satellite detail photo: west upton

West Upton holds the most promise for a Major Access Point for Upton. Home of the Upton Depot (center of satellite picture), Maple and High Streets allow for good access to the railway yard.

For reference, here are other places of interest on this map:
1    Blackstone Valley Technical High School
2    Upton Fuel & Construction office
3    Grafton and Upton Engine 9
4    Flatbed Car
5    Maplewood Cemetery
6    Upton State Forest area
7    Zachary Pond

Details of this Section (pictures are thumbnails for faster loading):
To see detail of each picture, click on image.

	Maplewood Cemetery Building Located behind the technical high school to the west, this photo shows the caretaker building at the entrance to Maplewood Cemetery on Maple St in Upton. Just beyond this photo to the left is Maple St.
	Maple St Crossing - south view Crossing busy Maple St with a double set of tracks, this picture illustrates the roadway and rails looking south. Unlike other crossings to the south, this crossing has no visible ties flanking the rails and instead have only a small space between the rails and the asphalt. Trees lining the right of way to the right in this photo screen many of the homes that back up to this railway well. The split of two sets of rails can be seen in the scrub grass on the far side of the street. Because of its link between West Upton and Pleasant St, this street is makes for the busiest traffic crossing in Upton, averaging 8,700 vehicles per day, according to MassHighway data for 2001. Most of this traffic is presumably weekday commuter traffic, lessening its impact on would-be trail users. Also of note is that with traffic counts half as high at other crossings, they were equipped with crossing lights instead of simple crossing signs, as this area is equipped. Approaches in both directions is quite clear and straight at this crossing.
	Upton Depot Yard - north view Looking north with Maple St behind the camera, this photo shows the twin tracks leading up to Upton Depot yard with buildings to the left. In the foreground on the left is the Upton Fuel and Construction office and ancillary green buildings behind it. In the background, center of the picture is the Grafton & Upton #9 44-tonne engine (see below) on a siding in the yard.
	Grafton & Upton Engine #9 One of the most interesting pieces of "rolling stock" on this right of way is the Grafton & Upton #9 engine shown in this photo. According to railfans on railroad.net, the engine is a 44-tonne diesel, purchased by the railroad new in July of 1946. Still operable when first stored, it is probably now inoperable due to years of neglect (exhaust stacks are unprotected). Now boarded up with plywood, this, with other railroad artifacts would go a long way to demonstrate the railroad's long influential history in this region to future visitors.
	Upton Depot - north view Further up the yard from the first Upton Depot photo (above), this picture shows that the yard spreads out to three sets of track here and a fourth just a bit further up the line. Far to the left is the French Windows and Doors warehouse which is also the home to Prestige Cleaning and Upholstery. On the right, backs of homes are clearly visible. Remediation to screen these homes from the yard and to enclose the area as an access point would be necessary if a trail were to be constructed. Like the Hopedale Depot yard, the Upton Depot yard provides great potential for a Major Access Point for a recreational train. A large parking area, access to a regularly used road (Maple St) and less than a half mile from the West Upton business district.
	Upton Depot - flat car Another interesting piece (one of three) of rolling stock in the Upton Depot is a flat car, pictured here in this photo. Well weathered, it still has a few dozen ties on its deck in good condition, the majority still bound with metal strapping. These were most likely used during the last improvement project the railroad company engaged in in the late 90s. In the background is a nearby house on Railroad Avenue or Farm Street.
	Upton Depot - rail tie car Seen in this photo is the third piece of stock found in the Upton Depot is this machine. I do not know much about what this piece of equipment does, but it may be used to replace rail sections and/or ties. More information to come as it is available.
	Upton Depot Yard - hopper trestle This picture and the two photos below show details of a hopper transfer area in the Upton Depot yard. Two of the three openings are shown covered with railroad ties to help prevent accidents. In the background is the French Windows and Doors warehouse which is also the home to Prestige Cleaning and Upholstery.
	Railroad Ave - hopper transfer Here is an second photo of the hopper transfer area. This photo depicts the truck access from Railroad Ave on the west side of the depot yard. Along the top of the picture is a handrail at the edge of the underpass. Not seen in the picture (just off the bottom) is a railroad tie placed across the entrance to prevent vehicle access to the area.
	Upton Depot - hopper trestle detail This third photo show the detail of the hatch from below. Also seen in this photo is the control arm that allows for the hatch to open on the right. The poor condition of the concrete and steel as seen here from below suggests that it is currently inoperable. However, according to the railroad company's official website, this terminal currently "has a trestle for hopper car unloading"
	High St Crossing - south view North of the Upton Depot yard, looking south across High St, this photo shows the road crossing on this rural road. As with many of the other crossings in Upton and Hopedale, the rails are flanked by rotting ties. The ties here are superficially submerged beneath road sand on both sides of the street. There is no traffic data for this street by MassHighway. Comparing traffic here to Glen Ave and Plain St, it is estimated to be no more than 300 vehicles per day on this straight section of road.
	High St Crossing - north view Heading north from High St to Glen Ave the right of way straightens out and follows along an earthen trestle as seen in this photo. Wetland can be seen to each side of the right of way, but there does not seem to be a culvert or any other means of connecting these two small areas of standing water. Open and very clear.