Yesterday Steamboateng and I did a bit of train watching and he did some picture taking of some of the mill buildings around my area. There has been some construction on the line, which has delayed both passenger and freight operations as the big bridge across the Merrimack River is being redecked and parts reconstructed. The bridge, built in 1910-1911 as part of a grade replacement project, was badly neglected for years, and now with the Downeaster and increased freight traffic, as well as MBTA Commuter rail service, it needed updates, besides parts were falling off, which meant it was falling apart. We didn't get any pictures of the bridge because there was nothing to see. The bridge is completely covered in tarps and access to it is impossible.
During our building hunt, we heard and saw Amtrak's Downeaster which we couldn't get pictures of, and then we saw a commuter train pass north. This train will switch tracks and head south after the afternoon southbound Amtrak train passed. Here are some shots of the MBTA Commuter train and then a surprise which came by a bit later. We heard a lot of horn blowing and saw what I thought was an old BNSF diesel, but couldn't tell because of the trees. Instead it was a work train going caboose first. The MBTA work train caboose is fitted with a rather sad sounding horn, but is in the bright orange colors, which made it look like a BNSF diesel. On the opposite end was an even bigger surprise - A GP40-1. Yes, that's right an old GP40 dash 1!
Anyway here's the pics.
During our building hunt, we heard and saw Amtrak's Downeaster which we couldn't get pictures of, and then we saw a commuter train pass north. This train will switch tracks and head south after the afternoon southbound Amtrak train passed. Here are some shots of the MBTA Commuter train and then a surprise which came by a bit later. We heard a lot of horn blowing and saw what I thought was an old BNSF diesel, but couldn't tell because of the trees. Instead it was a work train going caboose first. The MBTA work train caboose is fitted with a rather sad sounding horn, but is in the bright orange colors, which made it look like a BNSF diesel. On the opposite end was an even bigger surprise - A GP40-1. Yes, that's right an old GP40 dash 1!
Anyway here's the pics.
