Here is a map that shows the Georgetown Branch
in relationship to all the other lines in Essex County.
The Georgetown Branch is highlighted in white.
This map shows fairly accurately where there
is still iron down. Unfortunately the iron isn't continuous, the right
of way has been encroached upon in many difference places. In later years
the line served the Haverhill Paperboard Company. I understand that the
branch was disconnected from the mainline in the early 80's when the T
upgraded the line for passenger service. The MBTA is the current owner
of the ROW shown in the map above. Further Eastward it's owned by a power
company. I strongly suspect that the reason the iron hasn't been torn up
is because the T owns it rather than Guilford.
This topo map from the 40's gives you a good
idea of the layout of the Georgetown Branch in Bradford. There were quite
a few sidings, many of which are still visible today. I'm waiting for the
foliage to clear and then I'll take pictures of all the remaining sidings.
The Former Georgetown Branch just a few feet
from where it breaks off from the freight main.
The old engine house and turntable was located just off to the left
of this picture.
A closer picture of that milepost. It reads
G6 on one side and B0 on the other. The G indicating Georgetown and the
B indicating Bradford.
This picture was taken between the freight main
(right) and the Georgetown Branch. Straight ahead was where the engine
house and turntable were. See the map below.
The bridge carrying the Georgetown Branch with Bradford Station in the background. Bradford Station is now a laundromat. The bridge on the right carries the freight main.
View of Back of Bradford Station.
View of the tracks heading East from in front
of Bradford Station. If you look closely you can see where the Georgetown
Branch deviated off to the right.
This bridge carries the Georgetown Branch over
a short one way street leading from the parking lot of the Crescent Yacht
Club in Bradford. This bridge is a couple hundred feet or so West of the
houses in the next picture. There is still iron on the bridge.
This picture was taken from Railroad St. in
Bradford, just West of the Paperboard company by maybe half a mile. These
houses have the railroad going through their back yards. South River St.
is between these houses and the river and is technically the street that
these houses are on although as you can see from the mailbox they use Railroad
St. as the front side of the house. S. River Street is a little dirt road.
Over the years they have been trying to cover up the tracks more and more.
This is one of the few sections still showing. This view is about a mile
from where the Georgetown Branch breaks off from the freight main.
View of Georgetown Branch heading East from the edge of the Haverhill Paperboard Property. This is where MBTA ownership ends and power company ownership of the ROW begins.
This is the first crossing in Groveland, where the Groveland station used to be. The RR used to own the property that the lumber company is now on. This view is maybe a mile east of the Paperboard company.
Same crossing, this time looking East towards
Georgetown.
This picture was taken a thousand feet south
of the previous picture and is looking back at the crossing. Note the whistle
post in the right hand side of the picture. Just around the curve is the
crossing where the Groveland Station was. Note how the power company has
plowed the dirt in the right of way as though it were snow. Made it easy
to ride on.
Georgetown Branch at route 97 crossing in
Groveland. Milepost indicates 2 miles to Georgetown. View is looking East.
Same milepost, looking West, four miles to Bradford.
One mile out of Georgetown.
5 miles out of Bradford, looking West.
Georgetown Center, line coming in from Bradford.
Georgetown Center, line going out to Boxford, Topsfield, and then Danvers.
Georgetown Center, line heading out to Byfield
and Newburyport.
One of the stations on the Georgetown Branch was
this one. Haverhill Bridge. It was located right near the bridge that
carried route 125 over the river from Bradford to Haverhill.
This interesting map shows the track layout at Bradford, including the small yard, and the turntable and roundhouse.
I have more pictures that are being developed. When they come back I'll post them. The above gives a small introduction to the line. There will be more to come.
