Summer '05 Classic Trains: New Haven in Readville, MA

[MP57313]

Got a question - on pages 56 & 57 of this issue, there is a pic of a New Haven train at Readville in 1949.  In the right side of the picture there are several parallel truss bridges, including at least 2 that look to be no longer in use.  Does anyone (with this issue handy) know what these bridges were for - additional tracks over to the station?

MP 

 

[DMUinCT]

I have not looked at the photo, but it hasn't changed much in 50 years!

   The lower level is the Boston to New York main line, the "Shoreline Route" now called "The Northeast Corridor", and is still so used (now electrified with Catenary, welded rail and concrete ties). The passenger station is used by commuter rail.  To the east is now the CSX Readville yard.

   Crossing over the top was the "Highland Division", formally the New York & New England to Putnam, Willimantic, and Hartford, it passed on the south side of the New Haven Readville Shops.  In the 1890s, this was the route of "The New England Limited" AKA "The Ghost Train".  The line is now MBTA Commuter rail as far as Franklin, MA, most of the rest has been ripped after the 1955 floods took out bridges.  The Reedville Station on this line is located over the "Corridor Station". This line to Franklin is also welded rail on concrete ties.

   At one time, a third line ran west from Readville, known as the "Dedham Loop".  It ran past The New Haven Shops to the town of Dedham and back into the corridor at Forest Hills Station for local passenger service. That line has been long gone.

   A new highway bridge connects Reedville center over the tracks to Milton and Sprague Streets that take you to Dedham.  Sprague Street sill uses an old Truss bridge over the Franklin line, these may be your bridges.

   Readville is easy to access from I-95 and has heavy rail passenger traffic, both Amtrak (Acela & Regional) and MBTA Commuter.  I would guess 3-5 an hour.   If photographing, you may be asked for indentification and the reason you are taking photos (railfan is OK).

[MP57313]

Thx for the detailed response - I just came across the August '92 Trains HotSpot article about the location with a map and up-to-date photo.  The photo is from a different angle, but shows only one track remaining on the truss bridge.  Still a good number of tracks in use there!

[DMUinCT]

 Great thrill, you stand on the Station Platform.  The scrolling red signs start reading "Stand Back-- High Speed Train Approaching", then the announcement over the PA system. You stand way back looking down the line at the closing headlight, and then an Acela Bullet Train thunders by.  Every hour each way.   Riding MBTA Commuter Rail north bound at 80 mph, then, remember to keep your head in, dispatching will "fleet" a northbound Acela past you on the southbound track at 140 mph.  Wow, a train passing you going the same way 60 mph faster!  

Any of the Stations from Reedville to Attleboro is good train watching.