Just finished watching my first American steam DVD - Boston & Maine Vol 1 & 2. Great stuff! I am particularly interested in the Maryland and Pennsylvania as it seems to have the kind of atmosphere I want on my new model railroad. Anyone know of any videos or other online info on the Ma & Pa? Not much seems to be readily available. We don't have a forum in the fallen flags section here
Alan MR did a layout project on the Ma & Pa that started in the May 1965 issue of MRR. They then went on to build and enhance the model version, called the Manchester & Paradise in later issues. I have all of them on hand so if you can't locate them let me know and I could let you "read" them if you know what I mean Cheers
Try these online sources for info: The Ma & Pa Historical Society http://www.arrowweb.com/Ma&Pa The Ma & Pa Preservation Society http://www.maandparailroad.com/ Regards Ed
Thanks Ed. I have both those sites bookmarked, and am slowly gathering suitable pictures of locos, stock and structures I am surprised that more info on this railroad does not seem to be available online
Alan,if you have any questions about the B&M I can probably help. I am most familiar with the Fitchburg Division but have also worked on the New Hampshire and Terminal divisions.
Thanks Gil. I would like to get a flavour of the area, to get structures, scenery, etc. to fit in properly. I have been pointed to several online pictures of stations, etc. and I hope I can scratchbuild a station to look right for the location. Will I need signals on the layout, or was it worked using train orders? I am not copying any particular place, but just liked the sound of the railroad
The main line from Boston to Mechanicville, NY was double track with sections of CTC and the remainder was automatic block. From E. Deerfield to Boston was two aspect cab signals with train stop. The train stop was eliminated and later on the cab signals were removed. Most of the branch lines were train order with no signals. The Connecticut River line from Springfield, MA to White River Jct, VT had US&S style B semaphores on part single and part double track and was operated by train orders. You can name about any industry and somewhere there was one or more. Paper mills, dairy feed companies, milk processing plants and milk trains with both refers and tank cars ran on many lines. There were industries of all types from machine tools to furniture. I think I have a map on Railimages but will have to check.
Here is the B&M Historical Society web site. Has a great amount of information. http://www.trainweb.org/bmrrhs/
I don't understand why Ma & Pa steamers or other material - would be covered on Boston and Maine DVDs. That seems pretty odd to me. Regardless of the fact that this short York to Charm City line, has an enormous following and two separate competing historical groups ( currently, there was three, twenty years ago); you would think that the Rutland, C&C, ST, HT&W, or some other rundown, quaint railroad that connected with the B&M would make it unto a B&M DVD. Good-Luck, PJB
