Conrail’s Boston & Albany, Cab Ride on the Boston Line

After Boston and Albany freight and passenger trains quit running the rails, it was time for New York Central trains and then Penn Central trains to ply the former B&A tracks. And then came Conrail Blue. Gary Gurske often took his video camera to work as a trainman for Conrail’s Boston line. As a member of the Worcester crew pool, he was called for trains from Guilford’s Ayer yard to Selkirk and return. These are his memories as represented by train SEMA in 1990. The program covers Selkirk Yard, the Selkirk branch and the Boston and Albany between Post Road and Worcester.

We get to see a real live flaming hot box at Chester on an old camp car with friction bearings. Also featured is the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus blue unit train. The train is heading west and stops at Springfield Station to feed and water the animals. Close up detail of West Springfield yard as the train slowly passes through. View the historic structures at Chester from the cab. Experience a trip across the Castleton bridge. Enter and exit Selkirk in the cab and see cars being shoved over the hump. Ride through the State Line tunnel and more!