What I find sad is that in the end the Mountain Division had so little traffic that the trains controlled by the 1981 and 1982 orders between St. Johnsbury, VT and Cumberland Mills, ME didn't have to protect for traffic for the entire 120+ miles across New Hampshire and Maine.... FYI - Rigby Yard serves Portland, ME.:teeth:
Thought that's how I have it captioned? I wonder if their lack of traffic, was directly tied in to a lack coming east via connection to the west end, (CN, CV), of St.J&LC? Boxcab E50
Dunno, but I suspect the grades, twists, and turns through Crawford Notch, NH is what did them in, that and Interstates. I doubt if that route could ever support 75-100 car 100T loads, there was no room on the cliffs to straighten the line. Most of the roadbed between Bartlett and Whitefield is reminiscent of some of the old D&RGW narrow guage cliff-hangers, or maybe the climb out of Skagway, AK up to White Pass....mg: Thank the Lord for New Hampshire's vision and the Conway Scenic Corp., because that is what has saved that line from destruction.:w20z6q: :w20z6q: :w20z6q:
That area is definitely on my list of places I'd wish to see. Some day. BTW- I even have a Conway Scenic train order! :thumbs_up: Boxcab E50
Ken, a 1 hr 17 min video covering traffic through Crawford Notch was published in 1990. New England Glory Mountain Division Herron Rail Services 2016 N. Village Ave. Tampa, FL 33612 The video is in two parts. The first covers B&M's Mountaineer leaving Boston's North Station, the B&M/MEC crew change at Intervale, and the E7 "growling" up through the Notch at 5-10 mph with 5 coaches. The second covers MEC freight struggling through the Notch with up to 4 steam engines for ~20 cars, also a tour of the helper terminal at Bartlett. Herron Services may still be in business, or e-bay is a possibility....dunno?
Found their web site. Can't really tell from the description. Is this actually old footage? Or more recent re-created action? Oh well. Looks like tomorrow I'll be spending my few dollars at the vet. We have a dog that's not acting well this evening. :sad: Boxcab E50