GU locomotives stuck in the snow – photo by Doug Pizzi
Track repairs expected to take a few days
GRAFTON – Two northbound Grafton & Upton locomotives deadheading back to the North Grafton rail yard from West Upton today became stuck on a curved section of track just south of the Mass Pike and Tracy Ann Drive shortly after noontime.
The engines, which were coupled together but not pulling any freight cars, were travelling less than 10 miles-per-hour when they hit an area where the tracks had spread apart, causing the trucks, or wheels, to fall onto the rail bed between the rails.
Inspection of the track in the area revealed that this winter’s severe weather has exacerbated drainage issues near the Tracy Ann Drive crossing, causing ice dams and frost heaves, which in turn may have led to snow plow strikes on the tracks. Before the rail line can become active again, the track will have to be repaired and a crane will have to lift both engines and set them back on the tracks. This process could take several days.
“This is unfortunate, but not a major problem,” said railroad owner Jon Delli Priscoli. “Fortunately, our trains never travel more than ten-miles-per hour so if something like this happens, a train will just slowly come to a halt.”
UPTON DAILY 