[4K] Increased Speeds On District 1! Chasing CSX NMWA (10/19/2023)

On 10/19/2023 I happened to catch a late NMWA as they waited to depart Northern Maine Junction. In the mix was a CSX SD40-3 fresh out of Waterville after a recent block swap. Also in the train was a cut of MEC 1200 series tie chip cars, which have been sitting at Northern Maine Jct since the CSX takeover. The chipped railroad ties used to go from Permatreat in Mattawamkeag to the Nine Dragons Paper mill at Rumford which burned them as biomass for the steam plant. The cars sat so long the chips turned from black/brown to a sun bleached white. Since they hadn't moved in over a year, water could be seen pouring out drain holes in the floor at several spots.
At the time speeds had just been increased from 10 MPH to 25 MPH after CSX replaced several crossings and ran a surfacing crew from NMJ to Waterville. I suspect once the geo train inspects up here in the spring most of the 25 MPH sections will be dropped back to 10 MPH, since only a few years ago a grant project on this track noted the rail would have to be replaced, in order to upgrade speeds. But for the time being it is fairly fun chasing the faster freights, despite the uncooperative schedules.
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[@TrainiacProductions]

Fantastic video! Great variety of locations, too!

[@Maine_Railfan]

Thanks for watching! Sadly with the higher speeds you can't get them at as many shots now, but its nice to see them move faster.

[@jackseamon7064]

Nice work! I subscribed, looking forward to future videos.

[@Maine_Railfan]

I appreciate it! I have a backlog going back to 2014, so I have plenty of content for the future. I am hoping to build up enough pre-edited videos that I can eventually upload a video every day.

[@cu29640]

When will the welded rail be laid on this section? Aren't they working north from Portland with CWR laid out?

[@Maine_Railfan]

No idea, I don't expect it to happen anytime soon. And yes, they are doing some down in Lewiston to get rid of a few 10 MPH spots.

[@Peter-xo6bn]

You need to show the entire train not just the power. You will get more viewers. Been a fan for 60 years from Miami to Canada take My advice.

[@Maine_Railfan]

I always show the full train in the last clip. I tested your theory in the past. I found that only 10% of viewers stayed after the first two locations when I showed the entire train at every shot. With the way I edit my stuff, I average about 80% on my videos.