High Green/B&MRRHS 2024 Update
Happy New Year! Online Committee member Andrew Riedl updates on upcoming Society events and meetings, and future episodes of High Green.
Jan 12, 2024•3 min•Season 1Ep. 25
High Green
The official podcast of the Boston & Maine Railroad, delving into the history, memory, and legacy of the Route of the Minuteman.
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Episodes
High Green Episode 24: The Lexington Branch with Bill Deen
BM 2403 on train #3206 southbound on the Lexington Branch at Lexington Station, Lexington, MA - February 24, 1955. Albert G. Hale Photo - Walker Transportation Collection (Beverly Historical Society) The Boston & Maine Railroad's Lexington Branch, today the world famous Minuteman Bikeway, was once one of the busiest and best known branchlines in the region. Andrew Riedl interviews author and historian Bill Deen of the Friends of Bedford Depot Park to discuss the line’s history and Bill’s rec...
Mar 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 24
High Green Episode 23: The Rutland Railroad with Steve and George Mumley
A young Steve Mumley on his bicycle at the Rutland Railroad’s Alburgh, VT station. Photo via Will Davis. Part of our mission statement here at the B&MRRHS is to preserve the history of the railroads in New England that did business with the Boston & Maine Railroad. One of the better known examples was the Rutland Railroad, operating primarily in Vermont and New York State until its closure in the early 1960s. The late Steve Mumley (November 8, 1946 — January 29, 2023) knew and loved the ...
Feb 16, 2023
High Green Episode 22: B&M Employee Ladde Russell (Sept. 10, 2005)
Fitzwilliam, NH, as seen from the cab of a westbound Budd RDC in the 1950s. Preston S. Johnson slide from the Preston S. Johnson Collection, B&MRRHS Archives. In this episode of High Green, we continue with cassette tapes recorded and loaned by B&MRRHS member and modeler Jim Dufour. On September 10, 2005, Jim recorded Fitzwilliam, NH resident and former B&M employee Ladde Russell. Topics of conversation include the Cheshire Branch, milk trains, the last snowplow run on the Cheshire i...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 22
High Green Episode 21: Walter Dunn at the B&MRRHS, 3/9/1985
BM 3025 at East Deerfield Yard, Deerfield, MA - July 15, 1939. The powerful 2-10-2s, nicknamed “Mudsuckers” on the Boston & Maine, are one type of locomotive Walter Dunn speaks of in his reminiscing. Robert E. Chaffin Photo - Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society Collection. In today’s episode of High Green, we continue our oral history series with a presentation given before the B&MRRHS on March 9, 1985 by former B&M employee Walter Dunn. Dunn recounts the hiring practices of...
Nov 06, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 21
High Green Episode 20: The Memories of Loyd MacNair, Part 2
Hinsdale, NH, May 15, 1950. Train #73 nears Brattleboro, VT on the Northbound Mainline of the Connecticut River Line. 4224 A and B lead. George Hill photo, B&MRR PR Department (Hutchinson/MacMillan Collection, B&MRRHS Archives). In today’s episode of High Green, we continue the oral history memories of longtime employee Loyd MacNair, recorded October 1987. Additional topics of conversation include various incidents and wrecks, memories of firing steam locomotives and working with early d...
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 20
High Green Episode 19: The Memories of Loyd MacNair, Part 1
BM 3685 on train #72, the "Day White Mountains Express", southbound on the Connecticut River Main Line departing White River Junction, Hartford, VT - August 26, 1946. Albert G. Hale photo, Walker Transportation Collection. In today’s episode of High Green, we hear the oral history memories of longtime employee Loyd MacNair, recorded October 1987. MacNair describes the start of his B&M career as a fireman on the Conn River Line in the 1940s. Additional topics of conversation include firing st...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 19
High Green Episode 18: "From Ashuelot to Ashes" with Scott Whitney
Keene, NH, 1982 – Engineer Scott Whitney prepares depart Keene with ALCO S-4 #305 and train. Scott J. Whitney photo. By 1982, the city of Keene, New Hampshire – once a rail major rail hub – had only one rail connection to the outside world left: the Boston & Maine's Ashuelot and Fort Hill Branches. Seeking to keep freight to the Elm City viable, the Boston & Maine leased these branches to the Green Mountain Railroad and for just under two years they provided the last gasp of freight to t...
