Here's Some News affecting or about the Housy...

(all news posted here are not to be considered official statements of the Housatonic Railroad Co or its subsidiaries.)

 

3/8/2006    from Progressive Railroading

Housatonic Railroad markets dispatching system to other short lines

The Housatonic Railroad Co. Inc. and partner Theta Systems Inc. recently introduced the Short Line Dispatching System (SLDS). The 161-mile Housatonic currently is marketing the system to other short lines.

The railroad and software provider Theta Systems spent more than a year developing the system, which Housatonic uses to dispatch trains. SLDS is available to railroads using General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) or Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) operating rules.

“Other systems out there were either far too expensive, designed for larger railroads or lacked features to serve our needs,” said Housatonic General Manager Robert Bass in a prepared statement. “With SLDS, railroads utilizing multiple shift dispatchers are able to dispatch their lines using either single or multiple monitors.”

The Housatonic — which serves Connecticut and Massachusetts — also offers multiple SLDS displays for short lines that dispatch several railroads’ trains from one central location.

Editor's Note: The Housatonic Railroad serves Connecticut and Massachusetts, but not eastern New York as previously reported.

9/25/01

The "new" GP-9, is in service, left today going north on NX-12 with the 7324, looking good.

History: Blt 5/54 as T&NO 283, transferred to SP as 5893, renumbered to 3422, then 3010, finally 3191, sold to Conn. Central as their 53, then to P&W 1802

HRRC is leasing 100 high side gons from DJ Joseph (DJJX), will get HRRC reporting marks.A siding is being installed in Danbury to serve a company that specializes in demolition refuse, where these cars will be based.

HRRC is planning on refurbishing a former LV box car (was sitting down in the New Milford area for years, now at Maltby's), to become HRRC 1 (? -joke).

HRRC is negotiating on buying 1.5 miles of track from N.Adams Jct. north to service a company that manufactures concrete structural members (former N. Adams branch). This purchase would be from CSX.

HRRC has bought two other locomotives from NS, they're either in Roanoke or Altoona for rebuilding,both from NS (GP-38 or 40).

Otherwise, railroad still quite active, schedule still the same, NX-12X now "permanently" a Sat. AM job, usually in Canaan by 11AM. Rolf

ed. - Lets remember that all railfans are urged to behave themselves, not tresspassing on railroad property and not bothering railroad employees while on the job. They have enough to worry about without a "railfan" distracting them.

5/31/01 - Freight Service on the Beacon Line?

Check out the current discussion going on as of today concerning the possibility of HRRC freight service on the Beacon Line in New York State. Be advised that there has been no official announcement from HRRC about this. So all information should be treated as rumor as of this date. As soon as we have official word, we will post it. The link to the Discussion list is: Metro North Discussion Forum

4/28/01 - Trackwork at Hawleyville on Maybrook Line

Here's the latest, as of April 24- the Maybrook main line at Hawleyville at the site of the new transload facility, will be moved to its new location on this Saturday, (the 28th), beginning around noon-time. The track will be moved to the north, followed by the ballast train (NX-11s power). They hope to have everything completed by mid -afternoon. NX-11 is not coming up to Canaan on Friday, but will come up on Saturday, after they finish with the ballasting.If the weather is good. via Rolf S.

It is my understanding that the track crew will pick up the track and swing it northward. (see the photos page for pictures of this project. -ed.)

4/8/01 - Special Run to NY State - Monday, April 9th am.

Tomorrow, Monday the 9th., NX-11 will be making a move to Dykemans to pick up a couple of stone cars left by Metro-North, going to Hawleyville, where there will be some track realignment. They will pick up a pilot at Danbury station at 10 am and run light with the GP-9 (planned, so far)

Also, there has been a subtle change in NX-11s schedule: if time permits the train returns to Canaan on Mondays.

Canaan railroad days will be July 19-29, with railroad displays planned for the 28. & 29th. Details to follow, as they fall into place. via Rolf S.

3/07/01 Danbury Rail Museum's nee-NH RS-11 on the move...to Danbury

For those who are keeping tabs, the nee-NH RS11 was sitting around the hump @ Selkirk Yard 3/3/01. Keep a watch out, it will move on thru in the near future. UPDATE 4/16/01 This unit is still at Selkirk. It developed an air leak and is being repaired there. It is not the highest priority for them, so, we just have to wait a bit....

3/1/01 The Hawleyville Transload Facility Update

The new siding has been put down and finishig touches are now taking place. No official cars have been put into the siding.

10/28/00 Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Fireman's Association Safety Train visits the Housatonic...

On Saturday, October 28, the Gaylordsville Volunteer Fire Department hosted the Safety Train. The train consisted of three tank cars, one box car, a streamline passenger car and a lettered caboose. The consist was spotteed on the siding at the Merwinsville Hotel in Gaylordsville. The morning began with classroom instruction and then a hands-on activitiy for firefighters from through out the area. As of 10/30/00, the train was moved to its next destination. (New Haven, Nov. 11; and Groton-New London Nov. 18.) The VFIS (Vol. Fireman Insurance Service) also sponsor these visits.

GP 7324 is back home! The GRI moved the engine from Plainville to Derby this morning and moved west and north with NX-11 and then NX-13. It is in Canaan at this time.

There will be a new track built up at Specialty Minerals ( Pfizer ) in Canaan, CT. New ties and rail are up next to the existing track. This is to start this coming week and to be done ASAP. Business seems to be booming for the addition of a second track. Also, seems as though the New Milford Yard tracks have been upgraded. Some new ties, rail ( some welded ) and ballast was done as of Friday. via budrail

We understand that the GP-9 should be moving out of East Deerfield this week-end. (9/23-24) It will be arriving at Derby on Wednesday, which assumes a lay-over in Springfield and Plainville.  via Rolf S.

Rumor has it that the HRRC has picked up a couple of new customers, one north of Canaan and one to the south. Will let you know when we hear more.

As of Tue 9/12, the open area immediately south of and adjacent to the Maybrook main is sporting some survey stakes and flagging. Looks

like a load or 2 of stone has been dumped to fill in the big puddle next to the tracks, opposite the Deli. The large stack of recycled

crossties still stands about 200 yds east of the lumber reload switch; I assume they will be used to contruct the new siding(s).

These have been piled up for a good year now. via Kim Gilchrist

Newtown--- A plan by the Housatonic Railroad company to build a bulk transfer station beside its tracks in Hawleyville will benefit businesses that lack direct rail connections, the stateDepartment of Transportation said.

The department announced the company will receive state grant of $ 385,000, or 70 percent, towards the estimated cost of completing the project. The station, to be known as the Hawleyville Transload Terminal, will provide up to 40 rail car spots with nearby storage for another 100 cars. State DOT planner Raymond Godcher said yesterday the idea behind the plan is to bring more merchandise into the area by rail and then unload it to trucks for local distribution .from News-Times Online.. .http://www.newstimes.com

Note: as of 7/20/00 the 7324 is still at Canaan. The date for the move to GRS is unknown.

Special Housatonic Display on July 22 &23 outside the Historic Canaan Station usually the Railroad displays an Engine and Caboose.

 

Station - Canaan, Connecticut

 

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