High Green Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society

Happy New Year! Online Committee member Andrew Riedl updates on upcoming Society events and meetings, and future episodes of High Green.

The Boston & Maine Railroad's Lexington Branch, today the world famous Minuteman Bikeway, was once one of the busiest and best known branchlines in the region. Author and historian Bill Deen of the Friends of Bedford Depot Park discusses the history of this fascinating line, and his recent book on the subject, "Minuteman Railroad".

Part of our mission statement here at the B&MRRHS is to preserve the history of the railroads in New England that did business with the Boston & Maine Railroad. One of the better known examples was the Rutland Railroad, operating primarily in Vermont and New York State until its closure in the early 1960s. The late Steve Mumley (November 8, 1946 — January 29, 2023) knew and loved the Rutland Railroad perhaps more than anyone, and his father, George “Bud” Mumley, worked for the Rutland beginning in 1937. Thanks to Jim Dufour who loaned us this cassette recording, we hear a discussion from 1991 between Steve and George about the latter’s time on the Rutland Railroad. Topics include milk trains; the wayfreight to Malone, NY; operations between Alburgh, VT and Ogdensburg, NY; and much more.

In this episode of High Green, we continue with cassette tapes recorded and loaned by B&MRRHS member and modeler Jim Dufour. On September 10, 2005, Jim recorded Fitzwilliam, NH resident and former B&M employee Ladde Russell. Topics of conversation include the Cheshire Branch, milk trains, the last snowplow run on the Cheshire in 1971, local freights, and many colorful stories and memories from Mr. Russell’s 30-year career on the B&M from 1955 to 1987.

In today’s episode of High Green, we continue our oral history series with a presentation given before the B&MRRHS on March 9, 1985 by former B&M employee Walter Dunn. Dunn recounts the hiring practices of the B&M, the difficulties of the steam to diesel transition of the 1950s, and many humorous stories from his 40-year career on the Fitchburg Division. This recording was captured by, and graciously provided to us for release, by B&MRRHS member Jim Dufour.

n today’s episode of High Green, we continue the oral history memories of longtime employee Loyd MacNair, recorded October 1987. Additional topics of conversation include various incidents and wrecks, memories of firing steam locomotives and working with early diesels, railroad operations on the Connecticut River Line, and much more.