Taken just a few days ago, in Massachusetts. Ex-Boston & Albany, I think.

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... ydate%3A51

Center bearing of something. Looks a little small for a turntable, maybe a water column?

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... ydate%3A51

Bob:

Boston & Maine. And it looks restorable. And a small enough roundhouse (only three stalls) where the maintenance wouldn't be overwehlming. Unusual windows over stall doors. Was this commonplace in New England? What does the inside look like today?

My guess (and only that) is that the bearing IS for a turntable, probably of the Amstrong type, and relatively short. Anyone have any other info on this building? Why a roundhouse here? Was there perhaps a B&M branch line that took off from this particular point? Or was there a large yard in the vicinity? Any B&M experts out there that could tell us?

Les

Hi Les,,

I am sorry but you are wrong,,the enginehouse in Athol,Mass is the ex Boston & Albany enginehouse,,,the line for which the B&A came in on was almost in front of the enginehouse,,,for the former B&A Rabbit line,,,the was taken out in the 40,s,,,for the makin of the quabbin water supply...Pat

Pat:

Thanks very much for the correction. I based my "guesstimate" of it being B&M on the fact that my 1962 copy of the Official Guide showed only one railroad listed for Athol.....the Boston & Maine. PLUS, a website that listed the roundhouse as being B&M. Shows to go you....you should get your facts straight before putting them in print! Still an amazingly intact roundhouse though, especially if the line was taken out in the 1940's. Do you know of any plans to save it and/or restore it? Did it have a turntable out front, or just switches leading in to the three stalls?

Les