Amtrak Springfield Line-Vol. 1
Author: BandA Fan
Amtrak's Springfield Line is the former New Haven RR line between New Haven, CT. and Springfield, MA. It is one of the two origional constituent lines of the NYNH&H---The Hartford & New Haven, which was completed between New Haven and Hartford in 1839, and extended to Springfield in 1844.
Photo Gallery
Train 402 heads north across the Connecticut River at Warehouse Point. I KNOW these are the 18 and 20, because they were the only ones without the R-W-B window bands.
RS-3 138 shoving a work extra north at Meadow Rd. in the Wilson section of Windsor. The 138, nee NH 529, now works for the Naugatuck RR.
RDC's 12 and 36, both ex New Haven, arrive at Berlin.
12 and 36 depart Berlin northward for Hartford and Springfield.
The 14 departs Berlin. Origionally NH 41, this car has been restored and is part of Jim Gagliardi's collection.
WNHA-22, the Suffield branch local, returns to Hartford as it passes Meadow Rd.
Amtrak work extra 135 is northbound at Meadow Rd.
RDC-2 #34 southbound at Meadow Rd. in the Wilson section of Windsor.
The 34 and partner pause at Thompsonville depot on their way to Springfield. Old Bigelow Carpet mills at right.
One of the Roger Williams cabs leads an RDC-2 northbound past the old New Haven tower SS-214 in Hartford.
Amtrak RDC-1 18, operating as train 403, pauses at the depot in Windsor Locks. Although superceded by an "Amshack" a liittle over a mile to the south, this building still stands.
Barely 3 years old at the time, F40PH 212 sits in motor storage at New Haven station between assignments.
RDC 18, you can see the "New Haven" on the letterboard, southbound at Wilson Ave. in Windsor.
Both Roger Williams cab cars arrive in Springfield from New Haven.
The Roger Williams cabs still exist, but the Hotel Charles is just a memory.
The 15 and 10 head north across the Connecticut River. The box truss spans the Windsor canal which circumvented the Enfield Rapids and occupy a stretch of the river from just below the bridge north to about Thompsonville.
The 15 and 10 continue across the Conn. River, nearing Warehouse Point.
The "Hot Rods" cross the Farmington River.
"Hot Rods" arriving at Springfield.
Amtrak RS-3 138 occupies the siding on the west side of the main line opposite Hartford engine house.
Roger Williams cab 27 (ex NH 140) leads an unrecorded RDC-2 at Windsor Locks.
The "matched pair" at Windsor Locks.
Pair of ex New Haven RDC's "right at home" in ex New Haven territory.
"Hot rods" just north of the Windsor/Windsor Locks town line.
Budd Car heads south over the Farmington River, which is very low at this point, contributing to the "mirror effect".
Budd Cars depart Windsor Locks.
The "Hot Rods" arrive at Windsor Locks under a cloud, ladies waiting on the platform will board momentarily.
Sun comes back out as the Roger Williams twins depart.
Pair of RDC-2's depart Windsor southward.
Roger Williams at Windsor Locks.
Roger Williams departing Windsor Locks southward.
One of my earliest medium format shots, the "Hot rods" northbound at Windsor.
RDC-2 #36 leads a sister northward across Palisado Ave. after a pause at Windsor station.
Pair of RDC's northbound at Windsor. This area, including both the freight and passenger stations, was heavily refurbished in 1987.
NOT the Springfield Line, but rather the old NH Highland div. Local Pols tried to drum up interest in commuter trains on this line by sponsoring this trip from Hartford to Manchester. We're STILL waiting.
Pair of Budds northbound at Quarry Jct.
Another pair of Budds southbound. Overhead bridge in the background is Hicks Ave.
Pair of southbound RDC's pause at Berlin.
Roger and a "stock" friend depart Berlin northbound, next stop, Hartford.
Amtrak tr. 405 southbound on the Farmington River stone arch bridge at Windsor. Only got the # on the lead ca}, easy, since the 15 had that "washed out" look on the ends. Date approx.
Amtrak tr. 403 at Island Road in Windsor, about 1/2 mile south of the station. Sorry, didn't re|ord the # on the Roger Williams cab trailing.
Train 403 at Island Road, again, on a differant day. No record of car #'s....GRRRR! Date approx.
Southbound RDC's pass Beaver Pond and are about to duck beneath the Hicks Ave. overhead.
One of the Roger williams cabs leads an RDC-1 northward from Quarry Jct. towards the Hicks Ave. overhead.
Cropped and enlarged portion of previous pic at Quarry Jct.
Train 402 northbound at Hicks Ave., Quarry Jct. in the distance. Again, no car numbers, but ALL of Amtrak's RDC-1's used on the Springfield Line were ex NH. Date%approx.
Southbound train 403 at Hicks Ave. bn Meriden, passing Beaver Pond at left. Car COULD be the 30, ex NP B-30, I'm guessing but the horn looks correct for that car.
Train 413 heads into the setting sun, past MP 50 and across the Connecticut River at Warehouise Point. Looks like Roger Williams cab #27.
Train 403 southbound at thb flood control dike in the north end of Hartford. Four years later, those gates would fe closed, as the second highest recorded flood on the Connecticut River occvred on June 1, 1984.