This exposure depicts the pre1938 hurricane path of the Boston & Maine Fitchburg division through South Royalston Massachusetts before that storm swept it, and most of the village, away
Currently maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this is the ORIGINAL rails to trails conversion of B&M trackage. And it is not the original alignment of the Fitchburg Railroad thru this area, either!!
Current Pan Am line is nearly invisible through trees on the extreme right border of picture, and twenty feet above the photographer’s head
This view shows signal tower bases left from Fitchburg Division days in the extreme left and right of this image
Road is now heavily used by pedestrians of all sorts and conveyances, and is open to its destination of Birch Hill Dam, where beautiful spots can be claimed for picnics
Okay, folks, here’s my cheerleading for the local economy in this age of social dysfunction and dystopia::
Be sure to visit the nearby Royalston Country Store (so it’s not Chelsea Market Basket but you’ll love the owner)
Also try Soup on the Fly in uptown Athol for soup & sandwiches/burgers. It’s somewhat pricey but food is delicious and is brought to your vehicle while you wait......
Contact me and I can lead you all on a free guided tour of the ORIGINAL Vermont & Massachusetts alignment site through the area!!!!!!

Photographed by Stephen Demboske, March 27, 2020.
Added to the photo archive by Stephen Demboske, March 27, 2020.
Railroad: Boston & Maine.

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