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5/29/2024
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Viewing Album:  Framingham, MA. The last hand cranked gates in the United States is automated.
 
By:Robert J. Grubinskas
Dates:8/20/1985 - 2/13/2006
Album Info:Conrail held the distinction of having the last manualy operated gates in North America. This transition occured on August 20, 1985. This album will show that transition. The new gates were semi-automated with the crossing watchman continuing their judgement when to lower the gates. The end to yet another craft on the railroad. Personally it was a sad day indeed, but I am grateful that I bore witness to this event. All the gatestands, gates, lights and bells are down at the Railroad Museum of New England at Thomaston, CT. The jobs at Concord Street were abolished at the end of the work day on February 21, 1986 ending an era on the B&A.
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The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  A work train heading west on #1 track.In 24 hours no more cranking the gates.
Photo Date:  8/19/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:08:24 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CR 1697(GP15-1)
Views:  793   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Amtrak's "The Bay State" pulling into town.Conrail operator Don MacDermott doing a roll by.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 3:54:51 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives:  AMTK 350(F40PH)
Views:  751   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Gatetender Arthur "Mack" McKenny is working the last trick "1st trick" to operate thee last hand cranked gates on a class 1 railroad in all of north america.Shown here lowering the gates for a aproaching train.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 4:06:23 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  584   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Harry Kneeves "white shirt " and crew are attaching the brand new gate arms with the late Al Ward to the far left watching.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 4:20:12 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  521   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Harry is putting the shear pin in.The whole conrail crew was 1st class.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 4:31:16 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  396   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  You are looking north towards RT 126,notice the anchor motor frieght truck hauling finished autos' out of the CP yard another practice that does not exist.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 4:40:06 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  369   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Attaching the sidewalk gate.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 4:52:49 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  251   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  This is the northeast side of concord st.The crew is attaching the wiring.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:13:12 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  293   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Positioning the warning flashers'>
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:16:40 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  255   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Everything is falling into place.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:22:10 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  377   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  This is the last train I think with Philip M. Paradis cranked these gates for the very last time!
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:27:36 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  643   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  With the gate post removed in front of the shanty the B&B department starts with the other gatestands.These are about 90+ years old at this time.Stanley ? is on the left.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:33:39 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  478   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Stanley cutting the cables'.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:39:16 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  355   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Here is a closer look.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 5:45:04 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  358   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Conrail donated the crossing to phil for preservation.The B&B dept handled this task with kid gloves.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:01:43 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  364   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Working on the southwest gate.There was alot of activity this day,3 different departments working plus the brass and the dpu.Everyone was great.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:05:37 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  332   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  The new gates are cut into service controled by the gatetender by a knife switch.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:10:08 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MBTA 1012(F40PH)
Views:  683   Comments: 1
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  The late Ken Petulis and myself loading up the gatestand from the front of the shack.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:15:13 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  424   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  PennCentral wanted to automate this crossing in 1969 but the town farthers said no.They did bishop street which is the next crossing east of here around that time.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:26:56 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  363   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Load up the truck.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:33:13 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  328   Comments: 0
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  A very busy day that day in august 1985.
Photo Date:  8/20/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:39:28 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Philip M. Paradis
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MBTA 1104(FP10)
Views:  1241   Comments: 0
CR 6616
Title:  CR 6616
Description:  The beginning of the end.
Photo Date:  8/25/1985  Upload Date: 2/13/2006 8:47:31 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CR 6616(C32-8)
Views:  613   Comments: 0
Concord Street.
Title:  Concord Street.
Description:  Concord Street looking from RT 135. 4 Tracks 2 B&A, 2 NYNH&H
Photo Date:  11/20/1930  Upload Date: 1/9/2006 9:29:20 AM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas Collection
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  994   Comments: 2
The beginning of the end.
Title:  The beginning of the end.
Description:  Approaching the 20th anniversary of the jobs' being abolished.
Photo Date:  2/14/2006  Upload Date: 2/14/2006 3:56:44 PM
Location:  Framingham, MA
Author:  Robert J. Grubinskas
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  460   Comments: 0

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