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Michael Wheeler's Collection
 
7/1/2025
 
 
 
 
 
By:Michael Wheeler
Dates:4/16/2008 - 6/3/2008
Album Info:Abandoned track of the B&A, B&M, and other railroads in and around Palmer.
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Abandoned Line
Title:  Abandoned Line
Description:  Abandoned tracks on the old B&M. These are located in Bondsville MA near Palmer. Currently they are owned by the Mass Central. Traveling in this direction will lead to the Forest Lake junction where the Former B&M Wheelwright Branch and the Ware River Branch of the B&A met before running up into Ware and Hardwick before the B&M spilt off at Creamery Junction to Wheelwright
Photo Date:  8/11/2006  Upload Date: 11/7/2006 9:03:35 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
Categories: 
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Views:  607   Comments: 1
Abandoned Line
Title:  Abandoned Line
Description:  this is the other side of the abandoned tracks. They go through the woods, over Hastings crossing which is the site of Palmer's deadlisest rail tragedy, through more woods, over an overpass, and finally end just before East St. in Bondsville. This was the portion of the B&M Wheelwright Branch that went through Belchertown, Amherst, and ended in Northampton. That portion is now the Norwottuck Rail Trail.
Photo Date:  8/11/2006  Upload Date: 11/7/2006 9:04:51 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  596   Comments: 0
End of former B&M Wheelwright Branch
Title:  End of former B&M Wheelwright Branch
Description:  This is the current end of track for the MCER on the former B&M Wheelwright Branch, on East Street. Originally the Central Mass Branch, it extended from Wheelwright in Hardwick to Northampton through Belchertown and Amherst over what is now the Norwottuck rail trail. On the other side of the crossing is the right of way that leads to the Boston Duck Works factory as well as the location of the old Bondsville trestle, which was removed in 1983.
Photo Date:  4/16/2008  Upload Date: 4/16/2008 7:37:18 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  749   Comments: 0
Former Wheelwright Branch ROW
Title:  Former Wheelwright Branch ROW
Description:  This is the other side of the East. St. crossing in Bondsville, which is the current end of the former B&M Wheelwright Branch. This ROW leads to the former Boston Duck Works factory as well as the site of the old Bondsville Trestle and the Bondsville Station. The trestle was demolished in 1983, and the station was used as practice for the Bondsville fire department.
Photo Date:  4/16/2008  Upload Date: 4/16/2008 7:37:53 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
Categories: 
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Views:  434   Comments: 1
Three Rivers Station
Title:  Three Rivers Station
Description:  The foundation of the Three Rivers Station erected along the ROW of the Hampden Railroad. ALong with the rest of the Hampden Railroad, this station sat unused for 25 years before the entire line was salvaged for surpuls steel in WWII.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:45:18 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
Categories: 
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Views:  476   Comments: 0
Three Rivers Station
Title:  Three Rivers Station
Description:  Another view of the foundation of the Three Rivers Sation next to the old Hampden RR ROW.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:45:40 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  428   Comments: 0
Swift River Viaduct
Title:  Swift River Viaduct
Description:  These piers once surported the 400 ft Swift River Viaduct of the Hampden RR. The tracks running perpendicular are the ex-CV, now NECR track running north to Vermont.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:45:55 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  398   Comments: 0
Swift River Viaduct
Title:  Swift River Viaduct
Description:  Once part of the viaduct over the Swift River and the CV tracks in Three Rivers.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:46:08 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  340   Comments: 0
Swift River Viaduct
Title:  Swift River Viaduct
Description:  The other side of what remains of the Swift River Viaduct. In the second pier, you can see the very top of the arch that was cast into the concrete.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:46:22 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  277   Comments: 0
Hampden RR bridge abutments
Title:  Hampden RR bridge abutments
Description:  These abutments supported a bridge over North St. in Three Rivers along the ROW of the Hampden RR.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:46:35 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  345   Comments: 0
Looking towards Bondsville
Title:  Looking towards Bondsville
Description:  Looking towards Bondsville along the ROW of the Hampden RR. Compare this photo to the one in the book "One Town and Seven Railroads" by the Palmer library, page 89.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:46:54 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  248   Comments: 0
Towards Ludlow
Title:  Towards Ludlow
Description:  Looking towards Ludlow along the Hampden RR ROW.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:47:15 PM
Location:  Three Rivers, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  216   Comments: 0