Jan 16, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 18
High Green Episode 17: "Do You See What I See?" Milepost Archaeology w/ Ken Jackman
Meredith, NH; Andrew Riedl photo, January 14, 2012 Ken Jackman Have you ever noticed the granite or concrete mileposts lining rights of way on the Boston & Maine? As it turns out, these important artifacts have a fascinating story, as does their pursuit and documentation. Joining Andrew in this episode is teacher and Downeast Scenic Railroad volunteer Ken Jackman, who has made the documentation and research of railroad mileposts one of his largest railroad pursuits. Topics of discussion conc...
Jan 04, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 17
High Green Episode 16: Janet Shea, B&M Freight Agent
In this gem of an interview recorded by Brian Dame on September 6, 2001, we hear the story of Janet Shea (1928–2002). Janet worked as a freight agent for the Boston & Maine from 1945 to 1987 and talks of her career working nearly every station on the B&M’s Conway Branch. BM 1457 on extra freight train X1457 southbound on the Conway Branch approaching Rochester Station, Rochester, NH - June 8, 1949. Albert G. Hale photo, Walker Transportation Collection....
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 16
High Green Episode 15: Jesse Mazzie, Part 2
Jesse Mazzie and one of his motorcars at Fernald on the ex-B&M Wolfeboro Branch. In the conclusion of our interview with Jesse Mazzie, topics of discussion include his work with the new England Southern Railroad on the former B&M White Mountain branch, the nature of freight rail today and the possibilities the former B&M might hold for future rail prospects, and the legacy of the B&M and its impacts, both for the railroad and railfan worlds....
Dec 12, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 15
High Green Episode 14: Jesse Mazzie, Part 1
Jesse Mazzie and his childhood friends pose on Springfield Terminal GP7 #27 (ex-Maine Central #573) in the yard at Danvers, MA on the former Boston & Maine Newburyport Branch — just feet from his childhood home. Guilford operations on this now-abandoned line played a huge role in his railroading interest. For many younger people today, the Boston & Maine Railroad is "gone but not forgotten" — the railroad and its legacy influence our lives in many ways. Jesse Mazzie of Danvers, Massachus...
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 14
High Green Episode 13: The Suncook Valley Railroad with Skip Clark (March 17, 1974)
SV 1 at Suncook Station, Pembroke, NH - August 26, 1946 - SV 3 (Combine) is on the rear of the train. Albert G. Hale Photo - Walker Transportation Collection - Beverly Historical Society Collection SV 3 (Combine) at Suncook Station, Pembroke, NH - June 26, 1947 - The Chichester Station Agent is standing in the doorway. Albert G. Hale Photo - Walker Transportation Collection - Beverly Historical Society Collection The ever-popular Suncook Valley Railroad was perhaps New Hampshire’s quintessential...
Oct 09, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 13
High Green Episode 12: Bruce Davison, Part 2
Lakeport, NH, June 1976 Bruce Davison conductor on the Wolfeboro Railroad Central Division. Colin G. Chisholm photo, Rick Kfoury Collection In Part 2 of our interview with Bruce Davison, we continue to follow his shortline railroading career with the Wolfeboro Railroad’s Central Division, operating 1976 and 1977 on the state of New Hampshire-owned White Mountain Branch between Concord and Lincoln. Bruce also discusses his time with the New England Southern Railroad (July 1985 to December 8, 1994...
Aug 29, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 12
High Green Episode 11: Bruce Davison, Part 1
Bruce Davison, conductor, at West Claremont, NH, Oct. 3, 1977. William J. Madden photo, Michael C. Bump Collection. As the Boston & Maine Railroad sought to shed its lesser profitable lines, several shortline railroad companies were formed to pick up the slack. One such famed shortline was the Claremont & Concord Railway, whose territory included both the former B&M Claremont Branch and the Claremont Electric Railway's industrial trackage weaving through the streets of Claremont. We ...
Aug 20, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 11
High Green Episode 10: Bill Fletcher Interview, 1976
In today’s episode of High Green, we hear a taped interview from 1976 in which well-known railroad enthusiasts Dana D. Goodwin and H. Arnold Wilder speak with former Boston & Maine fireman Bill Fletcher. Fletcher hired on with the Boston & Maine in 1910, working with the railroad until 1927. Topics of conversation include the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad, Alvah Crocker, the Cheshire Railroad, the Stony Brook, and the perils of the early days of railroading.
