Deerfield’s Newest Railroad Tracks to Extend to Greenfield

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Sunderland Bridge, without its light poles.
Sunderland Bridge, without its light poles. Max Hartshorne photos.

Deerfield Ruminations…. the town has come together in new ways, unexpected but everyone is happy about it. The new Facebook page, Deerfield Now is getting a lot of comments and people share interesting photos and news.  That’s the beginning of making a community better.

Tar to be used for the new railroad tracks is stored near long lengths of the new iron tracks that are sealed so there are no breaks, hence no clackitty clack
Tar to be used for the new railroad tracks is stored near long lengths of the new iron tracks that are sealed so there are no breaks, hence no clackitty clack.

The infrastructure behind transit projects is always complex.  Here are some images from the Pan-Am railway yard, where the ties and rail and gear needed to build five miles of track up to Greenfield, are stored.  It’s just behind a big grassy berm as you drive past the offices just before the Atlas Farm store.

Next year there will be at a minimum, five commuter trains departing every day from Greenfield to Springfield, with stops in Northampton and Holyoke. It would be absolutely feasible to go out and party in ‘Hamp and never use a car!  That’s progress.

Rails and ties are ready to become the second track, running five miles to the bridge just before Greenfield.
Rails and ties are ready to become the second track, running five miles to the bridge just before Greenfield.

 

The Pan-Am railroad yard on Route 5 North in Deerfield, where the makings of the next five miles of railroad track are stored while the job is being done.
The Pan-Am railroad yard on Route 5 North in Deerfield, where the makings of the next five miles of railroad track are stored while the job is being done.