To get to Southbridge you first need to get to Boston’s South Station. If you fly in to Logan Airport, you can take the Silver line to South Station. If you prefer rail travel, Amtrak runs from NYC directly into South Station. From South Station you will need to take the Commuter Rail train to Worcester Union Station. The Worcester Regional Transit Authority has bus service to Southbridge, Rt #29 departing from Union Station. https://therta.com/routes-schedules/
Sorry, there are no plans to broadcast or record the convention clinics. Putting on a convention of this high quality requires a lot of volunteer hours and equipment and there are not enough available volunteers and equipment resources to offer remote viewing.
NER conventions are designed for participants to be on-site so that there are opportunities for them to easily exchange ideas and information with each other. For those who cannot attend an NER convention, many good clinics and virtual layout tours can be viewed remotely each year when the NERx program is scheduled.
For the “Eyes on the NER”, though, we encourage people to attend in person, see really good clinics and activities, and enjoy the beautiful Central MA country side in peak foliage season.
Many convention goers bring their spouses, significant others or family members (“traveling companions”). At last year’s convention, the 172 railfan registrants were accompanied by 47 such companions. Once they are registered, they will receive a name tag and may attend clinics, tours, and other activities. Alternatively, while the rail-fan registrant is enjoying clinics and layout tours, sometimes their companions will choose to enjoy non-rail activities outside of the convention facility.
There are many such non-rail opportunities at “Eyes on the NER” and these will be posted on the convention website and in the hospitality room at the convention. As for attending the special meal gatherings, at the last NER convention at least 27 guests paid to attend the reception, banquet, and awards breakfast.
There will be bulletin boards near the registration desk and in the hospitality suite for registrants to post notices such as those seeking carpooling opportunities. There will be sheets for the CT Trolley Museum/ CT Eastern Museum on Friday, Sturbridge Village on Friday, and the Essex Steam Train on Saturday. Due to liability concerns, the NMRA prohibits convention organizers from being directly involved in arranging carpools.
Although Southbridge no longer has active rail lines, the abandoned right of way for the ill-fated Southern New England (Grand Trunk) railroad and a bike trail using the former Providence and Worcester Southbridge Branch line run by our convention hotel. The former New Haven Southbridge depot shown in our fliers is only a few blocks north on Central Street. For those who like stations classic HH Richardson Boston and Albany designs still stand in nearby Palmer, Warren, and West Brookfield, Mass. Don’t overlook the c.1840 Western RR freight house. It is just west of the street overpass on the north sie of the track. It now houses the Sherman Oil Company. In Warren, go under the railroad tracksto the south side and look for the Boston and Albany freight house just west of the depot.
Palmer, Mass. is an interchange point between the CSXT Boston Line, the Massachusetts Central, and New England Central Railroads. Trains from all three railroads ply these lines daily but since all traffic is run as extras they will operate at irregular times. Amtrak’s Westbound Lake Shore Limited (Train 449) usually passes through Palmer as scheduled in the midafternoon, but its eastbound counterpart (Train 449) can show up at any time. Call Amtrak for daily information. There are many photo opportunities in the vicinity of the Palmer Depot, but many other close by photo locations exist by following CSXT East as far as the Brookfields on Rtes. 20, 67, and 9 or by following the New England Central on Rt. 32 South to Stafford Springs, CT or North to Three Rivers, Mass. Palmer Depot is also the location of the Steaming Tender Restaurant, a railfan’s delight featuring good food. They are open evenings and for lunch on weekends. It is strongly advised to make reservations well in advance, especially during our convention dates. Palmer is about a half hour from our hotel following Rtes. 131 and 20 west.
When ever railfanning, always be courteous to others and respect private property. Under all circumstances, STAY OFF THE TRACKS and EXPECT A TRAIN AT ANY TIME.
