All aboard: Trains running again after crews repair washed-out rail beds in Leominster

Mike Elfland, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Updated ·1 min read
This aerial photo shows repaired railroad tracks to the west of the North Leominster train station. The cleanup on Hamilton Street continues. At top of photo is the rear of the Route 13 shopping plaza that includes Wyman's Liquors.
This aerial photo shows repaired railroad tracks to the west of the North Leominster train station. The cleanup on Hamilton Street continues. At top of photo is the rear of the Route 13 shopping plaza that includes Wyman's Liquors.

A week after flooding in Leominster knocked out commuter rail service to the western end of the Fitchburg-Boston line, trains are expected to be running again Tuesday.

Crews have been repairing washed out railroad beds since soon after flooding hit much of Leominster Sept. 11. Heavy rain battered the city, leaving many roadways and basements under water. The flooding ate away at earthen rail beds near the commuter rail station in North Leominster. In some cases, large openings beneath tracks gave the appearance of an unplanned railroad trestle.

Through Tuesday morning, all Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains stopped in Shirley, the stop before North Leominster, with buses connecting commuters from the Wachusett, Fitchburg and North Leominster stations.

More Mazzarella: Leominster facing 'tens of millions' in costs after flooding

The repair work has been handled by the MBTA and Keolis Commuter Service, the operator of the commuter rail.

According to the MBTA: "Crews have been on-site working around the clock to excavate, stabilize and rebuild the area. Keolis crews placed more than 3,000 tons of stone to replace the washed-out earth and rebuild the railroad track bed. In partnership with the City of Leominster, Keolis crews laid 188 feet of concrete pipe to repair and improve the drainage system in the area."

The first train to use the repaired tracks was the No. 411 outbound train, leaving North Station in Boston at 10:30 a.m. and traveling to the Wachusett stop in West Fitchburg.

Railroad workers examine an undermined railroad bed in North Leominster the morning after flash floods hit the area.
Railroad workers examine an undermined railroad bed in North Leominster the morning after flash floods hit the area.
Railroad workers repairs tracks near the North Leominster station Monday.
Railroad workers repairs tracks near the North Leominster station Monday.

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: MBTA trains running again after crews repair washed-out rail beds in Leominster