This might be a clue as to the slow order on the Framingham to Leominster branch. When we were kids back in the '50's the ties on this line were so rotten that you could pick up a handful of date nails in a couple of minutes. The New Haven quit repairing the track during the Depression and maintenance had to wait until PennCentral came along. This tie seems in good condition considering it has been here for 78 years. At Marlboro Junction. Note the impression made from a wheel flange to the right of the nail and the flattened number. In the early '80's an ex-Pennsy bay window caboose slipped off the track coming south around the curve and the train dragged it until it hit a switch at the old Deerfoot sausage plant in Southboro, about 2 miles away.

Photographed by Elliott Hoffman, October 21, 2009.
Added to the photo archive by Elliott Hoffman, October 22, 2009.
Railroad: CSX/NH.

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