May 09, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 10
High Green Episode 9: Brian Dame on the Wolfeboro Railroad
Wolfeboro, NH, 1974. Dana D. Goodwin photo, B&MRRHS Archives. In the early 1970s, Donald Hallock of the Strasburg Railroad endeavored to start a tourist and freight railroad on the 12-mile Wolfeboro Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad. In doing so, he helped start a beloved institution wherein many railroaders cut their teeth. One such railroader was Brian Dame of Rochester, whose close affiliation with railroading began on the Wolfeboro; both at the operation in Wolfeboro and with the...
Apr 11, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 9
High Green Episode 8: Robert Willoughby Jones
Robert Willoughby Jones' three-volume series on the Boston & Maine, "Three Colorful Decades of New England Railroading" (1991), "City and Shore" (1999) and "Forest, River and Mountain" (2000) rank among the most informative, best illustrated and best-received books ever published on the B&M. In this episode we are joined by Mr. Jones as we discuss his own memories of the Boston & Maine growing up around Marblehead, Massachusetts; the story behind his books; and some of the interestin...
Mar 28, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 8
High Green Episode 7: Russell F. Munroe, Jr.
Russell F. Munroe, Jr., 1987. David Hutchinson photo. In this episode of High Green we interview longtime B&MRRHS member, former B&M employee and prolific railroad photographer Russell F. Munroe, Jr. Born on June 28, 1932, Russell was fascinated with trains from a young age and took his first photograph in and soon became one of the most recognized railroad photographers in New England, capturing the final days of steam on the Boston & Maine. After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1953-...
Mar 19, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 7
High Green Episode 6: Reviving an "American Flyer"
Boston & Maine Osgood-Bradley “American Flyer” coach #4590. B&MRRHS Archives. In the mid-1950s, the Boston & Maine began to modernize their passenger roster with the purchase of the world’s largest fleet of Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs). As a result, much of their conventional passenger equipment was now obsolete. Many of those coaches were sold off or converted to work train service, including the railroad’s recognizable Osgood-Bradley “American Flyer” coaches. Many of the Osgood-Bra...
Feb 14, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 6
High Green Episode 5: Mager Greenough Interview, 1988
B&M No. 3624 (4-6-2) Class P-2, sallies forth from the fortress-like Salem, MA depot. Wayne Brumbaugh photo. Digital image made from photograph in Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society Archives. Cat. No. 2011.21.36. Gift of Preston S. Johnson who acquired binder of Brumbaugh photos from James P. McGill, former B&M train dispatcher. Copyright Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society, Inc. In this episode we feature an interview from 1988 conducted by B&MRRHS member Rich...
Feb 05, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 5
High Green Episode 4: On the Trail of the B&M
Author Charles Martin, whose book “New Hampshire Rail Trails” bridges the gap between rail and trail enthusiasm. In this episode of High Green, B&MRRHS member and Online Committee member Andrew Riedl interviews author Charles Martin, whose book “New Hampshire Rail Trails” is a comprehensive guide to the railroad history and modern aspects of some of the B&M’s former rail lines.
Jan 24, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 4
High Green Episode 3: The Young Guns
The Boston & Maine ceased to be an independent corporation nearly forty years ago - but that isn't stopping a new generation of avid railfans, preservationists, modelers and explorers from keeping its history alive. We introduce the young members of our online committee (Andrew, Neil, Connor and James), and discuss the ways that this younger group is doing just that.
Jan 17, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3
High Green Episode 2: Conn River Conversation
Boston & Maine/ Canadian Pacific train SPCP (Springfield, MA - Canadian Pacific at Newport, VT) heads north at Claremont Junction, June 1980. Michael C. Bump Collection In this episode we talk to Mike Bump, an engineer for Pan Am Railways who grew up in Claremont, NH along the busy Conn River Line in the 1970s and 1980s. As a young railfan, Mike chased and tape recorded the nearly constant action on the Conn River, allowing us to close our eyes and travel back in time. Listen along as the so...
Jan 10, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 2
High Green Episode 1: Rebirth of #1228
Somerville, MA, November 1971. BM SW9 #1228 inside Boston Engine Terminal. Henry W. Marrec photo, B&MRRHS Archives. In today’s episode we speak to Reuven Grehan, an employee for the Milford-Bennington Railroad, about the effort to restore their classic Boston & Maine EMD SW-9 diesel locomotive for functional freight service. We also talk with volunteers Zack Knutsen and Neil Rousseau on how they are assisting the project - and how you can join the effort!...
Dec 17, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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