Appearing as stark as the trees flanking the right-of-way, two switchstands guard their respective turnouts. The switchstand in the foreground marks the southern point of the Ventura Grain runaround track. Just beyond, the second switchstand (note the broken handle, missing rail and points) marks the siding where the Pratt Coal Company and Taunton Grain Company once received rail service.

This landscape will change dramatically with the resurrection of passenger rail service by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Trees will be pruned or removed entirely. As grades and alignments are further corrected, the older methods of railroad construction seen in the photograph will disappear. Heavier rail will replace rail that could handle the numerous passenger and freight trains of years ago. Spent steam locomotive cinders commonly used as ballast will be replaced with clean rock ballast. Essentially, the reconstruction will reflect current engineering technologies, safety regulations, codes, and design standards - - just as the existing right-of-way reflects the standards of a previous time.

The proposed commuter station is planned for the area on the right-hand side of the photograph in the middle distance. The City of Taunton might do well to insist on a station that blends with the historic industrial fabric of the immediate surrounding area. Rather than creating the typical "home/work" transitory commuter environment, Taunton might consider a new portal to its environs that could support a local bakery/coffee shop and a restaurant or two. If possible, the reuse of the former industrial buildings for such purposes will maintain the cohesiveness of this portal environment.

Photographed by Karl M. Dietzler, March 26, 2006.
Added to the photo archive by Karl Dietzler, April 4, 2006.
Railroad: Bay Colony.

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