25 MPH East of Waterville! Chasing L072 Westbound out of Hermon -10/27/23

On October 27, 2023, I ventured out to catch NMWA/L072 with an interest in the new speed limits recently set between Hermon and Waterville. In early October, CSX completed their ballast/tamping/aligning of the 45 miles of mainline between Hermon and Waterville, promptly increasing speeds from 10 mph up to 25 mph over the entirety of the line (with the exception of the temporary slow order at Carmel). With curiosity, I found L072 prepping to depart with a trio of GE's and 19 cars, a journey which started slow as they exited yard limits but quickly picked up. They were cruising through spots that have been 10 mph for over a decade, which is simply incredible from my point of view. Having left Hermon at 2 p.m, they reached Waterville at 4:30, something that only a month before took over 5 hours and a full crew to do. I hope you enjoy this look at the speed upgrades along the mainline east of Waterville!

[@lashendawest7509]

Great catches awesome capture and nice video

[@chuxproductions1090]

Great catch, it’s been a while since I have been Railside in that area!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@jackseamon7064]

Progress! 25 mph sure looks better than 10 mph. Great locations.

[@lashendawest7509]

Nice rs3l

[@Steve-xf4uv]

Agreed looks better. Although at Carmel it still looked kind of slow. At Newport there looks to be a major tie replacement plan so that is positive. I love that depot at Pittsfield, have to visit that next summer.Well shot and some good locations.

[@BranchlineGeepProductions]

Carmel is now 25, they removed the old switch a few days after this video.

[@Steve-xf4uv]

CSX will do some major upgrades to the PanAm system, nice to have deep pockets.@@BranchlineGeepProductions

[@BOATNIAGARA]

Nice video !

[@Maine_Railfan]

I am still waiting for a new lawn ornament due to the upgrades speeds, since they have done nothing aside from tamping.

[@BranchlineGeepProductions]

Would your preferred lawn ornament possibly be featured in this video?

[@Maine_Railfan]

@@BranchlineGeepProductions oooooh choices choices. I am going to go for anything but 7545 for $100 Logan.

[@michelle47]

Why do they have to go so slow?

[@BranchlineGeepProductions]

@@Maine_Railfan You know what you are going to get though.

[@A-Dam84]

Sure seems way different then going 10mph. Imagine if all the Paper Mills were still operating and how long the trains would be from Hermon to Waterville. Any idea when they are going to redo the reporting markings from MEC to CSX on the loco's?

[@BranchlineGeepProductions]

I don't think they will redo reporting marks on the old units, seems like they would have done that when they took over. Hopefully CSX will take some traffic through opening Keag, we can hope.

[@Maine_Railfan]

@@BranchlineGeepProductions CSX owns the MEC reporting mark so they won’t be changed.

[@A-Dam84]

yea we can hope

[@DrHenry1987]

At around 16:00, what is the body of water they pass over?

[@alanwbelcher]

Kennebec River

[@DrHenry1987]

Thanks. It is both perty and wide. @@alanwbelcher