Producer: Big E Productions
Location: Palmer
Timeframe: 2003
Length: 116 minutes
Source: Dick Eisefeller
Palmer, Massachusetts is a top New England hotspot. Located 83 miles Wset of Boston .Twenty four hours of action were filmed here on two different dates. July and August, 2003. CSX, Amtrak, New England Central and Massachusetts Central all converge here.
Foamer’s delight with all trains identified by symbol. Big E includes their usual whole trains. Much additional information.
Two DVD-R make the set. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio. Clean picture and a balanced soundtrack.
There isn’t any chapter menu. A map and thorough explanation details the intersecting lines at Palmer. Narrated by Dick Eisefeller.
To the Trains…
Begins on July 18, 2003. Eastbound CSX-168 is a new one in the lineup. Sporting a pair of GE AC6000-CW engines. Here is a small CSX yard. This hot piggyback features UPS traffic. Intermodals well represent CSX road operations through this area.
Amtrak’s Vermonter has a P40 on each end. Originated from Washington, D.C. and routed over Northeast Corridor. Continued over the Hartford line to CSX. Engine 837 leads on the northbound arrival. The 69 leads the opposite. This move is to a New England Central track for St.Albans. This Station was built in 1884. Not a station stop.
Action at Palmer Station. Time is 2::58 pm. CSX Q-264 rolls past on its mainline hauling loaded auto racks. The double ended Amtrak Vermonter is now on New England Central rails to St. Albans, Vermont. A pair of P40 locomotives power the Amtrak. CSX has two GE AC6000-CW led by 695/621. Routed from Cleveland, Ohio to Framingham, Massachusetts.
New England Central (NECR) is switching cars to CSX with a pair of GP38 locomotives. Engines are 3854/3853.
Q-427 slows to a stop. A pair of Guilford locos are in this lash-up. This Boston and Maine 335 is included for more variety. Obviously, the night scenes have begun.
The show resumes with additional night videography. Symbol Q-117 is an Intermodal at 11:02pm. Diesel 5101 GE AC44-CW is the leader in new livery. Final destination shall be Bedford Park, Illinois. Engine 5101 leads. These night trains are well lit.
A new AC44-CW leads a repainted former Conrail SD40 past the station with a Piggyback . Q-168 runs from Selkirk to Boston. The camcorder failed and the filming resumes on August 7.
August 7, 2003. Train B-40 has a pair of GP40-2 engines to service Palmer Yard. Number 6235 leads 6234. A nice pair for Model Railroaders.
Massachusetts Central 960 is ex: Milwaukee Road. Their local travels on the wye to the CSX yard at 2:10 pm.
Palmer, MA – Hot Spot of New England
An intriguing visit representing a 24 hour cycle. Mostly run through traffic. Picture quality is very good. Original video flaws are seen upon the discs. Videography is professional. Strong soundtrack. Plays like a videotape. Push play to watch
This is a fine Big E release. Should satisfy CSX fans. Amtrak and local railroads add interest at this busy hotspot. Brisk pace and nicely edited. Another highly detailed narrative by Dick Eisefeller.
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
