Does anyone know of any 44 tonners opperated by railroads that interchanged with Conrail's Boston line? I know Bay Colony had one, but they sold it in 95. i'm looking for somthing in opporation between 91-98 with a preferance on the latter.
The B&M owned 44 Tonners, but I don't know where they were assigned or when they were operating. I suggest that you ask this question on the B&M Historical Society Forum.
they were gone by the 90's. the lone survivor i belive is #15 in Conway. I'm looking for somthing a bit more current
I know a paper mill on the Berkshire line (now the Housatonic) had one into the eighties. I doubt it is still there. By the timeframe you mention, there was a lot of newer power available at reasonable prices. The 44tonners were aroung 40 yrs old by then. Frank
The Grafton & Upton had two, but I don't know exactly when it quit running. It did connect with the old Boston & Albany and the New Haven.
Dan, Here is a quote from a website proposing a new rail trail on the G&U: "Located less than a half mile from west Upton to the South, the West Upton Depot would make an excellent location for the town's primary access area, much like depot St in Hopedale. Accessible by two roads, the depot yard shows good potential for parking and interpretation. Although it lacks an available visitor center, the site is also home to three pieces of Grafton & Upton rail equipment, including an engine, a flat car, and maintenance car. West Upton Depot, like in a number of locations in Upton, is proximally situated to a number of homes." I haven't been to West Upton in a couple of years, but there was one on their 44 Tonners rusting at West Upton. Some Google research would confirm its existence. You should also see the way the right of way snakes through the old village of Grafton.
The single best place I know of to find out anything about any line in New England is the New England Rail email list... http://www.nerail.org/
G&U is now using an ex Manufacturer's Railway S2.... i'll email them and see when they got rid of that 44 tonner. Strange little railroad: 1 engine, 1 customer and an operational freighthouse.
