Railroads in/near Boston

[Cursator]

Hi There

This is my first post and I would like to introduce myself: I am a tech-freak (rail, air, sea and industry), and am living in Switzerland.

I am fascinated with american railroads (I love big diesel engines) since some years but I had no first-hand experiences until a two week visit of canada. The consequence of that visit is a progressiv interest on railroads in america. Am I allowed to share a link to picasa here, if I would share my pictures?

I have the opportunity to visit the USA at the end of april with my girlfriend: We will be based in Boston for one and a half week and after that we will drive (by train of course) to New York for some days.

Now I would like to ask you, if some of you have a suggestion where to go in Boston for trainspotting and maybe some advice where you shouldn't go as tourist and how to behave as a spotter in the USA.

 

Thank you very much for your help and some advice!!!

With Kind regards, Marc

 

[Brian Schmidt]

I can't speak to specific neighborhoods to visit or avoid, but I can tell you that freight operations in and near the city of Boston are rather limited. The same applies to New York City as well. If you are limited to travel by public transportation, then you will mostly be limited to viewing passenger trains of various types.

[carnej1]

up until very recently the one Class 1 freight railroad that served the Boston area maintained a major terminal and locomotive service facility in the allston section of the city near Boston University.

 However in the last couple of years these operations have been shifted about 40 miles west to the City of Worcester. If you have time you can take a commuter train to worcester and the main station there abuts the freight terminal.

 In the New York City area you have to cross the Hudson river into New Jersey to see major freight operations.This can be done by commuter train...

 

[Cursator]

Thanks for the tip: I will be able to do day trips, so a trip to Worchester should be possible, some hints where it will be the busyiest? If there is a nice place in driving distance I could rent a car for a day or two, any suggestions on that part?

You say there is mostly passenger operation, is there some place with good access and nice background to make pictures?

Thanks again :)

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Cursator

[snipped - PDN] Am I allowed to share a link to picasa here, if I would share my pictures? . . .

I believe that's exactly how the software here is set up to do it - and the only way, since you can't insert the actual photos directly into a post.  Others here are more kknowledgeable about the technical aspects, but if you scroll down the topic list you'll find some recent photos from Colorado by "CopCarSS" (Chris May) - "The Ski Train Rides Again (9 IMG)" at: http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/245519.aspx (and posts by others here as well) - that might help show you how. 

- Paul North.   

[aricat]

Worcester is the place to go. Driving in Boston is extremely difficult and you can get to Worcester by commuter train. Worcester's railroad station has been restored. You could rent a car in Worcester and drive to western Massachusetts. I don't know if you would see freights from the railroad station in Worcester. Both CSX and Providence and Worcester operate freights. Boston's South Station is also worth a visit.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

You could do one of 2 possible all-rail passenger train loops on Amtrak from Boston: 

• Boston - New Haven - Springfield - Boston via Northeast Regional, Ethan Allan, and Lake Shore Limited (or reverse)
• Boston - New York City - Albany - Boston via Northeast Regional, Empire Service, and Lake Shore Limited (or reverse)

There are 2 primary freight routes across Massachusetts, mostly west of Boston: CSX over the ex-New York Central Boston & Albany line, between those cities via Pittsfield, etc.; and Norfolk Southern's Patriot Corridor with Pan Am Rwy. (formerly Guilford, originally Boston & Maine), from Mechanicville, NY to somewhere west of Boston (Ayer ?), then northeast into Maine, etc.  This line goes through the Hoosac Tunnel just east of North Adams and is very scenic, but does not see much traffic.

Otherwise, closer to Boston I'd suggest the north-south lines in the Connecticut River Valley; farther away, the lines around Albany, NY.

- Paul North.

