G&W subsidiary New England Central filed notice with the Surface Transportation Board last week that it had reached an agreement with the owners of the Claremont Concord to purchase its route around Claremont and its operations on a state-owned line in West Lebanon, the Valley News reports. A spokesperson for G&W confirmed to the newspaper that the purchase was happening but declined to give any details until the deal is final.
Although freight service on its lines around Claremont has been minimal in recent years, the Claremont Concord has stayed busy switching industries in the West Lebanon and White River Junction, Vt., area.
The railroad dates back to 1848. The railroad was at one point part of the Boston & Maine and was later a part of the Pinsly Railroad Co. family of short lines.
G&W – hideous paint scheme! Where is all of their money coming from??
They've been running a crappy looking blue Geep lately. Will look good in those sharp G&W colors.
"The Orange Borg" assimilates another line!
New England heritage railroad. Still can view several of the railroads restored covered bridges over Sugar Creek east of Claremont on a well prepared bike and hiking trail plus one in the heart of downtown Contookook. All bridges restored with addition of automatic fire protection from what appears to be pumps which operate on sensing alarm. It is an historic…and one time electric railroad…and demands fan attention even in its well shortened state.
So this will become a part of GWI's New England Central operation and bye-bye ALCos. Pity.
Really becoming weary of seeing more G&W orange and generic emblems!
It would indeed be a shame to see the ALCos leave the property!
The section which was electric was the city branch in Claremont; the rest of it was conventional. It went all the way east to Concord and was a former B&M branch complete with the covered bridges mentioned by Henry Sommers. It had steam-powered passenger trains consisting of antique open-platform coaches until about 1952-53. The very first operation of Steamtown trains took place on this line in mid-1961.