:
Those Chester shots bring back memories. We camped in Chester for about 20 years, during which time
the line was single tracked, the Chester station got moved to the other side of the tracks and got
restored to the beautiful building it is today. The Berkshire Scenic route changed numerous times
including going out to Great Barrington. Are you aware that the bridge over Washington cut is the
former bridge from the Chester roundhouse turntable?

The campground we stayed at (Walker Island, on Rte 20 west of "downtown") is built on a portion of the Chester and Becket RR. It joins the B&A line, crossing Rte. 20 just before you come down the hill into Chester. In the winter you can follow the grade through the trees to left of Rte 20. It used to cross first left after campground entrance on a trestle. Sharp left after turning on that road brings you onto the RR right-of-way through the upper campground. The gate appeared to be locked
during the summer nights, but was not! Interesting place to look at next time you're out that way.
Frank 30

Frank30 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mgwsy:
> Those Chester shots bring back memories. We camped
> in Chester for about 20 years, during which time
> the line was single tracked, the Chester station
> got moved to the other side of the tracks and got
> restored to the beautiful building it is today.
> The Berkshire Scenic route changed numerous times
> including going out to Great Barrington. Are you
> aware that the bridge over Washington cut is the
> former bridge from the Chester roundhouse
> turntable?
>
> The campground we stayed at (Walker Island, on Rte
> 20 west of "downtown") is built on a portion of
> the Chester and Becket RR. It joins the B&A line,
> crossing Rte. 20 just before you come down the
> hill into Chester. In the winter you can follow
> the grade through the trees to left of Rte 20. It
> used to cross first left after campground entrance
> on a trestle. Sharp left after turning on that
> road brings you onto the RR right-of-way through
> the upper campground. The gate appeared to be
> locked
> during the summer nights, but was not!
> Interesting place to look at next time you're out
> that way.
> Frank 30


I know the places you mention and Walker Island really got devastated during Hurricane Irene but they are slowly getting things back to normal. I remember seeing the grade of the old line in the trees as I headed East on Rt20. I use to go Camping at Bonny Rigg campground which is where Rt 20 and 8 intersect.

Nice photos, especially the Chester set. I just caught the Sperry truck at 83 in Palmer, MA and he was heading east.
Bob

NIIICE set of pics!!!! Thanks for sharing. I REALLY LIKED the Washington, MA pics.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/13 12:47 by ns1000.

I like the shots from the bridge, well done.
John