[daveklepper]

I believe CSX still operates some heavy freight trains as far east as Framingham, which is not as far as Worcester and has considerably more frequent commuter train service.   Also, if you wish to avoid the expense of a rental car, I suggest a triangular rail trip Boston - NY - Albany - Boston.    The regional expresses provide Boston - NY service with close to hourly headways.  I suggest a stopover at Kingston or Westerly, where there are good photo opportunitis right at the station platfroms, and Acela expresses go through at speed.   You might catch a Providence and Worcester local freight using the line, if lucky, with their colorful red and white well maintained diesels (under the catenary), often with one on both ends to facilitate switching and reverse moves.   From New York to Albanay, stop-over in Poughkeepsie, walk over the famous bridge that used to carry New Haven trains, and photograph heavy CSX freigth traffic on the west side of the Hudson.   Then between Albany and Boston, stop over at Chatham, which would be a day stopover, if you are willing to do some hiking.  There are excellent photo opportunities for freight traffic.   But, again, Worcester or Framingham can also be a stopover if you don't want to hike or don't wish to wait a day for the next train.

In New York, ride the No. 7 subway line, Times Sq. - Grand Central - Woodside- Flushing.   Escellent views of Sunnyside yards, and good photos of LIRR commuter traffic from the Woodside elevated No. 7 line station.

Back in Boston if you are interested in living history, the Ashmont - Mattapan "High speed" trolley line is a throwback to 50 years ago with its orange and cream PCC 1945-vintage cars, and good scenergy also.  Reached at Ashmont by the Red subway line from downtown and South Station.

The Green Line D route emerges from a subway to the old New York Central Highland Branch to its terminal at Riverside.   There is a motel at Riverside with rates considerably lower than those in Boston hotels, and the ride to and from downtown Boston is not much more than half-an-hour and quite scenic.  Equipment is mixed two or three-car trains with Breda and Kinke-Sharo light rail cars with the Bredas providing the low-floor entrance-exits.

Or you could check on accomodations at Framingham, with its frequenct commuter trains service to South Station.

The E Green line is the last line in Boston with on-street operation with lanes used by general traffic, and only for a short distance on its outer end.

Boston used to have on-street frieght operations, even into the diesel era, but that is long gone.

[daveklepper]

aricat

Worcester is the place to go. Driving in Boston is extremely difficult and you can get to Worcester by commuter train. Worcester's railroad station has been restored. You could rent a car in Worcester and drive to western Massachusetts. I don't know if you would see freights from the railroad station in Worcester. Both CSX and Providence and Worcester operate freights. Boston's South Station is also worth a visit.

 

I believe CSX still operates some heavy freight trains as far east as Framingham, which is not as far as Worcester and has considerably more frequent commuter train service.   Also, if you wish to avoid the expense of a rental car, I suggest a triangular rail trip Boston - NY - Albany - Boston.    The regional expresses provide Boston - NY service with close to hourly headways.  I suggest a stopover at Kingston or Westerly, where there are good photo opportunitis right at the station platfroms, and Acela expresses go through at speed.   You might catch a Providence and Worcester local freight using the line, if lucky, with their colorful red and white well maintained diesels (under the catenary), often with one on both ends to facilitate switching and reverse moves.   From New York to Albanay, stop-over in Poughkeepsie, walk over the famous bridge that used to carry New Haven trains, and photograph heavy CSX freigth traffic on the west side of the Hudson.   Then between Albany and Boston, stop over at Chatham, which would be a day stopover, if you are willing to do some hiking.  There are excellent photo opportunities for freight traffic.   But, again, Worcester or Framingham can also be a stopover if you don't want to hike or don't wish to wait a day for the next train.

In New York, ride the No. 7 subway line, Times Sq. - Grand Central - Woodside- Flushing.   Escellent views of Sunnyside yards, and good photos of LIRR commuter traffic from the Woodside elevated No. 7 line station.

Back in Boston if you are interested in living history, the Ashmont - Mattapan "High speed" trolley line is a throwback to 50 years ago with its orange and cream PCC 1945-vintage cars, and good scenergy also.  Reached at Ashmont by the Red subway line from downtown and South Station.

