Is this a decent and safe place to railfan? By safe I mean without being in anyone's way or attracting cops...
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Hi Mike • I am not sure I understand the question, but I would say yes.
When you are out rail-fanning, watch out for the Railroad Police, I have been stopped a few times. They are like cops. they have the power of arrest.
Good Luck
Gary
Interesting question and one I've been wondering, Mike. I'm interested in the North Chelmsford wye that is to the north of Lowell. Its other angle goes to Nashua, NH. The west leg of the wye goes to Ayer Junction, which also has a wye (my new obsession). Pan Am, NS, Pan Am Southern (?), and the MBTA all pass through Ayer Junction. It used to have a bus station nearby and my sense is that this is a good place for watching. You'll get some of the same trains that would go to Lowell and the southern end of the Ayer wye goes to what I believe is going to be an intermodal staging area. Just a thought about a possible alternative if Lowell doesn't work out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayer_(MBTA_station)
Oh, yeah, and it still has its interlocking tower.
Tomlinson Run RR
Mike. During daylight on public access you are OK. Not at night. I've done a fair amount of night photography there and it is not advisable.....
Thanks. I definitely plan to explore when at the LCCA convention. May even drive to Hoosic Tunnel.
This looks like a good spot. I wonder if one can park in the space in the middle of the wye without issue?
Originally Posted by TomlinsonRunRR:
Interesting question and one I've been wondering, Mike. I'm interested in the North Chelmsford wye that is to the north of Lowell. Its other angle goes to Nashua, NH. The west leg of the wye goes to Ayer Junction, which also has a wye (my new obsession). Pan Am, NS, Pan Am Southern (?), and the MBTA all pass through Ayer Junction. It used to have a bus station nearby and my sense is that this is a good place for watching. You'll get some of the same trains that would go to Lowell and the southern end of the Ayer wye goes to what I believe is going to be an intermodal staging area. Just a thought about a possible alternative if Lowell doesn't work out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayer_(MBTA_station)
Oh, yeah, and it still has its interlocking tower.
Tomlinson Run RR
The Deerfield yard east of the Hoosic is a good place to watch trains. There's a bridge overlooking the yard where you won't be on RR property.
For more train action a better bet would be the former Boston and Albany line now CSX. Worcester, or Palmer at the Steamin Tender restaurant. Palmer has three railroads that intersect the town. Even better than the Hoosic is to hike the Key Stone arch bridges in Chester Ma.
Not sure when the convention is but if you get out to Hampdan county I can show you around.
Mike......is this where Amtrak's Noreaster turns off the line fromm North Station to Lowell and heads for Maine?
Peter
