This is a Ballast Regulator - this machine is used to transfer and plow ballast in order to fill the tie cribs and build the shoulder area. They also "broom" the track clearing any extra ballast or debris. According to my source here, Rick Libby, this is the broom end of the machine with the shoulder boxes lowered. This was really LOUD and dusty, I waited until the wind gusted just right for this picture.

Photographed by Ric Keefer, August 28, 2001.
Added to the photo archive by Ric Keefer, September 15, 2001.
Railroad: New England Central.

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