The Green Line D route emerges from a subway to the old New York Central Highland Branch to its terminal at Riverside.   There is a motel at Riverside with rates considerably lower than those in Boston hotels, and the ride to and from downtown Boston is not much more than half-an-hour and quite scenic.  Equipment is mixed two or three-car trains with Breda and Kinke-Sharo light rail cars with the Bredas providing the low-floor entrance-exits.

Or you could check on accomodations at Framingham, with its frequenct commuter trains service to South Station.

The E Green line is the last line in Boston with on-street operation with lanes used by general traffic, and only for a short distance on its outer end.

Boston used to have on-street frieght operations, even into the diesel era, but that is long gone.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Amtrak doesn't stop at Chatham, NY. (I wish !  My aunt and cousin and his family are just a few miles from there, and it's a really nice town.)  Closest stop (and with more frequent service) is Albany-Rensselear (sp ?), about 20 miles away.

- Paul North.   

[Deggesty]

Paul_D_North_Jr

Amtrak doesn't stop at Chatham, NY. (I wish !  My aunt and cousin and his family are just a few miles from there, and it's a really nice town.)  Closest stop (and with more frequent service) is Albany-Rensselear (sp ?), about 20 miles away.

- Paul North.   

 

Paul, since you ask, it's RensselAEr. Those Dutch names are tricky, aren't they? That name is as bad as Cincinnati. And, one of my high school classmates once said that he used to think that the city next to Albany was SchenecTADDy.

[wanswheel]

Cincinatti is tricky. 

[daveklepper]

When you say more frequent service, you mean the NY - Albany/Rens. service, but there is onlyh one train a day between Albany  and Worcdester on its way to and from Boston.

What about Palmer.   Does the Lake Shore connection stop there? That would also be a good photo spot.

[rcdrye]

The Lake Shore 448/449 stops at Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester and Back Bay. Palmer is a nice spot, but not very busy except for CSX.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Johnny, I see your Rensselaer, and raise you a Schuylkill . . .

The thing I love most about this Forum is that it gets me to thinking.  In this instance, I never before thought about these loop trips.  So next I want to check the schedules each way, and see which would make the most sense for me, esp. if it can all be done in 1 day.

My wife wants to visit Boston and environs, but I don't - went there 3 times only a year or two apart when I was in junior and senior high school (only saw 1 B&M RDC at a long distance from the top of the John Hancock Bldg.), and there are many other places I've never seen and are more important to me.  This may be one way to satisfy both interests . . . "You go ahead and tour the historical sites, dear - I'm going on the train, and will be back in a day or two . . . " 

- Paul North.

[carnej1]

Cursator

Thanks for the tip: I will be able to do day trips, so a trip to Worchester should be possible, some hints where it will be the busyiest? If there is a nice place in driving distance I could rent a car for a day or two, any suggestions on that part?

You say there is mostly passenger operation, is there some place with good access and nice background to make pictures?

Thanks again :)

 

I have usually had good luck seeing CSX freight trains at Worcester during the Middle to late afternoon on weekdays, the last time I was up there was a few years back and since then they have done major expansion of the adjoining container and trailer facilities.

 Worcester Union Station is a truly beautiful building:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_%28Worcester,_Massachusetts%29

It is located directly adjacent to the CSX freight facility and a good place to watch both freight and passenger trains. 

 It is where you will get off if you take the commuter train to Worcester..

 As far as Framingham goes CSX is in the process of ending freight operations there and one of the two yards is already closed. The land the two yards are located on will be redeveloped in the next few years. The large scale automobile unloading operation there closed in recent years so it is not the hot spot for freight action it once was.

 The regional commuter operator;The MBTA, owns the track from Worcester into Boston which is a big reason CSX is pulling back to Worcester..