Hampden RR ROW
Title:  Hampden RR ROW
Description:  Hampden RR ROW in Bondsville looking toward the connection with the B&M Central Mass/Wheelwright Branch.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:47:32 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  299   Comments: 0
Former site of the Bondsville Station
Title:  Former site of the Bondsville Station
Description:  The Hampden RR Bondsville station was located where that electrical substation now sits.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:47:49 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  244   Comments: 0
Abutment of the Bondsville Trestle
Title:  Abutment of the Bondsville Trestle
Description:  The Bondsville side of the Swift River. This was the side of the trestle that had the station and Boston Duck Company. Trestle removed in 1983.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:48:14 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
Categories: 
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Views:  365   Comments: 0
Bondsville Trestle
Title:  Bondsville Trestle
Description:  Looking towards Belchertown, this is where the Bondsville Station was located, just behind me, as well as the Boston Duck Company.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:48:52 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  602   Comments: 0
The Boston Duck Company
Title:  The Boston Duck Company
Description:  The warehouse which housed the Boston Duck Company. The ROW from Forest Lake junction has been kept open in the event the factory again needs service.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:49:05 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
Categories: 
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Views:  362   Comments: 0
Location of the Bondsville Station
Title:  Location of the Bondsville Station
Description:  This parking lot marks the formdr location of the Bondsville Station. The Station was used as practice for the Bondsville FD, and the trestle behind me was removee in 1983.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:49:18 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  300   Comments: 0
Bridge over the Hampden
Title:  Bridge over the Hampden
Description:  This bridge on the former B&M Wheelwright branch once crossed'the Hampden RR. The two lines connected about a half-mile behind me past Hadtings crossing. The trench is now mud along the bottol, and the rest up to the interchange was filled in by the Palmer State St. dump.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:49:39 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
Categories: 
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Views:  466   Comments: 0
Hasting's Crossing
Title:  Hasting's Crossing
Description:  This is the site involved in the deadliest rail tragedy in Palmer's history. Ironically, the train traveling from Northampton to Ware, struck a large wagon full of children. The wagon was carrying 11 people who had been visiting veterans of the Spanish-American War, and were headed to a concert at Forest Lake. Six People were killed in the accident.
Photo Date:  4/18/2008  Upload Date: 4/18/2008 5:49:54 PM
Location:  Bondsville, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  558   Comments: 0
Canal Junction
Title:  Canal Junction
Description:  This is Canal Junction where the B&M Wheelwright branch connected with the CV main line hrom Palmer. The B&L had trackage rights for 8.32 miles to Norwottuck junction where they split off for Northampton
Photo Date:  4/25/2008  Upload Date: 4/29/2008 5:29:55 PM
Location:  Belchertown, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  439   Comments: 0
Canal Junction
Title:  Canal Junction
Description:  The B&M Wheelwright branch curved off into the woods where that path is now. The old ties are still visible in the dirt next to thb current NECR(ROW
Photo Date:  4/25/2008  Upload Date: 4/29/2008 5:34:18 PM
Location:  Belchertown, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  415   Comments: 0
Palmer Subway
Title:  Palmer Subway
Description:  This was the snairway yrom the Palmer Union Station under the diamond to the street below. It was blocked off many years ago.
Photo Date:  4/26/2008  Upload Date: 4/29/2008 5:30:16 PM
Location:  Palmer, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  248   Comments: 0
Old Crossing
Title:  Old Crossing
Description:  This crossing is near the end of the B&M Wheelwright branch in Wheelwright. The line ended at the creamery only a few hundred yards to my left in this photo. Most of the ROW in the Hardwick and Wheelwright area still remains including ties and the bridges as well, needing only rails to be put back into service.
Photo Date:  6/3/2008  Upload Date: 6/3/2008 9:28:48 PM
Location:  Wheelwright, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  238   Comments: 0
Old Tower
Title:  Old Tower
Description:  This old tower is on the property of the old creamery at the end of the Wheelwright Branch. The ROW is in the woods directly behind the house in the photo, leading to a factory next to the old creamery site. The track here appears to still be in place, rails and all.
Photo Date:  6/3/2008  Upload Date: 6/3/2008 9:29:01 PM
Location:  Wheelwright, MA
Author:  Michael Wheeler
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Views:  253   Comments: 0


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