i saw a train on this line a couple of days ago and they now whistle and dont stop at the crossings. I also saw that it was an orange SLR engine and not the usual blue LLPX engines, yet still a 52 mile round trip just for 1 hopper
i wonder how they go about switching the hopper car in portland from the rear of the train to the front for pushing it into the b&m plant, unless they push the hopper car all the way down from auburn
@1extremeguy While true that the state recently purchased the rest of what it didn't already own from Danville to Deering, the LLPX engines are leased by SLR for all their switching duties. It doesn't have anything to do with the state owning the line. The state owns it, but SLR retains the right to operate it using any equipment they see fit. If they decided they wanted to use power they own, they could do so.
@maineboy1979 That kind of puzzled me too. I guess the infrequent trips to Portland meant they had to protect all the crossings all the way down from Danville Junction. With only one car I suppose it wasn't a difficult thing to do, just a bit time consuming.
@jpars1971 - That makes sense. Sometimes if the rails get too rusty (from infrequent use), it can prevent the crossing protection systems from working properly. Can't blame them for erring on the side of caution. It's too bad that line doesn't get more use.
i saw a train on this line a couple of days ago and they now whistle and dont stop at the crossings. I also saw that it was an orange SLR engine and not the usual blue LLPX engines, yet still a 52 mile round trip just for 1 hopper
1extremeguy 5 months ago
i wonder how they go about switching the hopper car in portland from the rear of the train to the front for pushing it into the b&m plant, unless they push the hopper car all the way down from auburn
1extremeguy 11 months ago
this track is only used about once every week to a week and a half according to the plowed snow
1extremeguy 1 year ago
Comment removed
1extremeguy 1 year ago
the track mileage from danville jct to b&m in portland and back is 52.2 miles so it is almost a waste of fuel to haul just 1 or 2 hopper cars
1extremeguy 1 year ago
Damn they really need to get some more places to switch with down there. So the whole 40 mile trip is only that one switch job??
guilford681 1 year ago
the SLR line from danville to portland is now owned by the state of maine hence the LLPX engines and not SLR engines
1extremeguy 1 year ago
@1extremeguy While true that the state recently purchased the rest of what it didn't already own from Danville to Deering, the LLPX engines are leased by SLR for all their switching duties. It doesn't have anything to do with the state owning the line. The state owns it, but SLR retains the right to operate it using any equipment they see fit. If they decided they wanted to use power they own, they could do so.
jpars1971 1 year ago
@jpars1971 thanx i did not know that
1extremeguy 1 year ago
Nice video, Jeff. Any idea why they have to stop and protect this crossing? The automated protection seemed to be working adequately.
maineboy1979 1 year ago
@maineboy1979 That kind of puzzled me too. I guess the infrequent trips to Portland meant they had to protect all the crossings all the way down from Danville Junction. With only one car I suppose it wasn't a difficult thing to do, just a bit time consuming.
jpars1971 1 year ago
@jpars1971 - That makes sense. Sometimes if the rails get too rusty (from infrequent use), it can prevent the crossing protection systems from working properly. Can't blame them for erring on the side of caution. It's too bad that line doesn't get more use.
maineboy1979 1 year ago