Trains make the trek from Graniteville to Montpelier Jct. for the first time since granite tailings were hauled down the route’s 5 percent switchbacks in 2010.
Northeast Materials Group has landed a contract with the Army Corps of Engineers to supply two classifications of granite for the repair of the breakwater on Lake Ontario’s Oswego Harbor, in Oswego, N.Y.
According to Eric Morton, sales manager for Northeast Materials, the movement of stone from Graniteville to Oswego will be roughly 600 cars. He says that the two classifications of granite are “underlayer stone,” which is 2.2-6.4 ton pieces, and “armor stone,” which are 8-18 ton pieces.
Movement of stone will begin in early May and will potentially run into October with roughly 14 cars headed to Montpelier Junction two or three days each week.
Vermont Rail System will employ a pair of locomotives for the operations. Initial startup will likely see GP9R No. 804 handling the work until additional leased units arrive.
Morton says, “With many similar projects happening on the east coast, we are optimistic that there are other projects and customers which could be serviced by stone railed from our Graniteville facility.”
Vermont Rail System will deliver the loads to New England Central at Montpelier Junction. There they will be taken south to Palmer, Mass., for delivery to CSX Transportation. CSX will move the cars from Palmer to Oswego, N.Y.