 

 

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Here's an example of 1 of the 4 I suggested above:

Depart Boston westbound on the Lake Shore Limited (train # 49)(daily) - 11:55 AM from South Station, 12:00 Noon from Back Bay; stops at Framingham, Worcester, and Springfield (98 miles) at 2:10 PM - see: http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/987/513/Lake-Shore-Limited-Schedule-060914,0.pdf 

Depart Springfield on the next train out southbound, which is the  Vermonter (daily - as train # 55 M-F, # 57 S-S) - into New Haven (63 miles) 4:25 - 4:28 PM - see: http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/141/170/Northeast-Corridor-2-Schedule-011215.pdf 

Depart New Haven on the next train out northbound - M - F #176 at 5:34 PM, other trains on other days & later, etc. - Arrive Back Bay 8:06 PM, South Station 8:12 PM (157+/- miles) - see: http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/141/170/Northeast-Corridor-2-Schedule-011215.pdf 

There you go - a round trip of 318 miles in just over 8 hrs. !

Fares in a later post (or anyone else can feel free to look them up and post them).

- Paul North. 

[Deggesty]

Effective Monday, April 6, the Boston section of the Lake Shore Limited will Boston at 12:50 in the afternoon and arrive in Springfield at 3:18. The next train for New Haven, #475, leaves Springfield at 4:05 and arrives in New Haven at 5:35. the next Regional, #94, leaves at 7:32, and arrives in Boston at 10:10.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Thanks for that update/ correction Johnny. 

So a general disclaimer should apply:  Your Times May Vary !  (check schedule for subsequent changes like this one, late trains, tight connections, etc.) 

Did anyone mention the train from Boston to Portland, Maine yet ?

- Paul North.

[Deggesty]

Paul, I would not have known this if I did not have a reservation leaving Boston 16 April. I had an email last week that informed me of the change in leaving Boston. Of course, there was no information as to the changes in intermediate times to Rensselaer; I had to work my way through the information on the website for intermediate stations to get all the changes.

I wonder why Amtrak does not have a schedule available showing the change in the times.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Deggesty

Effective Monday, April 6, the Boston section of the Lake Shore Limited will Boston at 12:50 in the afternoon and arrive in Springfield at 3:18. The next train for New Haven, #475, leaves Springfield at 4:05 and arrives in New Haven at 5:35. the next Regional, #94, leaves at 7:32, and arrives in Boston at 10:10.

Using Johnny's info for April 16th (good as any other date, I suppose) for this trip into Amtrak's reservations page, I got the same times.*  Here's the fare data for 1 Reserved Coach Seat for the entire trip (from/ to South Station for Boston, "BOS"):

Boston - Springfield: $21.00  (Train #449) (21.4 cents per mile)

Springfield - New Haven: $17.00 (Train #475, callled a "Shuttle") (27 cents per mile)

New Haven - Boston: $54.00 (34.4 cents per mile)

TOTAL: $92.00 (28.9 cents per mile)

*Funny thing is, the reservations page suggested alternates, some of which were the routing in the opposite direction, esp. for the BOS - SPG leg ! 

- Paul North.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Boston to Portland - and most beyond to Brunswick and esp. Freeport, Maine, home of L.L. Bean - Downeaster service is 5 trains a day. See:

http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/ 

New schedule effective 30 March 2015 - note that this service departs from / arrives at yet another Boston station, the "North" station:

Boston North Station

TD Garden 135 Causeway Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114  

The Downeaster arrives/departs from North Station, located on the first floor of the TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics and Bruins. North Station is within walking distance of the North End, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Museum of Science, and other famous Boston attractions.

http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/sites/default/files/15_SpringSched_web.pdf 

- Paul North.

[Cursator]

Well I am overwhelmed with information and I am still digesting all the good advice. Thank you so much, all of you! :)

Probably I will at least make one trip to Worchester and look around there, but also the trips to the south are sounding very exiting, especially the hiking trip: could I do that as a standalone day trip?