User:CommanderMcBragg/North Brookfield Railroad

The North Brookfield Railroad is a 4.2 mile railroad right-of-way connecting North Brookfield, Massachusetts to the CSX mainline at East Brookfield, Massachusetts. The railroad operated from 1876 to 1972. Plans to rebuild the railroad are "on schedule" to have it operating "by summer" 2012.

History
The North Brookfield Railroad was chartered 1874 and construction began in 1875. The line was leased from January 1, 1876, to the Boston and Albany Railroad, and its successor Penn Central Railroad. Freight service was discontinued in 1972 and tracks subsequently removed.

The railroad was 90% owned by the Town of North Brookfield.
 * Original organization


 * Construction


 * Leased for ten years

The railroad was leased for fifty years from January 1, 1886 at $3,000 per year.
 * Leased for fifty years

A new lease with the Boston and Albany (by this time itself leased to the New York Central) was dated December 31, 1935, effective January 1, 1936, providing freight service only, terminable with 30-days' notice by either party.
 * One year lease, automatically renewing


 * Demise

On July 21, 2011, the Selectmen appointed a rail trail study committee. Conversion to a rail trail has been suspended in favor of reactivation as a railroad.
 * Proposed conversion to Rail Trail

The railroad presently exists as a railbed with one or more "no trespassing" signs. The station building in North Brookfield still stands.
 * Present status

The North Brookfield Railroad Corporation is owned by the Town of North Brookfield. The three town selectmen and Attorney Blaise Berthiaume act as the board of directors. Berthiaume is the treasurer.

The town signed a non-disclosure agreement.
 * Reconstruction plans and new leasee.

Daniel Bigda was appointed president of the North Brookfield Railroad Companyin October 2011. The "Company" is to rebuild and lease the railroad property from the town owned "Corporation"

Investors have provided up to $5 Million for construction. Mr. Bigda claims to have six customers lined up for service, with other customers possible. Mr. Bigda's company Boxcar Services would provide engines and rolling stock.

Mark Bourgeois III appointed constable for the railroad 1/3/2012

Stations
The brick North Brookfield station building still exists, located at Elm and School St. The National Historic Landmark East Brookfield Station, on the Boston and Albany line, designed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, burned down by arson on September 18, 2010, and was later demolished.

http://books.google.com/books?id=MVGPDKXh2GwC&lpg=PR5&ots=H6SYuzX9Ew&dq=%22Powell%20F.W.%22&lr&pg=PR7#v=onepage&q=north%20brookfield%20railroad&f=false

Annual Report of the Directors of the Boston & Albany Railroad Company to the Stockholders, 1897 Lease North Brookfield Railroad Company for fifty years from January 1 1886 rental $3,000 per annum 

http://books.google.com/books/about/Lease_of_the_North_Brookfield_Railroad.html?id=2UA8qAAACAAJ

community master plan 2007, north brookfield massachusetts, pages 95-96 (transportation chapter)

inaccuracies: states that east brookfield owns their portion.

http://www.northbrookfield.net/documents/Master%20Plan%20Documents/Chapters/TransportationChapter.pdf

Report By Massachusetts. Tax Commissioner's Dept 1897

North Brookfield Railroad Company North Brookfield Organized June 24 1875 under 1872 c 53 1874 c 372

http://books.google.com/books?id=-VLOAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA110&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U3oAUI0Ee8cDkZXGaL0Omf7UITrxQ&ci=133%2C766%2C761%2C50&edge=0



http://qje.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/1/137.abstract Two Experiments in Public Ownership of Steam Railroads

Fred Wilbur Powell

New York

Summary

Troy financed the construction of Schenectady & Troy Railroad when individuals withheld support, 138.—City owned all stock and operated road for ten years, 141.—A losing venture, hampered by legislation and lack of friendly connections, 142.—Mismanaged by political appointees, but must have failed under any management, 145.—North Brookfield, unable to obtain rail connection with a trunk line, built North Brookfield Railroad by means of company in which it took nine-tenths of stock, but arranged for operation by Boston & Albany under lease, 149. —A success in every particular, 150.