Pan Am Southern Update

[weatherdan882002]

A while back, I mentioned this new joint venture between Pan Am and Norfolk Southern to improve railway transoprtation between Albany (Mechanicville) and Boston (Ayer). Well, the railroads just received governmental approval to go ahead with their plans. This is very exciting for me as I live literally just down the road from where the Mechanicville headquarters will be located. I'm very egar to see what changes are brought about. Here's the press release from Pan Am's site:

http://www.panamrailways.com/

It's right on top of the train image.

[illinoistrains]

are they merging or just working together?

[weatherdan882002]

I believe they're just working together.

[Crossingman18]

Looks like Ol' Guilford Rail System is expanding. I like the 1st pan Am paint scheme over the new one. i still do miss the "Big G" that was on the side. Gave the ol' locos more character.

[weatherdan882002]

I do like the Guilford trains.

[weatherdan882002]

So, here we are a few years later and still nothing from either company about progress, but in the past week or so, there's been A LOT of track work going on by my house. Nothing new signal-wise though.

Really wish I could find SOMETHING online that tells of some progress, either from companies or NYS...

[weatherdan882002]

Well, despite the lack of information, work is REALLY coming along. Infact, I can now see the crew laying new track right from my bedroom window! With that said, I went over and took a few pictures:

http://www.uploads.calvinet.com/uploads/1285204520.jpg
- This shows the crew digging up land and working in the signal box (goes to the track status signals).

http://www.uploads.calvinet.com/uploads/1285251031.jpg
- This shows the other crew laying down the track.

http://www.uploads.calvinet.com/uploads/1285189720.jpg
- This is the finished result - TWO tracks! The track furthest from the camera is the new one.

http://www.uploads.calvinet.com/uploads/1285197887.jpg
- Finally, some equipment being stored by the Viall Avenue crossings. I included this pic for a reason. I may have figured out how this will all play out. Viall Ave. 2 and Broadway may have gotten upgrades, BUT, that is NOT Part of the Patriot Corridor created by Pan Am Southern. Viall Ave. 2 and Broadway go down to the Port of Albany, so they must have upgraded those crossings out of anticipation of more train traffic. Now, Viall Ave. 1 DID used to have two tracks, and the FRA records show both two tracks going through the crossing AND two tracks signs on the signals. Unfortunately the second track was removed before I could remember anything but I DO remember the two track signs being on the signals. It's my assumption that they're going to continue the second track and have it go right through the crossing and continue onward into Vermont and Massachusetts, as there's LOTS of room for that second track to continue. Now, an upgrade MAY be in store for the Viall Ave. 1 crossing in the future (and it would make sense), but since there's no official word, only time will tell.

LOTS of exciting changes going on!

[Smjh1979]

Looks cool.

[weatherdan882002]

Well, I got a bit of a surprise last night. Around midnight, I heard the sounds trucks and digging again so I looked out my window to find construction lights illuminating the area and the workers continuing their work! Apparently work goes on at night too, but not until late as to not disturb anyone trying to get to sleep (although the noise might certainly wake up people who were already asleep).

[weatherdan882002]

I guess nowadays it really pays off to search "Mechanicville NY" on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ocsrc

Check out this guys vids - he seems to know what he's talking about! He also goes DEEP into the yard to show the track work being done. Pretty cool!