Cape Ann rolls out its latest oddity - a 44 mini coach, numbered, of course, 44. Scheduled passenger trains run early morning and late afternoon, leaving a big gap mid-day when there is no passenger service between towns. Since the Kenton Turn, a local freight, runs mid-day across the system anyway, the suggestion was made to just tack a coach on the end and run it as a mixed train. It could include space for the conductor so the caboose wouldnt be needed. However, unlike the passenger trains, the freight runs through Marias Industrial Park, where the tight curves preclude use of a standard 85 coach. 50 freight cars are the norm, so the shop crew said they could modify a coach down to that size. Here it is on its trial run. Passengers are advised this is no-frills transportation - there is no head-end power available, no cafe, and the only published time is departure from Davis Yard. All arrivals down the line will depend on switching needs and will vary widely from day to day, so bring a book and relax. Already locals are calling it the Cape Ann Cannonball!
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:09:39 +0000