Boston & Albany Springfield Route

[Nels_Anderson]

So what pops up in my notices today but an announcement of the one route that I had always wanted in a train simulator, the Boston & Albany, simply because it goes through the town where I live and so I've always wanted to run it. So seeing this arrive I dropped everything, made a purchase and made my first run, a commuter train from Boston South Station to Framingham.

It's set in the 1950's when it was still actually Boston & Albany, and not CSX and MBTA like it is today. So it was interesting to see features that are now gone and that I'd only seen in photos. But even with the temporal displacement, I found the route very recognizable.

Here are some screen shots, mostly of many of the stations I stopped in:

[Nels_Anderson]

More screen shots:

[Nels_Anderson]

Final set of screen shots:

[Nels_Anderson]

For some more fun, and then went and did the same route using a different sim!

The photgrammetry looks good from a distance but doesn't compare with the train simulator scenery when up close.

[pwillard]

I freaking love this. I've been working on my own version for Trainz.
Hence... my model of the AT&T Building a few blocks to the west of the Framingham station and a few blocks from where I used to live. Through my version is set in the 80's-90's.

PS: Of course I had to buy it as well.

[scottb613]

Hi Nels,

Nice pictures.

Hi Pete,

I was sent from NYC to Boston to start the setup a couple data centers - primary was in Boston - backup was in Framingham - a "couple months" job turned into over two years living in the Cambridge Marriott. Spent much time running out to Framingham.

In addition to Nels - I'd be interested on your thoughts on the route as well.

As I understand it - this is Rick Grouts work - who many may remember from the early days of MSTS (Donner Pass and SPS700).

Regards,
Scott

[Nels_Anderson]

I know that building! Years ago I remember you could walk by it and hear the relays clacking away inside :-)

[Nels_Anderson]

As I understand it - this is Rick Grouts work - who many may remember from the early days of MSTS (Donner Pass and SPS700).

Regards,
Scott

According to what I've read Rick Grout is the lead designer behind this.

I've now run the route end to end. The parts that I know well from railfanning and quite recognizable. The worst detraction in my mind is that the road vehicles are not of the correct period; they look many years too new.

I also have to keep in mind that I'm seeing the route as it was in 1960, not as it is now!

I've now also used the MSFS 2020 helicopter to fly over the route from South Station to Worcester to get another perspective :-)

[scottb613]

Hi Nels,

Thanks for the info. Personally - I'm a steam guy - I would have preferred a 1940's B&A Route but I'll take what I can get. Perhaps the market is better for diesels - I'm sure they're easier to make. My first foray into TS was the Chessie Mountain Sub - which is absolutely gorgeous. I may have to give this a try as well.

Regards,
Scott

[Nels_Anderson]

I would have enjoyed this as a steam railroad too, but I'll take what they offered. I'm glad they did it during the classic diesel period rather than the current period. I like the history :-)

The eastern end of this line is about as old as they get in the US, dating back to the 1830's. It would be really interesting to drive an 1830's version!

[pwillard]

By the time I was a kid, the route that went from the Framingham yard, near the station and alongside the pond was dwindling and no longer went all the way to Marlboro, where I grew up. I eventually moved to Framingham, went to high school there, and lived there as the best choice of location so my wife could commute by train to Cambridge while I drove to Shrewsbury for work. I envied every day she went to work by train.

[Nels_Anderson]

We must have been near neighbors for a time then, since I've lived in Framingham since around 1981...

[dkingsburg]

I'm originally from Medfield. We did Our Shopping at Shoppers World and Groceries at the Stop&Shop Across from Denison. While My Mom Shopped I Watched the NYC RS3 Switching the Denison Plant and Watched NYC Freights Go By. I Also Spent a lot of Time Watching the NH and NYC at the Station.
DaveK

[Nels_Anderson]

Hi Dave...

Thanks for sharing your memories... I have not lived in Framingham long enough to remember the NYC days but I sure know the places you're talking about and have watched trains there in more recent times.