This is the Heywood branch, a remnant of the B&M Fitchburg's Boston, Barre, and Gardner line between Gardner and Winchendon (where it joined the Cheshire Branch) that survives to allow service to New England Wooden Ware, a maker of cardboard packaging. With switching completed at New England Wooden Ware, FI-1's conductor has elected to lead the local on foot about a half mile back to the switch to the PAS main line at Gardner yard, perhaps because it's safer than riding the move on this under-maintained spur.

Photographed by John Barlow, April 13, 2018.
Added to the photo archive by John Barlow, January 19, 2020.
Railroad: Pan Am Southern.

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